美国留学生信用卡申请credit card application

先介绍一下本人情况 吧。Credit Score 740. 四大信用卡机构Visa, MasterCard, American Express(AMEX)和Discover卡都用过。

目前用的最多的卡: Citi Dividend Platinum Select, Discover More Card, AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest Card （$45年费)

曾经用过或很熟悉的卡：Chase Freedom, TCF Express, Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card以及USAA美军专用卡（室友的）

我所指的熟悉的卡，是指自己用过它的网上银行，熟悉此卡各种features的卡。

介绍完了情况，下面来浅谈个人对好信用卡的一点意见：

1. 好申。

奥巴马签署信用卡改革法案，法案要求信用卡公司向２１岁以下申请人发放信用卡时，必须得到申请人本人有能力还款或父母愿意代其还款的证明。这样一来对于21岁以下的留学生申信用卡就带来不利条件了。就前几天，我两个同学，一个申Citi的Dividend Platinum, 一个申AMEX的Delta Skymile卡，都被无情的锯掉了。当年我申Citi同样卡的时候，虽然拿了三个月的网费和电话单，但还是顺利通过了。现在的网申，对初来咋到的国际学生并不利。没有信用记录的我们怎么去申请信用卡呢？

我的建议是：如果你收到AMEX的Blue Cash卡的Pre-selected邮件，那就申一个吧。 当然，除了Capital One的卡。那个公司每周会变着法的给你发信要你申他的卡。不要申，我所有用过它家的卡都说its customer service sucks. 刚来学校应该会有一个checking account，看看是什么银行的顺便申一张信用卡吧。等以后慢慢建立信用记录后再申其他更好的卡，那样就会顺利的多。

2. 信用额度。

Chase和WellsFargo极为抠门。当年我申这两个公司的卡，都只给我800的信用额度。同时申请的Citi就给我两千。Discover也不是很慷慨，今年四月申的信用额度才给我2000，当时我的Citi卡都有一万多的额度了。AMEX美国运通就很赞，上个月申的SPG就给到10000的额度。当然，有同学会说，并非额度越高越好。没错，但对于我们留学生来说，远没到申请降低额度的份上。 况且，Credit Score计算公式也要考虑Balance/Total Credits的比率 。信用额度越大比率自然就越低，那样对Credit Score自然有好处。

我的建议是：至少申一个CITI或者AMEX的卡。Citi的好处是，每隔几个月它自动给你额度升两千。我信用额度只有2000的时候，给他们客服打了一个电话，说要买两张往返北京的机票，可是额度不够，客服MM痛快的就把我额度升到4000了。

3 . 网上银行

网上银行的方便程度，直接影响着信用卡的使用。像Discover和AMEX，密码都不得超过八位，并且不可以有@之类的字符。TCF的密码更是不得超过六位，让人匪夷所思。Chase的安全措施倒是很好，但好的变态了。每次用新电脑登陆，还要经过电话认证。（chase会给你打电话然后你在电脑屏幕输入几位数字）这就太麻烦了。

我的建议是：在用过了WellsFargo, Chase, Citi, USAA, Discover, AMEX和TCF等，见过了Bank of America，USBANK等网络银行之后，个人十分喜欢CITI和Discover的网上银行。Citi的navigation panel很清晰，密码也可以使用特殊字符。Discover的颜色很鲜明（橙黄），Cash Back的月份优惠也提示的很清楚。Wells Fargo布局凌乱，操作不如Cit. TCF简陋的像九十年代的网站，不推荐。BofA和USBank的网络银行都中规中矩，没有特别突出的亮点。AMEX的网络银行十分的简洁，蓝白的布局也很好看，推荐喜欢简约的同学使用。

4. 卡的功能和优惠

这是重点中的重点。个人信用卡无非就可以分这么几类 ：Low Interest Card, Balance Transfer Card, Reward Card以及Travel/Airline Card. Reward Card里自然又可以分Point Rewards, Gas, Cashback等等。对于我们国际学生来说，如果你有按时还款的习惯，Low Interest 和 Balance Transfer卡就不用看啦，除非你有套利的想法。 那对个人来说，最有用的就是Reward卡和Airline Card了。 相对于兑换点数(points)，个人更喜欢Cashback，尽管有很多时候点数兑换优惠幅度更大。CashBack，拿回的是真银子，而points则通常只能兑换各个商店的gift cards 。其实，各大商业银行的Cash back都大同小异。无非都是1%的purchase cashback，加上一个优惠期或者特定类别3-5%的cashback. 对于优惠期我是嗤之以鼻。挺好的一张卡，六个月后你就不用了么？要不够cashback的最低限度（一般是攒到$50以上才返现)不就亏了么？

