Sunday, September 4, 2011

一天申了5张信用卡……集齐VISA/MASTER/AMEX/DISCOVER。分享经验







终于攒够一年的信用记录了。我去年刚一来就申了一张local小银行(UMCU)的信用卡,额度1k,然后申了一张CapitalOne的那个人人都能申的最烂的卡,额度500(主要是没有跨国手续费,在美国以外刷的比较开心。。。),就安心攒信用记录了。我的信用分数不到700分,主要是之前有一个汽车贷款,把分数落下来了。一般的新生,拿到SSN一年以后,只要平时balance没有太高(比如50%以下),应该都比我这个高。其实我的前两张卡一般了,当时也不懂嘛,随便申的。
今天一口气申了5张。应该都是不错的卡(我这个信用分数下能申的。。。),写出来分享给大家。



1. Chase Freedom:
主要是有250刀的bonus,无年费,而且5% CB的种类蛮适合我。
No Annual Fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
$250 Cashback after spend $500 in 3months
5% Cash Back for selected category, 1% for others
July-Sept.: Gas, Airlines, Hotels
Oct-Dec: Dining, stores, movie, charities

2. AMEX Gold Delta Skymile Card:
主要是因为底特律这里坐delta太方便了,而且我每年飞得很多,所以skymile对我很重要。还可以申白金卡,比金卡稍微好一点,25000 bonus miles里有5000可以算作Medallion Qualification Miles,意义不大。我怕中不了,就没申白金,申的金卡。
20,000 bonus miles with first purchase and an additional 5,000 miles for adding 2 Additional Cardmembers to your account.
First Bag Free: Get a free checked bag for up to nine people in your reservation - a roundtrip savings of $50 per person.
No Annual Fee for the first year: A savings of $95.4
Earn Miles: Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent.
Pay with Miles: Start redeeming with as few as 10,000 miles for $100 off a Delta ticket, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.7

3. CapitalOne Cash Reward Card:
其实很一般,有年费。申这个主要是因为2%的加油站和超市,在别的卡没有5% CB的时段用。而且没有跨国手续费,方便在境外使用。所以有年费也就算了。
$39 Annual Fee, no foreign transaction fee
2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and major grocery stores
1% cash back on all other purchases

4. Discover Open Road Card:
主要是为了申一张discover网络的卡,而且在一些网站购物的CB很高。比如buy.com、bobbibrown什么的。Discover还有一种student credit card或者more card,selected category是5% CB,但是额度比较低,selected的也不怎么适合我。
No Annual Fee, 2% foreign transaction fee
Free $150 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate with first purchase
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then the variable purchase APR of 11.99% - 20.99%
2% Cashback Bonus automatically at any gas station and any restaurant all year long
Plus, up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular online retailers when you shop through Discover.com
1% Cashback for others

5. Citi Forward:
这个神卡,不解释。。。5% CB for food, bookstore, movie theater any time.还没有年费。
No Annual Fee, 3% foreign transaction fee
5,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you make $600 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening3
1,000 bonus ThankYou Points when you sign up for Paperless Statements within the first 3 months of account opening3
100 bonus ThankYou Points each billing period when you pay on time and stay under your credit limit2
5 ThankYou Points for every $1 spent on purchases at restaurants (including fast food), bookstores, music stores, video rental stores and movie theaters;
1 ThankYou Point for every $1 spent on all other purchases2


对了,Citi的identity monitor现在有deal,一个月只要5块钱,可以看信用报告,信用分数,还可以监控你的identity有没有被盗。
http://www.identitymonitor.citi.com/index.aspx

最后推荐一个american express的blue cash everyday
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.

