post — Sharon Williams @ 12:11 pm — post Comments (0)

If you are planning to pursue college or a higher degree, perhaps you may consider enrolling in an online learning program. Nonetheless, some people may be skeptical about the idea of using the internet as a system for education. And since pursuing higher education is a major decision, this article presents the most important reasons why you may choose an online education course.

Online Learning For Better Job Opportunities

Acquiring skills and expertise will surely open up more the job opportunities for you. If you currently have a job but want to take your career to the next level, continuing an education course online gives you the chance to enhance your credentials while working at the same time.

This is why online education courses are increasingly becoming popular these days.

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post — Sharon Williams @ 1:49 pm — post Comments (0)

Credit unions don’t get nearly enough love.  More often than not, credit unions offer lower loan rates, higher savings interest rates, and occasionally even excellent rewards programs on credit cards.  They also tend to have better customer service and provide all-around more pleasant experiences to their members.  The problem is that they are often non-profits, and don’t have the advertising bucks that their bigger bank competitors wield, so you’ve probably never heard of most of them.

Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the world, and anyone who serves in the US military, or is peripherally employed by the Department of Defense in any way, shape, or form, is eligible.  Retiree

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post — Sharon Williams @ 6:59 pm — post Comments (0)

Ritz-Carlton just announced they are rolling out the rewards red carpet to loyal customers for the first time in the hotel chain’s history.  Marriott Rewards members will also be happy to know that they can take advantage of many of the Ritz’s perks through their own rewards program, since they can now earn Marriott points on Ritz-Carlton hotel stays, and redeem those points for free nights at Ritz hotels.  If you’re a fan of these hotels, this is another reason to consider one of Chase’s two Marriott Rewards credit cards – the Signature and the Premiere.  But which one should you choose?

Verdict: Despite the $65 annual fee, the Premiere is by far the best way to earn rewards.  It has a bigger sign-up promotion, a much higher reward rate at Marriott hotels, and pays bonus rewards on other travel expenses.

Side-by-side comparison

In the first year, the Signature has no annual fee while the Premiere charges $65. But the Premi

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post — Sharon Williams @ 2:36 pm — post Comments (0)

Southwest Airlines doesn’t initially strike me as a heavy hitter in the frequent flyer rewards world, since those spots are typically reserved for the international airlines. However, a deeper look reveals that Southwest Rapid Rewards has one of the more valuable airline miles credit cards out there (as long as you don’t mind flying Southwest).

How the reward program works

Rather than paying traditional frequent flyer miles, Southwest relies on Rapid Rewards Credits.  You earn one credit for every one-way flight on Southwest, and two for every roundtrip.  Earning 16 credits in a 24 month period gets you a free roundtrip ticket anywhere Southwest flies (which is only in the US unfortunately).  It’s about as simple as they come.

As for using your credit card, you earn one Rapid Reward Credit for every 1,200 rewards points that you accumulate, which means one free flight for every 19,200 points.  You get 2 points for every $1 spent on hotels and rental cars, and 1 point for every other dollar spent.  Most air

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post — Sharon Williams @ 1:59 pm — post Comments (0)

Spokesman Michelle Slade, said “We are seeing a lot of new credit card deals coming out, but while the interest-free periods may be longer, providers are increasing the interest rate borrowers revert to pay for it.”

Credit card rates remained at an average of 16.7pc which is the highest since February 2002. In July, the purchase rate of Barclaycard’s Gold and Platinum cards increased from 15.9pc to 16.9pc and has remained at that level though the Bank of England has announced that interest rates with stay at 0.5pc for the 19th month running.

Datamonitor, the financial information provider, said credit card companies are under pressure to boost margins as consumers use their services less. It suggested the market would fall 2.7pc this year and firms would need to make up losses.

The figures from the Bank of England do not bode well for savers as the return earned from a tax- free ISA dropped to 0.6pc from July’s 0.69pc.

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post — Sharon Williams @ 6:07 am — post Comments (0)

Hyatt just announced the first credit card in the hotel chain’s history, the Hyatt Gold Passport from Chase.  The card is getting tons of press because of its unusual sign-up bonus, as described in the press release:

After the first use of the credit card, members will receive, courtesy of Chase and Hyatt, two nights at any Hyatt anywhere in the world which are redeemable within one year. This benefit makes the Hyatt Card unique among hotel reward cards, which typically require the translation of award points into stays and have limitations on the properties where the points can be redeemed.

They’re not just blowing smoke either, this is unique.  However, these types of signups are generally intended to sell consumers like me and you on sub-par credit cards.  As a general rule, the most catchy marketing implies the most onerous terms and conditions.  But I

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