Question
I want to start acquiring points early(especially since I'm making so many purchases for things like books and tuition) and I think the easiest card to get would probably be a student card since I'm in college, the only one I've really found was CitiMTVu which seems pretty good to me when looking at the website
* Earn 250 to 2,000 ThankYou Points twice a year for a good GPA.
* 25 ThankYou Points a month for paying your bill on time and not going over your credit limit.
* 5 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend at restaurants (including fast food), bookstores, record stores, movie theaters and video rental stores.
* 1 ThankYou point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases.
* 10% Discount on entertainment and music products at the MTV online store at mtvshop.mtv.com.
* 10% Discount on merchandise at the MTV Store in New York City.
Does anyone have any experience with this card? Or have any other recommendations for a card that would be good for a student? My parents aren't into the rewards programs so they're not much help and I don't completely understand some of this stuff. Any help or advise is apreciated. Thank you.
Answer
There are a bunch of different student cards that you may be interested in from various companies. The companies that come to mind are Chase, Citibank, and Bank Of America/MBNA.
Chase
Go to chase.com and click on credit cards and then on browse list and look at the student cards section.
Has various student cards associated with various colleges which they make a donation to for each purchase and some of the cards allow you to earn points in the flexible rewards program. 1 points per dollar spent and 3500 points = $25 gift certificate.
Also have various other cards like starbucks, sony, etc.
Citibank
You can find the various cards at Citicards.com
driver's edge card
gives you 3% at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores, and 1% at other locations and they offer you 1 drive mile for everymile you drive. These must be matched by purchase points. Could be good if you have a car.
Citibank Dividend Platinum Select for Students
5% at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores, and 1% everywhere else. $300 annual cap for points earned.
CItiBank MTV U Card
5 points per dollar spent at restaurants, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters, and video rental stores
Gives you points for making timely payments and for getting good grades.
MBNA
Will allow you to apply for any of their cards as a student. Most aren't worthwhile but they do have various cards affiliated with some colleges and let you earn worldpoints as well. Not a great program but okay.
You need to decide which card is best but the CitiBank MTV U card is definately a good card if you spend alot in their various bonus categories. If not the Dividend platinum select may be a good option. The chase and MBNA cards are okay but it depends on which program you get into initially. Also, keep in mind that with chase once you start building a history you can conver their student cards into a variety of other cards and their Rewards Plus card is an excellent card in my opinion. So if you hold one of their other cards for a year and then ask for a product conversion you will probably be able to switch. Hope this helps.
Answer
The MTV card is great if you eat out a lot. I would get that card and also apply for one of Citibank's cards that gives you 5 thank you points for each dollar you spend at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations, possibly their Diamond Preferred Rewards card. Combined, you would be getting 5 points per dollar on almost all of your "everyday" type purchases.
Troy