Cc ??

I agree that there is really no reason for CC companies to charge 30% or more. But that is a direct issue caused by the government regulations that the banks just got hit with. The banks are required to give longer notification of rate changes, and as stated are not able to increase the interest rates as easily on people who don't use their credit appropriately or pay on time.
So we all pay for the relatively small minority of people who don't play by the rules.
I still pay my bill off every month, but even with that, I get annoyed that what I used to be able to get for interest is WAY higher than it once was.
But times have definitely changed, and I like every one else have no recourse since the banks make the rules and there is no other way we can change it unless we just no longer carry CC at all. Which is one option I am considering.
As others have said, you can use a debit card for rentals. The vendors will sometimes give you hard time, but eventually, they have to deal with the customers going elsewhere if they are too disagreeable.

There use to be an Arkansas bank named Pulaski Bank with really low rates, now it has a new name but still much lower rates than most. https://creditcards.iberiabank.com

Forgot to add they offer a card for 5.5% above prime, here is a link to find the current prime rate; http://www.bankrate.com/rates/intere...rime-rate.aspx

Why not request that they reopen the closed account?

If they will do that, you can cancel the card with the balance to freeze the interest rate, and save the new card for emergencies.

Same here...no problems at all, except with National car rental. All of the others are okay.

Just this past June I used my debit card to buy plane tickets..no problem.

Check with your bank. Regions bank offered us a card a few years ago for 7.9% interest and it hasn't changed.

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"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back..." Maya Angelou

Enterprise car rental also will not except a debit card.

DH and I just opened a 0% card through citi. It was actually one of those mail offers. We were able to transfer our balances and will have 0% for 12 months (unless a payment is missed or late, then the whole deal is off). This makes it easier to pay off our debt.

I thought with opting out of the rate increase, it closes your account and makes your balance the credit limit...which is bad for your credit score?? I could be wrong but that's what I heard.

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"There were no houses. There were no roads. There were no people. There were only trees and the wild animals who had their homes among them."

We paid for a car for two weeks at Enterprise and airline tickets with US Air with our debit card.

Yes, you REALLY should pay off that Sam's card -- if you are carrying a balance from month to month, there is no grace period on new purchases! You start paying interest on new purchases from the moment you walk out the door. I kid you not! Huge rip-off. There's a card to dump for sure. Grrr!

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"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.

We dumped out CC's 3 years ago.

Now, when we go places or use online, we buy a prepaid visa 'gift' card and use it exactly as a cc.

Load ANY amount you want on it. No fees.

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When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep....like my Grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the other people in the car he was driving.

We've had an American Express card for longer than I care to remember. The credit limit on it was huge. We put everything on the card, gas, food, insuranse, utitles, cell phone bills ect. Payed it off the end of each month. Got great points that I used to get Home Depot gift cards with. A win win situtation for both me and the cc company right. I get the points and they get a fee from the merchents. Well this letter informs me that they have reviewed my credit report "800's" and are lowering my credit limit. I'ts no big deal, I've still have a limit that would allow me to charge a really nice foreign car. But the letter ----ed me off I stopped using the card for anything. This week I get a call from American Express: A very nice lady wants to know if everything is alright because I have stopped using thier card. She asked if they had done something to upset me. Well I get an overnight letter today informing me that they have substainully raised my credit limit. Too little, too late. I already have gotten used to using cash. I've found that I watch my spending more by paying with cash. So maybe the cc companies are starting to realize they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Daniel