MSNBC quotes LowCards.com CEO

GAS DISCOUNTS FULL OF BOOBY TRAPS

..Despite all those restrictions (and we've omitted plenty of others), Bill Hardekopf of LowCards.com says consumers can get a worthwhile deal with gas rebate cards if they carefully dissect the terms and conditions before signing up.

"You can make some pretty good money on a rebate card but you have to really know what you are doing," he said. For example, the BP Visa Rewards Card offers sizable rebates of 5 percent -- but only for gas purchased at BP, of course. The card might make sense if you frequent a BP station around the corner, but it certainly wouldn't make sense for consumers to go out of their way to buy BP gas.

"We recommend making yourself a grid. Include the introductory offer, the ongoing offer, if there's a cap, and so on, to make it easy to compare," he said.

U.S. News and World Reports quotes LowCards.com CEO

Social Security Debit Cards: 7 Things You Need to Know

"...There's also the issue of where to cash them. "They have to use check-cashing services," says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of the credit card comparison website LowCards.com, about people without bank accounts..."

USA Today mentions LowCards.com

Rewards credit card can pay off if you follow basic guidelines

"...If you carry a balance, even occasionally, forget about rewards programs and look for a card with a low interest rate. Otherwise, you'll end up paying more in interest than you'll earn in rewards, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com."

CNNMoney.com quotes LowCards.com CEO

How credit cards boost gas prices

...Not only do cards charge a variety of rates, but some retailers get charged different rates than others.

"The rate credit card companies charge depends on the gas station's volume of sales," said Lowcards.com chief executive Bill Hardekopf. "Joe's gas station won't get the same rate deal that a national retailer does."

Yahoo / US News and World Report recommends LowCards.com

3 Ways to Make the Fed's Moves Work for You

1. Credit Card Companies Are More Willing to Offer Lower Rates

Card providers often say yes to consumers who ask for lower rates, especially when those consumers have a record of paying off their bills each month. But now is a particularly opportune time to shop around or call providers and ask for lower rates, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. ....

USA TODAY quotes LowCards.com CEO

Credit card rates hustle higher

Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, says the card comparison site is "seeing more aggressive fees come out, and issuers are quicker to change interest rates."
He notes that as banks lose money on mortgage loans, it's logical they would try to boost credit card profits. "If one end of your business is suffering, you look to the other end to pick up the slack."

USA TODAY recommends LowCards.com

10 myths about investing and finances that trip up people.

If you do carry a balance, look for a low-rate card on ... LowCards.com. Just be sure to look beyond the teaser rate, which will likely jump after three to six months. And don't even think about a rewards card.

US News and World Reports interviews LowCards CEO

Investing Guide for 20-Somethings

...To decide which card to pay off first, check the credit limits, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. .....

BusinessWeek interviews LowCards CEO

Running Late to Meet Uncle Sam?

...Should you slap your tax bill on a credit card? "Absolutely not," says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. .....

MSNBC mentions LowCards

NEW WAY TO HIKE CREDIT CARD RATES

"This is a significant increase," said Bill Hardekopf of LowCards.com, adding that using a credit limit transgression as an excuse to raise interest rates is new to the industry. "Consumers should know of the pitfalls that come with exceeding your credit limit. It's no longer just a charge that might hit you on a one-time basis. It might have far reaching effects on your interest rate."

CNN Money mentions LowCards.com

Fed rate cuts and your wallet

...Despite a cut of 2.25 points in the federal funds rate since September, some credit cards have gone down, but some cards have barely budged according to Bill Hardekopf of lowcards.com.
For example, Chase Freedom actually increased its rate from 14.24% in September to 15.99% and Discover's Open Road credit card is at 10.99% today, just as it was before the rate cuts in September according to Hardekopf. ...

LowCards.com mentioned in Yahoo / BankRate article

Credit card APRs rise despite rate cuts

"In general, variable rates are falling because of the federal rate cuts," says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com. Other than Bank of America's and Capital One's recent moves to raise interest rates on some accounts, he cautions that there probably are a "whole bunch of individual cases where rates are increasing based on their credit risk."

LowCards.com on MSNBC

WANT A BETTER CREDIT CARD RATE? JUST ASK

Bill Hardekopf, who runs the credit card information Web site LowCards.com, said it's important for consumers to check their bills carefully to look for surprise interest rate hikes.
"Don't assume your rate is decreasing," because the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, as many cardholder agreements give the banks broad license to raise rates "at any time for any reason," he said.

LA Times interviews LowCards.com CEO

What rate cuts? Use of plastic gets pricier




..."Issuers are trying to use a new phrase that looks like there's some economic formula being used to raise rates," said Bill Hardekopf, chief exec of LowCards.com credit card comparison website. "But they still have the freedom to do whatever they want."...

USA Today interviews LowCards.com CEO

Facing losses on bad loans, banks boost credit card rates

... Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, a card-comparison site, says he fears that "amid Congress' preoccupation with fears about the economy, the ramp-up in fees and punishing practices by consumer lenders will go unchecked."...

CNN Money interviews LowCards.com CEO

The Fed is on your side


...According to Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com, credit card issuers may choose to lower their annual interest rates by three quarters of a point. However, for a balance of $5,000, that amounts to only $3.13 a month.

