Apply for an American Express platinum credit card.

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card
* Membership Rewards® bonus: 15K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $150, when you spend $1,000 in your first three months of card membership
* Membership Rewards® points multiply fast! Earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, 1X points on everything else
* Exclusive access to Gold Card Destinations and events - Enjoy special travel packages and amenities at hotels worldwide, as well as select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more, nationwide
* Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175
* Get approved in 60-seconds.

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Bank of America® Accelerated Rewards® American Express® card
* Introductory 0% APR for Purchases only for 12 billing cycles. After that, a Variable APR 12.99% - 20.99% will apply.
* Get a $50 statement credit after making at least $100 in retail purchases within the first 60 days of the account opening date.
* No annual fee and the flexibility to pay over time.
* Redeem your points for travel with no blackout dates, discounts at hotels, cash, brand-name merchandise, or gift certificates.
* Earn great rewards with 1.25 points per $1 in purchases.
* Access to special Cardmember offers from participating American Express® merchants to save on shopping, dining, travel, hotels, and much more.
* Free 24/7 Concierge Service.
* Access to one of the world's largest and most established travel agency networks.

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Blue Cash Everyday(SM) Card from American Express
* Earn a $100 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership
* 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time
* Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
* NO spend minimum, NO enrollment, and NO rotating rewards categories
* Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card
* No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Blue Sky from American Express®
* No annual fee
* Travel rewards with no blackout dates or travel restrictions. Redeem with any airline, any car rental, any hotel - anytime
* Pay your bill all at once, or over time. It's up to you.
* Blue Savings Program™: big deals on big brands, all the time
* Rated "Best Airline Credit Card" by Card Ratings Consumer's Choice Awards in 2010
* Get approved in 60-seconds

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Gold Delta SkyMiles« Credit Card from American Express
* 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening - good for a free flight!
* $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
* Check your first bag FREE - for up to 9 people on your reservation - on every Delta flight
* Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent
* Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Starwood Preferred Guest« Credit Card from American Express
* Starpoints« Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel
* Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates
* 2011 SmarterTravel« Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card"
* $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

TrueEarnings« Card from Costco and American Express
* American Express« Card and Costco Membership Card in one - with no annual fee for Costco members
* Cash back on the things you buy: 3% for the first $3,000 in annual gasoline purchases (1% thereafter), 2% for restaurants, 2% for travel, and 1% everywhere else, including Costco
* Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars in overall satisfaction by current TrueEarnings« Cardmembers from Costco and American Express

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

American Express® Gold Card
* Earn 10K Membership Rewards® points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $100, when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of Card membership
* Exclusive access to Gold Card Events - select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more
* Purchase Protection covers loss, theft, and damage of eligible items within 90 days of purchase
* Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards.
* Get approved in 60-seconds.

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
* Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit to cover incidentals with the airline of your choice
* 20% Travel Bonus when redeeming with Membership Rewards® Pay with Points
* Complimentary airport club access, including American Airlines Admirals Club® lounges
* Concierge service to assist with your business needs from gift giving to dinner reservations
* Business Platinum Car Rental program with complimentary enrollment in the Hertz #1 Gold Club®, Avis Preferred®, and Emerald club from National® Car Rental
* The Platinum Office Program, offering access to 1,000 internet-equipped business lounges in 450 major cities worldwide
* Enrollment in the Membership Rewards First® program
* No pre-set spending limit*

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN
* Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® - Receive 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, and another 15,000 bonus Starpoints when you spend $5,000 in 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
* Redeem Starpoints at over 1,000 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries, and for flights on more than 350 airlines through SPG Flights. No blackout dates.
* $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

The Plum Card® from American Express OPEN
* The Everything, Everywhere Trade Terms Card (SM) from American Express OPEN
* Pay in full within ten days, get a 1.5% discount
* OR pay as little as 10% and take up to 2 months to pay off the balance, interest free
* $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $185
* A powerful cash flow management tool

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN
* Earn 30,000 bonus miles toward Award Travel - when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening
* Check your first bag free - for up to 8 people on your reservation - on every Delta flight
* Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent
* Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings
* $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
* No annual fee for Additional Cards
* Save 3% to 10% automatically on business expenses from FedEx, Hertz®, OfficeMax®, and more with OPEN Savings®

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express OPEN
* Get 5% cash back on wireless services and office supply purchases*
* Get 3% cash back on automobile gasoline*
* Get 1% cash back on other purchases*
* No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn
* Cash back on purchases is automatically credited to your statement each month
* Save 3% to 10% automatically on business expenses from FedEx, Hertz®, OfficeMax®, and more with OPEN Savings®
* No annual membership fee

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

The NEW Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN
* Earn points even faster to get more rewards for your business
* 3X points on airfare, 2X points on advertising, gas, and shipping, 1X points on everything else
* One million rewards from over 500 brands
* Unlimited Rewards Potential - there is no limit to the number of points you can earn and points do not expire
* 24/7 support for everything from identity theft to travel emergencies
* $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $175
* Get unlimited Additional Gold Cards for an additional annual fee of $50 - and this fee is waived the first year

*See issuer for updates/changes to terms, conditions, application disclosure, interest rates, fees, etc

Credit Card Advice and FAQs:

Can you buy a car with a credit card? Buying a car with a credit card can make sense, particularly if you're buying a used car or using a credit card for a car down payment. In the event of a used car, if the seller made certain guarantees or offered a warranty which he failed to fulfill, you could easily reverse the credit card charge and thus nudge the seller to cooperate to make the situation right. A credit card down payment can also be reversed and is quite helpful when you are in a take-home test period.

