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While the last week or so has been trying to say the least for pretty much everyone, we decided to focus this edition of the roundup series on something other than what's going on from a health standpoint.

Eventually, things will get better, provided people stay indoor...

Remember a few years back when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) went after Wells Fargo for opening accounts in customers' names without their knowledge? The CFPB says it's found another case of this behavior, this time at Fifth Third Bank.

The CFPB has f...

With school closings, travel restrictions, social distancing, and all of the other drastic changes we have been forced to make all at once due to the current health environment, we are in very uncertain times on many levels. Because we don't know how long all of this will...

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court against Citizens Bank for a number of issues around credit card billing errors, unauthorized charges and credit counseling that the bureau says violates the Consumer Fi...

For over 30 years, consumers have been able to have a Chase UnitedMileagePlus Visa credit card in their wallet. If you love this card and have been worried that it will go away, fret no more. Chase, United Airlines and Visa have extended their partnership until 2029.

C...

The economy is good, unemployment is low, and consumer confidence is high. Those are ingredients that can fuel consumer spending—and debt. According to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Center for Microeconomic Data, household debt rose during the fourt...

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged four Chinese military officers in the 2017 hacking attack on Equifax, one of the country's three major credit bureaus. This attack compromised the personal information of about 145 million Americans, or nearly half of all adults ...

Recently in this blog, I wrote about Chase increasing fees on its popular Sapphire Reserve credit card. Now American Express is also increasing the fee on its premium Delta card, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

The fee increase is part of a relaunch for the entire Amex/Del...

This edition of the Expert Roundup Series is a collaboration between credit experts, hosted by Jason Steele, with an overview of FICO scoring changes by Jill Jaracz. We start out with a piece on the scoring changes and then continue on with expert analysis from John Ulzhe...

A few years ago, Chase made a big splash with its Sapphire Reserve credit card. The card, which came with a $450 annual fee, had travel perks and a sizeable welcome bonus points offer. Plus, it was stylish--the metal card launched a slew of unboxing videos.

Now Chase i...

What if you could pay someone, and the transaction would be just like using cash—except that you didn't have to carry a bunch of cash in your wallet to make it happen?

Enter Mezu, a mobile payment app with a digital Mastercard debit card, that allows you to make anony...

These days, it can be very frustrating to prove yourself when it comes to dealing with your credit card accounts. Just accessing them often requires using strong unique passwords and answering a battery of random personal questions before you can get to your account infor...

Many companies use sound to enhance their brands, using tunes of just a few notes to worm their way inside consumers' brains. If you hear a certain four chimes, do you automatically know that Intel is inside? What about the McDonald's "I'm lovin' it" jingle, or the thunk-...

While we have seen an exponential increase in benefits added to premium credit cards over the past few years, we've also seen an uptick in the annual fees associated with the cards. Most recently, Chase has increased the annual fee to their premium card, the Chase Sapphir...

Goldman Sachs and their partnership with Apple made a huge splash when they entered the credit card space with the new Apple credit card. Many consumers flocked to the card due to the rewards as well as the general trend among the US consumer base to adapt to anything and...

Discover is known for its cash-back rewards program, the first credit card rewards program where cardholders could get actual cash returned to them, rather than being forced to apply the rewards to their bill. Now Discover is offering a new way to redeem cash back rewards...

Now that 2019 is in the books and we are a few weeks into 2020, credit card experts have had the time to reflect on the past year. We saw several exciting changes take place in 2019, with the emergence of the Apple credit card, large sign-up bonuses offered during Q4, as ...

Even though credit and debit cards are ubiquitous in today's society, cash has traditionally maintained its position as consumers' favorite method of payment, according to the annual Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (DCPC), put together by the Federal Reserve Banks of Atl...

If you're mired in credit card debt, personal loans can be one option for paying off that debt. These loans allow you to pay off your credit cards in one swoop, oftentimes at lower interest rates than what you're paying on your cards. You can also get a fixed rate loan, w...

When someone pulls a credit card out of their wallet, you can get a sense of their net worth. A plastic no-annual-fee card? You're part of the hoi polloi. Move up to a gold or platinum card that has an annual fee, and you're starting to climb the ladder. Whip out a metal ...

For many people, one of the tougher parts of being an adult is dealing with debt. Whether you have a mortgage or student loan payments, medical debt or credit card debt (or any combination of those), having to owe money can have a negative psychological impact on you. Thi...

For the last edition of the credit card roundup series, we touched on the biggest credit card story of 2019. This time, we are asking a panel what the biggest consumer credit story in general was, which may include both credit cards and general credit happenings:

“What...

The past two editions of our roundups have been reflections of events from last year. Now that we are a few weeks into 2020 and the holidays have passed, it's time to address the exciting potential that the new year will bring. For the past few years, Jason has asked for ...

Your inbox is full of shopping deals, and you've scoped out Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Maybe you have a new rewards card in your wallet and you're planning to use it to qualify for a sweet signing bonus. You're ready for holiday shopping.

Or are you?

Shop...

Earlier this year, I wrote about Mastercard's new True Name feature. This option, announced during Pride Week, will allow people who identify as transgender or non-binary to have a credit or debit card with the name they use, rather than their legal name. It was a first f...

Credit card companies entice consumers with long APR's to try to motivate them to grab their business and in the process, save, through balance transfers. Yet, many of these longer 0% terms come strapped with a balance transfer fee. Is it in the best interest for a consum...

Before credit card rewards programs catapulted to the point where they are today, travel experts would always say that the best thing you could do is to align yourself with one airline and one hotel chain. Even with the robust nature of credit card rewards earnings, this ...

We’ve compiled an extensive list of balance transfer credit cards and ranked them in border based on total savings.

The methodology for the ratings is based on the total amount of savings when a $5000 balance is moved from an account with a 15% interest rate with no a...

This week, Discover announced that it was finally updating its credit cards to enable contactless payments. Contactless technology allows cardholders to skip swiping or inserting their card into a card reader. They can just tap their card to a contactless-enabled payment ...

A new credit card announced itself last week and while it has prompted some eye-rolling, is it too early to pass judgment on it?

The dismissive talk is due to the card's main purpose: It's for women. And, as not that many people like to be put into a box, some of the b...

As we get closer to the holiday shopping season, more new credit cards are hitting the market. If you're looking to add some plastic to your wallet, here are a few options.

Clothing retailer Lands' End has launched a new branded Visa card that gives its shoppers extra ...

The popular peer-to-peer payment app Venmo is going to take another step into the physical world with the upcoming release of a new credit card.

PayPal Holdings, Venmo's parent company, is working with its long-time partner Synchrony on the Venmo card. "For 15 years, ...

In the competitive rewards card arena, we are seeing issuers being more generous than ever with their sign-up bonuses, rewards earning structures, and other perks surrounding cards catered to travel rewards. For edition #48 of our Expert Roundups, Jason Steele asks a pane...

After a mid-summer splurge in July, consumers kept their credit cards in their wallets more often in August, according to the Federal Reserve's Consumer Credit statistical release, which came out this week.

The release tallies up all consumer credit, including revolvi...

Credit cards have been part of people's wallets for decades, and along with that have been countless articles and financial literacy efforts teaching people how to use them responsibly and stay out of debt.

However, a new study from The Ascent shows that even though t...

This month, Walmart is launching a new co-branded credit card program with two cards that offer five percent back on Walmart purchases.

The program consists of a Mastercard-branded Walmart Rewards credit card that can be used at any merchant that accepts Mastercard, an...

While many aspects of retail have shifted to using chip card readers, one major segment hasn't been forced to upgrade yet. Gas stations got a reprieve because it's not easy—or cheap—to add chip readers to gas pumps.

