Whether you’re going on a far-flung adventure this spring or plan on sticking closer to home, the quarterly bonus categories on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the original Chase Freedom® give you plenty of opportunities to earn elevated rewards on everyday purchases and maybe some splurges, too. And if you have the Flex version of the card, the quarterly categories are especially rich.
Holders of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom® earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined spending in bonus categories that change every three months. From April 1 through June 30, 2024, the bonus categories are:
Select hotel bookings.
If you have the Chase Freedom Flex℠, you may notice that a couple of those categories already earn extra cash back because of the card’s fixed bonus rewards. The quarterly bonus rates “stack” on top of those. That means Flex cardholders (but not holders of the original Freedom) can earn up to 9% back on hotels booked through Chase, and up to 7% back on dining purchases. More on that below.
To receive elevated rewards, cardholders need to activate the bonus categories online by June 14. Rewards will apply retroactively, so as long as you activate by the deadline, you’ll earn extra cash back on all eligible purchases made throughout the quarter.
Chase Freedom® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ bonus rewards categories for 2024
Q1 (Jan. 1-March 31)
Grocery stores.
Fitness clubs and gym memberships.
Self-care and spa services.
Q2 (April 1-June 30)
Select hotel bookings.
Restaurants.
Amazon.com.
Q3 (July 1-Sept. 30)
TBD (In 2023: Gas stations and electric vehicle charging; select live entertainment).
Q4 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31)
TBD (In 2023: PayPal; wholesale clubs; select charities).
Stacked rewards let Flex cardholders score big
Amazon is a mainstay bonus category for quarterly rewards, and the sheer breadth of items you can buy through the online marketplace makes it an easy way to earn extra rewards. But the other two categories — dining and select hotel bookings — have the potential to be much more valuable for Chase Freedom Flex℠ cardholders, thanks to the card’s ongoing rewards. Here’s how.
In addition to the bonus cash back cardholders can earn in rotating categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ also has the following “fixed” bonus categories that don’t change:
3% back at restaurants.
3% back at drugstores.
5% back on qualifying Lyft services purchased through the Lyft app (through March 31, 2025).
1% back on all other purchases.
Hotels booked through Chase already earn elevated rewards throughout the year (5% back), as do dining purchases (3% back). The quarterly bonus doesn’t replace those rewards; it “stacks” on top of them, meaning you can earn up to 9% back on hotels booked through Chase, and up to 7% back on dining purchases.
The original Chase Freedom® (which is no longer available to new applicants) has the same 5% rotating bonus calendar but does not have the fixed categories. So holders of that card will earn 5% in all of the quarterly categories.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Why 7% and 9%? When Chase awards 5% cash back in its quarterly categories, it does so using this logic: Purchases that normally get 1% cash back are now earning an additional 4% cash back — so the quarterly bonus is 4% on top of the usual rewards. So for the second quarter of 2024, restaurant spending that usually earns 3% with Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 4% on top of that, for a total of 7%. Hotels booked through Chase usually earn 5%, so adding 4% to that gets you to 9% cash back.
Watch out for foreign transaction fees
These elevated rewards on dining and hotels booked through Chase make the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® ideal travel companions for spring and early summer trips. But if you’re traveling internationally, you might want to think twice before you whip out either card to pay for a meal or a hotel reservation.
Chase generally charges a 3% foreign transaction fee on its nontravel credit cards, which will cut into the value of any rewards you earn. The reward rates are high enough that you can still come out ahead, but you may need to do a little math first.
The information related to Chase Freedom® credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
Whether you’re planning on hitting the road for spring or summer break or launching yourself into home improvement projects, Discover’s bonus categories for the second quarter of 2024 can offer some value for your spending.
From April 1 through June 30, 2024, holders of eligible cards like the Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Student Cash Back can earn 5% cash back at gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores and on public transit, on up to $1,500 in combined spending for the quarter. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. Activation is required to be eligible for the higher rewards rate.
Here’s what you need to know about which purchases qualify.
Discover bonus rewards categories for 2024
Q1 (Jan. 1–March 31)
Restaurants.
Drugstores.
Q2 (April 1–June 30)
Gas stations/EV charging stations.
Home improvement stores.
Public transit.
Q3 (July 1–Sept. 30)
TBD (In 2023: Gas stations; digital wallets).
Q4 (Oct. 1–Dec. 31)
TBD (In 2023: Amazon, Target).
Discover’s Q2 bonus categories unpacked
Discover’s 5% categories come with terms. For the second quarter of 2024, here’s what will qualify:
Gas stations and EV charging stations
To earn the bonus rate, a purchase must be classified as made with a place that sells automotive gasoline or offers an electric vehicle charging station to the public. When you’re on the go, those purchases made at the pump or inside the gas station may also qualify for the elevated rewards rate.
Some purchases may not qualify, such as those made at supermarkets, supercenters, wholesale clubs and parking garages.
Public transit
Eligible public transit purchases that earn 5% back will include passenger buses, railways, ferries, taxis and rideshare services made in the U.S. Long-range passenger land, rail and water transportation services won’t qualify.
Home improvement stores
If you’re planning some home renovation projects or need to stock up on supplies, you can earn more value by doing it within Discover’s promotional window.
Eligible purchases will include those made online and in store at home improvement stores; building supply stores like lumber, paint and hardware stores; and lawn, nursery and garden supply stores. Purchases made through third parties like contractors may not qualify to earn 5% back. And purchases made at stores that offer home furnishings, home appliances, plumbing, heating supply and floor coverings won’t qualify.
Maximizing Discover’s Q2 bonus categories for 2024
To make the most of your bonus categories for the quarter, don’t forget these steps:
Log in to your Discover account to activate the bonus categories.
Use your Discover card for any purchases you make in those categories.
Track spending to know when or whether you’ve reached the $1,500 spending limit. (You can view an automated tracker while signed in to your Discover account.)
Considering the Discover it® Cash Back?
The Discover it® Cash Back card can be a worthy contender for your wallet if you’re organized enough to keep track of bonus categories that change every quarter and require activation. It’ll also work best if you’re not in the habit of maintaining a monthly balance, as the card’s steep interest charges will chip away at the value of rewards.
The card’s features include:
Annual fee:$0.
APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-28.24% Variable APR.
Sign-up bonus: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
With the electric car industry growing and electric vehicle (EV) sticker prices coming down, you may be asking yourself if it’s the right time to go all-electric. Add to that government tax incentives and states like California committing to zero-emissions vehicles by 2035, and it seems like electric is the way to go. This decision isn’t that easy, as you want to make sure you pick the right car for your needs and budget. Here’s how electric vs. gas cars stack up.
How do electric vs. gas cars function?
