Custom Credit Cards

Custom credit cards are an interesting and increasingly popular option that some credit card companies are now offering their customers. This is essentially the ability for consumers to personalize their credit cards with personal images. This is a service that some credit card companies are experimenting with in an attempt to encourage consumers to select their credit card services over other companies.

This seems to be a popular feature among credit card consumers and represents an emerging trend among credit card companies to provide their customers with more choice and control in their credit card selection. Enabling customers to create their physical cards and even have input in their credit terms and conditions is a popular promotional offer that is appealing to credit card customers. Time will tell whether these incentives will increase business for credit card companies over the long term.

What follows is a brief outline of several different custom credit card services.

1. Bank of America has a feature called Photo Expressions that will enable the consumer to place their personal images onto the credit card. A 2x2 image can be uploaded and placed on the credit card. The initial selection process is free of charge. If later it is decided that a different image is preferred there is a nominal fee charged. Bank of America credit card customers can add this feature to their current account via the online services. The process is streamlined and easy to complete in a short time. If necessary, mailing the picture to Bank of America is an option as well.

2. Capital One also has a program that features custom credit cards for their customers. It is called Capital One Card Lab. This feature enables the customer to create their own custom credit card using an online service. The customer is given the ability to choose their rates, their features and rewards, their card image, and even apply and be reviewed online. The process is very straightforward and simple to navigate through online.

3. Another company that is featuring custom banking products is called Springwise. Not only is Springwise giving their customers the ability to create their own personalized credit card with personal photos, but additionally, they also have an option that allows the customer to make several important decisions regarding their reward rates and types (cash or points), their interest rates, and their card fees.

Interest rates, bonus rates, and card fees can be chosen using a sliding bar that will give various combinations of these rates and fees. If a customer desires to slide back the fee to zero, they then can compensate for this by agreeing to a minimum monthly spending limit. If the customer wishes to have a lower interest rate they would then have a lower bonus rate. After these account options are finished, the customer then designs their own original card by either selecting a photo from the gallery of images available or uploading their own image. Another option is to choose a "vertical card" which is relatively unusual.

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Fuel Cards Or Credit Cards?

Some people think they should not get a fuel card if they have a credit card. Even if there might be similarities, the fuel card is not a credit card and has its own use and benefits. The similarities pretty much stop at the way they both look and at the fact that the need for having cash is eliminated.

The first and most obvious benefit of fuel cards would have to be the possibility of buying petrol, diesel or other fuel at a discounted price. This is important especially because of the ongoing rise of the fuel. If you have a transportation business or your company has several cars for the employees, then the fuel card is the way to go. You do not have to give your drivers cash and all the invoices come with tax shown individually. This is important for your business because it smoothes the progress of tax recovery.

Fuel cards can be programmed in such a way that one can use them to buy one type of fuel or more depending on your needs. Because the fuel cards use Smartchip technology the number of fuelling transactions can be limited. These and other advantages make the fuel card more and more popular for both business and particular use.

Further benefits are listed below:

1. Simplified administration with itemised drawings in easy format in one invoice;
2. Simplicity of VAT reclaim even for European fills;
3. No home fuel tanks with security, monitoring and insurance implications;
4. You pay for actual drawings in arrears without necessarily needing to buy in bulk;
5. You pay for exact fuel amount used;
6. Costs are negotiable and often creditworthy businesses can agree a wholesale tariff cheaper than pump price;
7. A driver can fill on the road in Europe and take advantage of cheaper fuel provided that facilities fall within the card network;
8. In the event of fraud or misuse, cards can be electronically and quickly stopped;
9. Some card companies offer individual limits on each card for even greater control;
10. Returning drivers can fill to capacity when leaving EC ports and maximise cheaper prices of fills.

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Credit Card For Teens

Teenagers, not often known for their conservative purchasing decisions, usually rack up too much credit card debt. But some parents still prefer to give them credit cards because they believe their youngster should learn the value of responsible handling of one's finances. Others however are wary of giving credit cards to their young ones for fear that they will accumulate too much debt.

There are a lot of banks that offer credit cards specially tailored to answer the needs of high schools kids and college students. Most of these cards are issued with the guarantee of a co-signer such as the parent or the guardian. So while the co-signer has the ultimate responsibility for paying the card fees, students will also learn that they can use their credit cards in building a good financial background even though they don't have work.

If you are interested in giving credit cards to your youngster, make sure you have checked out all your options. There are banks that charge exorbitant fees, with the explanation that this is needed because the applicant does not have any credit history.

Before you give a credit card to your teenagers then you should understand the risks involved in doing so. Remember that you have no control on your child's spending. Any reckless behavior of your kid would certainly lead to too much debt, which you will have to pay since you are the co-signer. The credit limit for your child should be the lowest possible, so you can make sure he or she uses it only for emergency purchases. It also encourages them to have a certain budget and work on it, and to always pay in a very timely manner.

If you are not confident with your child's purchasing habits, give an extra credit card issued by your credit card company to your child. This comes for free, and your credit card company would normally not charge you any costs for this extra card. This way your kid will be less tempted to make any unnecessary purchases, and it allows you to keep a close tab on their spending habits.

You can also give a pre-paid credit card to your kids if they are still too young to have one. With this card, your kids will have an easier time using it since when the card balance runs out, they would not be able to use it.

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