How expensive is it? Convenience Store News reports t...

Retail, co-branded credit cards can be confusing. There's a difference that many people are not aware of, primarily that co-branded cards are issued by a bank and can also be used wherever other major credit cards are accepted based on the network (Mastercard, Visa, etc.)...

With a measure of corporate social responsibility, American Express has announced that it plans to join efforts to cut down on the amount of plastic in global waters with a number of new initiatives, one of which you could see in your wallet soon.

Amex is one of the ma...

Every generation brings its own style to society, and now that Gen Z is starting to hit adulthood, we're starting to see what this generation is made up of, and when it comes to credit and credit card usage, the statistics are starting to paint an interesting picture.

...

To prevent creating an accounting nightmare, it's very important to not use the same credit card for your business and personal expenses. However, if you keep the two separate, does it really matter if you use a card marketed/designed as a business card for business, and ...

Credit card rewards structures vary from card to card, yet the most competitive prime offers have one thing in common: they will reward you more in popular spend categories, typically involving high spend areas such as gas, and for the purpose of this edition of the Round...

Cash rewards cards are very straight forward. While the structures may vary in some capacity with earning percentages, it's quite easy to decipher exactly what each purchase you make with yield in rebates. On the other hand, points are a bit more difficult to assign a mon...

It usually takes a credit history to get a credit card, but for many people, that's a chicken and egg story. If you can't get credit, how are you going to build a credit history?

Likewise, if you've had a run of bad luck that has hurt your credit history, it can be jus...

Remember back in 2017 when Equifax, one of the country's big three credit reporting companies, announced that it had been hacked for a couple of months, which exposed the personal information of over half of all American adults?

Well, it's taken two years, but, Equifa...

Over the last decade, knowing your credit score has become fairly commonplace. That's in part due to credit score monitoring companies like Credit Karma, as well as banks and credit card issuers offering their customers free credit scores. This made it much easier--and ch...

During Pride Month, a month-long celebration and rights awareness for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and others (LGBTQAI+) community, Mastercard announced a new initiative that it hoped would spark pride in its cardholders: It plans to ...

If you live in a state where you can legally buy marijuana, whether that's medical or recreational cannabis, you've had to pay for it in cash--until now. Columbia Care has launched the Columbia National Credit (CNC) card, a credit card you can use to buy cannabis at Colum...

The CARD Act made a massive impact on how we as Americans were exposed to credit cards from both an informational and marketing standpoint. It's hard to believe that the legislation was passed and enacted last decade. Our panel of experts this week all remember how it sho...

Many people think of Sallie Mae as their student loan provider, which may not bring up some good connotations if you're buried in student debt. But now Sallie Mae is offering a way to give you cash back--on purchases that is, if you use one of their new credit cards.

S...

In recent years, as the credit card rewards culture has evolved, more and more people have chosen the career of a credit card expert. Many people don't realize that they may in fact know one. When experts are "outed," they find that their friends have several questions fo...

Credit card fraud is everywhere. From criminals breaching retail systems to thieves putting skimmers on gas station pumps, it seems like there's no easy way to protect yourself from possible identity fraud. But now there's a new device about to hit the market called the S...

When we talk about credit card benefits or features, the conversation generally always centers around their rewards programs or sign-up bonuses. But, there are several other extremely useful benefits that are less talked about. This week, Jason touches on under the radar ...

The electronic ink isn't even dry on your refund request to Equifax for its data breach, and now your personal information could be compromised again, if you've got a Capital One credit card. Here's what happened and what you can do to try to protect yourself from identit...

While it's important to check your credit score and reports to make sure everything is accurate, especially in the day and age of breaches, there is no set guideline as to how frequently this has been done. For this edition of our Roundup, Jason asks our experts with what...

Technology is moving so fast that it's hard to keep up with the latest this and the latest that. While we sometimes get hyper-focused on gadgets/devices/etc. there are other emerging technologies that we are beginning to adapt that make our lives more simple. Jason asks t...

J.D. Power’s recently released its annual study of credit card satisfaction, and the company noted that the battle among credit card companies for winning customers through rewards and benefits may have actually reached its peak, as consumers don’t necessarily understand ...

Many people don't realize exactly how many different benefits their credit cards come with, so when some of the lesser known or utilized ones disappear, most consumers don't really notice. However, credit card experts certainly do. Jason Steele addresses them and the curr...

What's the most significant thing that most people overlook about their credit or credit cards? That's the question that Jason Steele asks the group of experts who joined us for the 43rd Edition of the Roundup series. Here are their list of responses and it isn't surprisi...

Managing a small business can be an exhilarating experience--you get to be your own boss, you put your products and ideas out into the world, and you can really impact your community.

But when it comes to managing cash flow for your small business, well, that can be a ...

Even though we are constantly being exposed to travel rewards cards through advertising, the media, and through our social media accounts, there are still skeptics out there when it comes to the huge value in carrying these cards. Everyone knows someone like this, even pe...

It seems like we have been talking about mobile payments, and the adaption of, for a few years now. For some reason, while the technology exists, most consumers prefer pulling out their physical credit card to pay rather than using their phones. To try to gain some insigh...

College is a great time. You're first getting to manage your life and learning what you need to do to be a successful adult. You get to explore a lot of different subjects, figure out your own schedule, and start managing your own finances.

Unfortunately, on a student'...

Announced with much fanfare last spring, Apple has started rolling out its Apple Card to the masses. First, it’s inviting those who signed up to be notified of its arrival, and later this month it will be more widely available.

Apple worked with Goldman Sachs and Maste...

Citi is getting in on the personal loan market with its new Citi Flex Plan program. This option allows cardholders to avoid the hassle of applying for a personal loan and just use part of their credit limit as a pool of money that comes with a fixed interest rate and a fi...

The first industry expert we interviewed was Jason Steele. Jason is a long-time finance writer and the founder of CardCon, a conference for other professionals in the credit card industry.

While he admits that few people consider personal finance to be exciting by def...

Over two years after its initial announcement, Zerocard, a new kind of credit card, is starting to get through its waitlist and invite people to apply.

Back in September 2016, Zero Financial launched with a splash, promising a different way to bank. Billed as a "...

Raise your hand if you like paying credit card interest. No takers? Well, do you even know what your annual interest rate is? No, again? Well, two legislators think it's too high, so they've written a bill to set limits on the APR banks can charge.

Sen. Bernie Sanders...

If you ever get frustrated when you go into a store or restaurant and find out they're a cash only business, it may be because the owner doesn't want to deal with all of the complexities around accepting credit cards. It costs them money to give you the convenience of pay...

American Express relaunched its Blue Cash Preferred Card, adding two new options to its cash back rewards categories to give its cardholders more ways to earn rewards for using its card.

Starting May 9, 2019, all new and existing cardholders will be able to start earni...

As credit card fraud and theft identity are very real fears for many, credit card issuing banks are coming up with solutions to mitigate the fraud. Barclays is the latest bank to hop on that bandwagon, with the release of four new digital features that give cardholders th...

Perks are great, right? And it's always a nice surprise when your credit card company decides to add some perks to your card, especially if they're ones you'd use on a regular basis.

As of April 16, World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard holders have some new bene...

It can be tough to be a young adult, getting ready to go to college, just graduating, or even choosing to leave school and join the work force. It's a time of transition, when you're learning how to navigate more, if not all, of the decisions adults need to make.

In p...

How many rewards credit cards do you have in your wallet? Better yet, do you even have any credit cards that don't help you earn rewards?

For many Americans, rewards are the reason to use a credit card in the first place. After all, if you have to pay for something, wh...