我的建议是：每人应该必备一张Discover More的卡 。这个卡特点是，每三个月换几个种类有5%的优惠，其余1%。简单的道理，你买机票回北京，1000刀的机票正好赶上Travel是5%，那就是白来的50美金。当然一张Discover More还不够，有车的同学可以加一张AMEX的TrueEarning或者Citi Forward. 我同学对这两张卡的反馈还是很不错的。

每一个同学还应该至少有一张航空公司/旅游的卡。 比如Delta，只要你申AMEX Skymile卡，Delta就送你2万英里的里程(符合条件再加5000），最低25000英里就可以换一张北美地区往返的机票（我春假去多伦多的时候就换的机票），最低60000英里就可以换一张往返世界任意的机票。其他航空公司也是类似的（西南用的是points，8点就可以换机票）。如果你能确定自己就坐一个航空公司的飞机，那推荐你申那个航空公司的信用卡。如果你像我一样看哪儿的机票便宜就做哪个公司的，那我强烈向你推荐AMEX SPG卡，这是我唯一一个有年费的卡。在这里说说Starwood Preferred Guest的卡有什么过人之处。

1. Starpoints可以以1:1兑换全球三十多个航空公司的里程点数。尽管此卡本身只是消费一元得一点，但它的灵活性是任何Airline Cards无法比拟的。比如，我现在有12万英里的Delta里程，1万5的AAdvantage里程。我既可以将SPG的点数换成Delta的里程，也可以注入到AA这样就够一张美国国内的往返机票。想想，如果你交学费的学校恰好不收信用卡手续费，你用这卡交一两年学费，基本上一张往返北京的机票也就出来了。这可是1000多刀的价值啊。

2. Starpoints还可以兑换全球925间喜达屋(Starwood)酒店。我前几天随便查伦敦的酒店，最低只要3000点就可以有Free Night。在你申信用卡的时候AMEX会送你10000点。这样算起来就至少是三晚可以免费住宿了。SPG还给你每年一次50% Off Regular Price(最高五晚)的优惠。

3. Extended Warrenty， Purchase Protection和Return Protection。这卡好的有点惊人。SPG卡给你最多达一年的延长保修期，即使原厂保修已经过了。90天的theft+accidental protection+Free Return. 在维京群岛的朋友新买的拖鞋被浪冲走了，打个电话，AMEX立马就答应REFUND。

所以，好的卡要有的几个素质是：一是好申，被拒了就没有下面的事儿了。二是给的信用额度要慷慨，毕竟信用卡是用来花钱的。三是网上银行要方便。最重要的是卡的优惠幅度要大。

Apply through the following link you can get a 100 dollar bonus  by Feb 28 2012 if you spend 1000 within your first 90 days of Cardmembership.  

http://email.americanexpress.com/a/hBPDFRSAQB6FsB8eRpmNtLDiH.AQB6Fsf$/axp3?MGM_GEN_ID=2C03E565B03A5B3D5CE0A31F23287FB9F630B68437904BAA


• Get 3% cash back at supermarkets
• Get 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores
• Get 1% cash back everywhere else1


Start with $100 cash back2 



You can get a $100 bonus when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months with the Blue Cash Everyday Card.

Plus, as a Cardmember you can:

Earn unlimited cash back on your purchases
With the Blue Cash Everyday Card, there's no spend minimum and no enrollment required, so you can start earning cash back right away. It's easy to earn cash back because the reward categories don't change. Use your Card for all your purchases and you can earn unlimited Reward Dollars. Redeem Reward Dollars for cash back, or choose from gift cards or merchandise.

Suite of travel and shopping protections
With your Blue Cash Everyday Card, enjoy access to a suite of shopping and travel protections, like Purchase Protection3, Extended Warranty4, Global Assist® Hotline5, Travel Accident Insurance6, and more.

