CREDIT CARDS.

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Author: Goldwasser, Joan

Longer, warmer days mean it's time to tackle the to-do list you compiled during the winter. And now you can make those treks to the hardware, paint and plant stores pay off. With the new Chase Home Improvement Rewards Visa card (800-2473923; www.chase.com/homeimprovement), you earn three points for every dollar spent on home-repair items (one point per dollar for all other expenditures), Home-maintenance purchases at nontraditional stores may qualify for the extra points if the merchant keys in the Visa home-improvement code. Accumulate 2,500 points and you receive either a $25 gift card or a check. This no-fee card has a 0% introductory rate for up to 12 months, after which the rate jumps to 13.24% for cardholders with a good credit history.

Legend for Chart:

A - ISSUER
B - RECENT RATE
C - CASH-ADVANCE RATE/FEE
D - ANNUAL FEE
E - LATE/OVER LIMIT
F - TOLL-FREE NUMBER

     A

                  B                     C            D
                  E                     F

Wells Fargo Bank (P)

              7.25% (†)      22.49%/4.0%     $19
              $29/$35               800-642-4720

Pulaski Bank & Trust (G)

              7.99                  7.99/none       50
              29/29                 800-980-2265

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (G)

              9.75                  9.75/2.5        45
              20/20                 800-723-0303

Legend for Chart:

A - ISSUER
B - RECENT RATE
C - CASH-ADVANCE RATE/FEE
D - GRACE PERIOD
E - LATE/OVER LIMIT
F - TOLL-FREE NUMBER

     A

                  B                     C            D
                  E                     F

Capital One (P)

              6.90%                 19.80%/3.0%     25 days
              $35(*)/$29            800-548-4593

Wachovia (P)

              7.90                  19.99/3.0       25 days
              39(*)/39(*)           800-922-4684

Simmons First National Bank (P)

              8.95                  12.95/3.0       25 days
              29/29                 800-636-5151

Legend for Chart:

A - ISSUER
B - RECENT RATE
C - CASH-ADVANCE RATE/FEE
D - ANNUAL FEE
E - RATE EARNED STORE/OTHER
F - TOLL-FREE NUMBER

     A

                  B                     C            D
                  E                     F

L.L. Bean (P)

              11.50%                19.74%/3.0%     none
              3%/0.5% (†)    800-545-7898

REI (G)

              15.49                 20.49/4.0       none (§)
              (**)/1                877-734-9737

Amazon.com (P)

              none(#)               22.24/3.0       none
              3/1(‡)         866-422-6566

As of February 10; rates are adjustable. (P) Platinum card.
(G) Gold card. (†) Must be a Wells Fargo account holder.
(#) Six-month into rate, then 16.24%. (§) Must be an REI
member. (*) May be lower depending on balance.
(‡) Rebates valid only for store purchases.
(**) Purchases accrue toward patronage refund.

SOURCE: Bankrate.com, N. Palm Beach, Fla.
Banks may offer lower introductory rates.

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By Joan Goldwasser