Before getting into the full comparison, you’ll want to make sure you understand the basic mechanical differences between electric and gas cars. Here’s a simplified version:
Electric cars have no tailpipe because there are no gas emissions. These cars use alternating electric currents, which are electrical currents that move in many directions, to power the vehicle. The car converts direct electrical currents (electricity that only moves in one direction) from the battery to alternating currents using an inverter and induction motor. Then, the induction motor turns the currents into a magnetic field that moves the wheels. Unlike gas cars that have multispeed transmissions, electric cars have a single-speed transmission that sends the power from the motor to the wheels, which causes them to turn. This means there’s only one gear in an electric car in addition to reverse and park.
On the flip side, gas cars use an internal combustion engine to make the car move. Here’s how it works: The engine pulls a combination of gas and air into the engine’s piston, the piston then compresses the mixture and an electrical spark ignites the mixture. The energy from the combustion forces the piston to the bottom of the engine cylinder and the connecting rod at the bottom of the cylinder transfers the energy to the crankshaft, which rotates the wheels. Then, the piston returns to the top of the cylinder, pushing out exhaust from the combustion mixture and releasing the exhaust through the tailpipe. Gas cars use multiple engine cylinders. Oil is used to lubricate the parts, and coolant along with a radiator are used to keep the engine from overheating.
Now that you have a general idea of the different functionalities, let’s get into the full electric cars vs. gas cars comparison.
Electric vs. gas car costs
The cost of owning a vehicle is more than just its sticker price; you’ll also need to factor in long-term expenses like repairs, maintenance, fuel and whether you can offset expenses with tax credits. Here’s how gas and electric vehicles compare:
Upfront costs
On average, electric cars are more expensive to buy than gas vehicles. According to automotive data company Kelley Blue Book, $55,353 was the average price paid for new electric cars in January 2024. For comparison, Kelley Blue Book reported $47,401 as the average price of a new gas car in January 2024 — that’s $7,952 less than a new electric car. But EV prices have been coming down steadily, and the price gap between electric and gas cars continues to narrow. For example, new electric cars cost $66,645 in July 2022 while the average price of a new gas car in July 2022 was $48,182, according to Kelley Blue Book.
When you look at the least expensive vehicles in each category, however, the price difference still feels pretty dramatic. Some new EV models now have starting prices under $30,000, which is substantially higher than the sticker price of the cheapest available new gas cars, a few of which start at under $20,000. Additionally, if you opt for a Level-2 home charger for faster charging, the charger itself will run you $500-$1,000. Its professional installation can add as much as $2,000 to your upfront expense, although your state or electric company may offer incentives to offset that cost.
Winner: Gas cars win for upfront cost.
Fueling/charging costs
Driving a gas vehicle means you’re subject to the fluctuating price of gasoline, which on average, ranged between about $3.25 and $3.95 in 2023. Because electricity tends to be cheaper than gas — and electric vehicles tend to be about three times more efficient than gas vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Energy — opting for an electric vehicle could offer big savings in fueling/charging costs
. In fact, driving an electric vehicle instead of a similar gas model over 15 years could save motorists as much as $14,500, as discovered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory.
On a yearly basis, charging an electric vehicle could cost as much as almost 50% to 60% less than going to the gas pump, provided most of that charging is done at home. If you frequently use public charging stations, like Electrify America, costs could begin to approach the price of going to the gas pump.
Winner: Electric cars win for fueling/charging costs.
Maintenance and repair costs
As previously noted, electric cars have simple mechanics compared to gas cars, with fewer fluids to change and fewer parts to replace. Their electrical systems themselves don’t require much maintenance either. This means you should expect to spend less on maintenance and repairs for an EV than you would with a gas car. Even an EV battery, which is expensive to replace, is expected to last 12 to 15 years.
Because of these factors, maintaining an electric vehicle may be as much as a third less expensive than maintaining a gas vehicle over the first five years — and as much as one-half less expensive overall. Over 15 years, an average American driver of an EV might spend as much as $8,000 less on maintenance overall than a driver of a comparable gas model.
Keep in mind that opting for an EV doesn’t mean that you won’t need any routine maintenance at all. Among other things, you’ll still need to maintain your tires, headlamps, wiper blades and brakes (although regenerative braking reduces wear and tear). In fact, EVs often require new tires more often because of the regenerative braking as well as the weight of the vehicle.
On the flip side, gas cars require quite a bit of maintenance, including regular oil changes, routine maintenance (rotate tires, replace air filter, etc.) and special service when the mileage gets to a certain amount.
Both electric and gas cars also have as-needed costs, meaning you’ll have to replace or repair problems as they arise.
Winner: Electric cars win for maintenance and repair costs.
Tax credits
Receiving a substantial tax credit for your new car can go a long way toward relieving the burden of its sticker price. Certain new all-electric vehicles (and some plug-in hybrids) now qualify for a federal tax credit as high as $7,500.
Be aware, however, that these tax credits are not offered for the purchase of any gas vehicles.
Winner: Electric cars win for tax credits.
Environmental concerns
Although cost is usually the biggest factor in deciding what car someone buys, environmental concerns can also play a factor. Here’s how electric and gas cars compare.
Emissions and efficiency
Electric cars are generally more efficient than gas vehicles, converting over 77% of electrical energy received from the grid into operating power at the wheels, according to the U.S. Department of Energy
. Traditional gas vehicles, on the other hand, only convert between 12% and 30% of the energy stored as gasoline into power at the wheels. Be aware that the individual emissions and efficiency of any electric cars you drive will vary, depending on where you live, the vehicle you purchase and how your electricity is sourced.
In terms of emissions, electric cars also tend to be kinder to the planet. The average EV sold in the U.S. produces the equivalent emissions of a theoretical gas car that gets 91 mpg. In fact, in all U.S. locations, the average electric car produces less emissions than the average gas car.
It may seem surprising that electric cars produce any emissions at all, since they have no tailpipe emissions. Instead, electric car emissions are calculated from two other sources: the processing and materials used in their manufacturing, and the electricity used to charge these vehicles.
The one hiccup with electric car emissions is battery recycling, or what happens to the battery when it dies. Battery recycling is in its infancy. While the current process can’t keep up with future EV demand, we will likely see some major developments in the coming years.
Winner: Electric cars win for environmental concerns.
Convenience
Electric cars come with higher upfront costs and lower maintenance costs, are there any trade-offs with convenience? Here’s how the two compare in some daily driving areas:
Charging/filling up
When it comes to gas cars, most drivers don’t worry much about range. After all, the infrastructure is well-established and gas stations are easy to find almost everywhere. In addition, gas cars can go an average of about 400 miles on a tank.
