Currently, reward credit cards are one of the most talked about financial products in the market. The best part is that they are specifically tailored for purposes like travel, balance transfer, gas rewards and cashback. But having a rewards credit card also means incurring an annual fee. These can range anywhere from $25 to $2500. However, numerous credit card companies have come up with no annual fee reward credit cards which waivers the charges for the first year.
A reward credit card with no annual fee might give you limited benefits, but it can still be a smart choice as it allows you to experiment without worrying about the year-end expense. The following are some incredible advantages of using a no annual fee reward credit card.
It is important to note that all reward credit cards with no annual fee will have a diverse combination of incentives. Therefore, before getting one, ensure that you compare these financial products thoroughly. You can find various comparison tools for credit cards online which scrutinize sign-up bonuses, interest rates, purchase points, limited offers, and terms.
At the moment some of the popular no annual fee reward credit cards are Chase Freedom, Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card, Hilton Honors Card from American Express, JetBlue Card, Discover it, Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card, etc.
There are companies that work on collecting and maintaining credit information of consumers. These are known as credit reporting agencies (CRAs). There are three such major CRAs in the country, namely Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Apart from these, there are other smaller-scale agencies too that specialize at the job. If you’re worried about “where to get my credit score?,” the larger CRAs are the most reliable bets.
These major CRAs obtain information from companies that you hold business and transactions with. People or companies that lend you money regularly report to these CRAs on your repaying status. There is also detailed information on the amount you are indebted and whether you have ever defaulted on your payments. Aside from the reports obtained from lenders, these companies also tally your general records based on certain other aspects. Some of these aspects are your public records from the local and state judiciary. These include your tax records and bankruptcy information. This information makes up an important chunk of your credit score and its report.
Equifax
Present in 24 countries, Equifax is an agency that offers consumers protection against identity theft and credit fraudulence. They also sell credit reports and credit monitoring assistance to businesses.
Experian
Experian started off in London and is now a trusted agency in 39 different countries. It provides you with a credit score, credit report, and even credit tracker on subscription. The agency uses FICO 8 system of credit score calculation. Experian was a part of Forbes’ “World’s Most Innovative Companies” in 2018.
TransUnion
Based across 30 countries with a database of over 1 billion consumers, TransUnion is another CRA giant. The agency, like the other ones, will provide you with your credit score and your credit reports. In case you decide to freeze your TransUnion credit report, it will also go the extra mile to notify Equifax and Experian, which frankly is a big help especially in case of identity theft and credit fraud.
So, the next time you are sat wondering “where to get my credit score?,” think of these three giants that provide you with an annual credit score and credit report for free once each year. However, if you are looking for more frequent updates, you can subscribe to their services and receive your monthly updates.
Did you know that you have more than a single credit score? Agencies calculate your credit score based on the data in your credit reports. If you are wondering, “where to get my credit score?,” there are three main credit reporting agencies. These can have different credit scores for you if your information on each of their credit reports is different. Also, these agencies charge a fee to reveal your credit score.
Recently, it has become easier to track and get hold of your credit score without paying any fees. You can get it from your credit card company, your loan provider, and even from a non-profit counselor. Here are a few tips you can use to check your score.