Special savings with the Blue Savings Program®7
Blue Cash Everyday gives you access to the Blue Savings Program, which offers a wide range of offers and extras at hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, cruise lines, and more.

Refer a friend and receive a $25 bonus8
Recommend the Blue Cash Everyday Card to as many friends as you want and receive a $25 bonus for each friend approved for the Card. There's no limit to how many friends you can refer!

Plus, receive a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable rate, currently 17.24%-22.24%.9

Apply now through this e-mail10 by February 28, 2012 to enjoy this special offer and more, for no annual fee. 



Terms & Conditions

1. You will receive Reward Dollars for eligible purchases. You can redeem Reward Dollars for statement credits, or, at our discretion, additional items like merchandise and gift cards, whenever your available Reward Dollar balance is 25 or more. The number of Reward Dollars you will receive each billing period is based on a percentage of the dollar amount of your eligible purchases made during the billing period. Each eligible purchase shall qualify for a reward of 3, 2, or 1% of the purchase amount as follows: 3% for eligible purchases at supermarkets (excluding superstores and warehouse clubs), 2% for eligible purchases at department stores and for automobile gasoline purchased at stand-alone gas stations, and 1% for all other eligible purchases posted to your account. Eligible Purchases means purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do NOT include fees or interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, purchases of American Express Travelers Cheques, purchases or reloading of American Express prepaid cards or purchases of other cash equivalents. Additional terms and conditions apply.

2. Offer valid for first-time American Express Cardmembers only. To qualify for the $100 bonus, you must make purchases with your Blue Cash EverydaySM Card from American Express that total $1,000 or more within your first 90 days of Cardmembership. The bonus will be awarded in the form of Reward Dollars, which will be added to your Reward Dollar balance 6-8 weeks after the spend threshold is met and can be redeemed at any time at a minimum of 25. Cash advances, balance transfers, interest charges, fees, and the purchase of American Express® Travelers Cheques and American Express Gift Cheques, or other cash equivalents, do not apply. Additional Cardmembers on your account are not eligible for this offer. To receive the $100 bonus, account must be active, in good standing, and not in default at the time the statement credit is posted to your account.

3. Purchase Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0951 or Policy PP-IND and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy. 

4. Extended Warranty is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0953 or Policy EW-IND and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy. 

5. While the Global Assist® Hotline coordination and assistance services are offered at no additional charge from American Express, Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Please consult your Welcome Kit for full terms and conditions. 

6. Travel Accident Insurance is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Administrative Office, Phoenix, AZ. Coverage is determined by the terms, conditions, and exclusions of Policy AX0948 and is subject to change with notice. This document does not supplement or replace the Policy. 

7. Visit americanexpress.com/bluesavings to view the Blue Savings Program® current offers, including their terms and conditions, the applicable promotion codes as well as Card enrollment instructions. To be eligible for the offers, you must (1) enroll your Card or enter the designated promotion code, if applicable, and (2) charge your purchases with a Blue from American Express®, Blue Cash® from American Express, Blue Cash Everyday,SM Blue Cash PreferredSM, Blue Sky from American Express®, or Blue Sky Preferred from American Express®.

8. You can earn 25 Reward Dollars for each new Blue Cash EverydaySM account you refer. Referred individual(s) must be approved for a new Blue Cash Everyday Card account. Please allow 6–8 weeks for the Reward Dollars to post to your account after each referred individual is approved for a new Card account. Due to the confidential nature of the credit approval process, you will not be notified of whether we approve or decline any application(s) from individual(s) you refer. You understand and agree that the referred individual(s) must apply online through an e-mailed link (provided by American Express) and be approved in order for you to receive the bonus. We cannot provide you with any non-public information about the referred individuals. The individuals you referred may not receive the e-mail if they have previously "opted out" of receiving e-mail marketing communications from American Express. If you violate or abuse this program, you may not receive some or all of the Reward Dollars.

9. Your APR on purchases will be 17.24%, 20.24%, or 22.24%, based on your credit worthiness as determined at the time of account opening. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

10. You understand and agree that the American Express® Cardmember who referred you may be compensated if your application is approved, and consequently may be able to tell if your application is approved. 

American Express Customer Service Department 
P.O. Box 297817 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329-7817

Copyright 2012 American Express Centurion Bank. All rights reserved.

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