Credit Card Review: Efectiva™ Platinum Plus® Visa®

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Estimate Reward Earnings

You can't argue with cold, hard cash. Though many reward credit cards offer their users points that can be redeemed for various products and services, you don't have to go through the point system to get great rewards back. When you use the Efectiva® Platinum Plus® Visa®, all you'll ever see is cash. This card, issued by FIA Card Services, N.A., gives you a cash rebate on your purchases, so that you can spend your rewards wherever and whenever you want.

When you use the Efectiva® Platinum Plus® Visa® while shopping, you will earn a 1% cash back rebate on every purchase that you make. No matter what you're buying, or where you're buying it, when you use this card you will always be earning cash back. You'll earn one point for every $100 in net monthly purchases, and five points for every $2,500 in net monthly balance transfers that you move from non-FIA Card Service accounts. You will also earn five points, just for making your very first purchase.

A lot of credit cards use a lot of smoke and mirrors to make their points systems look like you're getting more rewards than you are, but with this card you'll always know where you stand. One point is simply equal to one dollar period. For every 25 points that you earn, you will receive a $25 check in the mail, or a $25 credit to your Bank of America checking or savings account, so you don't have to wait for ages or fill out a bunch of forms in order to get a hold of your rebates. They just come on their own. Though the rebates that you can earn are limited to $600 a year, that's a lot to get back for your trouble.

For a reward card, this card offers a relatively low interest rate on purchases, and it charges you no annual fee for use. It also offers a 0% introductory interest rate on balance transfers and cash advance, which will last through your first 6 billing cycles.

As if all of these great rates and rebates aren't enough, as a cardholder you will also be eligible for many different platinum benefits. This card offers auto rental insurance, different forms of travel and emergency assistance services, and even purchase replacement on items purchased using this credit card. This card offers an inexpensive and straightforward reward program with great benefits.

(Review Updated: April 23, 2008)

Estimate Reward Earnings

0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 Billing Cycles
11.24% Regular Variable APR for Purchases
21.24% Regular Fixed APR for Cash Advances

20 days Grace Period

(* 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and cash advance for your first 6 billing cycles)

Finance Configuration: Average Daily Balance (including new purchases)

Additional Cardholders: $0

Late Payment Fee: $15 on balances up to $100; $29 on balances over $100 up to $250; $39 on balances over $250

Over-The-Limit Fee: $15 on balances up to $500; $29 on balances over $500 up to $1,000; $39 on balances over $1,000

Cash Advance Fee: 3%, $10 minimum

Balance Transfer Fee: 3%, $10 minimum

Minimum Credit Limit: see terms*

Maximum Credit Limit: see terms*

Type of Reward: Point

Points per Dollar: 1.00

Bonus Points First Purchase: 5 Points

Expiration: Up To 5 Years (Points expire on the last day of the Billing Cycle that closes in December of the fourth calendar year following the year in which they were earned.)

Yearly Limit: 600 Points ($600 Cash Back)

Additional Features for Efectiva™ Platinum Plus® Visa®:

See website for card benefits.

Important Notes for Efectiva™ Platinum Plus® Visa®:

See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure

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Notes: The review on Efectiva™ Platinum Plus® Visa® was updated on April 23, 2008. The review is believed to be accurate during the update, however, information posted may have changed since the update. We strongly suggest that you carefully read the Terms and Conditions statement that accompanies the credit card application.