Drivers may be reluctant to purchase an electric car because of “range anxiety” — the worry of getting stranded somewhere with nowhere to charge up. However, although the EV charging station infrastructure isn’t as developed as it is for gasoline fill-ups, it’s been growing. More workplaces are making outlets available to their employees (and visitors), or installing Level 2 charging units, according to the U.S. Department of Energy
. And the US. Department of Energy reports there are now more than 72,000 public charging stations across the country — some of which are DC Fast Charge units.
Depending on the type of driving you do and where you live, the availability of public charging stations may not turn out to be that much of an issue. The majority of available electric cars can go between 110 and 300 miles before needing to charge up, and it’s not unusual for an electric car to have a range of 200 to 300 miles. Use this locator tool to find out if there are public charging stations in your local area — or in distant locations where you plan to drive your electric vehicle — before buying an EV.
Beyond charging or gas station availability, something else to be aware of is the time it takes to charge or fuel up. It can take 5 to 10 minutes to fill a gas tank, while electric cars take up to 12 hours with a Level 2 charger and 30-45 minutes with a Level 3 charger (like one you’d find at a public charging station).
Winner: Gas cars win for charging/filling up convenience.
Towing
Both gas and electric vehicles can be used for towing, however towing a heavy load will decrease efficiency in both cases.
For gas vehicles, how much your miles per gallon diminishes depends on how much weight you’re towing, as well as the increased wind resistance. In general, the heavier your load, the worse your gas mileage will be.
Electric cars also suffer decreased range when towing heavy loads. That range reduction was shown to be dramatic in recent tests performed by Consumer Reports, with EVs consistently performing below the estimated reduced range for a tow. Because public charging stations aren’t as plentiful as gas stations yet and because charging takes more time than gassing up, EVs may not be practical for long-distance towing, although they may be well-suited to short-distance tows.
Winner: Gas cars win for towing.
Availability
Visit any new car dealer and you’ll find a wide variety of gas vehicles to choose from. Buying a new electric car isn’t always so easy. Demand for environmentally friendly electric cars is rising faster than dealerships have been able to keep up. In fact, a 2023 Sierra Club study found that 66% of American car dealers didn’t have a single electric car (or plug-in hybrid) for sale. Additionally, some dealerships didn’t want to carry electric vehicles, with 45% of the dealers in the study who didn’t have available electric cars stating that they wouldn’t choose to offer them. In such instances, you’d have to find a dealer with electric cars in stock or order one directly from the carmaker.
Winner: Gas cars win for availability.
Closing thoughts
Both gas and electric cars come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. EVs are the clear winner environmentally, as well as for fuel efficiency, maintenance costs and tax incentives. However, electric car range is very strongly affected during towing, charging takes longer than gassing up and it can be difficult to find new EVs at dealerships. Gas vehicles come out on top when it comes to sticker price, range, long-distance towing and fueling convenience while lacking in fuel efficiency, maintenance costs and environmental impacts. Ultimately, you should choose the vehicle that best fits your budget and lifestyle.
Credit unions are among the few institutions where consumers can go to save on fees and interest rates for different banking services and loans. These not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions are owned by their members and return profits to them in the form of such savings. But a bipartisan bill first introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2022 could impact the ability of credit unions to provide those benefits, according to some opponents of the measure.
The Credit Card Competition Act would require financial institutions with more than $100 billion in assets to provide merchants with more choice when it comes to which payment network can process credit card purchases made in their stores. The bill’s supporters say introducing such options will help drive down costs for merchants and, in turn, for consumers.
Currently, when a consumer makes a purchase with a credit card, the merchant pays what’s known as an interchange fee to accept that payment and have it processed securely by the card’s payment network (typically Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover). That fee, set by the payment network the credit card runs on, is usually between 1% and 3% of the transaction — and many merchants have long complained that it’s too costly. The bill would give merchants the ability to choose a different network to process its transactions (a Visa card wouldn’t have to run on the Visa network, for example), and proponents of the bill believe that more choices will beget lower fees.
Most credit unions fall below the $100 billion asset requirement and wouldn’t be directly impacted by the proposed bill. But some fear the potential domino effect that this bill may have on these institutions’ ability to give back to their communities.
The feared ripple effects on credit unions
With assets of over $100 billion, there’s only one major credit union that would be directly impacted by the Credit Card Competition Act. Navy Federal Credit Union has 13 million members — many with ties to the military, including their qualifying relatives — and branches near military installations and overseas. The credit union declined to comment on the potential impact the bill would have on its community.
“It only impacts a single credit union,” says Doug Kantor, a member of the Merchants Payments Coalition executive committee and general counsel at the National Association of Convenience Stores. “All the rest are exempt from the bill.”
Still, while the rest of the nation’s credit unions would not be affected directly, concerns persist. For Mike Lee, president and CEO of KCT Credit Union in Illinois, there’s worry that the proposed legislation could have lasting indirect impact. Credit unions earn interchange fees when their cards are swiped, same as the big banks. The bill could drive interchange income down for credit unions if Mastercard and Visa have to eventually lower their costs to compete with another network.
“We just don’t have a lot of fat, so even something as small as interchange, taking that away from me is going to have an effect on the credit union,” Lee says. “I might not be able to be as cheap on loans as I was, I maybe can’t offer as good a CD. When you’re already working on low margins, the well is not endless.”
KCT Credit Union also shares its interchange revenue with the community like the school district’s foundation, which provides scholarships for kids and grants for teachers to fix up their classrooms or cover school supplies, according to Lee. “If they mess with this a lot, all of these partners, all of these school districts I’m sharing my interchange with, I don’t know if I can do that anymore,” he says.
On the opposite end, the measure’s sponsors argue that competition in the marketplace will benefit consumers. “Our legislation would rein in the big banks and the credit card industry, drive down costs for convenience stores, gas stations and other small businesses, and ultimately pass those savings down to consumers,” said bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill, in a news release.
But whether those savings are actually passed down to consumers by merchants is debatable. After all, there’s no guarantee or way to ensure that they do so.
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Will past predict future?
There’s some precedent for swipe-fee legislation. In 2010, Sen. Durbin sponsored legislation that succeeded in reducing swipe fees on debit card purchases, and its subsequent impact on consumers is arguable.
Multiple studies conducted since the 2010 Durbin amendment became law conclude that the cap imposed on debit card interchange fees did not significantly lower prices for consumers. A 2015 economic brief published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond showed that more than 21% of merchants actually increased their prices after the rule went into effect.
By contrast, some supporters, like the Merchant Payments Coalition, have cited a study by Robert Shapiro, a Georgetown University economist, which claims that the Durbin amendment saved merchants an estimated $8.5 billion in 2012, the first full year that it was in effect. And $5.87 billion of those savings (69%) was passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices.
