balance transfer credit cards
    Balance transfer credit cards      Site disclaimer      Email Us    
Balance Transfer to Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express


Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express
Intro APR: 2.9%

 Issuer: American Express
  • Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints (R) - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
  • Use Starpoints(R) for free nights and upgrades at over 860 participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and more with no blackout dates
  • No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
  • Transfer Starpoints(R) - almost always on a 1:1 basis - to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
  • Earn one Starpoint(R) for every dollar you spend and double Starpoints(R) at participating Starwood properties and retail partners
  • Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.





 Back to the category menu

Apply for Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Many financial advisors advocate the lower cost broad-based international ETFs over country ETFs but you can easily shoot yourself in the foot by being penny wise and pound foolish.

A common question I get at ETF conferences and workshops is whether investors should use broad-based international ETFs or country-specific ETFs to play international growth?

The answer is, of course, it depends on what type of investor you are. What is your risk profile, your return objectives and what is the pattern of distribution in the ETF basket under consideration? I often use the analogy of a rifle and shotgun. You don’t go turkey hunting with a rifle and it would be foolhardy to try to nail that trophy bighorn with a shotgun.

In general, if you are a long-term buy and hold investor, then perhaps a broad ETF will get the job done. But don’t get all tangled up in the bush by basing your decision on the lowest cost ETF Study the options before making your choice.

The most popular broad international ETF on the market is the one that tracks the MSCI Europe, Australia and Far East Index also known as the EAFE. This index contains 21 well developed countries and one ETF that tracks it is the iShares (EFA) with an annual expense ratio of 0.35%.

Sounds good but the problem is that because the country stock markets are weighted in the index and ETF by the value of the markets. 50% of your money will go to two countries: Japan and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile only 1% of your money will go to dynamic countries with great stock markets like Ireland. The Singapore weighting in this basket is 0.77%, Austria is 0.58%, Hong Kong is 1.75%, and Sweden is 2.46%.

Not a good move especially this year with the Japan ETF flat as a pancake and Singapore (EWS) up 32%, Hong Kong (EWH) up 19.5%, Sweden (EWD) up 32% and Austria (EWO) up 23%. These country-specific ETF bullets will cost you a slightly higher annual fee but the added flexibility is well worth the cost.

The Vanguard Pacific ETF (VFL) is another example of an ETF that absolutely requires looking under the hood. It looks like a shotgun but is actually a rifle. Investors may think they are getting broad exposure to the Pacific region but 74% of the money in this ETF basket goes to Japan with an additional 17% to Australia. With an annual fee of just 0.18% bargain hunters might have been smiling when they bought it and I have to admit that it does have 20% of its net assets in some great companies like Toyota, BHP and Honda.

Still, it is an awfully big bet on Japan and if you are looking to tap into robust Asia-Pacific growth, keep this ETF in your holster and fire away with the China iShare (FXI) up 46% so far this year, Singapore (EWS), up 32%, Malaysia (EWM) up 22.5%, Australia (EWA) up 22% not to mention more dicey markets like Indonesia which is up 58% this year.

In emerging markets of course putting too much powder behind one country can blow up in your face. This is why ETFs that track the MSCI Emerging Markets index may be the best strategy for many investors. The iShares Emerging Market ETF (EFA) gives you a nice balance with roughly 16% exposure to South Korea, 11% to Taiwan, 10% to Brazil, 10% to China, 10% to Russia and 9% to South Africa. The Vanguard Emerging Market ETF (VWO) has similar country weightings but has an annual fee of only 0.30% compared to 0.75% for the iShares (EFA) ETF. Advantage Vanguard.

There are also other options out there such as the new eleven Wisdom Tree international sector ETFs and the global sector ETFs which normally have about half of their baskets in foreign stocks. Depending on the stakes, you might also consider getting a guide to increase the likelihood of bagging your game. After all, it wouldn’t be smart to go hunting in foreign territory without taking someone along that knows the terrain.


  • Transfer your balance to Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

  • Credit cards are often taken for granted. Can't afford something right now? Just charge it!

    Significant credit card debts can pile up in as little as a year with careless credit card spending. Before you know it, the interest rates go up and you are in a situation that you can't find a way out of.

    But don't call it quits just yet. There is always a solution to financial trouble.

    The easiest way to get out from under credit card debt is to pay off your balance before you charge anything else. But if you were good at that, you wouldn't be in this situation.

    Credit card consolidation is often a great help when things start getting tight. It is a way to consolidate your debts onto a lower interest rate card. This means that you have a lower payment, so when you pay extra, more is going to the principal balance. You are able to pay the debt off quicker.

    Keep in mind that consolidation is not getting rid of your debt. It isn't freeing up your credit to use. It is simply moving it so that you can pay it off faster.

    Through consolidating to a lower interest credit card you will save money. But only if you pay it on time. If you don't, your interest rate will jump right back up there. And you probably won't be able to find a card to take you to consolidate again.

    You should avoid applying to multiple cards in hopes of finding one that will take you. Choose your cards wisely before you apply. Inquiries to your credit report will lower your credit score. If you are looking for a good credit card at a good rate, you want that score as high as possible.

    When transferring balances between credit cards, you should carefully read the terms in relation to transferred balances. Many cards offer great teaser rates, such as 0% interest for six months, on transfers because they want you to come use their card. Pay attention to what the rate will be after the introductory period.

    This period is great. It really allows you to knock off some of the debt, if you take advantage of it. But remember, if you charge any new purchases to the card, your payments will go towards them first. They break it up to make more money off of you. They don't want you paying zero interest. They want to make money.

    In consolidating your credit cards, you need to stop acquiring new debt. One of the largest disadvantages to consolidating credit cards is that too many people consolidate and then re-max out the old cards. Now they have double the debt. Transfer your balances and cut up the old cards.

    This is a chance to start over and get these debts knocked out just a little bit faster. Don't blow it. Use it to your advantage. Consolidation can be a great help. But be sure that you understand that you are paying off your debt, not getting more credit.


  • Raise your credit score with a help of Credit-Rocket! Read the Chase credit card reviews
  • Tired of high charges? Find the best database for credit cards! Read the fine print and find the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is the interest rate the companies charge you if you carry a balance. You want the lowest rate possible; as each percentage point drop will save you money on the months you have an outstanding balance.