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IN:LA® from American Express

• Earn one INSIDE^SM Rewards point for every eligible dollar you spend, whether you’re in Los Angeles or not
• Earn double INSIDE^SM Rewards points when you use the Card for city essentials like dining, movie tickets, cell phone service, cable and internet service, gym memberships, and newspaper and magazine subscriptions
• Redeem points for rewards to eat, drink, and play in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York
• 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months
• No Annual Fee

Just The Facts –

Issuer:  American Express

Introductory APR:  0%

Introductory Period: 6 months

APR After Introductory Period:  12.24% Variable

Cash Advance APR:  23.24% Variable

Annual Fee:  None.

Credit Line Possible: $100,000

Insurance included:  Auto rental insurance, a purchase protection plan, extended warranty, return protection, identity theft protection and up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance.

Financing Configuration – Interest is configured on your average daily balance (including the date on which purchases were made).

Grace Period – You have twenty days after making a purchase with your IN: LA from American Express during which you do not have to pay interest on what you bought

The Best Thing About It— You can reap rewards in other cities besides L.A.  It has a generous rewards program that includes INSIDE points for a dollar and double points for each dollar spent at participating retailers in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

The Worst Thing About It – IN: LA from American Express has an extremely high regular APR that makes it very impractical for carrying a balance ( Depending on your credit rating). Taking out cash advances is not going to be cheap!

Credit Rating Needed For Acceptance:  Good credit.

Who Is It For?

The IN : LA Card from American Express is designed for those with good credit who lives in or frequently visit Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City and plan to take advantage of the various benefits and services that these metropolises have to offer.

 

The Benefits

 

The rewards program is generous! Through the reward program, cardholders earn two points for every dollar spent on dining establishments, movie theaters, cell phone service, cable and satellite television service, dial-up Internet service, gym memberships, and magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and they earn one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for benefits and experiences based in Los Angeles, such as free hotel stays, dining, and airline travel.

The points never expire!  There is no cap or limit on your INSIDE points that you can accumulate.

You can take advantage of the Tuesdays IN : LA program.  Cardholders can use the IN : LA from American Express at select participating merchants in Los Angeles and get ten percent off of their purchases.

Track all of your expenses on one statement.  Online access to this statement to your account is also provided so you can stay on budget. The IN : LA from American Express card comes with an online account that provides the convenience of paying your credit card bill online.

You can print out a Year End Summary for Tax Purposes. All you have to do is download the Summary and print it out; sort by date, merchant name, or charge amount; review charges made within a category, such as Travel and Restaurant and you have a record for the tax man. You can also request a paper Year End Summary in the mail by calling the number on the back of your Card.

You have a Return Protection Plan. If you try to return a designated item within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won’t take it back, American Express will refund the full purchase price, up to $300 per item.

You have extra protection from theft or loss of your card while traveling.  American Express provides quick emergency cash and emergency card replacement should your card be stolen.

You have a generous amount of travel insurance. The IN :  LA from American Express card comes with $100,000 in travel insurance.

The card comes with a Global Assist Hotline. Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, your are protected with medical, legal, financial or other emergency assistance, including medical and legal referrals, visa/passport help, cash access, and more.

The card offers a Baggage Assurance Plan. This plan covers up to up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and $500 for checked baggage in the event it is lost or stolen.

You have zero liability for unauthorized Internet transactions. You will not be charged for fraudulent use of your IN : LA from American Express card online. Most cards charge $50 for this.

 

The Drawbacks

 

The APR is high. The standard APR for purchases is a bit below average for a reward card but not ideal for those who plan to carry a revolving balance.

The grace period is short. You only have twenty days to pay on purchases made with your IN : LA from American Express without interest.

Monthly payments are applied to purchases first.  The amounts that you pay monthly are not applied to the highest interest activities such as taking out a cash advance.  This can make it longer to pay off your debt.

The Return Coverage is limited. Coverage is capped at $300 per item, excluding shipping and handling, and up to a maximum of $1,000 annually per Card Account and is subject to additional Terms, Conditions and Exclusions.

 

Fees To Watch Out For

Late payment fee :  $15 on balances up to $100; $29 on balances of $100 through $1,000; $35 on balances over $1,000

Over the Limit Fee : $30

Duplicate card fee :  $35

Cash Advance Fee : 3%, $5 minimum for Express Cash transactions

 

To Summarize –

IN :  LA from American Express is a good card for those who can afford to pay in full each month after the introductory rate expires (to avoid finance charges), live or frequently stay in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City (to earn additional points). It best suits those who like fine dining and entertainment.

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%	6 Months	12.24%	None	Yes	Good Credit