To be clear, the new credit card legislation wouldn’t impose a cap on swipe fees like the 2010 amendment did for debit cards, so its not an apples-to-apples comparison. But the broader argument, that swipe fee savings by merchants would lead to lower prices for consumers, applies to both bills.
Lower prices could have hidden effects, too
If the premise of the Credit Card Competition Act proves true — if more payment processing choices leads to lower swipe fees, and merchants pass those savings along to consumers in the form of lower prices — might hidden costs still turn up elsewhere?
Several studies suggest that Sen. Durbin’s 2010 amendment resulted in financial institutions raising checking account prices and increasing minimum balance requirements. The banks exempt from the cap also adjusted prices as a competitive response to those price changes, according to a 2017 study by the Federal Reserve. Credit unions were impacted in a similar manner, forced to reduce services to members as revenue declined, according to a 2023 report commissioned by the Credit Union National Association (now known as America’s Credit Unions) and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. The number of credit unions has also shrunk since this legislation was implemented. Nearly a third or fewer credit unions exist today compared with the number that existed in 2011, according to that same report.
Still, some supporters of the Credit Card Competition Act claim that the Durbin amendment had no impact on the cost and accessibility of banking products.
“What happened with debit card fees didn’t cause free checking to increase, didn’t cause it to decrease,” Kantor says. “Free checking is determined based on the financial institutions wanting to compete for customer deposits, and that’s driven by a whole bunch of other things going on in the economy, like the interest rate environment and other stuff. It’s just a misdirection from some of the large financial institutions that would rather not have to compete for business.”
The future of the bill
The Credit Card Competition Act continues to be a topic of debate across different industries that could be potentially impacted by it if it becomes law. It’s unclear whether the Credit Card Competition Act will come to fruition, or what its exact outcome could ultimately be for consumers.
Sponsors made previous attempts to attach the Credit Card Competition Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, but it didn’t make it into the final bill. Currently, they continue aggressively rallying support to bring it to the floor for a vote.
What you can do
Groups on both sides of the Credit Card Competition Act encourage consumers to contact their representatives in Congress:
The Electronic Payments Coalition opposes the legislation, predicting that it will decimate credit card rewards programs without leading to a meaningful decline in retail prices for consumers. It provides guidance for contacting lawmakers at the website Hands Off My Rewards.
The Merchants Payments Coalition supports the legislation, saying it will make fees paid by retailers more transparent and competitive, could lead to lower prices, and doesn’t have to affect credit card rewards programs. It explains its stance at the Merchants Payments Coalitionwebsite.
A previous version of this article misstated the Merchant Payments Coalition’s position on the Durbin amendment and Credit Card Competition Act. The article has been corrected.
Many of us are looking for ways to trim our grocery bills, and for good reason: Americans spent about $5,700 a year on food at home in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While earning more rewards on grocery purchases can help, the Meijer credit card unfortunately falls short, even for loyalists of the Michigan-based retailer. Issued by Citibank, the Meijer card’s rewards rate is a shade higher than 1%, but any potential savings can easily be negated by the card’s outrageous interest rate.
For better options, check out our list of best credit cards for groceries, some of which earn as much as 6% cash back. Admittedly, the cards with the best rates require at least good credit (690 and above) to qualify, but there are solid options on the market for lower credit scores, too, such as the Citi Double Cash® Card.
1. There are two versions of the card
If your Meijer credit card application is approved, you’ll end up with one of two versions of the card:
The Meijer Card. A closed-loop card, it can only be used at Meijer grocery stores and gas stations.
The Meijer Mastercard. As an open-loop card, it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
A Citi representative confirmed that creditworthiness is a factor in determining which card an applicant receives.
2. Rewards are underwhelming
Many credit cards earn rewards based on certain spending categories. You might find a card that earns 4x points on dining and another that gets 3% cash back on gas. The Meijer card keeps things much simpler, though this simplicity comes at a price in the form of meager rewards.
Meijer cardholders get a $10 reward for every $750 spent with the card, which works out to an earnings rate of 1.33% cash back on every purchase. It’s not hard to find a card that earns more. If you had the Citi Custom Cash® Card, for example, you could get 5% cash back at grocery stores as long as that’s your highest spending area for the month. (The 5% rate applies up to $500 per billing cycle; after that, the card earns 1%.)
Rewards earned with the Meijer credit card are issued either as paper or digital certificates; the former expires 60 days from the issue date while the latter expires after 45 days. Furthermore, those $10 rewards certificates can’t be redeemed on alcohol, prescriptions, gift cards, store pickup orders and home delivery orders.
3. The sign-up bonus is skimpy
As of February 2024, the Meijer card has a sign-up bonus, albeit a really small one. New cardholders can get up to $50 off a Meijer purchase. They’ll get a $10 discount off the first in-store purchase made within 30 days of account opening, plus an additional $40 off if that purchase is made by March 2, 2024. There’s no minimum purchase requirement to get the sign-up bonus.
For a better welcome offer, consider this one from Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. And the Blue Cash Everyday earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases; 1% thereafter. Terms apply.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please visit this page.
4. The interest rate is sky-high
As of January 2024, the purchase APR on the Meijer card was 34.24%, more than 10 percentage points higher than the average APR on interest-accruing credit cards in November 2023, according to the Federal Reserve. That means that carrying a balance on the Meijer card can be costlier than on other cards.
To avoid paying interest on any credit card, pay off balances in full whenever possible.
5. Cardholders get a small discount on gas
You’ll get 10 cents off every gallon when you fill up at a Meijer gas station and pay with a Meijer credit card. Those savings aren’t terribly exciting on their own; however, the discount from the Meijer card is stackable with points earned through mPerks, Meijer’s loyalty program. Members of mPerks earn 10 points for every $1 spent at Meijer stores and 1,000 points for every qualifying prescription filled.
The information related to the Meijer credit cards has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.
New IHG Premier cardholders will earn 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening, an increase of 25,000 points compared to the previous sign-up bonus.
New IHG Traveler cardholders will earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on qualifying purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening. That’s a 20,000-point jump from the old welcome offer.
Notably, while the number of points increased for both sign-up bonuses, the spending requirements stayed the same.
NerdWallet values IHG points at 0.8 cent each. This is a baseline value, drawn from real-world data, not a maximized value. In other words, you should aim for award redemptions that offer 0.8 cent or more in value from your IHG points.
The IHG cards are solid options for travelers who frequent IHG properties. The IHG Premier and IHG Traveler cards offer massive rewards rates on IHG bookings — 26x and 17x, respectively — and the fourth night’s stay free when cardholders use points to book a hotel. However, the IHG Premier has an annual fee, while the IHG Traveler does not.