Why pay more? That's a message we see every day from retailers who try to entice consumers into shopping more. That lure seems to be working, as Americans' credit card balances continue to grow and are hitting all time highs.

Having an outstanding balance on your credi...

It seems like you just can't escape identity fraud, and a new study finds that consumers are bearing more of the fraud burden than ever before.

For those that thought EMV chips were supposed to be the saving grace that stopped fraud, well, they are working, thanks to m...

Beauty retailer Sephora has decided to get into the co-branded credit card space with the announcement of its first credit card program. Coming later this spring, Sephora will offer three credit cards: the Sephora Credit Card, Sephora Visa Credit Card and Sephora Visa Sig...

If you're a business owner, getting a corporate credit card can be a hassle. Application approvals can take longer--up to 30 days--than it does to get a personal credit card. When you're a start up or run an e-commerce business that can expand quickly, you don't have that...

If you’ve been wanting a higher credit limit on your credit card(s), this might actually be a better time than ever to ask. That’s because you’re actually more likely to get approved for a limit increase if you ask now, as opposed to waiting until the summer or later.

...

A few weeks ago, JPMorgan Chase announced their plans to jump into the personal loan sphere in a few new ways. The banking giant aims to compete for their own piece of the personal loan pie with two brand new financing options, available to their credit card customers.
...

Unlike what its famous tagline says, Visa is no longer everywhere you to be, not if you're shopping for groceries at some of the brands under the Kroger banner of stores. Kroger recently announced that a second division of the company will stop accepting Visa credit cards...

Bonus points and cash back can be some of the best credit card deals around. But do those free rewards come at a price… in the form of a tax bill from Uncle Sam?

The answer depends on the card(s) you carry and the types of bonuses that you receive throughout the year. ...

We all know that the average household debt in America is continuing to rise year after year, with no end in sight. It stands to reason then that the average family would also be opening more financial accounts than ever before.

While this does hold true in some categ...

Talks of a new Apple-branded credit card began last May, though the whispers faded away in the weeks that followed. However, it looks like the card – which will actually be a collaboration between Apple and Goldman Sachs bank -- is finally set for its much-anticipated rel...

It's not unusual to see extremely consumer-friendly incentivized rewards programs from Black Friday to the end of the year, but will this trend continue through 2019? Jason Steele talks about this in Issue #34 of the Credit Card Reviews Expert Roundup:

"Have credit car...

Unfortunately, 95% of credit card offers catering to those with damaged credit histories are completely unfavorable to the consumers who they are designed for. Jason Steele asks a group of experts this week to share their insights on products to look for catered to the un...

If your income changes after you open a credit card, you may want to let your card issuer know. By doing so, you could increase your card’s limit without having to worry about a credit limit increase request, or dealing with the hard inquiry that some issuers may initiate...

We all know the importance of our credit score, whether we are looking to take out a loan, open a new credit card, or even shop for auto insurance. There are countless websites and apps to help us track and understand our credit scores, too, many of which are entirely fre...

With April 15 right around the corner, many Americans have taxes on their minds. And thanks to increased tax breaks that many of us enjoyed throughout the year, some people will soon pay their dues to Uncle Sam. But should a credit card ever being your payment method of c...

It’s finally here: tax time. The W-2s and 1099s are hitting mailboxes, piles of receipts are spread across the kitchen table, and, if you’re like me, there’s a tear or two shed over just how much student loan interest was paid out last year.

Most of us can agree that i...

Every time I fill my SUV’s tank, I stare at the credit card advertisements on top of the pumps. These branded gas station cards boast a variety of benefits, saving you a few cents per gallon on each fill-up or even offering cash back on everyday purchases.

But with all...

Mobile wallets have been slow to gain traction in this country, though we consumers have a number of options available to us. There’s Apple Pay, Chase Pay, and Google Pay, among others, but one more player has just made its way to the table: Garmin Pay.

If you’re anyth...

The holiday season, while quite enjoyable, is also quite costly for many. People tend to spend more and be slightly less tight with their money from mid-November through early January. Taking on debt without a repayment plan can be problematic so Jason Steele speaks with ...

While sign-up bonus have continued to climb, there is a new trend where some issuing banks have raised their annual fees within their premium card portfolio. For issue #28 of the Credit Card Reviews Expert Roundup, Jason Steele asks this week's panel to weigh-in on this t...

Issue #29 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Expert Roundup centers on expected credit card trends for 2019. The panel of experts share their insight and speculate about what this year will bring to plastic (and metal) in response to Jason Steele's question:

"What are...

Now that we are a few months into 2019, we can reflect on 2018. Jason Steele does this when addressing the group of industry experts for Issue #30 of the Credit Card Reviews Expert Roundup:

"What were the biggest stories in the credit card industry in 2018?"

**Eric ...

Credit cards have evolved in many ways over time. In recent year, the physical aesthetic elements have changed as well. The teams in charge of marketing at banks have really put a heavier focus on what their products look like. Our experts have noticed this trend as well ...

Hop onto the Dark Web, and you'll be able to buy millions of credit card numbers, as hackers and thieves continue to thwart systems and steal consumer information. However, an industry council hopes that by publishing new payments software security standards, the tide of ...

Ten years ago, economic warning bells sounded when consumer debt level rose to all-time highs. A recession ensued, which led to a lot of belt-tightening. Debt levels fell as consumers kept their wallets closed and worked on paying off their bills.

However, in the last...

American Express has revamped its collection of Marriott hotel branded credit cards, and it's relaunched them under a new travel program called Marriott Bonvoy.

The new cards replace the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest credit cards, keeping in line with the r...

Need to spruce up your home? Like to putter around the house and fix things? Synchrony has a new credit card geared toward you--though if you're prone to carrying a balance, this might not be such a great deal.

Synchrony recently released a new version of its Home Cred...

Five years ago, no one knew what a digital wallet was. Then Apple released Apple Pay and revolutionized the way we could buy things. You no longer needed a credit card--you could just pull out your phone, open up an app that stored a credit card, tap the phone on a card r...

If you spent a little too much on “holiday cheer” this past season, know that you’re not alone. Retail spending among U.S. consumers saw a significant increase compared to the last few years. This means that there is no shortage of folks currently staring at their credit ...

If you’re looking for a new rewards card that’s both full of features AND doesn’t charge an annual fee, you’re in luck. The new Citi Rewards+ Card launched a few weeks ago, and it brings with it a slew of benefits that will make any cardholder happy.

Let’s take a look ...

Political parties aside, here’s a basic fact: a government shutdown can have long-lasting impacts on all the involved. And if not managed properly, this could mean impacting your credit and financial future.

Whether you’re considered “essential staff” and forced to wor...

In the midst of all that holiday joy last month, you might have missed some important financial news: the Federal Reserve raised interest rates again. The fourth rate hike of the year, this increase bumped its benchmark funds rate on December 19, from 2.25 percent to 2.5 ...

If you carry the Discover it Miles credit card, you are probably well aware of the card’s WiFi reimbursement benefit. However, beginning on March 31, 2019, this benefit is set to disappear, making the Discover it® Miles card a bit less enticing than before.

For the las...

If you’ve ever had trouble sticking to a budget, you may soon have some help: Barclays just announced that they are allowing banking and credit card customers to block themselves from making certain purchases.

This new feature is an attempt from the UK-based bank to ...

No one wants to get sick while traveling. Not only does it ruin all chances for some relaxation, but you’re also away from home, your warm bed, and all things familiar, which amplifies the misery.

Whether you’re just visiting another city or traveling in a foreign cou...

Credit card and identity theft are serious problems for consumers today. But while chip-enabled cards have helped to cut down on point-of-sale card theft, there is little that card issuers can do to prevent online fraud… until now.

