|
||||||||||
In today’s fast-paced society, the ability to manage your finances on the go is more valuable than ever. Being able to check your debit or credit card balance while making a purchase, for example, can help avoid overdrafts, and the ability to make payments on the spot can ward off nasty late fees.
Thanks to a selection of free iPhone apps from major credit card issuers like American Express, Citi Card, Discover, and Bank of America, cardholders with these issuers can now enjoy 24/7 account access, no matter where they are. The new apps enable users to keep an eye on credit card accounts, pay bills, and even transfer money while on the bus, at a park, or waiting in line at the supermarket.
The recently launched American Express iPhone app allows cardholders to check the balance on their Amex card, see recent transactions, and pay credit card bills. Users can manage multiple Amex cards and save user IDs to make login almost automatic. The Amex app is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iTouch. It is currently rated 3.5 out of 5 stars by users, not a stellar rating, but according to American Express, many more features are to be added soon.
Discover Mobile offers similar benefits as the Amex app. Discover cardholders can view their credit card account summaries up to two years back, check payment due as well as due dates, look up available credit, and monitor cash back bonus earnings. Payments are easy to make, and the overall user friendliness of the Discover Mobile app has earned it the highest rating of all card issuer iPhone apps at 4.5 out of 5.
The Bank of America iPhone app and CitiMobile offer users access to both credit card and bank accounts with the respective banks. Users can check balances on their bank account or credit cards, pay bills, transfer funds, and even locate ATMs or banks by location. Through the banking locator feature, app users can even specify if they want a bank with Saturday hours. The CitiMobile app also enables users to search for specific credit card purchases and track ThankYou points earnings on their Citi rewards credit cards. A downside of the Citi app is that it is only compatible with the iPhone, but iTouch users can access their account through an internet browser. The BofA app currently receives 3.5 stars and the CitiMobile app is rated at 3 out of 5 stars.
Numerous other card issuers also have mobile banking apps available for free download through the iTunes store. A quick search under the name of your bank or credit union will turn up the corresponding app, if it is available. If not, check back every few months, as many more card issuers are sure to launch iPhone apps as an added service in the near future.
