Posts Tagged ‘personalized credit cards’

You already share your mood status and your thoughts on current events on sites such as Twitter and Facebook, so why not share your latest credit card purchases, too? That’s what Blippy.com is helping people do. The service offers a real-time snapshot of what people are buying, where they’re buying from, and how much they’re spending.

Shoppers can now link their credit and debit card accounts to their Blippy.com account. The site automatically updates each time a purchase is made from online merchants including Blockbuster, Netflix, Amazon.com and the iTunes store. Blippy.com has tracked more than $4.5 million dollars in transactions to date and reports that the average purchase amount of its 5,000 users is just over $40 per purchase.

Blippy describes itself as a “fun and easy way to see and discuss the things people are buying.” There are currently 16 stores listed on the site but users are encouraged to recommend a store they don’t see on the list.

Yet why would people want to share what they’re buying at any given moment? One benefit of joining Blippy is that the public time line of posts will give friends and followers a chance to see what the current price is for certain products from their favorite merchants. Blippy users can essentially compare purchasing notes with the world, and perhaps make more informed decisions about their next purchase.

People can also connect with other savvy shoppers with similar interests. Users sign into the service using their Facebook or Twitter accounts and handles, can leave comments on other users’ purchases, and they can indicate whether they “like” a certain buyer’s activity. Blippy is a live, interactive display of buyer habits across some of the most popular Web merchants, and ultimately creates an online shopping community with very specific price information.

Blippy assures users that all consumer credit card information and identifying information is confidential and takes security measures to make sure account information doesn’t enter the community in any way. As the site moves out of beta testing, more people will be able to participate in this emerging community to post their thoughts about friends’ purchases and send out updates about their own.

Sabah Karimi

The new Current Card from Discover is one of many financial solutions aimed at the teen and young adult market. This particular tool is a debit card that offers an unprecedented level of control for parents, while helping teenagers learn how to manage their finances before they step foot in the “real world.”

Unlike credit cards, the Current Card allows teens and parents to load it with whatever cash they feel is appropriate. Once they have put cash on the card, parents can set parental controls on how their teenagers can use the card as well as where they can use it.

Loading the Card

The Current Card from Discover is different from most teen credit cards in that the amount available to use for purchases and withdrawals is established by how much is deposited into the account. For example, if a teenager’s parents load it with $500, he or she cannot spend more than $500. In other words, it works like debit cards do when attached to savings or checking accounts.

The Current Card can be loaded for free from any bank account or credit card. It is even possible for parents to establish recurring deposits, such as $200 per month from a credit card. There are no minimum balances, loading fees or credit checks required with this card.

Free direct deposit is also available for this teen debit card if it is more appropriate. For example, teens with summer or after-school jobs can have their paychecks deposited directly into their Current Card accounts.

Setting Limits

The most unique feature of the Current Card from Discover is the ability to set myriad parental controls so parents can monitor and control their teenagers’ spending habits. The available controls include:

• Spending Limits:
  Parents can decide how much money their teenagers can spend in a given period of time. If the teen tries to exceed that limit, the card is declined.
• Shopping Categories:
  With cash or other teen credit cards, teenagers can spend their money wherever they wish. This isn’t the case with the Current Card, as parents can restrict certain shopping categories, such as tobacco or liquor stores or hotels.
• Activity Alerts:
  In addition to letting parents decide how teens will use the Current Card, this card also informs parents of purchases and withdrawals. Messages can be sent via text message or e-mail.

Other Perks

The Current Card comes with the same convenient perks you might expect to find in other teen credit cards, such as no liability for fraudulent purchases. Card holders can withdraw cash from the card at any ATM if they are unable to use the card itself, and the card also comes with exclusive discounts at many favorite teen shopping destinations.

There are seven available designs for the Current Card from Discover, which makes it particularly attractive to the younger market. Teens can not only learn to manage their finances, but do it with a sense of style.

Steve Thompson

The Pantone Fall 2009 report takes the most fashionable colors of the season and interprets them for the world of print advertising. But it’s not only fashion and graphic designers who are taking note. This season’s top credit and debit cards are stylish, fashionable and functional - we’re staying economically wise by only rating prepaid debit cards. Here’s a roundup of the top five credit (debit) card designs for fall 2009:

#5: MetroPCS Prepaid Visa Card

The MetroPCS Prepaid Visa Card is a bold, two-color card designed with purple and “burnt sienna” from this season’s Pantone report. It’s a simple, eye-catching design that can be a good match for both male and female card holders.

#4: AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard

The futuristic design of the AccountNow Prepaid MasterCard may be a good fit for the tech-savvy cardholder looking for an edgy, fashion-forward look. The color combination on this card includes “majolica blue” from the Pantone color lineup that inspires “a sense of smoky calmness.” This card has a combination of blues, grays and black that may be a good match for both male and female cardholders.