IHG® One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual fee
Sign-up bonus
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 165,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards rate
Up to 17 points total per $1 spent at IHG (5 from card, 10 from loyalty program, 2 from automatic elite status).
3 points per $1 spent on monthly bills, gas stations and restaurants.
2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Up to 26 points total per $1 spent at IHG (10 from card, 10 from loyalty program, 6 from automatic elite status).
5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations and restaurants.
3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other perks
Fourth night free when redeeming rewards for four or more nights. Earn Gold status when you spend $20,000 or more on your card in a calendar year.
Free anniversary night each year (up to 40,000 point value).
Fourth night free when redeeming rewards for four or more nights.
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A credit card number is the specific number attached to your credit card. It includes a major industry identifier number, your account identifier, and a checksum.
The number on your credit card is more than a passcode to payments when you swipe your card. Many of the digits have a specific meaning. Find out what a credit card number is, what it means, and why it matters.
What Is a Card Number?
A credit card number is a unique number that helps identify your account and card. This number makes it possible for you to pay with the card and for money to be taken out of the right account.
Think about it similarly to your checking account number. Your personal checks are printed with a specific series of numbers. First is the routing number, which indicates which bank the check draws on. Next is the account number, which tells which account the money should come from.
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Credit card numbers work the same way. Each part of that long number has a specific function. These are standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
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Your credit card number is often located on the front of your card above your name, but it may also be located on the back, depending on your card’s style.
What Do Credit Card Numbers Mean?
You can break each credit card number into sections, and each section reveals specific information about the account.
Industry Identifier
The first six to eight digits reveal the credit card network and the card’s industry.
The first digit in any credit card number tells you what type of card it is—Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Card numbers of each type always start with the same number:
3: American Express or cards under the Amex umbrella
4: Visa
5 or 2: Mastercard
6: Discover
American Express goes even further by starting card numbers with either 34 or 37, depending on the secondary branding on the card.
If your credit card number starts with any other digit, it refers to the industry that issues the card:
1 – 2: Air travel and financial services
7: Petroleum
8: Health care and telecommunications
9: Government and other industries
That first digit plus the next five in the credit card number is called the Issuer Identification Number (IIN) or Bank Identification Number. This identifies the credit card company and its network, similar to the bank routing number on a personal check.
In some cases, the IIN may be eight digits. To allow for more IINs to support growing needs, the ISO is requiring the financial industry to move to eight-digit IINs.
Account Identifier
The rest of the digits identify the account and cardholder information. This portion of your credit card number changes if your card is lost or stolen and you need a new card.
Within the account identifier, the last four digits are particularly important to you. If you save a credit card in an online account or other database, the information has to be encrypted. Employees of that company can’t just look up accounts and see full credit card information. They’re usually only able to see the last four digits.
You might be asked to confirm those numbers to ensure the right card is being charged. You might also be asked to confirm them when buying something online with a saved card number to ensure you’re really you and not someone who’s hacked into an account.
You can’t tell a credit card number by the last four digits. However, you could find a credit card you’ve saved in an account, such as on Amazon, by the last four numbers. Those are the only digits you’ll be able to see when you look at the saved payment methods in your account.
Checksum
The final digit is the checksum. Sometimes called the check digit, it is a way to verify the validity of a credit card using the Luhn algorithm.
Here’s how it works:
Starting from the first number of your credit card number, double every other digit.
If doubling results in a two-digit number, add those two digits together.
Add up all the doubled numbers.
The credit card number is valid if the number you reached in step three is divisible by 10.
Vendors use this algorithm to determine whether or not your credit card number is valid when you type it in online.
How to Protect Your Credit Card Number
Credit card fraud impacted nearly half a million consumers in 2022 and is the most common type of identity theft. Sadly, scammers can get your credit card number in many ways:
ATM skimming: People install credit card skimmer devices on public card terminals such as gas stations or outdoor ATMs. These devices store the data on your credit card’s magnetic strip for scammers to download and use.
Data breaches: There were more than 2,800 data breaches in 2023. A data breach occurs when secure data is accessed through unauthorized means, often because of a hacker. The largest data breach occurred in 2013 and involved the unauthorized access of more than three billion records.
Discarded documents: While bills and statements often don’t include your full credit card number, people may be able to gather enough information to determine your credit card number.
Phishing: These scams are fraudulent emails, texts, or phone calls that try to convince you to share your personal information to verify your identity.
Public Wi-Fi: Free public Wi-Fi is convenient but often unsecured. Hackers may be able to access your data through spyware or ransomware.
To protect your credit card information, take the following steps:
Avoid using public Wi-Fi when making online purchases or accessing account information.
Shred documents related to your credit card and always cut up old cards.
Don’t give out your account information.
Use strong passwords.
Enable two-factor authentication for your accounts.
Don’t give out personal information over the phone or online without verifying the validity of the request.
Use a virtual card number, which is a unique number connected to your actual credit card number.
Monitor your credit card statements carefully.
Monitor your credit score regularly with Credit.com’s Credit Report Card.
Credit Card Number FAQ
Below you’ll find additional information about credit card numbers.
How Many Numbers Are in a Credit Card?
Typically, credit card numbers are 16 or 15 digits. Only American Express uses the 15-digit format. Around 2020, Visa started issuing some cards with 19-digit card numbers, which aren’t typical in the United States.
What Other Numbers Are on a Credit Card?
You’ll also find a few other numbers on your credit card:
The expiration date: Every few years, credit card issuers will send you a new card for security reasons. This expiration date may be on the front or back of your card and is formatted with two digits for the year, a slash, and the last two digits of the year. For example, if your card’s expiration date is May of 2030, the expiration date would read 05/30. In this case, the card would stop working on May 31, 2030.
Card verification value (CVV): The security code, called a card verification number, is typically a three- or four-digit code on the back of your card. Vendors ask for it whenever they do not physically see your card, such as when you make a purchase online or over the phone.
Finding the Right Credit Card
Before applying for a new credit card, determine what kind of credit card you should get. For example, if you want to maximize rewards, you may want a cash-back card with perks that match your budget. If you’re looking to build credit, you may need to apply for a secure credit card that’s easy to get with lackluster credit.
To understand what options might be right for you, check your credit. This helps you know what type of credit card you might be approved for. Next, educate yourself about applying for a credit card online. Review options that seem appropriate for you and pick the best one—you can get started in our credit card marketplace. Then, gather all the information you need and apply.
Credit card rewards can help you get some money back on every dollar you spend, but they can also be confusing. First, there’s deciding which card to apply for if you don’t yet carry a rewards card. Then, there’s how and where best to use it. And finally, the good stuff: cashing in your earned rewards.
