Debt Pays? Someone who's more nimble with numbers might understand how this is good for American credit card holders but I don't. Seems like the latest credit card company promotion would increase the likelihood that consumers will pile up even more debt.

"Just when you thought you'd seen everything from the credit-card industry, now come cards that reward customers for not paying their bills. The conventional wisdom is that it rarely makes sense to carry a balance on a credit card. But, in fact, 61% of Americans do. That accounts for the bulk of credit-card company revenues, making it only a matter of time before the industry's rewards-and-miles obsession came rolling their way."

"The cash-back card from Citigroup Inc.'s Citibank unit is just one of a growing number of such offers. Bank of America Corp.'s "Money Return" card simply refunds a tenth of the interest you pay each year. Providian Financial Corp. is currently testing a new program that gives extra reward points to people who carry a balance. The more money you borrow through your charging, the more points you get. Tally up 20,000, and you get a $500 airline ticket." (via WSJ)