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CARDNEWS FOR CONSUMERS
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(11/27/02)
Installment Card
Before long you'll be able to use your MasterCard for both revolving credit and installment credit. MasterCard this week launched the "MasterCard Installment Card", a new, patented program to help cardholders pay for larger purchases.
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(11/26/02)
UPS VISA
What can "brown" do for you? How about a VISA card with rewards for express shipping? UPS and Bank One have teamed to offer the "UPS Capital VISA Business card." The new card rewards shippers with credits toward UPS shipping services and provides small business owners with online tools to manage expenses.
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(11/25/02)
6X Bonus
Cardholders of the "Bank One/United Airlines Mileage Plus VISA" card and the "Bank of America/U.S. Airways Dividend VISA" card, as well as members of both airlines' frequent flyer programs, are now eligible to rack up triple miles in both frequent flyer programs.
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(11/22/02)
0% Carrots
Since the latest rate cut by the Feds, credit card solicitations featuring extended 0% introductory APRs have been flooding mailboxes. Citibank and Providian have extended their 0% offers in early 2004 while Discover has extended its 0% APR for balance transfers and cash advances until the end of 2003.
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(11/21/02)
AirTran VISA
America's second-largest low-fare airline has landed its first credit card. AirTran Airways has teamed with Juniper Bank to launch the new "AirTran A-Plus Platinum VISA" which offers free round-trip air travel with only 12 credits or 12,000 points, about half what the major carriers require for free seats.
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(11/20/02)
Top 10 Toys
Consumers will be whipping out their plastic for classic toys such as LEGOs and Play-Doh this holiday season as well as some new toys like Air Rebound and the 14-inch Ultra Pose N' Stick Spider-Man. A recent survey found that kids listed as many "classic" toys and "new" toys among their top ten favorites for 2002.
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(11/19/02)
MasterCard Stats
MasterCard passed the 300 million mark in U.S. payment cards during the third quarter. Gross dollar volume for the third quarter hit $155.9 billion compared with $125.0 billion for the 3Q/01, a 24.7% increase.
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(11/18/02)
Imagine A Million
Diners Club has launched its "Imagine A Million Sweepstakes" offering a grand prize of one million "Club Reward" points. Diners is also awarding 16 monthly prizes, including ten 10,000 point awards, five 50,000 point awards, and one 100,000 point award.
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(11/15/02)
Bankruptcy Reform
It looks like bankruptcy reform is a done deal after the House decided to drop the controversial abortion clinic provision attached to the bill. And, with the Republicans coming into full control next year, you can bet your bottom dollar the new bankruptcy laws will take effect before the end of 2003.
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(11/14/02)
Holiday Shopping
Bargains and "practical" gift-giving are the best descriptive terms for holiday shopping this year, as Xmas retail sales may climb a mere 5% over 2001. This year's holiday budget is expected to be $1,656, a modest increase from the $1,564 projected in 2001.
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(11/13/02)
Fast Food & Cards
Fast food and credit cards seem to come together like fries and burgers. A new study shows that consumers will opt for the apple pie, or other extras, when using credit cards in quick service restaurants.
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(11/12/02)
Family Account
MasterCard and Texas-based Town North Bank/TNB Card Services have teamed to offer, next year, an account that connects all the members of a family to one credit line. The primary cardholder of the new "MasterCard Family Account" determines who in the family, including children, receives a card and assigns a spending limit to each individual cardholder.
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(11/8/02)
DINERS vs AMEX
Diners Club has come out swinging at the new American Express reward cards. Diners says AmEx's point earning schedule is lousy and AmEx lacks flexibility since it has fewer major airline partners.
With the new "American Express Rewards Green Card" and "Gold Card," cardholders earn 2 points per $1 charged on certain "everyday" purchase...
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(11/7/02)
Rate Cut
With the prime rate sinking to 4.25%, some credit cards will dip lower, but don't hold your breath. This week's surprise rate cut by the Feds may have little effect on the bank credit card industry where fixed interest rates abound.
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(11/6/02)
US AirMiles
Cardholders of the "U.S Airways Dividend Miles VISA" card from Bank of America have greatly expanded their horizons this month. U.S. Airways "Dividend Miles" members can now earn milers worldwide on United and United Express flights.
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(11/5/02)
Priceless Memories
MasterCard has unleashed its 2002 holiday promotion
offering U.S. cardholders more than 1,000 opportunities to create or
recreate their "Priceless Memories." There are five grand prizes, with a
$40,000 value each, that enable you to go "anywhere you want, with anyone
you want" with up to 19 guests.
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(11/4/02)
Reward Cards
As low-ball interest rates lose their sizzle, rewards cards have been re-energized. Providian and American Express recently turned up the heat on competitors with new reward offerings.
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(11/1/02)
Eventful Week
Professionals in the payment card industry will be descending on Atlanta and Paris next week. The two biggest business events for card executives, BAI's "Retail Delivery Conference & Expo 2002" in Atlanta and the "Cartes 2002" in Paris, will get underway on November 5th.
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