Elite Rewards Platinum Plus MasterCard

No Annual Fee. No Program Fee.
Earn one point for every purchase dollar
Earn Bonus Points for every dollar you spend at participating merchants

2.9% Annual Percentage Rate (APR)† for Cash Advance Checks and Balance Transfers.*

CREDIT LINE UP TO $100,000 WITH PLATINUM PLUS® CARD.

You spoke, and we listened. We designed the new Elite Rewards® Platinum Plus® MasterCard® credit card to feature one of the most comprehensive rewards programs on the market. There has never been a better opportunity for you to go anywhere you want or get virtually anything you want with a credit card rewards program.

Here are the facts:

• No Annual Fee. No Program Fee.
  
• Earn one point for every purchase dollar in net retail purchases you spend with your new Elite Rewards® Platinum Plus® MasterCard® credit card.§
  
• Receive 500 Bonus Points after first retail purchase.§§
  
• Earn Bonus Points for every dollar you spend at participating merchants.§§§§
  
• Check your Elite Rewards points balance, view rewards, and redeem points online at www.eliterewards.com.
  

• Fly on major U.S. based airlines, no blackout dates.
  
• Enjoy hotel stays and AVIS® car rentals.
  
• Receive gift certificates/cards redeemable at top retailers and restaurants.
  

DID YOU KNOW?

	For most of us getting into a situation where your debt is out of control is an easy thing to do. Obtaining credit cards and other high interest lines of credit is commonplace and once you have them it is easy to put your purchases on them. Since you don't have to pay right away you feel like you can afford it, but in reality the interest is piling up each month. One method you can use to get the help you need is a government debt consolidation loan. The U.S. government has come up with certain loans for people that are struggling under the weight of a heavy financial burden. As with any consolidation loan you can easily move all of your outstanding balances under one umbrella which has several key advantages. The biggest advantage is you will be paying much less interest each month. You will have only one interest to pay instead of several from your other balances, and with a government debt loan the interest rate will be much lower. This means that for each dollar you put towards your payment you will be reducing your outstanding debts by a larger margin, and thus your balance will decrease faster. Now that you know what type of help is out there, where can you find it? The best place to find these is to go directly to the source, meaning finding the right government agency. One of the drawbacks to this approach is it can be confusing wading through alot of documentation, trying to find the right contact or form for your specific situation. Once you find the number you can call the government agency and they will provide you the direction you need. You can also look around on the internet as some websites are geared specifically towards guiding financially strapped individuals towards the right debt consolidation programs that are currently being offered. While this will save you time since they do the leg work for you there usually is a fee associated with it. You can, however, find non-profit businesses for the guidance you need. Once you start down the path to financial freedom through consolidating your outstanding loans, the government agency will give you advice on how to stay debt free. It is important to follow their advice to avoid a recurring problem. They will tell you how to budget your income for paying your bills ontime, how to not charge future purchases unless they are absolutely necessary (emergencies), and how to increase your credit rating through sound decisions. You don't need to have your life taken over by your financial situation. There is help out there for you through government programs. It won't be easy to get back on track but the hard work will be worth it.

There are several options for cheap debt consolidation loans. The best rates can be found with secured loans, like a home equity loan. But, even personal loans can save you money on interest charges when you pay high rates on credit cards and other unsecured debt.

Before you apply for a debt consolidation loan, check your credit report for any errors. That way you won’t end up paying higher rates than necessary. Then start comparing lenders and their terms to get approved for the cheapest loan.

1. Check Adjustable Rate Loan Terms

With an endless number of financing offers, it can seem a bit overwhelming trying to find the cheapest debt consolidation loan. When looking at financing, remember that you have to factor in closing costs and fees besides just looking at rates.

So cashing out your home equity by refinancing your mortgage could be more expensive than taking out a home equity loan. Unless you see a significant drop in your mortgage rates, closing costs will eat up any savings you see in refinancing your mortgage. As a rule of thumb, adjustable rate loans usually have the lowest starting rates. You can also take a look at introductory credit card offers. Some offer low lifetime transfer rates.

2. Review Your Free Personal Credit Report

Before shopping for financing, peek at your credit report to be sure that it is accurate. Any errors you find should be handled by the reporting agency.

While you can’t dramatically improve your credit score overnight, consider spreading your debt over multiple accounts. A maxed account is a negative. Also, limit the number of credit inquires you allow. Only let the most promising lenders look at your credit report to formulate a financing offer.

3. Compare Debt Consolidation Lenders and Their Offers

By far the easiest way to get approved for low rates is to request quotes based on your credit score. Without giving permission for lenders to access your credit report, you can get accurate quotes without affecting your credit score.

While you are looking at lenders, look at the different types of financing available. Special offers on rates may convince you to change your mind on how to finance your debt consolidation.