Today, most parents contend that it is okay to let college students obtain their very own credit card. Not only because they want to let their kids manage their finances alone but also because having credit cards or a credit history for that matter is extremely important.

With the advent of credit cards, most people would always be looking into someone’s credit history before they can approve anything.

They even insist that without a credit history, people tend to become a total outcast in the society, someone who is not worthy to enjoy anything and everything without a credit history. That is why most college students would struggle just to get one.

But what makes the student credit card different from the other credit card? Why is it that it is highly classified as “student credit card,” and not just any credit cards for that matter?

Basically, student credit cards do not make such big difference as compared to the other types of credit cards. However, because it is a student credit card, the benefits stated therein are completely focused on providing the student’s their basic needs.

Moreover, student credit cards are entitled to lower interest rates especially for students who have good grades. They can negotiate their interest rates for a lower rate provided that they pay their balance dues on time and that they maintain good grades.

On the other hand, student’s credit cards are actually secured credit cards. But the difference that sets the students credit card apart from the other credit cards is that their parents can set the credit limit.

Also, parents can let their child’s credit card to hook up with them so that they can keep track on their child’s credit transactions.

Another thing that sets the student cards apart from the other credit cards is that the student credit cards are mainly focused on and quoted for students only considering the fact that they have limited credit history.

Normally, student credit cards have no annual fees and have credit limits that are only set to $500. And according to some surveys of financial institutions, the average student credit card annual percentage rate is 17.66% for purchases and 19.67% for cash advances.

So, even if student credit cards are different from the other credit cards because of its considerable interest rates, it is still a credit card. Thus, students must really be responsible in handling them; otherwise, they are bound to suffer bad credit history in the end.

Southwest Airlines, one of the biggest international airlines, goes hand-in-hand with Chase, a big credit card company, to produce: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Card.

Southwest Airlines is known for their Rapid Rewards. Unlike most airline companies, count the roundtrips made and not the miles of every trip. Only eight roundtrips are required to be able to avail of rewards. This concept was combined with their credit cards so that the people may enjoy their services more.

Chase Credit Cards operates under Bank One and First USA brands and offers cards that are flexible, trusted and superb customer service.

Southwest Airlines together with Chase, produced two types of credit cards: Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card and Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Business Card.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Business Card:

This is the card recommended for small businesses. It is ideal, because it can separate the personal expenses from the expenses of the business. Every time this card is used, the user has a chance to win a roundtrip Award.

Reward Dollars may be earned in all purchases.

-two Reward Dollars may be earned by spending $1 on Southwest Airlines.
-one Reward Dollar may be earned by spending $1 on all other types of purchases.

This will also entitle the applicant to an internet account that may be used to maintain and organize the expenses of the business. With the online help, quarterly reviews may be seen and reports may be downloaded by the card holder.

This card also gives up to a $100,000 limit even for small businesses. Grace periods are offered for easier pay.

This card also boasts low annual fee. It only has an annual fee of $59 dollars and is relatively less than other companies that go from $60 – $100.

Rewards are easily earned, because a reward may already be cashed in when the expenses reach $19,200. That is pretty low, compared to the $25,000 minimum of other card companies.

Additional cards do not have a fee, but a minimum amount is needed for it to be availed.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card:

The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card offers all the Visa Business Card offers and more.

It does not have a credit limit. Also, it does not have a limit when accumulating Award points by using the card.

It offers zero liability on unauthorized purchases. In addition to that, it has purchase security, travel and emergency assistance and other offers from Visa.

Additional Benefits:

Get four (4) bonus credit cards upon purchase.

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With credit cards dominating the market world today, even college students are already prospective clients of most credit card companies. This is because studies have revealed that most college students have difficulty in maintaining their expenses especially to those who are far way from home. That is why credit card nowadays had been a “must-have” for most college students.

Basically, college credit cards do not differ that much to ordinary credit cards. In fact, college credit cards are classified as secured credit cards because students do not have any credit history that will enable them to get a regular credit card.

But the fact remains them. Why would credit card companies be willing to provide college students with credit cards where in fact there is no basis where they can tell whether the student is capable of paying or not.

For two reasons, the credit card companies see a greater opportunity in them. One, survey shows that most college students remain loyal to their credit card company even after they have graduated from college and got have their work.