Rewards program rules can get intense. Points may be worth a certain value when redeemed for travel but have another value if traded in for cash back. Sometimes you can transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs, or combine them with someone else’s points. Airline miles might be worth more for international travel bookings, but if you just want a cheaper ticket for a domestic flight, your points wouldn’t be reaching their full potential.
It’s enough to make anyone want to toss their wallet out a window. But with some gentle strategizing, maximizing rewards is possible. (And, yes, if what you want most is discounted domestic travel, go for it.)
Match your lifestyle and desired level of effort
Friends may have strong opinions about which card is best, but your ideal card doesn’t need to be trendy. Think about where you spend money the most, how much effort you’re willing to put in to manage cards and rewards, and what you’d like to redeem rewards for.
If what you want is simplicity, opt for a card that earns a high flat rate on everything. If you’re comfortable with some additional complexity, select cards that earn higher rates for your specific spending, such as at grocery stores, gas stations or restaurants, or on travel-related purchases.
Cash-back cards offer the easiest redemption options, typically a statement credit that lowers your next credit card bill, or perhaps a direct deposit into your bank account. Travel cards offer the glamorous promise of cheaper vacations, but using points and miles requires some longer-term planning.
“Try to avoid groupthink and allowing others to influence what card is right for you,” says Juan Ruiz, co-founder of JetBetter, a travel concierge and award booking service. “Picking the right card is like being prescribed medication by a doctor.”
Spend with a strategy
Generous sign-up bonuses make rewards cards extra appealing. If you hit a certain spending target, like $3,000 in the first three months you have the card, you can earn a bonus worth hundreds of dollars.
As exciting as this can be, proceed with caution. Think of rewards as something you earn when you buy the things you would have purchased anyway, like groceries or gas. Racking up a big credit card bill just for the points could leave you owing more than you can afford to pay back, in which case interest will outweigh rewards. A spending minimum that’s out of your budget is a sign that a card isn’t right for you.
“Don’t twist yourself into knots to try and buy things that you shouldn’t,” says Robert Walker, founder of AwardCat, a service that helps travelers find and book award travel. “Think ahead and be strategic with it.” Walker recommends looking for regular expenses you might not have thought to put on a credit card, such as utility bills or even taxes. If you don’t incur an extra fee to pay with a credit card, or if the fee is negated by a sign-up bonus, this is another way to make everyday costs work harder for you.
Enjoy your rewards
Credit card rewards are worth nothing if unredeemed, so there’s no reason to admire your pile of points for too long. With some cash-back cards, you can redeem any number of points, though some cards require you to save up a certain minimum number before making a redemption.
For travel, you can certainly spend months agonizing over how to best use your points, but don’t get lost in the research for long. “People get caught up trying to do the smartest thing, but the value of the reward is what you get out of it,” says Matthew Goldman, founder of Totavi, a financial technology consulting firm.
Goldman suggests establishing the minimum value you’d accept per point and aim for a redemption that meets that. So if you can redeem points for 1 cent each for travel, but only 0.8 cent each for gift cards, skip the gift cards. Still, even a less-than-perfect redemption is worthwhile compared with holding onto your points forever. “They’re not part of your legacy or your estate,” Goldman says. “Don’t stress yourself out so much. Do something that’s enjoyable.”
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.
RICHLAND TWP., Pa. – Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Phillies fans will soon have a new spot to score jerseys, hats and other fan gear in upper Bucks County.
Rally House, a specialty sports store chain offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NFL and MLS teams, is planning to open a new location in a few months at 244 N. West End Blvd. in Richland Township.
The new store will fill the space previously occupied by Tuesday Morning, a home goods retailer, in the Trainer’s Corner shopping center, just outside Quakertown.
“We are opening a new Rally House location in Quakertown and excited to get it open to residents and fans,” stated Colin Novick, Rally House’s media and production manager. “We are aiming to have this store open in early spring in April.”
Rally House traces its origins to 1989, when Tim and Mabel “Peg” Liebert started “Mabel’s Kitchen,” a catalog featuring Kansas-related apparel, gifts and other merchandise.
Mabel’s Kitchen evolved into another business, “Kansas Sampler,” which featured five Kansas City area stores selling Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals gear.
The company experienced great success, and the Lieberts eventually decided to expand the business to other markets under the “Rally House” name in 2008, according to a company description.
Today, Rally House has more than 180 locations across 18 states. The new Quakertown area store will supplement more than a dozen other regional locations, including a Lehigh Valley shop in Lower Macungie Township, two other Bucks County stores and several locations in Montgomery County.
Rally House stays true to its roots by providing “an impeccable selection of local and team-related apparel and gifts, including exclusive designs available only at Rally House,” according to the company’s website.
Regional stores offer a wide array of merchandise, including clothing, blankets, glassware and signs, featuring logos and designs of Philadelphia and surrounding area teams.
Customers at the Lehigh Valley store, for example, can shop plenty of Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, 76ers and Phillies items, along with merchandise showcasing designs of various regional universities, including Lehigh, Kutztown, Penn State, Temple, Villanova, Drexel, St. Joseph’s and West Chester.
Other area sports teams, including Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Philadelphia Union, are also represented.
Philadelphia area teams are primarily featured, but there is also a selection of merchandise featuring other popular teams such as the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.
Customers can browse apparel such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, coats and shorts, along with footwear and fashion accessories such as slippers, hats, scarves and jewelry.
A wide variety of other gifts and home décor include items such as glassware, coasters, garden gnomes and flags, foam fingers, stuffed animals, keychains, pens, pennants, ornaments, cornhole boards, trash cans, calendars and umbrellas.
“Much like each person, no two Rally House stores are identical,” a message on the company’s website reads.
“They each carry merchandise customized and tailored to the specific collegiate and professional teams in that area. In additional to team apparel, Rally House offers a wide selection of local styles. This includes our very own exclusive line of RALLY Brand™ merchandise. The same items we have in our stores can also be found online at any time. We want to make things as easy and seamless as possible for fans who want to show their unique team spirit, regardless of wherever they live or shop.”
In addition to selling items relating to local sports teams, Rally House also works in conjunction with local sports stars and celebrities. These partnerships manifest themselves in the form of ticket giveaways, autograph sessions, radio remote contests and meet-and-greet events.
For the latest Rally House updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram. Info: rallyhouse.com.
Allentown updates
New Wawa could take Brass Rail’s spot next to Sheetz
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Allentown Planning Commission discussed a preliminary/final land development plan for a proposed Wawa convenience store Tuesday afternoon at city hall.
