CAPITAL ONE INTRODUCES NEW 2%-ON-EVERYTHING GM CARD: Capital One is launching a revamped General Motors credit card:
The new card from Capital One offers 5% earnings on the first $5,000 worth of net card purchases each year. That’s a reward of $250. After that, consumers could earn an unlimited 2% on all purchases. For example, if you charge another $20,000 one year, you would earn another $400 in rewards toward a purchase or lease of a GM vehicle.
Perhaps most important to big spenders who regularly pay off the credit card each month: Unlike the old GM Card, the new card has no earnings limits on the rewards consumers can accumulate each year.
…There is no expiration of earnings and no annual fee.
If you’re a GM loyalist, it’s actually a very good card. The Fidelity Amex is currently the only 2% no-fee card out there, but if you’re going to buy a GM vehicle, you now have a second 2% card.
And you should also keep in mind the GM Business Card (offered by Chase for some reason), which I wrote about here, is a pretty good deal itself. Its earnings are also uncapped, it also has no annual fee, and it offers 3% back on gas stations, restaurants, and office supplies.
BARCLAYS TRIES THE BLACK CARD AGAIN: A few years ago Barclays issued a new supposedly high-end card called the Black Card. It was not successful, as apparently customers expect a card with a $500 annual fee to have correspondingly good benefits.
Via Flyertalk, I see they’re trying again. The card is made of stainless steel, which is kind of cool. Frankly, I’m not nearly enough of a luxury-seeker to say whether these rewards or these benefits are any good, though the consensus on that flyertalk thread is that they’re not.
TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD NEWS: Folks, the 50,000-mile Lufthansa credit card offer is back–and due to complications stemming from my move to saverocity.com, I don’t have an affiliate link ready to go just yet. I know, I know–this probably hurts you more than it hurts me.
I mean, if I had a financial incentive, I could point out that View From The Wing has a pretty good overview of best uses of this offer (hint: domestic business class, Lufthansa first). I could perhaps offer some praise for Rapid Travel Chai for being honest enough to say that he won’t apply for the card. But no, not happening.
Fortunately, all hope is not lost. My esteemed colleague Matt has graciously offered use of his affiliate link just this one time. So go on–sign the whole family up today! [Edit: link no longer available.]
And if you don’t use Matt’s link–well, consider going over to Million Mile Secrets or The Points Guy, both of whom have fallen on hard economic times lately and could use a helping hand.
That’s all for now, have a great weekend!
“…both of whom have fallen on hard economic times lately and could use a helping hand.” I laughed out loud even before I saw the pic!
Just pennies a day could help them buy another Vanilla Reload! You can make a difference!
Per my email exchange with the company, you can only redeem points/dollars toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicles. Used vehicles, or even certified pre-owned vehicles sold by a dealer, are not eligible.
For that reason, pass.
Thinking out loud here, I wonder if a husband and wife can each have the card separately but apply their points jointly to the purchase of a single car?
Barclays has a priceline visa that is also 2% back on everything with no annual fee. I still prefer the fidelity AMEX but I use the priceline as a backup.
Yes, but they stopped issuing that to new customers a few months ago. There’s currently a website for that offer but you need an invitation code.