1.   Those who pay the standard variable rate are subsidising the preferential rates enjoyed by other more cost-conscious borrowers.

2.   American officials accuse Chavez of meddling with the historically independent state oil company, providing haven to Colombian guerrillas and bailing out Cuba with preferential rates on oil.

3.   Banks are obliged to lend money at preferential low rates to many state-owned Chinese companies to help them meet their payrolls and reduce the threat of unemployment.

4.   Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba could barter its sugar with its communist allies at preferential rates in return for oil and other essentials.

5.   A preferential rate is charged to companies whose countries have special agreements with China, with others charged a higher rate.

6.   A preferential rate is charged to companies whose countries have special agreements with China, while others are charged a higher rate.

7.   Commercial banks responded by raising their preferential rates, which they charge their most creditworthy customers for loans.

8.   Commercial banks responded by raising their preferential rates, which they charge their most credit-worthy customers for loans.

9.   Federal law requires that candidates get lower rates than commercial advertisers, but even this preferential rate is rising in the last weeks of the campaign.

10.   Package tours and other regular group customers also get preferential rates.