DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

In this guide, we'll give you a crash course on how to quickly earn credit card rewards and book free travel. If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is worth considering on its own, but you can actually boost the value of your rewards when you pair it with certain other Chase credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Chase Freedom Flex benefits and featuresThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ comes with substantial purchase and travel protections, including select World Elite Mastercard benefits that you don't often find on no-annual-fee cards. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightChase Freedom Flex fees and costsThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ doesn't charge an annual fee, so it's a great long-term keeper card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ are both excellent cards, but they're suited to different types of users. If you're torn between the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, have a look at our comparison of the two Freedom cards to narrow down your choice.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders can activate the Q1 bonus categories through their Chase account starting December 15, 2022, until March 14, 2023. How Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories workEach quarter of the year, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cards earn 5% back (or 5x points) on a different set of bonus categories. That's why you can think of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® bonus categories as earning you either 5% back or 5x points. Previous Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categoriesFor Q4 2022 (October through December), the Chase Freedom bonus categories are Walmart and PayPal. Right now, there are alternative bonuses available directly through Chase for the Freedom cards — find out more in our guide to the current Chase Freedom offers and in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay. You can pay rent with it, you can get your oil changed with it, or you can pay your credit card bill with it. You'll be hard-pressed to find a cash-back credit card that offers such a high return on select spending. Alternative: The Citi® Double Cash Card is another wildly popular credit card for all your non-bonused spending. The card earns 1% back when you make a purchase and 1% back when you pay your credit card — giving you effectively 2% back for all your spending.

☆ Taylor Swift signs on to direct a movie for Disney as she campaigns for short film Oscar
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Taylor Swift accepts the Artist of the Year award onstage during the 2022 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 20, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Taylor Swift has only just begun an Oscar campaign for her short film "All Too Well," and she's already struck a deal with Disney to make her feature directorial debut. The short film is based on Swift's song "All Too Well" and follows a manipulative boyfriend played by Dylan O'Brien and a young woman played by Sadie Sink as they fall in love and ultimately have a devastating breakup. The news of Swift's feature film directorial debut comes just a few months after the singer made history as the only solo artist to win two best direction awards at MTV's Video Music Awards. Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation , was supposed to open up sales for 1.5 million verified Taylor Swift fans last month ahead of general public ticket sales.

☆ Lawmakers tell Live Nation CEO they want answers on the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster fiasco
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Taylor Swift accepts an award onstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2022 held at PSD Bank Dome on November 13, 2022 in Duesseldorf, Germany. Lawmakers have some questions for Live Nation's CEO after Ticketmaster bungled the recent sale of Taylor Swift tour tickets. Ticketmaster was supposed to open up sales for 1.5 million verified Taylor Swift fans last month ahead of general public ticket sales. Ultimately, 2 million tickets were sold during the presale and the general public sale was canceled, company representatives said. Eras tour tickets were priced from $49 to $450, with VIP packages starting at $199 and reaching $899.

Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe best credit cards for good credit reviewsMany of the best credit cards for good credit offer generous rewards and 0% introductory APR offers with no annual fee. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are offering record-high new welcome bonuses. Review: Citi Custom Cash card reviewCredit cards for good credit frequently asked questions (FAQ)What is a good credit score? If you're rebuilding your credit, it's best not to focus on rewards credit cards until you've solved the issues leading to a score that hovers around 600. Even if you simply don't have enough credit history to warrant a score approaching 700, consider a secured credit card or a student credit card.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate antitrust panel will hold a hearing on the lack of competition in the ticketing industry after Ticketmaster's problems last week managing the sale of Taylor Swift tickets, Senator Amy Klobuchar, chair of the panel, said on Tuesday. "That’s why we will hold a hearing on how consolidation in the live entertainment and ticketing industry harms customers and artists alike." Senators Klobuchar and Mike Lee, the top Republican on the committee, did not provide a date for the hearing or a list of witnesses. For her part, the pop superstar on Friday said it was "excruciating" for her to watch fans struggle to secure tickets and that she had been assured that Ticketmaster could handle large demand. Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Mark PorterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Some of Taylor Swift's biggest fans are also lawyers. After Ticketmaster's botched handling of her Eras Tour, they're mobilizing to take the ticketing giant down.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Nicole Tabak | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Ticketmaster badly botched its sale of Taylor Swift tour tickets last week. Facing endless questions and concerns over the chaos that ensued during presales for Swift's upcoming Eras Tour, fans gathered on social media not just to commiserate, but to take action. How Ticketmaster's chaotic handling of the Eras Tour presale may lead to its undoingSwift fans shared screenshots of the long queues for tickets. "And I know that sounds stupid to people who don't love Taylor Swift the way that a lot of us do. The momentum may be thanks to her Eras Tour, but this is about holding a monopoly accountable.