"That's not enough to make a consumer rich," Hardekopf said.
Hardekopf said he expects most credit card companies to lower their rates, though it's not guaranteed. ....

U.S. News & World Report interviews CEO of LowCards.com

4 Ways Consumers Will Feel the Fed Cut

...Consumers with cards that have variable interest rates could see their rate go down in about a month, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. He recommends that consumers not wait for their card provider to offer a reduced rate but call and ask for one. Card providers are often responsive to such requests....

MSNBC interviews LowCards.com CEO

Holidays are over; it’s time to pay for it all

You can probably find a card that has a lower interest rate, but don’t jump at the first offer you get in the mail. You need to comparison shop and find the card that is right for you. Try ... lowcards.com.

“Credit card issuers are fantastic marketers and they can make any card look appealing,” advises Bill Hardekopf of lowcards.com. “Go to the terms and conditions section because that’s where the issuer has to lay out everything that applies to that card.”

U.S. News and World Reports interviews LowCards.com CEO

How To Teach Your Kids About Credit Cards

... "It would be good for a high school student to have some type of credit card or a debit card to get exposure to the credit card experience while they are still living under the same roof" with their parents, says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of the credit card comparison website LowCards.com. "There is an aura or a freedom that a credit card gives a student, and that can very quickly turn into something financially dangerous. It's better to have that happen when the student is under the same roof than when they are in the dorms with their friends."...

Motley Fool mentions LowCards.com

Tougher Credit Days Ahead

...I gained a new perspective after reading a somewhat scary viewpoint on the recent subprime-lending crisis the other day, from Bill Hardekopf of lowcards.com. ....

The Washington Post interviews LowCards.com CEO

Winning at Cards

...."There's just about a reward for everything you might want there to be a reward for," said Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com.

The New York Times interviews LowCards.com CEO

Pushing Colleges to Limit Credit Offers to Students

...Credit-card companies like students “because they have parents who will probably pay off their debt if there is a problem,” even though parents generally have no legal obligation to do so, said Bill Hardekopf, the chief executive of LowCards.com, which tracks credit-card rates.

LowCards.com quoted by CNNMoney

The Fed and credit cards

"...But for the vast majority of people, this won't mean substantial savings. This cut will only save about $2 per month on a $5,000 credit card balance," says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com."

U.S. News & World Report Interviews LowCards.com CEO

Asking for a Lower Credit Card Rate

....U.S. News spoke with Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com, a website that lets consumers compare credit card rates, about how to gain from the Fed's move.....

MSNBC interviews CEO of LowCards.com

Why are credit card rates still out of control?

“Credit card issuers continue to make subtle changes to squeeze a little bit more out of their customers,” says Bill Hardekopf of lowcards.com. “We’re seeing it in late fees, cash advance fees, and default fees.” ......

Credit Union National Association recommends LowCards.com

Tell college students now how to use credit cards properly

Shop around. The cards offered on campus may not be the best deal in town. Compare features and look for a card with no annual fee, a reasonable interest rate below 18%, a grace period (the time in which you have to pay the bill before you incur interest), and online account management. Check out cards issued by the local credit union, or go to ... LowCards.com... for lists of cards available to students.

LowCards.com recommended by CBS News

Credit Cards Could Trap College Kids

"...students should check out ... lowcards.com ... for lists of the credit cards available to students."

LowCards.com recommended by BusinessWeek

Credit Cards 101: Finding the Right Plastic

"To find the best credit cards for students, start your search online. ....LowCards.com.... all feature sections on student credit cards with information on the best deals."

CNNMoney interviews LowCards.com CEO

Credit card tips for the college graduate

...Grads should first and foremost pay their card in full every month and on time, says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of the card rating site LowCards.com....."Make sure you do not get behind," says Hardekopf. "As a recent college grad you are being scrutinized a lot more than an adult who might be 40 or 50 (years old) with a 20 to 30 year credit history."

The Wall Street Journal mentions LowCards.com

Choosing a Rewards Card

....and Bill Hardekopf, chief executive officer of LowCards.com, another comparison Web site, say they prefer cash-rebate cards, in part because they're easy to use. Instead of you having to figure what your points are worth and how to redeem them, cash-back cards automatically add a rebate to your credit-card bill, usually once a year....

SmartMoney recommends LowCards.com

Credit Cards for College Kids

...Remind your student that he really only needs one to build a credit history, says Bill Hardekopf, founder of LowCards.com, a consumer information web site focusing on credit cards....

USA Today interviews LowCards.com CEO

Smile! You're on Dad's credit card"

...Consumers need to pay attention to interest rates and the fine print, not just images on credit cards, says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, a credit card shopping comparison website.

"You can get so caught up in the marketing hype that you think, 'Isn't this neat?' and you're paying a couple percentage points higher than you should be."

CNNMoney mentions LowCards.com

Credit card tips for college kids

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's no secret that credit card companies love college students. And they'll shower them with everything from free T-shirts to beach towels just to get their business.

That's because these kids are potentially lifelong customers who will spend, spend, spend says Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com, a consumer credit card information Web site.