New Ways to Use Your Credit

Credit card companies have made some new deals with merchants this year. Among the promotions:

* First USA offers cardholders free shipping for items purchased from 16 catalog firms, including J.C. Penney’s “Best Gifts,” Omaha Steaks, Orvis and Company Store. Cardholders can visit the Web site at https://www.firstusa.com or call (800) 451-2491 for more information.

* Special deals have been made with merchants to encourage Internet shopping. Discover cardholders who use their cards to order from Hickory Farms, Rand McNally Travel Store, FAO Schwarz and 12 other merchants can get discounts of up to 15%. For information, visit https://www2.discovercard.com/shopcenter/index.htm.

* Card issuers have created a kind of “gift certificate” card that looks like a regular credit card but acts like a prepaid phone card, with a set limit that the recipient can spend anywhere credit cards are accepted.

Some of the cards are less expensive than others. First USA, for example, charges a $5 service fee for cards worth $50 to $200; no fee is charged for higher amounts. First USA cardholders can call (888) 378-GIFT or visit https://www.firstusa.com for more information.