01/06/2009

Auto Credit Cards: using your rewards toward the purchase of a new car

Mini Platinum Card VISAThe price of gasoline is on everyone’s mind, and a favorite topic at the water cooler.  Some people have switched to a hybrid car, some others have traded-in their gasoline guzzler for a gasoline “sipper”,  while others have switched or are thinking about switching their credit cards to a Gas Rebate credit card.
If changing your car is in your future, you might want to consider another strategy for easing the sticker shock of a new car: have you thought about Automotive credit cards?  It might be a wise idea, especially since new small cars cost more – relatively speaking – then used large cars.
Popular during the 90’s when everyone was upgrading, many of these programs are still in effect, although they are not been advertised much.
Typically you sign up for a auto manufacturer’s credit card, and your rewards can be used toward the down payment of a new car from that manufacturer.

Of course if you have a Lexus Pursuits Visa card, and then you are looking to buy a Subaru car, you can’t apply the rewards from one manufacturer’s credit card toward the purchase of another manufacturer’s car.  Unless you carry the Citibank’s Driver’s Edge card, where you can apply the rewards toward the purchase of any car, regardless of the manufacturer, and it applies to both new and used cars.

GM Flexible Earnings Rewards Card by HSBC (*):

  • 3% Earnings toward an eligible, new GM vehicle,
    or
  • 1% toward the purchase of any other new vehicle,GM Flexible Earnings Card
    or
  • 1% cash back ($100 increments)
  • 0% Introductory APR on Balance Transfers Terms and Conditions
  • No limit on how much you can earn
  • Earn even more at the GM Cardmember Bonus Shop

Mercedes-Benz Visa Card (*):

  • Earn Reward Points for every purchase you make
  • Redeem your Reward Points for Parts and Services at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships, as well as for other Mercedes-Benz exclusives
  • No annual fee

Mercedes-Benz Visa Signature Card (*):

  • Opportunity to customize and create your own reward.
  • Earn Reward Points for every purchase you make.
  • Redeem your Reward Points for Parts and Services at authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships, as well as for other Mercedes-Benz exclusives.Mercedes Signature Visa Card
  • Use your Reward Point to match your lifestyle, like using them towards one of the premium vacation packages available.
  • You can donate your Reward Points to your local charity of choice.

Subaru Platinum MasterCard from Chase (*):

  • 3% in Subaru Reward Dollars – up to $500 per year – redeemable at any authorized Subaru dealership in the Continental United States, including Alaska.
  • A low 0% Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for up to 6 months with no annual Subaru Platinum MasterCardfee.
  • Plus receive 25 Subaru Reward Dollars after your first purchase.
  • Redeem your Subaru Reward Dollars for Subaru parts,  Subaru service, lease or purchase of a brand new Subaru vehicle or purchase of a Subaru Certified Pre-Owned Subaru.
  • Free additional cards are available for your family or friends - with all the rewards redeemable to your account.
  • Keep track of your Subaru Reward Dollars the easy way. For each 100 Subaru Reward Dollars you accrue, you will automatically receive a coupon attached to your billing statement. You can also check your progress 24/7 through online access to your account.

Lexus Pursuits Visa Card (*):

  • Experience Rewards Like No Other.  More than your typical credit card, Lexus Pursuits Visa offers unrivaled benefits and exclusive rewards developed with Lexus owners in mind.Lexus Pursuits Visa Card
  • Earn Rewards: Lexus Pursuits Visa Cardmembers earn Lexus Pursuits Points with every purchase.
  • Redeem Rewards: Reward redemption is simple and convenient.
  • Rewards Calculator: Determine how easily you can earn and use your Lexus Pursuits Points.
  • Travel Rewards: The optional Travel Rewards Program offers convenience and flexibility.
  • Enjoy superior concierge services and no pre-set spending limit.

Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Rewards Visa Cards (*)

  • Enhance your total driving experience with the Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge Rewards Visa credit card. It’s the card that not only gives you the buying-power and benefits you want, but works for you to earn valuable points that can be used for things you need.
  • Every purchase made using your Rewards Visa card earns points, which can then be converted to Chrysler Jeep Preferred VisaDealer Dollars Certificates.
  • Redeemable toward the purchase of a new, used or Five Star Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle.
  • Use them for maintenance, repairs or collision services at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships, Mopar Parts and Authentic Accessories by Mopar; or branded Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge merchandise.
  • You can also redeem your points online for your Chrysler Financial monthly vehicle payment or toward excess wear and tear at lease end.

Mini Platinum Visa Card (*)

  • Mini Platinum Visa CardYOUR CAR. YOUR CARD: It’s the only credit card that lets you configure a custom MINI.
  • Enjoy MINI Motoring Rewards.
  • No annual fee.
  • A 4.99% introductory APR on all purchases for 6 months.