PNC, a US-based bank, recently announ...

You might feel a sense of déjà vu if you’ve followed the Wells Fargo scandals of recent years, but yet another company has been caught defrauding customers and potentially impacting their credit.

Signet Jewelers, the company that operates some of the country’s leading...

Technology has made it easier than ever to pay for the things we want, no matter where we are or whether we are carrying our wallets. We can place food orders, pay at the register, and even withdraw cash from an ATM including only our cell phones and smart watches. But co...

The most expensive day of my life (at least, for my dad) was my wedding day. I stretched my budget and DIYed myself to the bone, but it was still a relatively pricey few hours of white tulle and buttercream.

It’s no surprise, then, that I get asked all the time about w...

What is the biggest change you’d like to see going into 2019? Do you want to switch jobs or buy a home? Maybe your resolutions are subtle, involving things like getting healthier or spending more quality time with your family.

Whether you’re a “go big or go home” reso...

I think most of us have been there: you sign up for a free trial of a product or service, just to see if you like it. Next thing you know, your credit card has been charged a subscription fee, even though you might not have intended to continue with the company after your...

You may not have heard yet, but Southwest is currently offering new customers one of their enviable Companion Passes, after the open any number of Southwest branded credit cards. These passes have the potential to save you thousands a year in free flights, but is it worth...

Do you wish you could save more, spend less, and improve your finances overall? Well, if you and your significant other currently manage your money separately, the solution to your woes could be as simple as opening a joint bank account.

According to [a new study](http...

While the cryptocurrency bubble may have burst over the last year, virtual currency is still relevant to some consumers. Now there's a way to use cryptocurrency in the physical world and turn it into an asset that can be used more readily in the world.

Ternio, a blockc...

A corporate symbol is the calling card of a company, and it's something that consumers are trained to recognize instantly. Some companies have had enormous success, like McDonald's famed Golden Arches and the Olympic Rings. In fact, in a survey of 7,000 people in six coun...

In an effort to give consumers more opportunities for getting loans--including credit cards--Experian is launching a new way to improve or enhance one's credit score.

Called Experian Boost, this is a new opt-in platform that consumers can use to add more information to...

We’ve all heard that it’s important to marry for love, not money. But a recent survey shows that Americans’ mindsets are shifting. Some generations are worrying more about greenbacks than their heart skipping a beat, in their quest for a happily ever after.

The Merril...

While it can be amazingly easy to get into credit card debt, it can take a long time to get out of it--and according to a new study, that time can be compounded by where you live.

The study, produced by CreditCards.com, compared credit card debt loads by state across t...

No matter who you ask, you’ll find that gift cards top Christmas wish lists by a large margin in pretty much every age group. In fact, they’re the number one requested gift this year, according to Consumer Reports. But whether you’re the giver or the recipient of said gif...

One of the selling points of our new chip-based credit cards was that they were going to reduce credit card fraud. However, a recent report released by the Gemini Advisory (a security analysis firm made up of Dark Web intelligence experts) found that credit card theft has...

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is one of my favorite cash back credit cards. I use it to earn serious rewards on groceries, gas, and department store purchases, which I can then redeem for statement credits.

I noticed something recently, though: wh...

If you have a Chase credit or debit card, you may soon have the opportunity to save serious cash with the new Chase Offers platform. Available through the Chase mobile app, Chase Offers allows select cardholders the opportunity to earn even more cash back when shopping at...

Managing your money can be a time-consuming task, even if you use software or online tools to help you. Every month requires keeping track of receipts and reconciling statements. Even if you do try to keep the flow of paper down and stick with digital receipts, the number...

As parents, we’re supposed to teach our kids to responsibly manage their money. But what if they get themselves in a bind, even once they’ve flown the nest?

According to a recent survey, Mom and Dad would be more than happy to swoop in to help, even if their child was...

Another day, another massive security breach. We consumers are pretty used to the news by now when we hear that another company has discovered a breach in their system that's exposed our personal information to hackers. While it's pretty easy to take that information in s...

This year has brought a lot of exciting changes to the Capital One lineup of credit cards. First, both of their Venture card products got a huge rewards boost – they now offer 10x rewards for hotels.com purchases and a reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Begin...

Everyone likes to eat out at restaurants until the bill comes. But, there can be some positives that can come from the end of the meal -- rewards from paying with a credit card. Jason Steele asks everyone which card they prefer to pay their meals with to earn the most in ...

Consumers these days are pretty savvy, and many know that while whipping out your plastic can be very convenient, there's a price to be paid for using it. That price is something called processing fees, and merchants have to pay banks part of every purchase when they swip...

With Christmas only a few short weeks away, holiday spending is on the forefront of most people’s minds. You may even plan to spend more this year than ever before, no matter who is on your gift list or how large your budget may be.

Though they’re often regarded as y...

We all spend money over the holidays. In many cases, we spend too much, which isn't good. This week when talking to a group of our contributing credit card experts, Jason Steele addresses this question when he asks:

"What recommendations do you have to avoid credit car...

It’s been a rough few years for Wells Fargo, following a number of scandals and hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and fines. But according to their latest earnings report, things are finally looking up for the banking giant.

Revenue and net income numbers...

About 10 years ago when gas prices were through the roof, people began to take a closer look at the ways they could save money on gas. Perhaps the most effective method, other than not buying it of course, still exists today - gas rebate cards. For this issue, Jason Steel...

With the holiday season upon us and all of the spending done this past weekend over Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, many Americans will be in a situation where they may need to carry a balance on their credit cards longer than they might otherwise need to. O...

Even the most experienced credit card users make mistakes. For this issue of the Credit Card Reviews Expert Roundup, Jason Steele asks every one the following as it relates to this topic:

"What mistakes do you often hear about experienced credit card users making?"

...

"What’s the best credit card award redemption you’ve ever made?" That's the question that Jason Steele asks our panel of credit card industry experts for the 22nd edition of the Credit Card Reviews Roundup series. Jason answers the question himself as well because he's no...

Looking at rebuilding credit options as it relates to credit cards, Jason Steele asks industry experts the following question:

"Which credit cards do you recommend to people who are trying to rebuild their credit, and why?"

**Beverly Harzog - Credit card expert for ...

Issue #20 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Expert Roundup is unique as it centers around advice for small business owners. This issue's question presented to Lee Huffman, Emily Guy Birken, Gerri Detweiler, Miranda Marquit, Bill Hardekopf, is:

What features do you th...

For the 19th edition of the Credit Card Reviews Expert Roundup, Jason Steele asks our group comprised of Ben Luthi, Andy Shuman, Louis DeNicola, Robert Harrow, and Sean Bryant which credit card they would recommend for people just getting into travel rewards. Here are the...

If you’re checking your credit score regularly, you might notice that the numbers change from time-to-time, even if you’re not making significant financial moves. It might lead you to wonder why these little fluctuations happen and just how often your score gets updated, ...

Earning travel rewards with a credit card can be an expensive proposition. If you want to earn miles on a specific airline, you have to go with a co-branded airline rewards cards, and those usually come with an annual fee. On the flipside, travel rewards cards that don't ...

I’m not a fan of mobile wallets. There isn’t a rhyme or reason to my reluctance, but I just haven’t been able to jump aboard that techie train. And according to a new study, perhaps my intuition wasn’t too far off after all.

Mobile wallets have been slow to catch on i...

The holidays are a beautiful time of year, full of cheer and giving. Unfortunately, though, it’s also prime time for theft… and that includes your personal information.

According to the [latest study published by Discover](https://investorrelations.discover.com/newsroo...