#3: Facecard Prepaid MasterCard

“Warm olive” is a popular color for fall 2009, and the Facecard Prepaid MasterCard is a single-color credit card designed in this simple, eye-catching color. The light green tone can be a good match for both male and female cardholders.

#2: BabyPhat

For cardholders interested in a celebrity-inspired design, the BabyPhat card offers plenty of style with its slinky BabyPhat feline logo and its famous BabyPhat pink hue that has been named “rapture rose” on this fall’s Pantone color report. The card will help you make a bold fashion statement during any shopping trip, and can be a stylish addition to any fashionista’s wallet.

#1: Current by Discover

Current by Discover is designed exclusively for teens and their parents, and cardholders can choose from one of seven attractive designs. Parents have the freedom of setting spending limits and restricting use in unwanted shopping categories, but teens can choose from a variety of stylish designs that best suite their personality. Design choices include a pink skull and crossbones, dance club scene, blue and white stripes, silver eagle wing or goth design, green and white skull and crossbones, a rainbow retro look and a cityscape.

Credit card companies are bringing us some fresh and stylish designs to dress up our wallets and to show off our sense of style this season. From celebrity-inspired cards to simple, sophisticated designs, cardholders of all ages can choose from a variety of fresh new styles for fall 2009.

Sabah Karimi

When it launched in 2004, the Stratus Rewards Visa–the White Card–was poised to be a competitor to the Amex Centurion Black Card. There were many similarities: both featured privileged rewards and benefits, exclusive access to restricted events, and membership by invitation only. The White card even had the upper hand in some cases–the parent company, Stratus Media Group, directly manages many live entertainment and sporting events. But the stir Stratus Visa initially gathered has silenced. (Of course this could be a representation of its success. If Stratus’ membership is truly restricted, then a quiet existence would be appropriate.) But on July 13, Stratus Media Group announced the appointment of a new VP to Stratus Rewards Visa program, indicating this exclusive credit card is very much alive.

This exclusive credit card seeks to meet the needs of an elite consumer audience, and is trying to catch their attention at all the right places, like sponsoring this year’s National Tour d’Elegance, a touring auto show of rare and expensive antique, exotic and modern cars and motorcyles from around the world.

The White Card is truly an invitation-only credit card. According to the Stratus Rewards Web site, membership is only available through an already established relationship with one of its partners, or through a referral or nomination by another member.

If you think you’re Stratus Card app got lost in the mail, or you don’t charge the requisite $250k annually, the American Express Platinum card has many worthwhile perks–and is attainable. Among the benefits are a 24-hour concierge service and complimentary worldwide Airport Club access.

While many credit cards offer points toward purchases or cash back, the White Card provides rewards that stand out from the crowd. Instead of earning frequent flier miles, for example, Stratus Rewards members can earn private jet travel or first class travel upon arrival.

The White Card also boasts opportunities for users to collaborate and combine their reward points toward something more extraordinary. The promises made from the White Card’s first press release were big: Redeem rewards for a trip on a private jet, and end the trip with a private tour of, say, the Louvre, or maybe the Pyramids of Egypt. Though the focus of the rewards appears to be on travel and travel-related perks, members can also take advantage of popular, hard-to-locate items, as well as personalized and unique services.

Upscale, high-end rewards, the status of an invitation-only credit card, and the type of market that only the National Tour d’Elegance can hope to reach–the White Card may be the next big status symbol for the wealthy business class in America today.

Kelly Herdrich and CCCG staff

People seem to be customizing everything these days. There are skins for cell phones, iPods, laptops, and so much more. Why not credit cards, too? For many, their credit card may be the most-used possession they have. Some may feel that if it’s going to be used often, it might as well reflect who they are.

Custom credit cards

Credit card companies understand that consumers like the idea, so many offer custom credit cards and credit card designs. Discover’s More card has multiple custom image options, for both consumer and student credit cards:

• The Wildlife credit card features images such as an eagle, wolf, horse and more
• The Sealife credit card’s options include a shark, dolfin, turtle, clown fish and others
• The Monogram credit card displays the cardholder’s initials (or any three letters) and a choice of several stylishly colored backgrounds: girly pink, lime green, elegant black and many more

Capital One’s Card Lab also allows consumers to choose custom credit card images and designs. In fact, just about any photo that you’ve taken — everything from that of a pet to one of your children — can grace the front of your Capital One card.

Credit card designs

If your credit card company doesn’t offer custom credit cards or credit card designs, there still are ways to customize your credit card. CreditCovers.com provides credit card slipcovers, or “skins.” The skins come in a wide variety of credit card designs. Custom skins also can be created based on individual or business wants and needs. These custom credit card designs are easy to apply and easy to remove. The company promises that they are durable and won’t interfere with credit card usage. The only card it doesn’t seem to work with is a smart card — those credit cards that store credit information on a tiny computer chip.

