By Brandon Morris on 04-02-2012
With the merger of other large domestic carriers, US Airways is now the smallest of the remaining legacy airlines. Nevertheless, they have retained their status as a member of the Star Alliance, arguably the largest of the three major airline partnerships. The US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier program retains much of its value largely due to member’s access to partner awards on Star Alliance carriers such as United, Lufthansa, and Air Canada. Even infrequent customers of US Airways have the opportunity to earn Dividend Miles through the US Airways World MasterCard and the U.S. Airways Premier World MasterCard
Like most airline credit cards, U.S. Airways World MasterCard members earn 1 mile per dollar spent and two miles on purchases from US Airways. Cardholders will also benefit from a 5,000 point discount on award redemptions. Th
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By Amy Turner on 29-01-2012
In a democracy with a decentralized economy, it can be very difficult for economists to determine the exact nature of consumer spending trends. One method that has become increasingly popular is the analysis of data reported by credit card processors. This data can be used to determine consumer spending in various sectors such as food, travel, and fuel. In addition, overall credit card spending can be used as a broad measure of consumer confidence.
For example, The Wall Street Journal reports that credit card use is on the rise as consumer confidence appears to be growing. They cite reports from both American Express and Capital One indicating that balances grew in the 4-5% range over the last year.
Since the beginning of the recession in 2008, consumers have started to control their credit card debt.
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By Jeffrey Campbell on 24-01-2012
Thomas Bebb cranes his head out of his living room window to assess how many of his neighbours are unemployed. He counts the number of flats in this three-storey, brown-and-grey pebbledash block (12) and pauses to calculate how many contain people in work. There are two: a scaffolder and a nurse. Looking across the courtyard at two other blocks opposite and to the left, he can’t think of anyone with a job there either.
The high numbers of workless households on this estate help explain startling figures produced by the GMB last week revealing that nearly one in three households in Liverpool have no one in work. It is the legacy of historic industrial decline in this area, suddenly worsened by the recent round of public sector redundancies and a new, downturn-related disappearance of retail and manufacturing jobs.
For Bebb, who lost his short-term job as a parks gardener and grounds maintenance worker in November (because of cost-cutting by Liverpool city council, which is in the process of shaving 28% from its budget), the result is that he is living substantially below the poverty line.
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By Amy Turner on 21-01-2012
A short guide to some of the main issues around the government’s plan to ban all excessive surcharges on debit and credit card transactions. 560 315 TelegraphPlayer_8974974
By Andy Bloxham
10:14AM GMT 23 Dec 2011
What’s the problem?
Consumers increasingly face high fees – known as surcharges – when purchasing goods and services when paying by credit and debit cards.
Low-cost airlines are among the worst offenders, with some charging a fee per passenger, per leg of the journey, despite the fact that they only have to process one transaction.
What’s changing?
By Amy Turner on 15-01-2012
With banks across the country tightening their credit policies, sole proprietors and small business owners have increasingly turned towards traditional unsecured credit cards, to support their businesses financially. Credit cards provide business owners with added cash flow and increased flexibility when purchasing goods or services.
Informed consumers should research the market thoroughly before making a credit decision and use credit card finder tool such as the one on this page.
Slick marketing pieces are stuffed in thick envelopes, coming from banks heretofore unseen and unheard of. E-mail boxes are crammed full each morning with all manners of credit offers. Sifting through these offers is a potential nightmare.
Do I need a business credit card?
Few business people could survive without credit, and securing purchases with a credit card is still the most popular and convenient way to do business in the United States today.
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