【穷游希腊——你绝对玩得起!】+详细行程和费用表+含大量具体信息的google map!!!zz

行程计划







确定要去的地方可以通过http://www.greecetravel.com/ ,上面有希腊所有热门景点的介绍和攻略,虽然打广告的成分居多,但也有大量客观的旅游资讯。重点是信息全面之余还有中文。

学生出行千万别忘带学生证。此次去的景点中只有Kalambaka的修道院收了我们每人2欧的门票,其余的凭我们的欧盟学生身份都不要钱!也就是说,欧盟学生可以免费参观希腊几乎所有的古迹和博物馆。其它地区的学生凭国际学生证也有半价优惠。

岛上最佳出行时间是5月份,这是新一旅游季度的开始,很多东西都刚刚翻新过,等待各位的也是最热情的服务业同仁,而且天气已经热得可以开始游泳了,游客还比较少。

希腊旅游局在多个国家和地区设有分部,其中德国就有4个。于是我们就去了法兰克福咨询还拿了很多地图。以下是各地分部的链接:http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/menuitem.7f0d4e449429307c12596610451000a0/?vgnextoid=ee7314edd9cfa110VgnVCM100000460014acRCRD&lang_choosen=en

希腊北部地图PDF:http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/menuitem.7f0d4e449429307c12596610451000a0/?vgnextoid=3905f6a5318bd210VgnVCM100000010a0a0aRCRD&lang_choosen=en

希腊南部地图PDF:http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/menuitem.7f0d4e449429307c12596610451000a0/?vgnextoid=a345f6a5318bd210VgnVCM100000010a0a0aRCRD&lang_choosen=en

Kalambaka:悬崖上的修道院,《007》外景拍摄地,山区的整体感觉就像一个巨石阵,非常雄伟壮观,很值得去。当地往返景区的公交班次很少,冬半年甚至没有。但打车还是比较划算的,要是能有几个人一起就坐跟乘公交没什么区别了。“女生必须穿过膝长裙进入修道院”实在无须太在意,即使你穿裤子也会让进的,只是在入口处会发一条布让你裹起来。而且穿长裙走山路真的不方便。这里有6个修道院,其实都挺小的,而且看上去都差不多,一般人逛两个就不想再逛了。详细介绍和开放时间请浏览:http://www.kalampaka.com/en/meteora/monasteries.asp 风景比修道院有意思!地图:



Delphi:古希腊时期被认为是世界中心的地方。镇子很小,车站很破,偶尔还没人守着。最著名的太阳神庙在距离小镇最远的地方,走路大概20分钟吧,所以最好先去看看。而且最好下午去,因为早上逆光照片不好拍。但博物馆关门很早,就看你怎么取舍了。地图:

Olympia:奥运会圣火采集地。逛起来时间要比Delphi短一些,2~3小时就差不多了。德国专家帮忙修复了那里的古迹,博物馆和古迹都有德语介绍。地图:

Athen:基本上一天能逛完,但安排两天会舒服点。这里交通最方便,东西最齐全,价格最便宜。吃的、玩的、穿的都能在这找到全希腊最实惠的,比如说明信片一欧10张。要转的地方也特别集中,要是住在老城区就连车都不用坐了。景点集中的地方治安还不错,但Omonia地铁站西北那一块特别乱,外国人占70%,黄、赌、毒什么都有,没什么事就别在那呆了,还有Moussio博物馆附近小偷也很多,要小心保管财物。地图:http://www.visitgreece.gr/portal/site/eot/menuitem.7f0d4e449429307c12596610451000a0/?vgnextoid=6194f6a5318bd210VgnVCM100000010a0a0aRCRD&lang_choosen=en

Mykonos:连街道都是白色的梦幻小镇。有很多高档的艺术品店,平民化的纪念品当然也有,但一般都能在雅典找到,而且比雅典要贵很多。岛上有3只巨型的粉红色鸟,它们是当地的吉祥物——鹈鹕,一般活跃在旧港附近的几间餐厅周围(方便要食)。当地有不少以它为题材的工艺品在别的地方是买不到的。游泳的话,北面的沙滩风大,西南的沙滩人多,所以最好就是东南面的Elia。冬半年基本上没有公交车。地图:

