What’s a good rewards credit card that I can start using within a week?
Here’s the dirt:
I’ve got to pay $225 for something the day before my next payday, and I know I won’t have enough in my account at that time to make it without overdrafting.
Is there a credit card out there that I could be approved for and able to use within a week? One with a decent rewards program?
Anyone have any experience with the Amazon Visa?
Thanks!!!
It is a rare credit card company/bank indeed that could evaluate your creditworthiness, issue you a piece of plastic, and get it into your hands within a week. Is it humanly possible? Of course. Could the credit card bank’s CEO’s son get one that fast? Maybe…maybe not. Don’t set unrealistic expectations for yourself here or you will be disappointed.
So, if you may not be able to get a new credit card in that kind of time frame, what do you do?
I infer you don’t currently have a credit card, or you would use it. If you had one and were maxed out on the line, it might be quicker and easier to get the bank to increase your line by $500.
Also, unless your payee expects cash, you could write a check knowing full well you will have a paycheck in the checking account the very next day. By the time the other party presents the check to their bank and it comes back to your bank, your funds should be there.
As far as coming up with the “best” rewards program, that is a tall order. Different people value different things which is why there are “10 million” types of credit cards out there. I like cash back. American Express has a couple interesting products. Others like frequent flier miles–on a single airline or across all major airlines. Yet others are sick of flying/traveling. They want to buy stuff.
You asked about the Amazon Visa Card. It is a credit card issued by Chase Bank. I have several of their products. But, I don’t recall their plastics production being exceptionally fast. The value proposition attached to this cobrand card is decent. It is designed to give you money back in the form of Amazon certificates. Take a look at the American Express Blue Card. You can get the money as a cash rebate. I don’t know if American Express still offers the Platinum Cash Rebate Card. I love it. It offers around 1.5% back without caps that may be in effect for the Blue Card. I think it was designed for students with smaller spending budgets. In the hands of someone who spends a lot more, it is pretty decent, even if the payout is only once a year.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in handling this upcoming payment.