There seems to be warfare among credit companies in Malaysia to get you hooked on credit. Credit card companies are finding all kinds of ways to tempt you by offering various kinds of promotions from free cards, free gifts to slashing interest rates. The credit card companies are trying to show you that there is no reason for not getting their credit cards even you don’t really need one, through on-going advertisements, promotions and aggressive marketing strategies.
The credit card companies hope that you will utilize their credit card loan so that they can make interest income out of you. You are tempted by the generosity of the credit card promotions, the convenience of settling bills and the prestige of owning a credit card.
So who is the real winner of this credit card game? Well in any war game, you need to plan your strategy effectively to win. This is the same as in this credit card game. If you don’t do that, you could easily end up as a real loser because all credit card companies have already went through these processes before coming up with these perceived nothing to lose credit card promotions.
Here are some practical tips that will help you to be the real winner in this credit card game.
1. Free for life credit card offer
If you need the convenience of credit card in settling your bills, this is quite a good offer to take. Some free credit card offers are only for a limited time. Once the time period lapsed, you will be required to pay fees for the credit card. Read the free credit card terms and condition carefully. Even if you are billed the credit card fees after lapsed of the free period, you can also try calling up the Credit Card Company and request for fee waiver in which most of the time you will get it. If you don’t, think about canceling the credit card and get another one that offer free credit card fees.
2. Free gift offer upon credit card approval
Different credit card companies offer different kinds of free gift upon approval of your credit card application. Search around the various offers and take the one with the free gift that is most useful to you. Take note, usually such offer always come with a condition that usually bind you to keep the credit card for at least two years. Read the free gift offer conditions carefully to ensure you understand them. Well I think most of you can easily fulfill this condition.
3. Loyalty points on credit card purchases
This is another great benefit offer by credit card companies. If the price of an item or service, you intend to buy, is the same whether you pay by cash or credit card, why not pay by credit card to take advantage of the loyalty points offer by the credit card company. Accumulation of such loyalty points can be substantial over times. You could use these loyalty points to redeem some very practical items such as cash rebate, mobile phone charges rebate, cash voucher, petrol, flight ticket and camera, just to name a few. But, please take note that some loyalty points have expiry dates. Read the loyalty point agreement thoroughly to ensure you get all the important points right.
4. Discounts offer by participating merchants
Most credit card companies run joint promotions with some of their merchants to offer discounts to their credit cardholders. Such offers range from retail items, meal discounts, travel discounts and many others if you patronize the outlets and pay by credit cards. So look out for such promotion advertisements in newspaper, newsletters or in brochures accompanying your monthly credit card statements.
5. Free travel insurance
Check out your credit card terms and conditions. Some credit card companies offer travel insurance and delay flight insurance when purchase air ticket using their credit card. This is not to be missed benefits especially when you are traveling by air whether on leisure or business.
6. Free Personal Accidental Insurance
Some credit card companies offer free personal accidental insurance to their card holders for one year. Take advantage of this free offer but remember to cancel the insurance plan after the free period lapsed, unless you intend to keep the insurance plan.
7. Global Purchase Protection Plan
Some credit card companies offer global purchase protection plan. Under this plan, if the item purchased under this plan is broken or spoilt, you can claim full reimbursement for the item. Check out this Global Purchase Protection Plan with your credit card company.
8. Roadside and Car Towing Assistance Plan
Check this plan out with your credit card company. Under this plan, if your vehicle is stalled at the roadside, you can use this service to help to tow it to your desire workshop. This tow service would be much safer than those unknown tow tuckers who stop by to offer their services.
9. Convenience of paying bills online
Most credit card companies offer the convenience of paying bills online. Pay bills online will save times in queuing up, petrol and parking fees. More so you can do this in the comfort of your home or anywhere convenient to you.
In order to maximize the full benefit of the above, you must ensure that you settle all your credit card bills in full. If you have problem settling all your credit bills in full, the above will not help you to achieve your objective of wining the credit card game.
If you need help to manage your debts, look around this blog. You can find many advertisements that offer helps on how to manage your debts.
Stumble Upon
Del.icio.us
Buzz
Trackbacks /
Pingbacks