Borders 3.2.1SM Visa

1,000 3.2.1 Bonus Points with Your First Qualified Purchase 3 Point for Every $1 Spent at Borders®, Borders Express, Borders.com, Waldenbooks®, and Waldenbooks.com 2 Points for Every $1 Spent on Eligible Gas, Dining, and Grocery Purchases 1 Point for Every $1 Spent Anywhere Else Redeem Your 3.2.1 Visa Points for Borders Gift Cards, Cash, Travel Rewards, Gas and Restaurant Gift Cards, and Much More! Plus, No Cap on the Points You Can Earn! Earn a $25 Borders Gift Card with Just 2,500 Points 0% Fixed APR for Up To 12 Months No Annual Fee Borders Rewards Number Printed Right On Your Card

Borders 3.2.1SM Visa Review

The Borders 3.2.1SM Visa, issued by Chase, is designed for those with very good credit who shop at Borders and Waldenbooks.

The reward program is by far the best benefit offered. Cardholders earn three points per $1 spent at Borders, Borders Express, Borders Outlet, Waldenbooks, Brentano's, Borders.com, and Waldenbooks.com; they earn two points per $1 spent on eligible gas, dining, and grocery purchases; and they earn one point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Cardholders earn an additional 1,000 bonus points after their first purchase. For every 2,500 points earned, the cardholder may choose to receive a $25 Borders Gift Card. Points are also redeemable for cash, travel rewards, gas and restaurant gift cards, and more. There is no limit to the amount of points that can be earned.

In addition to the reward program, the card also offers platinum cardholder benefits provided by Chase that include up to $500,000 in travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, and various travel and emergency assistance services. Cardholders will also be enrolled in the Borders Rewards program, which offers discounts and other exclusive benefits, and the cardholder's membership number will be printed directly on the card.

Aside from the benefits, the card has a reasonable interest rate for purchases and balance transfers (for those who qualify), no annual fee, and a 0% introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first twelve billing cycles.

Those who plan to occasionally carry a large revolving balance may find doing so costly due to the "Two Cycles Average Daily Balance" method used by this credit card to determine finance charges, which ends up costing more to maintain an occasional balance as compared to the "Average Daily Balance" method used by many credit card issuers.

Therefore, those who qualify for the lowest rate offered, frequently shop at Borders and Waldenbooks, and can pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges) will benefit most from what the Borders 3.2.1SM Visa has to offer.