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"A major league baseball team is a collection of 25 youngish men who have made the major leagues and discovered that in spite of it, life remains distressingly short of ideal."

Roger Kahn



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Featured Credit Articles

Bad Credit Debt and Loan Consolidation Advice
Are you deep in debt and have a bad credit history? If you answered yes to that question, finding a company who offers a bad credit debt and loan consolidation service may seem like the perfect solution. It is very important however, to investigate all of ...

Desperate For A Credit Card? How To Have Any Credit Card You Desire
As discussed in my popular report, "How to obtain a first class credit rating", starting with little more than $500, it is possible to build up your credit ratings with banks to allow you to borrow considerable sums of money. As long as you have always ...

Get incredible credit: Consolidate all your payments
Debt consolidation loans are a progressively more accepted form of debt repayment for those who find themselves powerless to pay off even the minimum payments. What is Debt Consolidation? Everyone knows what debt is; it's the sum of money that is ...




Credit Card Travel Tips: Some Do's and Don't's
 
Most people would never think of traveling without credit cards - and for many good reasons. Credit and charge cards can certainly give you an edge while on the road: You do not have to carry as much cash - a definite security advantage - and you WILL receive a record of all your transactions when your credit card statement arrives.
If your credit cards are stolen and used by a thief, and you report the loss promptly, you generally cannot be held responsible for more than a specified dollar amount in fraudulent charges (usually $50). You also stand a better chance of getting your lost credit cards replaced promptly...and this certainly cannot be said for losing cash!
Most major credit cards are accepted worldwide, and in many countries, are preferred as currency over travellers checks. Most people carry at least two types of cards, ideally from two different financial institutions; if one card does not work, the other one is usually accepted. Make sure to keep the cards in separate places.
Keep in mind that in some countries, one type of card is preferred over all others. Consider these examples: in Germany, Mastercard is the card preferred by most businesses; in fact, many stores refuse to take any other card. Note also that some fine restaurants will take only American Express cards - an unpleasant situation if you find yourself having polished off a gourmet dinner with nothing else but a Visa card to pay for it! When in an unfamiliar place, it is a good idea to ask about credit cards accepted before ordering.
When you make a purchase overseas, make sure you check the bill to ensure you are being charged the correct amount. In many countries, periods are used instead of commas in numbers, so 1,000 may appear as 1.000, 45.00 may appear as 45,00. Familiarize yourself with the local currency and its approximate value in your country of origin's currency before you finalize a purchase.
Credit cards also make it easier for the holder to handle certain types of problems that may occur when paying for purchases. Although there is no guarantee that you can secure a refund on goods purchased abroad based on unsatisfactory quality or delivery of merchandise, it is possible your credit card company may allow you to withhold payment while they investigate. It is a good idea to research policy before you leave. Also keep in mind that if you are purchasing goods that are disallowed in your country of origin, your credit card company many not be able to secure a refund for you.
Before you leave, make a list of your credit cards and the international phone numbers to call in case they are lost or stolen. Keep in mind that the toll-free numbers that are normally accessible from your home country may not be valid from the country you are travelling to. Ask your credit card issuer for the appropriate toll free numbers.
Leave one copy of your credit card list with a trusted friend or relative and keep the other copy with you, in a safe place, separate from your cards. You may want to encode the credit card numbers to make them more difficult for a thief to guess. Give yourself every opportunity to contact your credit card companies easily for replacement cards in case you lose your cards.
Also make sure you have checked your credit cards' expiry dates and their credit limits. You may want to pay down the balances or request an increase to the limit, to ensure you have enough to draw on while you travel.
Lastly, here's one really simple but often forgotten tip: After paying for your purchase, make sure you take your credit card back.
Credit cards can make - or break - a trip. Do your homework before leaving. It will be worth your time!
About the Author
Raquel Manuel, incurable traveler, compiles resourceful travel tips on credit card use, air, cruise, train and land travel, women's travel, and other topics on the subject. Visit the Ultimate Travel Resource at:http://www.free-maps-travel-tips-online.com/credit-card-travel-tips.html for Travel Tips You Can Really Use.



Credit News


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Chicago Tribune
The UK's film tax credit, introduced in 2006, has been confirmed until at least the end of 2015. It delivered a record $320 million to producers last year, with the vast majority going to Hollywood movies shot in Blighty. In March, the government ...

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Credit Suisse Says Petersen's YPF Loan Payable Immediately
San Francisco Chronicle
May 18 (Bloomberg) -- Credit Suisse Group AG said the overdue tranche of a $1 billion loan to Argentina's Petersen Group backed by a stake in oil producer YPF SA is "payable immediately" in its second notice in seven days. Credit Suisse sent the ...

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Justice Department Probe of Credit Swaps Said to Widen
Bloomberg
The US Justice Department is expanding its antitrust investigation into data provider Markit Group Ltd. to include other companies in the credit-default swap market, according to three people familiar with the matter. Investigators are asking market ...

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Afterdawn.com

Sprint offers $100 trade-in credit for iPhones from competing carriers
Apple Insider
By AppleInsider Staff In an effort to drum up subscribership and advertise its unlimited data plan for the iPhone 4S, Sprint revealed on Friday that it will begin offering a $100 credit to any customer who trades in an iPhone from another carrier.
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New York Daily News

Job No. 1 after college: Establish credit history
Chicago Tribune
But to do all of that, you need to establish something else first: your credit history. Your credit record reflects how well you've paid bills and whether you'll be financially responsible in the future. Landlords, lenders and utilities all look at ...
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CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates ...Sacramento Bee
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