Do I need a credit card? Technology has made life easier, yet has also caused a greater need for credit cards. With mobile phone payments, internet transactions, booking airline and motel reservations, there is an ever-growing place for credit cards. Another need for some people to have a credit card is to build or re-establish credit, because a credit card is a major score factor.

There is an easy way to get a credit card: You browse the internet and take time to compare various credit card offers, you narrow your choices down to one and submit your application. A few days later you receive approval decision: Your credit card application was rejected. Why? Because you selected your card based solely upon your desires, not also considering your eligibility. By answering a few questions about your needs AND credit history, a credit card matching company can show you cards to choose from which you will likely receive approval.

The fastest way to get a credit card is to apply for one which you are absolutely certain you'll be approved for. Typically the lower credit limit, little or no rewards cards, have the easiest approval standards. If you are not aware of the score necessary for acceptance, you can use a credit card pre-qualification company.

Is there a company that will help find a credit card for me? Yes. Simply answer a few questions regarding your credit profile and the type; or types, or credit cards which interest you, and the credit card match service will present you with card offers for you to compare and to choose from. The higher your score, the more credit card offers you can choose from and qualify for. This credit card service is especially helpful for those people who are unaware of what score ranges are needed for certain credit cards. Card matching services are also helpful to those who it's their first time getting a credit card.

Can I get a credit card without a job? Some credit card companies will issue credit cards for unemployed people, provided they have some other routine, reliable source of income such as a retirement pension. Some may also approve disabled applicants who receive Social Security Disability payments.

What is the lowest credit score to get a credit card? In order to determine what credit score is needed to get a credit card application accepted, you need to compare the card to others. Cards with higher limits, greater rewards and points, low APR or 0 introductory periods, most always have greater credit score requirements. Whereas a pre-paid debit card offers no credit check and thus does not require good credit scores, a rewards card with a $10,000 limit and low APR demands much higher ratings.

Is not activating a credit card bad? Not activating a credit card is almost as if you don't have a credit card at all, if the issuer requires you to first activate the card before you can place charges on it. Until then, you do not have a line of credit to help improve your credit score. So opening a credit card and not using it is much like having never applied in the first place.

What are the qualifications for a credit card application approval? Qualifying for a credit card is primarily subject to the type of credit card you're applying for. Obviously those high limit and high rewards credit cards require greater approval standards than regular credit cards with low limits and no; or very limited, rewards.

Get cash from a credit card - How to take a credit card payment from someone: You could use PayPal to provide merchant services for a small fee. This way if someone owes you money and has only a credit card, you and the other party could create your own separate PayPal accounts. As the Seller, you'll need only to provide a bank checking account to have the money transferred from the other person's credit card to you. The Buyer; the party who owes you money, will need to sign up for a credit card account. Then you; as Seller, would request funds from the Buyer. Another option is for the person with the credit card to make a purchase at a retail store, then request extra cash back from the credit card transaction.

Using a debit card as a credit card: Debit cards can be used just like credit cards, with the only exception that debit cards typically do not have a line of credit. But, if you obtained your debit card from your bank and the card is attached to your checking account, the bank may offer a small credit limit or an 'overdraft protection' limit which is a temporary credit line. You would have to repay the advance to avoid running up fee and/or interest charges.
 

Credit Card Comparisons & Matching - Many people around the world suffer from a bad credit history, and some do not know what is a good credit card to help build credit, and wonder will a secured credit card help or hurt?

Where can I get help choosing credit card offers and to pick out a credit card that matches my credit? Fortunately there are card options designed specifically for people with past credit issues so it's relatively easy to obtain credit card offers to compare. One advantage is to use a credit card comparison site, as it can provide a credit card search by credit score. When you have less than average credit, you want to use a site which specifically offers a credit card finder for bad credit people.

Which credit card locator can help me find a credit card to establish credit? People just starting out with no credit history should also refer to a credit card research site which contains offer for poor and no credit scores. They can help match you with the credit card or prepaid card which meets your credit profile.

Sub-prime unsecured credit cards: Many of these can assist you in building or rebuilding your credit. Although most of these do not have guaranteed approval, acceptance is more likely with one of these cards versus a rewards credit card.

Secured credit cards: These are also good options for establishing or re-establishing credit, provided the issuer reports to at least one major credit bureau.

Prepaid and debit cards: These cards typically have guaranteed approval and are similar to a traditional checking account. Check with the issuer to see if it reports to a major credit bureau.