Taking control of your financial future can be intimidating, especially if you’re a young adult who isn’t sure where to begin. A new study by Discover has found that you’re more likely to find success, though -- and even tens of thousands of dollars -- by taking financial...

The economy's doing well and unemployment is down--two big feel-good measures that might have consumers feeling a little jollier this holiday season. Mastercard is already predicting that holiday sales will grow at the highest rate in five years, gaining a whopping five p...

With all the news and websites about credit cards--heck, this site is all about credit cards--you might think we pull out plastic every chance we get. Sure, some of us do: It's more convenient not to have to keep track of cash and make sure you have enough every time you ...

If you are currently using Quizzle to monitor and evaluate your credit, you may be disappointed to learn that you’ll need to find a replacement service soon. Founded in 2008, the free website has provided a decade of VantageScore and credit report analysis for its users, ...

If you have a card with rotating categories, such as the Discover it, you know that timing your rewards can be a bit tricky. You sometimes need to plan your big purchases of the year in order to take advantage of that stellar 5% back rate. If you’re like me, you may even ...

Most of us work hard for years, eagerly awaiting the day we clock out for the last time and begin our foray into retirement. We save money for this purpose, ensure that our homes and cars are paid off first, and even align our retirement date with our financial plans so t...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday make up the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Deals abound on these two days, with retailers offering huge discounts on some of the hottest items around.

Whether you’re thinking about shopping in-store with the crowds or online in you...

Two popular credit card issuers have recently focused on limiting their consumers’ spending limits. This isn’t just a power move, though – it could actually signal impending economic doom.

The two credit card powerhouses in question – Discover and Capital One -- aren’t...

If you manage your credit cards responsibly and pay your balances as scheduled, you probably expect your credit limits to go up over time. But did you know that the opposite can actually happen, and your credit limits could be unexpectedly slashed?

It’s true. On occasi...

If you have carried a credit card for more than a few years, you’ve probably dealt with fraud at least once or twice. There are many levels of theft, whether it’s a single erroneous charge or someone hijacking all of your accounts at once. No matter the depth of the fraud...

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t really into using a mobile wallet prior to this fall. But thanks to a few new Chase Pay promotions, I am quickly becoming a convert. The newest offer, for instance, will net you approximately $22.50 worth of bonus Ultimate Rewards points (on top o...

Have you heard yet? There’s a new credit score in town. It’s called the UltraFICO Score, and it’s going to be transforming credit for approximately 70% of Americans.

Here’s what you need to know about this latest FICO model, why it’s being introduced, and what you can ...

Across the world – and especially throughout the United States -- there is a notable difference between the number of boys who are interested in STEM-based careers and the girls who pursue the same. So last month Scholastic, one of the biggest children’s publishing and me...

Last month, I finally did something I’ve been wanting to do for years: I refinanced my remaining student loans. Not only will this cut years of monthly repayments off of my schedule, but I will also save tens of thousands of dollars in the end.

After working diligentl...

You are accustomed to your credit being important in many areas of your life, whether you’re applying for a new loan or renewing your auto insurance policy. But what you might not realize is that your credit report can also come into play in the workplace.

If your cre...

For an adult, a credit score is an important factor in whether or not you can get a loan or a credit card with a decent interest rate. It's also a factor in determining whether or not you can rent an apartment or how much of a deposit you need to put down on services like...

In 2018, there were quite a few new credit cards introduced into the marketplace. But occasionally, banks also like to update their current cards with new perks and rewards. And this is just what Capital One did this year with their Savor card.

The Capital One Savor Ca...

Small business owners often rely on a credit card to run their businesses. Whether it's using some credit to launch a business, analyzing how you're spending your money, or providing help with cash flow, a business credit card can help with all of those tasks.

What's g...

You’ve probably heard the saying that almost only counts in horseshoes and grenades… but what if it also applies to your credit score? Well, according to some experts, there really is a threshold where your score is considered “good enough.” Any efforts to boost your scor...

We’ve all been at the register of our favorite retailer when they ask if we’d like to save a little extra on our purchase. All we have to do is apply for a new, store-branded credit card.

It sounds harmless enough. After all, applying could save you a pretty penny on y...

If you have bad credit, there are a few impacts that you typically expect. You know that you may have trouble getting certain credit cards, and you don’t expect to earn the lowest interest rates on loans. However, there are a few further-reaching impact that you may not e...

Now listen: I’m someone who has been in both student loan and credit card debt in the past. So, I definitely understand how financial woes can feel suffocating. You may even feel like you’re held captive by those lenders and their never-ending statements or reminders.

...

For many Americans, the mystery behind their credit score runs deep. Not only are there numerous scoring models in use, but no one really knows exactly how their number is calculated.

There are a few things that we do know: these scores are important and we should wor...

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” This little bit of wisdom speaks to the value of diversification, which is (perhaps surprisingly) very important to your credit score.

You’ve probably been told to diversify your interests in...

I know, I know, if feels like summer flew by in the blink of an eye. I can’t even believe it’s already October. But as much as I would love to enjoy the warm mornings and sunshine for a bit longer, the truth is that the holidays will be upon us before we know.

Between ...

A couple of decades ago, it might have seemed strange for a European airline to launch a credit card in the United States. However, with international travel at an all time high, it makes sense that Air France-KLM creates a credit card targeted to its die-hard customers h...

American Express has updated and relaunched its Gold Card to target consumers who value earning bonus points on food-related items and getting better travel benefits.

Formerly known as the Premier Rewards Gold Card, the rebranded card is now simply known as the America...

How do you pay for your vacations? Some use cash or their debit card while others just charge it to their credit cards. Savvy vacationers are even able to redeem their points and miles to get away from it all. To find out more about how Americans pay for their leisure tra...

When you think about Americans who are walking around with credit card debt, which groups do you envision? If you’re anything like me, you assume that it’s the poorest households – those with the lowest annual incomes -- that are saddled with high balances. And, you’d be ...

If you’ve been saving up Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book that Disney vacation you’ve been dreaming of, you might want to change your strategy. It has just been announced that you can no longer use the Chase travel portal – or your accrued points – to book your dream...

Making that first jump into the world of credit cards can be a little scary, for young adults and parents alike. After all, maintaining a healthy credit score is imperative for the future, but the mismanagement of a credit card can be financially devastating.

So, what...

If you’ve thought about signing up for the Barclay Arrival Plus World Elite Card in the past year or so, you may have been confused. After all, they stopped accepting new applications for this card a while back, only to relaunch it this summer with an increased welcome bo...

It’s no surprise that banks – including credit card issuers and lenders – want to avoid high-risk borrowers. Or if they do extend credit to this less-than-ideal group, it usually includes low limits, higher interest rates, and even special terms. But what exactly makes so...

Price-fixing is controversial, no matter who is at the helm. When two of the largest names in credit cards – Visa and MasterCard -- are accused of violating antitrust laws to benefit themselves, though, it garners serious attention. That’s why it made the news last week w...

If you currently carry one of any number of Chase credit cards – including the Ink and Sapphire lines – you are probably familiar with Blueprint. This free card program has made it easier to manage purchases on your Chase card, as well as plan your repayment on the balanc...

Updated October 9, 2018 - No credit history? No credit card for you! At least, that's been the traditional attitude of credit card issuers. Getting your first credit card can be something of a Catch-22 because banks aren't prone to taking a risk on giving a credit card to...

Imagine that you have a mountain of credit card debt--or maybe you don't have to imagine it, as the average American is carrying $5,700 in credit card debt, according to a recent study from ValuePenguin.

If you have thousands of dollars of credit card debt, it may feel...

