Shifting environment in fees, security breeds Revolution

Credit card customers are awash in choices, able to pick from any number of customized rewards programs, affiliations, fee structures -- even the images decorating the front. But an upstart player is taking on the card network giants, hoping that its innovative features and security -- combined with a deal it hopes merchants can't refuse -- can cut through the noise to find a home in your wallet and on your computer. Revolution, the investment company launched for $500 million by AOL founder Steve Case, has introduced a new credit card to compete against the behemoth card associations Visa and MasterCard, and, through its Revolution Money unit, an online payment system to compete against eBay's PayPal. Revolution's founders know they can't get a foothold looking or acting the same as everyone else in a crowded market. For security, the card doesn't have the cardholder's name or account number, either on its face or stored in the magnetic stripe -- all transactions are PIN-based rather than signed. The company aims to disrupt the big card associations' fee structure by charging merchants just 0.5 percent of a sale, compared with an existing 2-3 percent. As fights over those fees roil behind the scenes between retailers and credit card companies, RevolutionCard may face an enthusiastic reception from merchants -- and a serious challenge to reach a critical mass of consumer cardholders.

Cure the debt hangover, shed credit card debt in '08

During the holidays, you showered your loved ones with gifts, whether you could afford it or not. You would have felt guilty if you couldn't give them what they wanted.That's what a credit card is for, right? Unfortunately, now that the holidays are over and the bills are arriving, your new year may be off to a rough start.

Citi offers virtual account numbers to wary online shoppers

For the first time since the advent of the Internet, online shopping expenditures funded with credit cards are projected to exceed those of brick and mortar stores this holiday season. Maybe it's being driven by people's desire to avoid the crowds at the shopping mall or perhaps American's have just become more comfortable with using their credit cards for online shopping.

Balance transfer can lessen post-holiday blues

The first few months of every new year bring bad tidings in the form of credit card bills. While the holidays are a time of free spending and frivolity, January and February are often the hangover after the big party. But there are options for those who find themselves in the high-interest hot seat.

How to choose a airline rewards / frequent flier credit card

If you are in the market for an airline credit card, you may be a bit confused as to which one would best suit your needs. You're not alone. Banks and credit card issuers spend millions of dollars each year trumpeting their particular co-branded frequent flier credit cards. But this doesn't help the average consumer determine which credit card provides the most bang for the buck.

Become debt-free with credit card debt consolidation

Credit card debt can put a debilitating drag on your personal finances and limit your day-to-day money options. If you have a large outstanding credit card balance, now might be the time to consider your credit card debt consolidation options.

Credit card minimums are getting more maximum

Credit card minimum payments are getting bigger and this could, surprisingly, be a good thing for the average American. Legislators and Regulators in Washington have recently exerted pressure on the nation's largest credit card issuers to deal with the looming problem of consumer credit card debt. The banks have announced that new minimum payments will be 4 percent of outstanding balances.

Bank of America to Issue American Express

Not to be outdone by a previous move made by Citibank, Bank of America has officially announced that it will begin issuing credit cards on the American Express Open Network. The decision to offer American Express-branded credit cards is expected to help the bank's efforts to attract new customers according to a press release from the nation's largest credit card issuer.

Strategies for maximizing frequent flier credit card points

The best strategies for getting a free airline ticket with the help of your airline rewards or frequent flyer credit card boil down to seeking out all the incentives that have been created for specific airlines and their partners, including those provided by your airline credit card issuer.

The new Starbucks Duetto Visa – Wake up and smell the free coffee

Many of us need a strong jolt of caffeine to lift that morning fog. And, for millions of Americans that means one thing - Starbucks Coffee and lots of it. Now, the international coffee retailer has made it even easier to afford that morning cup of Joe by teaming up with Chase Credit Card Services to offer the new Starbucks Duetto Platinum Visa Card. And, if you are like many of us that have the Starbucks addiction, the daily cost of a Starbucks habit can not be considered insignificant. So rather than cutting back on such a "necessity" in life, perhaps you should consider making it more affordable with a little help from your everyday credit card spending.