☆ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells pissed-off Swifties to demand the Justice Department break up Ticketmaster after Taylor Swift tickets debacle
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Lawmakers have previously called for the Justice Department to investigated the company. Take action with @MorePerfectUS," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted after the news broke, directing her followers to a tweet that said: "Tell the DOJ to break Ticketmaster up here." The tweet also included a link to a form that allowed users to sign up to send an email to the Justice Department requesting the investigation. It's time for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate their conduct and move to break them up." The White House has not indicated whether it plans to investigate Live Nation Entertainment, although President Joe Biden indicated last month federal regulators were working to address "junk fees" tacked onto things like entrainment and travel.

☆ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for Ticketmaster-Live Nation 'monopoly' to be broken up in response to Taylor Swift pre-sale controversy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Pre-sale tickets for Taylor Swift's upcoming "Eras" tour went on sale Tuesday. Ocasio-Cortez took the opportunity to voice longstanding concern about the 2010 merger of Ticketmaster, the ticket sales and distribution company, and Live Nation, the events promoter and venue operator, into Live Nation Entertainment. "We write in support of strong antitrust enforcement by the Biden Administration, including the live event ticket sales marketplace," the letter begins. Social media influencer Ellie Schnitt tweeted, "When Taylor Swift wrote 'the great war' she was actually preparing us for the Battle of Ticketmaster." — Taylor Swift, but also Ticketmaster after its site crashed.

☆ The Stripe founders' memo explaining its layoff plan to employees is a remarkably candid look at why so much of tech is in freefall
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Travis Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Its memo to employees highlights the economic headwinds other tech companies are facing. From Meta to Shopify, tech companies are navigating an uncertain future. It over-hired during the pandemic"We over-hired for the world we're in," the founders wrote. It failed to keep other costs in checkThe founders' wrote: "We grew operating costs too quickly. The open question facing Stripe and other tech companies is what that recalibration looks like, beyond simply cutting costs.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Show more Regular APR 19.99% - 26.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular APR 18.99% - 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. You'll earn 3% back (3x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) at restaurants and drugstores, and 5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards. Review: US Bank Cash+ card reviewThe new Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice if you're new to credit and looking for a cash-back card that earns bonus rewards in popular categories.

Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 18.99% - 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. How we chose the best grocery credit cards We narrowed down our list of the best credit cards for grocery shopping by evaluating several factors: Ease of use — Does the card have a straightforward rewards program? However, there are a handful of student credit cards — which don't require a long credit history — that earn bonus rewards on grocery purchases. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and eligible streaming services. What counts as a grocery store or supermarket for bonus credit card rewards?

That adds up to $1,500 per quarter, which is lower than the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card's $2,000 threshold. And like the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, you'll earn 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. That's not as lucrative as the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, which has an uncapped 2% cash back category. The 3% category options are also much more limited than the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. Visa Signature benefitsThe U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a Visa Signature card, which means you'll get built-in benefits including:Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection upgrades and extrasRoadside dispatchTravel and emergency assistance servicesVisa Signature ConciergeVisa Signature Golf Benefit by TroonCar rental discountsHere's more about Visa Signature credit card perks.

The very best of these gas credit cards also earn extra points, miles, or cash back in other popular categories, like travel or dining. — Does the card earn generous rewards on gas, and are there other bonus categories that line up with everyday spending habits? Gas credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)What credit score do you need to get a gas credit card? There are several no-annual-fee credit cards that offer bonus points or cash back on gas purchases and EV charging. Otherwise, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, and U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card are all solid options.

Show more Regular APR 18.24% - 25.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. How we chose the best grocery credit cards We narrowed down our list of the best credit cards for grocery shopping by evaluating several factors: Ease of use — Does the card have a straightforward rewards program? However, there are a handful of student credit cards — which don't require a long credit history — that earn bonus rewards on grocery purchases. For example, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3% cash back on groceries, dining, entertainment, and eligible streaming services. What counts as a grocery store or supermarket for bonus credit card rewards?