Santorini:有上千座蓝顶教堂的小岛。这似乎是希腊最有代表性的旅游胜地了。虽然它不及mykonos精致,却以缤纷的建筑群和壮丽的自然风光吸引着世界各地的游客。主镇Fira交通最方便,不租车的话最好住在这。Oia风景最好,有很多家豪华酒店,度蜜月的千万别错过!Akrotiri的红沙滩正好在一片红色悬崖下,绝对壮观。Kamari和Perissa这两个黑沙滩也是很正的,喜欢游泳的话住在这沙滩边上的酒店就最合适了,就算夏天人多也不要紧,地方够大。地图:





交通安排

航班查询:http://www.swoodoo.com/de/ 包括欧洲所有廉航,保证最低价。一般是瑞安航空最便宜(这次我订的德国—希腊的往返机票才32欧/人) http://www.ryanair.com/de/ 但起降都是在公共交通不方便的小机场,机场大巴往往比机票还贵。前往希腊各岛的航班也可以在这查,如果能提早3个月订的话,爱情海航空公司的机票比船票还便宜。

汽车查询:这个比较麻烦,因为暂时还没有一个希腊国内的总的查询系统。所以需要在google搜索希腊城市名+KTEL(希腊的长途客运汽车公司)或直接在http://livingingreece.gr/2008/06/13/ktel-buses-of-greece/ 查出各地的KTEL网站,再分别查其时刻表,但很多只有希腊语,不过只要知道Δρομολόγια=timetable就可以了。

火车查询:http://tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia/# 查得到的80%可信,查不到的也不代表没有。以火车站公布的为准。由于政府无能、国库空虚,近年火车班次被大幅削减,并导致经常性的反裁员罢工。难怪大多数希腊人认为:铁路系统不靠谱!!!

船次查询:http://greekferries.forth-crs.gr/english/npgres.exe?PM=BO 网站信息十分可靠!在线预订的话要在当地指定的办事处拿票。注意:雅典有两个港口,Pireas和Rafina。从雅典出发或于雅典到达的Blue star游轮,若通过电话或邮件(Tel.: +30-210-8919800, Fax: +30-210-8919938, e-mail:helpdesk@attica-group.com )提早2~3个月预订的话,就有机会订到10欧/人的Super economy优惠票。



本帖精华——详细地图信息的链接:http://maps.google.de/maps/ms?

点开标志及路段会有包含具体信息的对话框出现。

进行放大操作,会有更多具体信息出现(本图将会不断完善)。

Our transport plan

Date(2011)

Direction

Tool

Time

Cost(€/person)







3rd.April

Kaiserslautern – Mannheim

Train

03:54–04:56

0

Mannheim–Frankfurt(Hahn)

Bus

05:45–07:35

20

Frankfurt(Hahn) –Volos(airport)

Plane

09:55–13:50

17

Volos(airport)–Volos(Bόλoϛ)

Bus

Depend on the fly

5

Volos–Trikala(ΤΡΙΚΑΛA)

Bus

15:00–17:10

13,1

Trikala–Kalambaka (Kαλαµπάkα)

Bus

17:15–18:00

2,2



4th.April

Kalambaka–Trikala

Bus

14:00–14:45

2,2

Trikala–Lamia(Λamia)

Bus

15:30–17:30

11,8

Lamia–Dephi(∆EΦΛOI)

Bus

19:00–21:00

9,2



5th.April



Dephi–Patra(ΠΑΤΡΑ)

Bus

13:15–17:00

13,6

Patra– Pyrgos(ΠΥΡΓΟΣ)

Bus

17:10–19:00

9,8

Pyrgos–Olympia(Oλυμπία)

Bus

19:30–20:15

2,2



6th.April

Olympia–Pyrgos

Bus

11:45–12:15

2,2

Pyrgos–Athens(Aθήνα)

Bus

12:30–17:00

28

7th.April

Buses in Athens

1,4/90min

8th.April

Piraeus –Mykonos(Mύκονοζ)