Citi Driver’s Edge Options Platinum Select MasterCard (*):

  • Earn 6% rebates on gas station, supermarket & drugstore purchases for 12 months; 3% thereafter.
  • Earn 1% rebates on all other purchases to use towards a new, used or leased vehicle of your choice.Citi Driver\'s Edge Platinum Select MasterCard
  • Redeem your rebates for automotive service & repairs.
  • 0% APR on Balance Transfers for up to 12 months based on your application and credit history.
  • Enroll to earn additional rebates for the miles you drive.
  • Convert your rebates to ThankYou Points & redeem for merchandise & gift cards.
  • No Annual Fee.

(*) See each card’s official web site for details.

Green is the new Black: MORE Green Credit Cards to be Good to the Planet

The other day we reviewed the Brigheter Planet VISA from Bank of America, and today we are glad to report that the green credit card effect is not an isolated case, we have found 3 more examples of green credit cards:

HSBC ecosmart MasterCard with Plus Rewards

HSBC has actively taken steps to reducing their impact on the environment. Now with the HSBC ecosmart MasterCard with Plus Rewards, you can too! They’ll give you 1 point for every dollar you spend with your card, and you can choose to donate your earnings to environmentally friendly charities, or redeem them for eco-merchandise, cash back, flights, free stays at participating hotels, or gift cards.

  • Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend with your card, regardless of where you shop
  • Donate your points to environmentally friendly charities, or redeem for eco-friendly merchandise
  • Or redeem your points for 1% cash back, airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, merchandise, gift cards and more…
  • Enjoy a 0% Introductory APR on card purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, and NO annual fee
  • 100% Fraud Liability Protection automatically
  • MasterCard’s Platinum Benefits Package including:
    - Purchase Assurance® Coverage protecting you from theft or damage on new purchases
    - Extended Warranty insurance doubles the manufacturer’s warranty on new purchases
    - MasterCard Global Services® providing 24-hour assistance with lost or stolen card needs
  • Acceptance at millions of locations worldwide, including website purchases and reservations
  • Maintain your account online anytime of the day using our helpful Account Management Tools

(*) See the official HSBC ecosmart MasterCard site for details.

|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE HSBC ECOSMART MASTERCARD ||

The GE My Earth Rewards enables you to take a step toward offsetting your personal climate impact:

  • No Annual Fee
  • 0% Introductory APR on purchases for up to 6 months
  • Paperless Statements
  • Choice of Rewards

(*) See the official GE My Earth Rewards site for details.

|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE GE MY EARTH REWARDS ||

The GreenPAY MasterCard (UK only) is a rewards credit card exclusively designed to take everyday consumer spending and transfer the derived rewards into CO2 offsets which “retire” the stated pounds of CO2 emitted into the environment

Good for the planet. GreenPay’s unique Rewards program provides:

  • 10 pounds of CO2 reduction for each $1 of eligible net purchases for gasoline and household utilities
  • 5 pounds of CO2 reduction for each $1 of other eligible net purchases
  • New Account Bonus: 10,000 pounds of CO2 will be removed as a bonus for your first card purchase (approximately 1/4th the annual carbon emissions of a typical household of two in the U.S.)
  • CO2 reductions are independently certified

Good for YOU:

  • Become “carbon neutral” with everyday card spending
  • No Annual Fee
  • Worldwide acceptance as a MasterCard® credit card Worldwide acceptance as a MasterCard® credit card
  • Low 2.9% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 7 billing cycles

(*) See the official GreenPAY MasterCard site for details.

|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE GREENPAY MASTERCARD ||

Be green, be happy, charge wisely, pay your bills on time, and come back for your mojo often.

Union Plus: a hard working card endorsed by the AFL-CIO

The Card that works hard for the American worker, endorsed by the AFL-CIO; you work hard for your money, your money should be working just as hard for you.

These are the highlights of the offer that HSBC has put together just for you:

  • All Calls answered in the United States! How nice is that!
  • No annual fee and No liability for unauthorized;
  • FREE Rewards Program designed for hard-working union members;
  • Get 2,000 bonus points after first purchase, more than halfway to a $25 Gift Card;
  • Earn 1 Point for every dollar spent anywhere;
  • Earn 2 Points for every dollar spent at gas stations, grocery stores, and drug stores;
  • NO Balance Transfer Fees and APR stays FIXED until the balance is paid in full*;
  • 1.99% introductory APR on new purchases*.

|| CLICK HERE TO APPLY ||

Union Plus MasterCard

(*) See Union Plus Credit Cards official web site for details.


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