The proposal is offered for 3015 Lehigh St., the site of the former Brass Rail property. The plan involves consolidating two of the three existing lots, demolishing existing features on the consolidated lot and constructing the convenience store.
Should the proposed Wawa come to fruition, it would operate about 100 yards away from a Sheetz convenience store and gas station. Sheetz opened in August 2023 at the southeast corner of Lehigh Street and 29th Street, near Auto Zone. Additional nearby convenience stores and gas stations include a Turkey Hill on the other side of Sheetz and another Wawa about a mile north on Lehigh Street. Full story here.
Downtown Allentown Market welcomes new food vendor, says goodbye to another
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The new year is bringing more changes to the Downtown Allentown Market, with one food vendor recently setting up shop and another bidding farewell.
Joining the 27 N. Seventh St. market is Randevoo, offering a twist on traditional Asian fusion cuisine.
Randevoo held a soft opening on Jan. 5 in space that was previously occupied by two other Asian concepts, Shinsen and Honmono Sushi, the latter of which closed in June following the owner’s move to Florida. Read more here.
Lower Macungie news
Lower Macungie planners recommend approval for Topgolf
L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission recommend approval of a preliminary/final plan of an open-air entertainment facility Tuesday night at the administration building.
The plan, offered by Jaindl Land Co., involves the proposed Topgolf facility at the Lehigh Valley Town Center, slated for 361 Schantz Road and 4511 Cedarbrook Road. The proposed Topgolf and Town Center have already received conditional use approval.
Tuesday night’s recommendation involved the Topgolf facility, which includes a 72-bay golf driving range with a two-story, 20,460-square-foot building and associated parking on 11.5 acres within the Lehigh Valley Town Center. Topgolf will have site access from a private drive in association with the Town Center development. Read more.
New Lehigh County car wash to open later this month, joining 2 sister locations
LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – Drivers looking to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape will soon have a new car wash to frequent in the Lehigh Valley.
The Car Wash on Hamilton, committed to providing customers with a “seamless and efficient car wash experience,” is expected to open by the end of January at 6794 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township.
The newly constructed car wash, totaling around 4,000 square feet, will supplement two sister locations: The Car Wash on Broadway, which opened in 2015 at 4540 Broadway in South Whitehall Township, and The Car Wash on West Main, which opened in October at 200 W. Main St. in Macungie. Full story here.
Bethlehem area buzz
Bethlehem restaurant closes, but owners continuing to serve customers via food trailers
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The owners of a Bethlehem restaurant, serving up burgers, ice cream and more, have closed their eatery to focus on mobile operations.
Husband and wife Norman and Jill Matthews of Bangor have decided to shutter their 3.5-year-old south Bethlehem eatery, Dinky’s Ice Cream Parlor & Grill, and transition to a “completely mobile” business model, according to a post on Dinky’s Facebook page.
“That means we have two trailers, one that is just purely ice cream and the other is a food/ice cream truck,” they announced on the business’ Facebook page. “We will be going to different events, fairs, parties, food truck gatherings and hopefully breweries in the in the surrounding areas. Then we can get caught up with our loyal customers. Read more here.
Family-run restaurant rebrands with new name, look in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular fast-casual eatery, serving “gourmet quality comfort food,” is kicking off the new year with some changes in Northampton County.
Hummus House, a family-run restaurant known for its fresh sandwiches, salads, wraps and more, has rebranded to HandHeldz at 518 E. Third St. on Bethlehem’s South Side.
New signage was installed on Monday, and the business’ first day as HandHeldz was on Tuesday. Read more.
New expansive facility offers prime training space for athletes, teams in Northampton County
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A new indoor training facility is helping sports teams, clubs and athletes stay at the top of their game in the Lehigh Valley.
Powerballers Athletic Center, offering year-round training opportunities and a top-tier environment where youth and individuals of all ages can passionately pursue and enjoy their sport, opened in late November at 2550 Brodhead Road in Bethlehem Township.
The 14,000-square-foot facility features 10,000 square feet of flexible turf space, over 1,200 square feet of strength training space, batting cages, certified coaches and a climate-controlled environment. Full story here.
Expanding businesses
HiJinx Brewing Company to bring ‘fun and friendly’ vibe to 2nd Lehigh Valley location
A popular Allentown brewery is expanding its footprint in Lehigh County.
HiJinx Brewing Company, producing a wide array of craft beers that include IPAs, pilsners, porters and stouts, on Thursday announced plans to open an additional location at Sports Factory of the Lehigh Valley, 6616 Ruppsville Road, Upper Macungie Township.
The new location will supplement HiJinx’s original taproom and production facility, a 4,000-square-foot venue that opened in 2014 at the Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, 905 Harrison St., Allentown. The brewery is in Suite 111. Read more here.
A-Treat Birch Beer expands as a fountain soda option at more Lehigh Valley restaurants
A month after announcing a partnership with Lehigh Valley hot dog shop chain Yocco’s, Jaindl Beverage Company – owner of A-Treat soda brand – has announced more local venues carrying A-Treat soda on tap.
In addition to being served at all five Yocco’s locations, A-Treat Birch Beer is now available as a fountain drink at Westside Grill in Upper Macungie Township, Wild Turkey Grill (at The Club at Twin Lakes) in North Whitehall Township and Moselem Springs Golf Club in Richmond Township, Berks County.
Westside Grill, Wild Turkey Grill and Moselem Springs Golf Club are owned by Jaindl Land Development. Read more.
Odds and ends
‘The store of the future’: Dave & Buster’s gears up for grand reopening after remodel
WHITEHALL, Pa. – A popular entertainment facility is ready to level up its services in Lehigh County.
Dave & Buster’s, the entertainment and dining chain that invites guests to “eat, drink, play and watch,” on Friday debuted its reimagined Lehigh Valley location on Friday.
The Whitehall Township location, at 1491 MacArthur Road, opened in October 2020 at a Lehigh Valley Mall outparcel, which was previously home to Friendly’s and Wendy’s restaurants as well as an office building. Full story here.
The Promenade Shops welcomes new tenant, hosting ‘Wonderland on Main’ event
UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. – The new year has brought a new tenant to The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.
Fulton Bank, offering a broad array of financial products and services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, on Monday opened its newest Lehigh Valley branch at 3060 Center Valley Parkway, Suite 839, Upper Saucon Township.
The branch offers a variety of services, including deposits, loans, check cashing and safe deposit boxes. Read more here.
Schuylkill County winery earns ‘best white wine’ in Pa. distinction from prominent wine critic
WEST PENN TWP., Pa. – A Schuylkill County winery is making a splash in 2024, with high praise on a well-known wine media platform.