Ship

07:35–12:50

34

9th.April

Mykonos– Paros(Πάροζ)

Ship

09:50–10:30

27,8

Paros–Santorini(Σαντορίνη)

Ship

11:55–15:00

18,5

10th.April

Buses in Santorini

About 2/times

11th.April

Santorini–Kos(Κωζ)

Ship

23:35–05:50(+1)

31,5





12th.April

Kos – Kos(airport)

Bus

9:30–10:30

3,2

Kos(airport)–Frankfurt(Hahn)

Plane

11:50–14:00

15

Frankfurt(Hahn) – Kirn

Bus

14:35–15:26

4,7

Kirn – Bad Münster a Stein

Train

16:03–16:26

8,8

Bad Münster a Stein–Kaiserslautern

Train

16:33–17:26

0

P.S:希腊交通有季节性,船次以http://greekferries.forth-crs.gr/english/npgres.exe?PM=BO查的为准,车次以车站贴的为准,因此必要时要做好打车的准备,注意要和出租司机讲价,

Sum+50(taxi)

345

Tips:查的时候尽可能多查几个班次,做好出现突发事件的应急方案。因为希腊的长途大巴停站很多,时间上误差很大,短途公交就更不用说了。此外,大城市上下班时间的交通堵塞情况比较严重,而且相当一部分希腊人开车十分野蛮,出现事故的概率比西欧国家要高。

*最好还是在当地租车,好像还挺便宜的。

*希腊打的统一价1,16/km。

*跟我们一样需要乘搭公共交通工具的,最好用英语把行程表整理出来,方便在当地买票拿出来给别人看。查出重要地名的希腊语写法并标注在相应位置,因为在车站查班次的时候需要用。

*希腊的公共交通只对本国学生有7折优惠,外国学生一律全票。



酒店预订

http://www.booking.com/ 覆盖的城市最多,酒店最全。价格算是公道,但不是最便宜的。

http://www.trivago.uk/ 覆盖城市相对没这么多,酒店也没这么全。但它可以对包括booking在内几乎所有的酒店预订网站进行价格对比,所以从这就能找出最便宜的。

http://www.hostelworld.com/ 这里以青年旅舍和家庭旅馆为主。价钱普遍较低,但性价比不一定最高。因为要是遇上特价的话,星级酒店不一定就比这种hostel贵。

还有一个办法:可以先在上述网页选好酒店,直接发邮件与酒店联系。这样子就有机会可以砍价了,一般可以砍到网站价格的80~90%,而且大多无需交订金。但这一切都只是口头承诺,难免容易产生变数。特别是在旅游旺季,有在网上交了订金的最后都拿不到房(极个别事例),以这种方式预订的就更没保障了。

Our hotel booking

Date(2011)

City

Hotel

Adress

Tel.

Cost(€/night)

3rd.April

Kalambaka

Archontico Mesochori****

Kastraki

+302432077125

53,78

4th.April

Delphi

Athina*

55 Vasileos Pavlou&Friderikis

+302265082239

30,45

5th.April

(Ancient) Olympia

Hercules*

Tsoureka 2 Street

+302624022696

45

6,7th.April

Athens

Dioskouros

6 Pittakou street Plaka

+302103248165

31,25*2

8th.April

Mykonos

Damianos***

Drossopzoula

+302289023085

40

9,10th.April

Santorini

(Fira)

Villa Gianna**

Main Street

+302286023367

28*2

除雅典是青年旅馆式的公共卫浴双人间外,其它都是独卫双人间。价钱都包括自助早餐。

Sum(€/person)

287,73/2=143,87



Tips:不租车的最好订离车站近的酒店,要不拎着行李走来走去很麻烦的。网上预定好后要把英语版的确认信打印出来,旅程中随身携带。然后为了以防万一,最好直接联系酒店再次确认你的预订,顺便问清楚酒店的地址,从车站或港口如何过去,他是否来接你等等。因为网站上酒店在地图的位置有时候跟实际差别很大!