3 Great Apps to Optimize Your Credit Card Use
Many people remember the day they received their first credit card. Most people go through this joy at 18 years old and have their first real taste of being an adult. After the years go by, the experience changes into one where many people feel overwhelmed. There are so many rewards programs out there that people can’t choose which they should have. Multiple cards with different programs almost make it worse because instead of sitting at a restaurant enjoying a meal, many find their thoughts are engaged in which card to use to maximize the benefits. Luckily there are now many different apps on the market that allows people to go back to enjoying their meal and no longer have to divide their attention between companionship over a meal, and which reward to use first.
Reward Summit
Many people who have gone through their own bout with identity theft have spent many hours reviewing the security features in credit cards. This includes scouring over each of the rewards programs that come with those credit cards. With as many different types of fraud as there are in the financial market today, many people are also quite reluctant to enter any of their personal information into an app, which is where Reward Summit usually catches people's attention.
With easy visual screens and layout, users simply have to identify the kind of credit card they wish to use rather than toss all of their personal information into the app. The app not only recommends the best card for the location you are at, but it will quantify your benefits by converting points to dollar values. One step further, the app will compare your best card to the others you have so you can see dollar value comparisons.
Glyph
Most people fear compromised credit cards because of the damage that can come along with that experience. This particular app allows you to put your information in if you wish, but it is not a requirement. Should you decide you want to plug your personal information into the app, you will be able to see what your past spending habits have shown, plus an evaluation of which of your cards would be best at the merchant you are planning to buy from. This helps people keep their spending habits under control and see where their excess money is going each month. This app allows users to use a standard profile, which will then not include the evaluation of your past habits, but it will still recommend which of your cards to use, based on what types of cards you input into the app. You are not receiving a generic recommendation. Glyph will make its recommendation based on several factors of your personal spending. It will consider things such as rewards, fees, interest, special offers, and your credit card balance. What is more exciting is that it will consider how your credit score will be impacted. So, if you are spending too much on one card, it makes suggest another.
Smorecard
Smorecard is a nice app for those not wanting to enter their credit card information. Using a GPS tracker Smorecard will find you and suggest the best credit card to use for its reward program. If there is more than one suggestion, the app will break down rewards and compare points so you can make an educated decision. Simple is sweet. Most people don’t need all the frills making Smorecard may be the perfect choice.
With all of the reward programs available for credit cards, even options for secured credit cards, it is nice to know there are some simple, yet practical choices to evaluate how to best use your wallet full of plastic.
Amy Johnson is an active blogger who is fond of writing articles on Credit Protection and advising people to immediate steps by informing authorities if your card is lost or stolen. Follow her on Twitter to know more apps to optimize your credit card use.