When you submit an application for a new credit card, there are three possible outcomes: you’ll be approved on the spot, your application will be placed under further review, or you’ll be denied outright. If you find yourself with a “we’ll get back to you” answer, or even...

Look, I’m not afraid to admit it: I’m a cash back rewards fanatic. I have hand-selected the credit cards in my wallet based on my typical spending patterns, and I optimize their usage accordingly. This year, it really worked out well, too: I managed to get over $550 back ...

In a time when you can customize virtually anything to your liking, it makes sense that you can also have a customized credit card in your wallet. Not only does it say something about who you are when you pull it out to pay for something, but it can also brighten up your ...

Having credit card debt at any stage in life can be a scary situation, but it’s especially unsettling for young people and Millennials. No one wants to start their adult life in a deep financial hole.

Credit card debt can sneak up on people of all ages, including Mille...

If you’re a small business owner, you’re always looking for ways to spend less, and keep more of the money you earn. One of the best ways to do that is with the right business credit card.

Just last week, Discover announced the launch of their newest product, the Disco...

It seems like each week, we hear about another large company being hacked and having their customers’ information stolen. After all, three-quarters of all companies say that they’ve had their data hacked before. This time around, though, the company is British Airways… an...

With all of the big financial breaches in recent years, it makes sense to be concerned about your identity. After all, when a company like Experian – which holds the key to some of our most important and impactful personal information – is hacked, there’s no telling where...

It’s a scary statistic: three-quarters of American retailers have reported data breaches, with more than half of them reporting stolen information in the last year alone. When you consider that even Equifax – one of the leading credit reporting agencies and a gatekeeper f...

It’s one of those commonly heard myths floating around the credit sphere: don’t check your credit too often, or you’ll drop your score a few points. I’ve even heard it quantified: “Every time you check your score, you lose 2 whole points!”

But is there any truth to th...

EMV has taken a stronghold in America, with most credit cards now containing chips that securely store your personal information. Still, understanding this new technology can take a little getting used to--after all, we've had magnetic stripe credit cards for decades--and...

Over time, our spending habits, budgets, and financial needs change. This means that the type of credit card we need may also change.

As a result, the credit card that you carried two, five, or even fifteen years ago may not be the right product for you. Instead, you p...

When people think of credit card benefits, they most look to rewards programs. However, there are many other benefits that savvy consumers seek out such as auto rental collision insurance, annual airline allowances, lounge access, and many more. For issue #18 of our Credi...

Every time you open a new line of credit – either via a new credit card or personal loan – you’re given a credit limit. This limit is the maximum amount of debt you can accumulate with that particular lender, at least on that particular account. But how exactly do lenders...

Almost everyone at one point in time has made a mistake with credit cards. Today for the Credit Card Expert Roundup (Issue 17), Jason Steele asks a group of credit card experts to share their past blunders with credit cards to help others from making the same mistakes:

...

The credit card rewards game is an enticing one. By spending on certain cards, you’ll earn lucrative rewards that can go towards flights, hotel stays, or cold hard cash back. But the caveat with rewards is: you have to spend money to make money.

That’s why some people...

Even though debt reduction is a high priority on many Americans' financial to do list, Americans are finding themselves in more personal debt than they have been in years, says a new study from Northwestern Mutual. And credit card debt is a leading contributor to American...

If you’ve been swiping the same credit card for a few years now, you may be comfortable with everything it offers. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right card for your wallet. But how do you really know if you need to look into another (possibly better) car...

An online bank that's been making waves in Europe is planning on expanding to the U.S. later this year. Revolut is a digital banking services provider that boasts its members can do a lot of traditional financial services activities without the same kind of fees.

Revol...

In order to avoid high interest charges and a spiral into credit card debt, you need to pay off your balance in full each month. But what about those times when you need to make a large purchase and don’t want to (or can’t) pay it all off at the end of the month? Well, th...

Every credit card is different, offering their own unique array of perks and rewards. But which of these features ranks highest among cardholders?

JD Power & Associates recently released their 2018 Credit Card Satisfaction Survey. As we mentioned in a previous post, Di...

How many times have you been checking out at your favorite retailer and been encouraged at the register to download the store’s app? Your cashier might mention it, your receipt might remind you of it, and there might even be signs on the credit card machine, all telling y...

If you’re monitoring your credit score and trying to improve it over time (aren’t we all?), you may have wondered what moves would make the biggest difference. Are you better off paying down multiple balances or focusing on one debt at a time? Should you close an old, ina...

When talking about credit and debt, we tend to focus mostly on our credit utilization. This number – calculating the amount of debt you are carrying compared to your overall credit limits – is an important factor in your credit score and your perceived creditworthiness. B...

These days, most credit cards – and especially the most popular ones – offer rewards to cardholders. These rewards come in many forms and can be earned in any number of ways. One of the biggest questions, though, comes when it’s time to actually redeem those earned reward...

If you’ve been monitoring your credit regularly, or even actively working to improve it, you have probably seen an increase in your credit score. This is likely due to a number of factors, such as paying down your debt, increasing your credit history, and maybe even incre...

With an industry as confusing as credit cards, it’s easy to see why there are plenty of myths floating around. Some of them are more prevalent than others, but all have the ability to impact your spending habits and even your credit, should you believe them.

While ther...

For the last five years, Discover and American Express have been neck and neck for the top spot in one of the most prestigious customer satisfaction awards, the J.D. Power Credit Card Satisfaction Survey. Last year, Amex beat Discover by eight points to get the crown, but...

American Express is trying to up the ante when it comes to adding useful benefits and bonuses for its cardholders.

One benefit that the company has rolled out is a freeze feature, which allows cardholders to place a temporary hold on their card if they've misplaced the...

It’s already August, and fall semester is right around the corner. With school starting up any day now for many colleges, this means that there’s plenty to buy. And by using the right credit card for those purchases, you can save yourself a lot of heartache (and a lot of ...

No matter how long I’ve been using credit cards, I always get a little excited when an issuer bumps up my credit limit. My credit utilization goes down, my credit score goes up, and I have an even larger safety net if I had some big, unexpected expense come up. But it doe...

Paying a bill with a credit card can, at first glance, seem counterintuitive. After all, you’re satisfying one debt by creating another. However, there are quite a few good reasons to pay monthly bills with plastic when you can.

By doing so, you can earn rewards on yo...

If you are a Discover cardholder, you may be unhappy to learn that one of their best card benefits is disappearing in a few months. Depending on how often you use this handy perk, this may cost you hundreds in lost dollars each year.

Back [in December](https://www.cred...

There are some people who make almost every purchase with credit card rewards in mind, planning around cash back earned and card benefits offered. Then there are others who simply use their credit cards as a method of payment, giving little thought to what each swipe is e...

Credit cards give you the power to purchase things even if you can't afford to buy them outright. If you can pay the balance of your purchases within a specific timeframe, that money loan is free, but if you carry that amount over from month to month and pay only a part o...

If you currently buy your groceries at Kroger stores, you have probably already heard the news. Depending on where you live, you can no longer use your Visa at the register. The change is expected to spread even further, too, meaning that you may need to change your credi...

The summer has already flown by, and the start of school is just around the corner. That means back-to-school shopping is already on most parents’ radar. Whether you’re buying markers and backpacks for your primary school child or a new laptop and books for your college-a...

When it comes to the Olympics, Visa has been the credit card of note--and it will continue to be that way, as the two organizations have extended their partnership through 2032.

Visa's partnership is as a part of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) The Olympic ...

Now, let me start by saying that I have nothing against loyalty; in fact, I value it in almost every area of my life. When it comes to credit cards, though, being too loyal can cost you quite a bit. While there are certainly reasons to stay committed to a particular card ...