The very best of these gas credit cards also earn extra points, miles, or cash back in other popular categories, like travel or dining. Best Amex card for cash back on gas purchases: Blue Cash Preferred® CardThe Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great card for those who spend a lot on gas, groceries, and commuting. Gas credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)What credit score do you need to get a gas credit card? There are several no-annual-fee credit cards that offer bonus points or cash back on gas purchases and EV charging. Otherwise, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, and U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card are all solid options.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Best cash back rate: Capital One Savor CardThe Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for maximizing your restaurant spending if you prefer earning cash back to travel rewards. To learn more about the card, check out our Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card review. Dining credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)What counts as dining as a credit card bonus category?

Having good credit typically means you can qualify for a credit card and for various loan products, but you may not receive the very best rates and terms. The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers one of the biggest bonuses of any no-annual-fee credit card. Review: Citi Custom Cash card reviewCredit cards for good credit frequently asked questions (FAQ)What is a good credit score? If you're rebuilding your credit, it's best not to focus on rewards credit cards until you've solved the issues leading to a score that hovers around 600. Even if you simply don't have enough credit history to warrant a score approaching 700, consider a secured credit card or a student credit card.

Citi issues multiple credit cards that earn ThankYou Rewards, including the popular Citi Premier® Card and no-annual-fee options like the Citi Rewards+® Card and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. If you're thinking of applying for a credit card like the Citi Premier® Card, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, or Citi Rewards+® Card, keep reading to learn more about how you can put your Citi credit card rewards to work for you. How to earn Citi ThankYou pointsThe easiest way to rack up Citi ThankYou points is with a Citi credit card, which you can easily apply for online. Citi ThankYou Rewards points are worth, on average, 1.6 cents per point based on Insider's points and miles valuations — but how you redeem your points will change the exact value of points. There's one non-airline Citi ThankYou transfer partner available to all cardholders — you can transfer your Citi ThankYou points to Sears Shop Your Way points at a rate of 1:10.

Show more Regular APR 16.24% - 26.24% Variable Intro APR 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. However, in most cases, you can only earn a bonus on a Citi ThankYou card if you haven't opened a Citi ThankYou card and received a welcome bonus, or closed another Citi ThankYou card, in the past 24 months. Citi ThankYou cards also include the Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi Prestige® Card (not available to new applicants), and Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card (not available to new applicants). The Citi Premier® Card and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card cover a lot of bonus categories, and all your other spending can go on the Citi® Double Cash Card. Read more: Citi Double Cash Card reviewWhy earn Citi ThankYou points?

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders can activate the Q4 bonus categories through their Chase account starting September 15, 2022, until December 14, 2022. How Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories workEach quarter of the year, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cards earn 5% back (or 5x points) on a different set of bonus categories. That's why you can think of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® bonus categories as earning you either 5% back or 5x points. Previous Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categoriesFor Q3 2022 (July through September), the Chase Freedom bonus categories were gas stations, rental car agencies, movie theaters, and select live entertainment. Right now, there are alternative bonuses available directly through Chase for the Freedom cards — find out more in our guide to the current Chase Freedom offers and in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightReview: Is the Discover it Cash Back the best credit card for you? If you prefer earning cash-back credit card rewards without paying an annual fee, the Discover it® Cash Back is a great choice. How to earn rewards with the Discover it Cash Back cardTo earn the most cash back with the Discover it® Cash Back, you'll have to activate the rotating bonus categories each quarter through your online Discover account. The Discover it® Secured Credit Card, for example, is geared to folks who are new to credit or rebuilding credit. When you open an eligible new Discover card, you'll be able to take advantage of Discover Cashback Match (called Unlimited Bonus with the Discover it® Miles).

☆ Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review: Choose your own 3% cash-back category and earn a $200 bonus with no annual fee
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-04 | by ( Tessa Campbell | Personal Finance Reviews Fellow | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card is worth considering if you're looking for a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card that lets you choose your highest rewards category. How to earn rewards with the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit cardThe Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has major appeal for folks looking to earn cash back on multiple spending categories. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card benefits and featuresOther than the generous intro APR offer, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn't have many other benefits, but this is common with no-annual-fee credit cards. Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards fees and costsThe Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a $0 annual fee. The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a fair welcome bonus and a generous intro APR offer.

Search resuls for: "Live Entertainment"

25 mentions found