BB&T

The best BB&T business rewards card is the BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards card because it offers 20,000 bonus miles for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. The Spectrum Travel Rewards card also gives 2 miles per $1 spent on air travel, hotels and car rentals. The card has a $45 annual fee, waived the first year.

The Spectrum Travel Rewards card is one of four BB&T business credit cards. Which is best for you will come down to whether you want cash back, travel rewards or a side of 0% financing. But you should have little difficulty finding one that fits.

Here are the best BB&T business rewards credit cards:

• Best for travel rewards: BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards card. $0 annual fee for the first year, $45 after. 20,000 bonus miles for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. 2 miles per $1 on air travel, hotels and car rentals and 1 on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fee. Good credit required.
• Best for cash back: BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards card. $0 annual fee. 3% cash back on gas, 2% at restaurants and office supply stores and 1% on all other purchases. 0% APR for 9 months on purchases. 3% foreign transaction fee. Good credit required.
• Best for excellent credit: BB&T Visa Signature Business card. $0 annual fee. 6,500 bonus points for making a purchase in the first 90 days. 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases. 0% APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers (4% transfer fee). 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Best for new business financing: BB&T Bright for Business card. $0 annual fee. 0% APR for 12 months on purchases. 3% foreign transaction fee. Good credit required.

The best BB&T business rewards cards each offer something unique. But there are alternatives for business owners looking for longer 0% introductory APRs and more lucrative rewards.

The SimplyCash Plus Business card from Amex offers a 0% APR on purchases for 15 months. It also offers 5% cash back on office supply stores and wireless phone services, and 3% on purchases in one of eight spending categories, including advertising, dining and gas. The Capital One Spark Cash for Business card offers 2% cash back on all purchases and a $500 bonus for spending $4,500 in the first 3 months.

You should redeem your BB&T credit card rewards for hotel stays if you have either the BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Card or the Travel Rewards Secured Credit Card. That is because those miles will be worth 75% more, according to the BB&T website. If you have either the BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card, you should redeem your rewards into a BB&T checking or savings account, because you'll get 10% bonus cash that way.

BB&T rewards can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, cash back, airline tickets, hotel bookings, auto rental bookings, cruises, and activities. Redeem your rewards at the BB&T rewards website.

Both the BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Card and its secured version give 2 miles per $1 spent on airfare, hotels, and car rentals; and 1 mile per $1 spent on every other purchase. The BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards Credit Card, as well as its secured version give 3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back on utilities and groceries on the first $1,000 spent per month in those combined categories, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

BB&T does not offer a student credit card. There are checking accounts, debit cards, and loans designed specifically for students, but there are no credit card options available for students to establish credit.

Building credit as a student is a major step toward setting up your financial future once your school days are over. At some point, you will need to buy or lease a car; rent an apartment or apply for a mortgage; and purchase insurance premiums.

In addition, your eligibility for some jobs may be contingent on a solid credit report. The sooner you start establishing credit, the easier it will be to make the transition from the classroom to the working world, financially speaking.

A student credit card is a valuable resource to start your credit out on the right foot, if you use the card responsibly. Student cards are fairly easy to get, and terms and features are typically superior to those on traditional cards for people with limited credit.

You'll likely start out with a low credit limit, but the objective is not to go on spending sprees, but to make a reasonable amount of purchases, and pay your bill – on time – every month. If you do that consistently, you'll set yourself up for credit limit increases, and better still, a stellar credit history.

Here are some good student credit cards:

• Discover it Student Cash Back: 0% APR for 6 months on purchases; 14.74%-23.74% (V) after. 5% cash back per $1 spent on select categories that change every quarter. Get matching cash back on all rewards earned at the end of your first year. $20 statement credit for a 3.0+ GPA each year, up to five years. No annual fee.
• Journey Student Rewards from Capital One: 1% cash back per $1 spent on all purchases. Rate increases to 1.25% for each monthly you pay your bill on time. Eligible for credit limit increases when your pay your first five credit card bills on time. No annual fee.
• Bank of America Cash Rewards Card for Students: $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 in the first three months. 3% cash back per $1 spent on gas, and 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to $2,500 each quarter. 10% bonus for Bank of America customers when you redeem points to your checking or savings account. No annual fee.

Don't apply for too many cards in too short a timeframe. That doesn't look good for the very credit profile you're trying to establish. If you're not approved for a student credit card, take a step back and open a secured credit card account. Several months of responsible use will improve your chances of being approved for a student card or other secured card with more favorable terms.

Credit cards offered by BB&T are designed for people with excellent credit (i.e. a score of at least 750).

You can't get the interest rate reduced on your BB&T credit card.

Basically they calculated your interest rate based on your credit report. The only way you'd get a lower interest would be if your score is much better than what it was when you applied, and you'd have to close the account, and re-apply. It's a hassle, really.