Identity theft is a serious concern in today’s digital age. We manage everything with technology, from our online bill payments to digital credit card statements and even paying for purchases with our smart devices. A technology-centered world leaves us vulnerable to brea...

Many young adults today are forgoing credit cards altogether, as well as abandoning “the American Dream” of owning a home. They’re not alone, either, and these growing trends can be seen across all generations. So, if you have no plans for a credit card or a mortgage loan...

Now, if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. With that said, though, I have always wondered: why exactly do credit card companies offer their customers cash back rewards?

I understand the concept of incent...

Want to know the truth? I buy almost everything on a credit card. Whether we are talking about my morning coffee, my insurance premiums, or our new living room furniture, I pull out the plastic in an attempt to rack up maximum rewards. Even still, there are times when cas...

If your credit is in the toilet, you don't get a whole lot of options to borrow money or to get credit cards that have unique features. Now there's a new card on the market called Today Card that allows non-prime consumers to get some of the credit card perks usually rese...

If you’re a fan of low-fare airlines and are on the lookout for a new rewards credit card, there is a new product on the market for you. Just last week, Chase and Southwest Airlines announced the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, which comes in addition to the...

We all have our favorite things to do during a flight. Some of us take naps, some people catch up on their favorite shows, and others prefer to do lunges up and down the aisle. If you’re flying United later this year, though, you might have a new (encouraged) activity on-...

If you’re currently carrying around multiple credit accounts with balances – whether they’re student loans, various credit cards, or a mix of types – you might have considered debt consolidation. In fact, you’ve probably already been forced to think about it, thanks to em...

Whether traveling in another country or just buying something online from abroad, you have probably encountered dynamic currency conversion. This type of conversion from a foreign currency into U.S. dollars is introduced as a shopping convenience. However, it can wind up ...

Good news for lovers of the outdoorsy retailer L.L.Bean: There's a new Mastercard on the market that will help you earn rewards on your favorite L.L.Bean clothing, gear and home décor.

Now, this isn't the first co-branded rewards credit card for L.L.Bean, but a recent ...

Health insurance and medical costs have changed a lot in recent years. Personally, I’m paying a lot more in premiums than I did before, yet my co-pays and cost-shares seem higher than ever. Whether we are talking about my own rare doctor’s visits, though, or my special ne...

Pulling a metal credit card out of your wallet can make you feel like a million bucks. They're much cooler looking than the standard plastic card that everyone typically gets, and their weight makes it known that you are somebody. Flash your metal card, and invariably, so...

The debit card has seen a steep decline in usage in recent years. In fact, since 2013, we have seen a significant drop in the number of American households who prefer using this form of plastic, opting instead for its credit card cousin. But why are families choosing to c...

If you are a Citi credit card customer, or have just been paying attention in recent months, you probably already know about the serious violations surrounding the lender. (If you’re not up to speed, check out our previous post on the issue,[ here.](https://www.creditcard...

Even if you’ve never had an overdue bill, you probably still know about accounts going to collections. Or, at least, you have an idea of what it entails.

But is an account in collections really that big of a deal? How does the process work, what is the impact on your c...

Whether you’ve been on the lookout for a new credit card product or simply get pre-approved offers in your mailbox each week, you’ve likely heard about 0% balance transfers. These promotions, usually offered to new cardholders, are an excellent way to get a leg up on your...

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or just travel a few times a year, you’ve likely felt the allure of an airport lounge. The temptation that comes with getting out of the hustle-and-bustle, the complimentary food and drink, or even just the availability of a comfy chair wit...

One of the best things about credit cards is their flexibility. Thanks to authorized users and joint accounts, you can share your credit card privileges with anyone and manage money easier than ever before.

There is a big difference between an authorized user and a joi...

If you’re shopping for a car, you’ve got plenty to consider. New or used? Leather or cloth seats? If you plan to finance that new purchase, though, you’ve got one more thing to ask yourself: Do I need to worry about my credit score before I buy this vehicle?

Depending ...

Whether you win the lottery, get a bonus at work, or simply find $100 in an old jacket, unexpected cash can come from anywhere. They can be pretty exciting, too, giving you extra wiggle room in your budget and maybe even allowing for a fun purchase or two. If you are tryi...

First there were coins, then came paper money, then plastic, then smartphones. All of these could be replaced in the near future by the arrival of something that actually is quite older—jewelry.

Payment jewelry using NFC (near field communication) technology is being ...

Visa’s premier card lineup is the Signature marque, while Mastercard’s equivalent is the World card. If you’re thinking about opening either one, you should first be aware of what the similarities between the two are, and what differences exist.

The World Mastercard, ...

If you’re in the market for a new checking account, KeyBank has several to choose from. The financial institution offers several packages with different pricing schedules.

KeyBank’s basic checking account is Key Express. There is no required on-going minimum balance, a...

Many of the experts who contribute to our weekly roundups either have their own platforms or are connected to other places where they contribute to the credit card vertical. This week, we ask them to share whey they go to find information on credit cards aside from their ...

Credit card thieves had a hey day with stealing card information through a technique called "skimming," where they would attach a device in or on a card reader that would steal your card's information if you put the card in that reader.

EMV chip cards were supposed to...

Wells Fargo has announced a new rewards structure for its Propel American Express credit card, rewarding cardholders who spend their money on dining, travel, and streaming services.

As its corporate blog states, this is the scandal-ridden company's "latest move to reco...

Your credit score is a finicky beast. No one truly knows the specifics that go into calculating your magic number(s), and FICO isn’t telling anytime soon. Plus, there’s always the issue of which accounts are reported to which bureau and whether they’re even affecting your...

Whether you’ve been dating for six months or six years, the decision to move in together is a big one. There are many considerations involved, too. Will one of you move in with the other, or will you pick a brand new place together? How will you split the chores? Who is r...

Issue #15 centers on common misconceptions that people have about credit cards. Jason Steele asks our group of credit card experts what is the most common misconception that the general public has when it comes to credit cards. A great group of responses for this issue of...

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future (say, sometime in the next two years or so), you have a lot of things on your mind already. You’re probably thinking about the area in which you want to live, how much of a down payment you’ll need, and even the am...

Paying for purchases with credit is about to cost Americans even more money. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by one-quarter of one point on June 13, 2018.

While the Fed indicates that their willingness to raise interest rates is a sign that the economy is r...

Most of us are excited about summer finally arriving. If you’re a student, teacher, or school administrator, you’re probably more excited than the rest of us -- after all, this means a few months of well-deserved fun, sun, and no alarm clock.

But while you should defi...

American Express has launched a new credit card to its portfolio called Cash Magnet, its third cash rewards card. The card features a simple rewards structure and is geared toward younger cardholders who have busy lifestyles.

The Cash Magnet card offers unlimited 1.5 p...

Issue #14 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup touches on innovation, specifically which credit card companies are the most innovative through their products and why. Let's see which institutions lead the pack in the credit card perk/innovation race as we hit the h...

Citigroup, Inc has a new online bank. The company is considering several types of rewards programs to tempt their credit card customers to bank with them. They’ll start by offering their American Airlines rewards program to checking and savings customers. Debit rewards on...

Updated June 2018

Back in February, we took asked a panel of credit card experts what they though 2018 would bring to the credit card industry. Now that we are 6 months into the year, let's take a look at [their thoughts](https://www.creditcardreviews.com/blog/credit-c...

If your credit report and score aren’t quite good enough to qualify for a credit card, you may be eligible for a secured card that can be used at the same locations that accept regular credit cards. A secured credit card is co-branded with Discover, American Express, Visa...