Second, reports show that college students are actually good customers. Most of them really do pay on time. Moreover, their balances tend to provide workable income to the credit card company.

On the other hand, college credit cards are also preferred by most parents, even if they know there will always be the tendency to overspend, due to the fact that college credit cards offer some fringe benefits that other credit cards cannot provide.

A good example of this is the student loans that will be used to pay the tuition fees. In doing so, students, as well as parents, will have an easier way of paying tuition fees at a more considerable rate and payment plan. Plus, there are college credit cards that had tied up with some establishments that are very useful to college students. They can, in turn, get fringe benefits and rewards from these establishments whenever they pay their balances on time.

Best of all, college credit cards have lower rates than most regular credit cards in the event that they maintain good grades.

Indeed, college credit cards are part of the “must-haves” of the college students. In fact, it is also one way of letting them know the ins and outs of good financial planning and budgeting.

The goal here is for the students to know how to use the plastics responsibly, and they should know that whatever they do, it’s under their responsibility.

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Shopping had never been lousy since the advent of credit cards. Since then, people had always been indulging into various cashless shopping due to the convenience of the credit card.

However, most people get credit cards only for the sake of shopping. They do not even read the fine print on their credit card and the least that they have considered is the one with the low annual percentage rate or APR. Most of them did not even know how interest rates could affect their billing.

On its general since, low APR credit card are those that have lower APR. This means that the cost of the interest rate will be according to the purchases obtained by the customer.

Normally, APR vary from 6% to more than 30%. Of course, it would be clear that the card with the lowest APR credit card is those that have 6% or lower.

But consumers should remember, that APR can be very tricky especially if the consumer have no idea what interest rates mean.

Basically, credit card companies would offer the consumers very low APR credit card so as to get the consumers on the hook.  In fact, credit card companies could lower their APR to as much as 0%.

Low APR credit cards are usually expressed during the introductory rate so as to entice new credit card holders to sign up to them; and once they are all hooked up, the credit card company would start changing and increasing their credit cards.

People should know what makes a low credit card really low and the best option for retaining that low APR even if the introductory offer is over.

First, they should know that APR has two faces: the fixed and the variable.

The fixed APR has more stable interest rates than variable rates. Variable rates, on the other hand, can start really low but it all depends on the prime rate of the Federal Reserve. This means that at any point in time, it may increase.

Needless to say, there are really quite a few credit cards that have low APR. The reason behind it is that APR is actually where the credit card companies get to earn a living.  If they continue to give people the low APR that they used to claim, chances are they wouldn’t be in the business for so long.

The bottom line here is that consumers should be really conscious on their APR and other interest rate. Low APR credit cards will not be very beneficial if it will only last for 6 months or so.

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Credit card rates have always been an issue in applying for a credit card. These rates are what everyone should know before choosing a credit company from another. Shopping around for the best rates will give you the best deal.

For you to own a credit card, you should first know what are credit card rates? What is an APR? What are the different kinds of rates?

Credit card rates are used to measure the interest of your credit card. It is used to know how much you would pay if you hold a balance on your account, if you have a cash advance or loan, and if you transferred a balance from other credit cards. The credit card rates are usually computed annually.

1) APR. The APR signifies the annual percentage rate of the interest. The APR is used by the bank to know how much would be charged on your bill for a yearly basis.  There are two kinds of APRs:

* Fixed. This kind of APR is an interest rate which has been arranged by the bank. The fixed APR would not be changed unless the bank or the credit card owner would amend the contract of agreement. Majority of credit card accounts that has fixed rates does not change often.
 
* On-going. This kind of APR is a kind of interest rate that could change even after the signing of contracts and the grace period.

Note: Both the fixed and APR rates would depend on consistency of the bill payments, if you would request your APR to be changed either lower or higher and if certain government provisions was made regarding the annual rates of your credit card.

* Special APRs. These kinds of annual rates would depend on the contract you have signed. If your terms specify a penalty APR when you would not be able to pay for your bills, this kind of rates would apply.

2) Interest rate.

* Fixed. A fixed interest basically means that your rate cannot be changed unless the bank informs you that there have been some changes in the policies.

* Variable. A variable interest rate changes automatically whenever the basic rate of the bank increases or decreases.

Note: Both the fixed and the variable rates could be changed by the bank anytime. This means that any bank could alter the terms and conditions of your credit account for a fifteen-day notice.

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