Credit Card Rewards And Perks Analysis Of 2017 Offerings

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article about credit card freebies, promotional offers, no-cost product trials, brand freebies, and mail-in sample programs across categories like beauty, baby care, pet products, health, food, and household goods. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

The source documents primarily contain information about credit card rewards programs, fee structures, and industry analysis rather than the specific consumer product samples and promotional offers requested. The available materials discuss credit card perks, rewards systems, annual fees, and business models but do not contain details about free samples of beauty products, baby care items, pet products, health items, food, or household goods that might be offered through credit card programs.

Available Information Summary

Based on the provided source documents, the following information is available regarding credit card offerings in 2017:

Credit Card Perks and Rewards

Airline-branded credit cards in 2017 offered modest perks such as priority boarding and a limited number of lounge passes per year. Some premium cards provided more substantial benefits, including travel credits, airport lounge access, cell phone protection, and primary rental car insurance.

The credit card rewards landscape in 2017 featured various point systems, with Chase Ultimate Rewards points being particularly valued by some cardholders. Sign-on bonuses were a common incentive, with some cards offering lucrative point bonuses for meeting minimum spending requirements.

Credit Card Fee Structures in 2017

According to CreditCards.com's 2017 survey of 100 widely held credit cards: - Cards had an average of six fees (5.91, rounded up) - Foreign transaction fees were becoming less common, charged by only 56 cards compared to 77 in 2015 - Late payment fees were nearly universal, charged by 99 of the 100 surveyed cards - Cash advance fees were also very common, charged by 98 of the 100 cards - Balance transfer fees were mandated by 76 of the 89 cards that allowed such transfers - Only 24 of the 100 cards charged an annual fee - Over-limit fees were rare, charged by only four cards

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Promise Visa was unique among surveyed cards, charging only one fee (for paper statements) and never charging cash advance fees.

Credit Card Market Trends

The credit card industry showed significant growth from 2010 to 2017: - The number of people with credit cards increased from 152 million to 176 million - The number of credit card accounts in the U.S. increased from 386 million to 455 million - More people were obtaining credit cards for the first time

Credit card rewards programs had evolved from being viewed as encouraging irresponsible spending to being positioned as money-saving tools through cashback and valuable airline miles.

Notable Credit Cards in 2017

Several credit cards received attention in 2017: - The American Express Platinum card was completely revamped and offered lucrative sign-on bonuses - Chase cards, particularly those using the Ultimate Rewards points system, were highly regarded - The USBank Altitude Card featured a $400 annual fee with a $325 travel credit and 50,000 sign-on points - The American Express Blue Business Plus offered 2x Membership Reward points on all purchases with no annual fee

Conclusion

The provided source documents do not contain information about free samples, promotional offers, or product trials in the categories requested (beauty, baby care, pet products, health, food, and household goods). Instead, the materials focus on credit card rewards programs, fee structures, and industry analysis. To create an article about the requested topic, different source materials specifically addressing consumer product samples and promotional offers would be required.

Sources

1. 17 Credit Card Perks We'd Like to See in 2017
2. 2017 Credit Card Fee Survey
3. 2017 Credit Card Inventory Update
4. Credit Card Rewards: A Zero-Sum Game
5. NerdWallet Announces the Best Credit Cards for 2017