Bonus credit cards bring little and can be really expensive
|
The Consumer Rhine-Westphalia has taken some of the work published in Germany so-called bonus credit cards under the microscope – and quite unlovely found. “Maue discounts against mostly high fees and interest,” writes the Consumer Association NRW, warning particularly against the revolving credit and high fees, which could bring this type of credit cards with them.
Sample of credit cards bonus of eleven companies
„Maue discounts against mostly high fees and interest
A sample of the NRW consumer shows in eleven companies: Anyone interested in a credit card with bonus performance of eBay and Amazon, Lufthansa and German Rail should compare the terms carefully – otherwise there is a cost trap.
Through the chip this credit card would actually flow Testosterone: The TV station DMAX praises his Master Card as “absolute must for strong men.” Pretty slack on the other hand, the services. As you can win as caps or autograph cards, a travel agency on the Internet attracts five percent discount. It must have really thick DMAX-ticket holders only when they slip into the bad. For the Commercial Bank Valovis calls hefty 17.8 percent interest.
This shows a sample of consumers NRW at eleven so-called co-branded credit cards. In the spotlight was a colorful range of providers: Amazon and eBay, TUI, Lufthansa and German Rail, and Otto Bonprix, Mercedes and the Wildlife Protection Society of Germany (NABU) and Vodafone and DMAX.
The specialty of plastic rectangles with premiums and discounts will strengthen the editors of the customer loyalty. “Hoard points with every purchase” is often the motto. Known is that of loyalty programs as payback. The points can be exchanged for rewards and coupons. This ranges from a train (German Rail) and a free flight (Lufthansa), via dart games and seat cushions (TUI) to free phone calls (Vodafone). The Mercedes card “again we can look forward to a calendar of” preferential rates “or free admission to the house museum.
The points have their value. Amazon and eBay, they meet up to two percent for every card purchase. Others leave it at closer to half. A little stingy often come along the track and Lufthansa. But be careful: In many cases, the full rebate is paid only to the provider itself. Anyone inclined to shop at other companies with the card, had to be satisfied with half. On top is the bonus sometimes limited – at Bonprix to 100 € a year.
Curious: give companies instead NABU is the motto. The first annual fee of ten euros each purchase and transfer the mini-environmentalists Donate to 0.35 percent in the till. They are used as for the “Kingfisher Project.
Otherwise: All cards in the sample can be as with ordinary credit cards to buy on credit and withdraw money. The debt can be paid automatically at the end of the month by direct debit. It costs no interest. Unless the card is made sharp. Who in the application “Revolving Loan” or “partial payment” box pays, always only a small portion of the card account and must shell out for the remainder interest.
No wonder that promote revolving card entry into the debt trap. Those who do not always scrupulously balances the debits can quickly lose track. And it pays steep: On average, the financial institutions require an APR of 13 percent. The lowest with 8.9 percent interest to pay holders of the Lufthansa Miles & More card “Classic” and “gold”. Exactly half of what men have to cope with strong DMAX.
In the mail order houses and Otto Bonprix special caution. The “Bonprix Cash Card” and Otto’s “Shopping & More Visa Card”, there is only a revolving loan. Who claims the are punished by whip up interest rate to 15.9 percent (Bonprix).
Positive: Even consumers can benefit from interest rates. At least seven of the eleven companies. By transfer namely, to have their credit cards charge. In the “Lufthansa Miles & More-Credit-Card-Gold” can thus collect 1.75 percent interest – more than most money market accounts. This also applies to the NABU fans who receive up to 1.35 percent on the deposit.
Major differences in annual fees: accounting for time (Bonprix and Otto), sometimes they are issued for participation in an annual survey (Mercedes-Benz). The maps of Amazon and eBay are free, but only in the first year – after that is 19.99 € or 24.90 € annual fee.
The “rail card credit card Premium” is for 49 €, the “TUI Card Classic” and “Visa Gold Stars” from Vodafone for about 70 €. The Lufthansa Miles & More Credit Card Gold “is the most expensive at 85 € test. Included travel insurance and various additional services and discounts to justify the prices.
Is expensive in most cases, going to the ATM, be withheld where between two and three percent of Abhebesumme. On average, the minimum is five euros. Amazon customers do not pay anything in the plus, minus the three per cent, however, are due, at least 7.50 euros. Even with the Vodafone Stars Gold Visa Card “it costs nothing general to draw money from the machine.
But not enough. In countries with foreign currency charges are for use abroad this: usually between one and two percent. To give only the “TUI Card Classic and – once again – the” Visa Gold Stars “from Vodafone. Downer at last: In addition to the annual € 70 for the card requires a mobile phone contract from Vodafone or a landline at Arcor.
Annual fees, credit interest rates machines – that is the downside to the advertised bonuses. Customers should therefore pay close attention to the conditions and not simply a credit card just decided to apply for the web. Otherwise there that Maue corporate discounts on expensive credit card costs more than to be eaten. “