Galen Glen Winery, at 255 Winter Mountain Drive in the Andreas section of West Penn Township, earlier this week received acclaim on JamesSuckling.com, a prominent wine media platform and events company with offices in Hong Kong.
Senior Editor Stuart Pigott labeled the Galen Glen Riesling Lehigh Valley Stone Cellar 2022 as “the best white wine he has ever tasted from Pennsylvania,” according to a Weekly Tasting Report. Read more.
Berks buzz
‘Stay and sip a while’: Folino Estate owners open 2nd Vintner’s Table wine bar and restaurant
WYOMISSING, Pa. – The owners of Folino Estate Winery near Kutztown have opened another tasty venue in Berks County.
Husband and wife Marco and Andrea Folino, who opened Folino Estate in Greenwich Township in 2015, on Tuesday opened a second location of Vintner’s Table – a wine bar and restaurant serving up Folino’s hand-crafted, award-winning wines along with charcuterie and light bites – at 945 Hill Have. Suite 100 in Wyomissing.
“We welcome you to reserve a seat at our table,” an announcement on Vintner’s Table’s Facebook page reads. “Our menu was a labor of love carefully curated to bring you an elevated dining experience full of rustic Italian flavors paired with our award winning wines in a chic and cozy atmosphere that invites you to stay and sip a while.” Full story here.
New golf simulator at Sly Fox has golfers hitting the virtual links
WYOMISSING, Pa. – There’s a new gathering place inside an already familiar spot in Wyomissing that can transport you to dozens of golf courses around the world.
While it’s winter outside, the basement of Sly Fox Brewing, dubbed the Foxskeller, features a whole different vibe.
Golfers are teeing up and taking their swings on brand new golf simulators. Read more here.
Vinyl enthusiasts to descend on Leesport Farmers Market this weekend for ‘Record Riot’
ONTELAUNEE TWP., Pa. – It’s about the search for something special.
“Number one, I’m a collector. All these guys that sell records they all are interested in records, so I’m looking at his records saying ‘What does he have?’ And I saw something I want to buy,” said Record Riot event organizer Stephen Gritzan.
Thumbing through crates of creative work put to vinyl is a physical interaction that seems increasingly rare. Read more.
‘Heavy heart’: Moe’s Southwest Grill location to close after 10 years in Berks County
EXETER TWP., Pa. – An eatery serving up made-to-order burritos, quesadillas, nachos and tacos is ending operations this weekend in Berks County.
A location of Moe’s Southwest Grill, a fast-casual restaurant franchise serving “high quality and fresh southwestern food,” will close on Sunday at 4725 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township.
The restaurant is located in the Exeter Commons, between a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store and L.A. Nails Day Spa. Full story here.
Closing notes
Rite Aid closes Bethlehem store, with another Lehigh Valley location set to shutter on Jan. 15
Two Rite Aid stores in the Lehigh Valley are ceasing operations this month, joining several other regional locations of the pharmacy chain that closed in 2023.
First, a Rite Aid store at 104 E. Third St. on Bethlehem’s South Side shuttered on Wednesday, Jan. 10, according to storefront signage, addressed “Attention: store closure.” Read more here.
American Eagle Outfitters closing Lehigh Valley store
PALMER TWP., Pa. – A well-known clothing retailer is reducing its brick-and-mortar footprint in the Lehigh Valley.
American Eagle Outfitters, a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products, will close its American Eagle store at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township on Jan. 20, a store manager said.
The manager could not comment on the reasons surrounding the upcoming closure. Read more.
Discount variety store closes in Easton area
PALMER TWP., Pa. – A destination for affordable snacks, household items, party supplies and more has closed in Northampton County.
One Dollar Zone!, a discount variety store “where you can find trusted brands and thousands of great quality items for as low as $1.00,” closed a couple of weeks ago at 785 S. 25th St. in Palmer Township.
It’s unclear what led to the store’s closure. A company representative did not return a message seeking more information, and a sign on the door simply reads, “WE ARE CLOSED.” Full story here.
With most things in life, what’s “best” is inherently subjective and depends on each person’s needs and perspective. It’s no different with credit cards. Even a card with tons of great perks won’t be the right fit for everyone.
When we pick the best credit cards each year, sometimes old winners are surpassed by new cards with superior benefits. In other instances, our picks reflect the new priorities of the people most likely to use the cards.
The three new winners in 2024 reflect both types of changes. Here are the cards that won and why they earned our votes this year.
Category: Best balance transfer credit card
Why the Citi Simplicity® Card won: Basic math tells the tale of the Citi Simplicity® Card’s triumph over last year’s winner, BankAmericard® credit card. The Citi Simplicity® Card gives cardholders 21 months without interest on balance transfers compared with 18 billing cycles on the BankAmericard® credit card.
The balance transfer fee on both cards is 3%, the industry standard. Note, however, that the transfer fee on the Citi Simplicity® Card increases to 5% if the balance transfer is made after the first four months of account opening.
As an added bonus, the Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t charge late fees. Other cards, including the BankAmericard® credit card, can charge as much as $40 for a single late payment.
Category: Best airline credit card
Why the United℠ Explorer Card won: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card had a long run as our top pick for airline credit card, and for good reason. Its perk of a free checked bag for you and up to eight (eight!) traveling companions each time you fly Delta is unmatched. Terms apply. But this year we named the United℠ Explorer Card as the 2024 winner by virtue of its credits and lounge access.
The United℠ Explorer Card offers up to a $100 credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, a nice perk that gets you through airport security faster. You can get a $100 statement credit with the Delta Gold, too — but you’ll have to spend a lofty $10,000 to qualify, and it’s only good toward a Delta flight.
United℠ Explorer Card holders also get two lounge passes a year, good for entry into any of the over 45 United Club lounges. For a mid-tier travel card, that’s a really luxurious benefit. By contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card eliminated the ability to access the lounge for a $29 fee (and other Delta cards will restrict lounge access in the future).
Category: Best credit card for college students
Why the Discover it® Student Chrome won: Yes, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has a higher rewards rate in some eligible spending categories than the Discover it® Student Chrome. The Discover card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter; 1% thereafter. The Capital One card earns 3% cash back on several popular spending categories, including dining and purchases at grocery stores, but it lacks some key benefits that appeal to many students. The Discover it® Student Chrome offers:
A waiver on the first late payment fee.
A breather on interest for new purchases. The card has the following promotional APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR. A break from interest, even for just a semester, can be a big help in financing major purchases like textbooks.
A potentially big sign-up bonus. The Discover it® Student Chrome has the same welcome offer found in any one of Discover’s nonstudent cards: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. Say you spent $300 a month on your Student Chrome. Assuming a 1% cash back rate, you would come away with $72 by your account anniversary.