Is it legal to customize credit cards?

Depending on the credit card company, there will be different guidelines to follow. Always remember to read the terms and conditions associated with your credit cards. As long as the credit card designs are not in violation of those terms, customizing credit cards should be perfectly fine.

Lyn Lomasi

A credit card’s design isn’t necessarily the most important factor when deciding what type of credit card to apply for, but a unique and attractive credit card is bound to get some attention at your next shopping adventure, business luncheon or night on the town.

Credit card companies are freshening up some of their top cards this season to unveil a lineup of stylish, personalized credit cards that do double duty as a payment option and a fashion accessory. Take your pick from any of these top credit card designs for Spring 2009.

Credit Card Design No. 5: EXACT Prepaid Card

Simplistic and minimalist style is the best way to describe the EXACT Prepaid card, a silver and gray card with black accents and a colorful logo on the front. The card is a versatile pick for 2009, but is under-designed; you won’t find any special features or unique accents with this one.

Credit Card Design No. 4: Discover Motiva

Spring 2009’s most fashionable colors are purple and orange, and the Discover Motiva card may be a good way to flaunt the trend. The card is designed in rich, royal purple with orange accents, complete with a contemporary swirl and dot background. It’s an attractive and stylish way to make the most of Discover’s cash back bonus — especially if the card matches your purse.

Credit Card Design No. 3: Baby Phat

If you’re a self-professed fashionista who loves to show off her playful side, pick up some Baby Phat plastic, a personalized credit card designed with the famous feline logo. It’s the card that ranks high on the celeb factor and is sure to be a talking point at the register. Plus, it’s pink.

Credit Card Design No. 2: Blue from Amex

It’s an American classic with a signature semi-transparent card face to give you that edgy, techie, futuristic feel. The Blue from American Express credit card is designed with a built-in smart chip that keeps track of all your spending habits and earns you rewards on every swipe. The Blue’s mesmerizing swirl design and sleek silver trim make this one a truly distinctive card.

Credit Card Design No. 1: Visa Black

Holding this exclusive card gives you a chance to enjoy 24-hour concierge services, priority access at airport lounges, and to shop at some of the world’s finest luxury boutiques and outlets. The Visa Black card is made with carbon graphite materials and designed with chic, 007-inspired black and silver accents. The ultimate in personalized credit cards, this one is designed to be shown off and to give you the opportunity to enjoy the luxurious lifestyle.

Sabah Karimi

If you are interested in carrying the best looking credit cards in your wallet, here’s your chance to see five of the most innovative credit card designs on the market today.

Fashion statements used to be made strictly by what clothes you wore or what purse or wallet you carried. Today, fashion statements also can be made by what you carry inside your wallet. Credit card designs range from basic single color options to elaborate works of art. Some cards even give you the option to create your own credit card design. If you are interested in carrying the best looking credit card in your wallet, then take a look at the top five credit card designs on the market today.

No. 5: PetRewards Platinum Plus Visa

If you love animals, then the PetRewards Platinum Plus Visa credit card has a design you will flip over. First, you can select from three very cute animal designs including “contented cat,” “loving pair” and “devoted dog.” Your second option is to upload an image of your pet to use as your credit card’s background design. This credit card offers you rewards that relate to animals such as vet services, pet food and even donations to your local animal shelter.

No. 4: Capital One Standard Platinum for Students

The Capital One Standard Platinum Credit Card for Students is a fashionably versatile credit card. First, you can select one of the great looking credit card designs offered by Capital One such as a bald eagle, a lightning strike, a mountain and water scene, a palm tree at sunset or a tropical island scene. If you want to personalize your credit card’s design, then you also have that option. After you get your card, you are given the opportunity to upload a photograph to your account and order a new card. This card has no annual fee, free fraud liability insurance and online access to your account.

No. 3: Discover Monogram

With the Discover Monogram credit card, you can choose between three brilliant fashion colors including Caribbean blue, flamingo pink and key lime green. This card not only looks great, but also it has a pretty great lineup of benefits and features such as no annual fee, super low regular APR and a fabulous cash back rewards program.

No. 2: Starwood from American Express

The Starwood from American Express credit card is simple and sleek. It features a very flattering red-and-silver design. It also offers you travel rewards, purchase protection, traveler’s insurance products and global hotline assistance. American Express also offers a Starwood business credit card version which boasts the same benefits and design.

No. 1: Personalized Maximum Rewards from First National Bank of Omaha

The number one credit card design is actually created by you. The Personalized Maximum Rewards credit card is one of many personalized credit cards from First National Bank that allow you to upload any graphic that you want to appear on your credit card. This is a Visa credit card that offers you a 6 month introductory 0 percent APR, a 1-point-per-$1 reward program, online access to your account and a complimentary zero liability protection policy.

Eisla Sebastian