Credit Card Makeover!
There’s a trend afoot in the credit card world to make cards more visually appealing. I would normally scoff at such a notion, but I must confess that ever since I’ve been using my American Express Blue credit card, I keep getting oohs and aahs and favorable comments from cashiers and bystanders who seem to like the colors. This experience has taught me that looks can be meaningful in the world of little plastic cards.
So — which companies are doing this?
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American Express is testing a “‘Butterfly” credit card which folds in half and pops out of a silver case connected to a key ring.
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JPMorgan Chase is targeting sci-fi enthusiasts with a Battlestar Galactica card. It’s bright red and identifies the bearer as a “Galactica Fleet Member.”
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American Express made waves awhile back with its transparent “Blue” credit card. Well, it’s now licensing that technology to other credit purveyors. Apparently, cardholders hold onto their Blue cards longer than some other versions, and they use it more often than their other cards.
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Also in the works are scratch-and-sniff cards (imagine the pleasing scent of coffee wafting from your wallet — or, if you’re a bit of a weirdo, the smell of glue). Cards bearing your favorite perfume’s aroma are also being discussed.
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Some cards may soon not even feel like the cards we’re used to. In development are textured cards and even a titanium card that will impress others when you heave it out of your pocket, muscles bulging and all.
As consumers, we can note this development and keep an eye out for cards that please us, visually, as we may enjoy using them in the future. But remember to be sensible, making sure that any card you sign up for is right for you, with no annual fee, low interest rates, generous rewards, and other good features. And don’t start charging more than usual, simply because you love whipping out your spiffy new card.
April 15th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
At this point I wouldn’t care what my card looked like. I just want it paid off!
April 15th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Our current 0% ends this month on 4/24. Are you familiar with any methods that we can use to extend that period?
April 15th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
There are a couple of ways you can go. You can always do a balance transfer to a new card. Nowadays most balance transfer credit cards let you transfer for 0% interest and also provide you with a 0% intro period.
Another way that has worked before is to simply call you current card company and ask if this can be extended because you have received an offer from another credit card company with 0% interest. Most of the time they don’t want to lose your business so they will work out a deal with you.
I hope it works out. Let us know.