If you're a Citi credit card holder, you may have received a notice in the mail or when you log into your account announcing that soon your Citi card will give you fewer benefits.

You may not have ever used these benefits--or even known they existed, especially if you'...

We’ve seen it everywhere from coffee shops to pharmacies, and even in department stores: the option to pay with your mobile wallet. Simply opening your cell phone to pay for purchases sounds incredibly easy as well as convenient, especially since our phones are typically ...

Get rewarded for using a credit card? It's an offer that a lot of credit card holders can't refuse, as rewards cards are some of the most attractive types of credit cards in consumers' wallets. But according to a recent study, consumers may be more blinded by the idea of ...

Digit isn’t a new app. In fact, people have been saving money with Digit since 2014, automatically tucking cash away each month without even thinking about it (to the tune of over $1 billion total). Now, though, Digit wants to help its users do even more, using their auto...

If you’re a small business owner, you probably rely on a number of financial products to keep your business moving. Like most business owners in America, you probably also have quite a few credit cards in your arsenal. You may even be leveraging your personal credit and r...

If you shop frequently for clothes and accessories at some of America’s major retailers, you probably are aware of T.J. Maxx and Kohl’s. Both companies offer credit cards that provide benefits for frequent shoppers. Let’s check them out and see if one store’s card is a be...

As simple rewards programs with straightforward requirements attract the attention of credit card customers, banks are extending attractive offers to small businesses, as well.

Chase Bank’s newest addition to their credit card lineup is the Ink Business Unlimited Car...

If you're a fan of InterContinental Hotels, Hotel Indigo, Crown Plaza Hotels, Holiday Inn or one of the many other brands under the IHG hotel umbrella, you might be interested in its two new credit cards: The IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and the IHG Rewards Club T...

Summer is just around the corner. This means that many parents have excited new high school grads at home, who are eagerly preparing for college. While your worries may center around them eating well, not drinking underage, and actually showing up for class, there’s one m...

If you’re taking any trips this summer – whether back home to see the grandparents or halfway across the world – there are a lot of things to consider. You need to plan how you’ll travel, where you’ll stay, and whether you need trip insurance. One thing you don’t really n...

If your house is full of Hemneses, Billys and Skulsfjords; you're extremely handy putting furniture with an Allen wrench; or you have a soft spot for Swedish meatballs, IKEA's new rewards Visa card might be for you.

The new Visa rewards card issued by Comenity Capital ...

Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines are two low-cost carriers that offer credit cards that surprisingly aren’t the most budget-friendly cards. Nevertheless, they come with some nice perks if you fly frequently enough.

First, let’s take a look at Allegiant’s card. It...

The credit card sign-up bonus is one of the most useful perks a bank can offer for customer acquisition. However, not all bonuses are created equal, and over time, theses bonuses have grown and grown. For Issue #13 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Expert Roundup, Jason...

Cash back credit cards are incredible products. You can earn hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars’ worth in free rewards, just for buying the things you needed anyway. But while they are beneficial in many ways, rewards-based cards also have a few pitfalls that can tri...

For consumers that tire of playing the credit card rewards game commonly referred to as churning, the temptation to find one or two cards with great rewards programs and ditch the rest may be great. There’s never been a better time to give up the time-consuming task of tr...

The military is a demanding job field, one that requires a lot of both its servicemembers and their families. In an effort to ease the strain on these military men and women – especially when they are called up for active duty service – there is now a law that offers quit...

One of the most enticing features of credit cards today is probably the introductory APR offer. For a certain number of months, you can carry a balance on your new credit card without paying a single penny in interest charges. This is incredibly helpful for paying off a l...

Issue #12 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, focuses on expert picks for what they consider the best credit card of all time. This question requires them to have been a cardholder of the offer and an explanation as to why it's their favorite. Jason Steele asks t...

A new survey of Baby Boomers and their financial dilemmas has been released by Wells Fargo. It reveals that many older Americans are probably still not fully prepared for life after work, and their adult children have different views on how to cope with their financial ne...

Consumers' mailboxes seem to be stuffed with more credit card offers than ever before, and consumers appear to be taking advantage of the opportunity to get more credit. However, they're not always responsible about managing their credit payments, and we're starting to se...

Nordstrom and Macy’s are two department stores that attract a lot of customers, both on- and off-line. Both of them offer store and credit cards that come with a range of benefits. Let’s take a look at these cards and see which store provides the better perks.

Up firs...

Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). There were 133,015 reports filed in 2017. It’s a bigger problem for American consumers than tax-related fraud or unemployment fraud.

Incidents of credit ca...

Biometric technology continues to make baby steps toward being viable for use in credit cards, as Visa is launching a biometric payment card in the Middle East. Meanwhile, other card companies are making inroads as well. SmartMetric has created a biometric fingerprint sca...

There are usually a handful of options for redeeming your credit card rewards. So, which one gives you the most bank for your buck?

If you’re using a credit card that offers cash back rewards – and why wouldn’t you be, considering that it would earn you free money on t...

Even the most responsible people can sometimes miss a bill payment. Whether an established auto-pay didn’t go through, life just got hectic, or there was an extenuating circumstance, it can almost be an easy oversight. So, how can you minimize – or even correct – the dama...

Credit cards get a bad rap sometimes. They’re blamed for consumers’ smothering debt or high interest charges. In reality, though, credit cards are excellent tools for building a credit history, earning cash back, and allowing for financial flexibility. It’s all in how you...

Most of us have been there, especially as credit card newbies. We open a new account, only to be offered a paltry limit that does little for our spending options and even less for our credit score. But luckily, this low limit won’t last forever. Whether you request a cred...

For people who are ready to start paying down their credit card balances, Digit’s newest feature makes the process painless. The savings app is already a favorite among users for its intuitive savings processes. Users link Digit to their bank account and the app uses adva...

Earning rewards, either in the form of points or miles, is one of the best benefits of credit card use. You’ll essentially earn free money just for buying the things you need anyway. But are there ways that you can squeeze even more rewards out of your credit card program...

I know, I know, it feels like 2018 just started. Some of us were shoveling snow just a week or two ago, after all. However, we are more than a third of the way through the year already, which means that now is the perfect time to start thinking about the holidays.

No,...

Do you have exciting plans lined up for the summer or are you thinking ahead to holiday trips home? While you’re probably focused on cutting costs and earning miles right now, you should also be thinking about how to make that upcoming trip even easier.

According to a...

Jason Steele addresses a question that many people have asked when it comes to rewards credit cards and their programs. As the landscaped has evolved, have the specifics of the programs themselves become increasingly difficult to decipher for the consumers using them? Let...

Overall, credit card delinquencies are at an all-time low across America. Even so, many cardholders don’t understand what happens when they make a late payment on a revolving charge account.

Credit card companies charge a late fee when a consumer pays their bill past...

Gas station credit cards offer tempting sign-up bonuses, are easy to sign up for on-the-spot, and often offer an ongoing promotion that cuts the cost of filling your fuel tank.

It seems like a gas station credit card that offers a certain amount of money off each gal...

A new financial services company called MoneyLion has launched, and it is trying to revolutionize the way people manage credit, make investments, and take out loans.

There are two account options available at MoneyLion: the regular account, which is free; and MoneyLio...

The app that helps you save more money than you thought you could is adding a feature that lets you chip away at your credit card debt and hopefully help you pay it off faster than you thought you would.

Digit, a savings generator app, recently announced a new feature ...

If you’re in the market for a new American Express card, you may want to take a look at a couple of cards at Charles Schwab. While Schwab is better known for its stocks and bonds, the financial conglomerate also operates an FDIC-insured bank; and it has two American Expre...

Move over Siri, Cortana, and Alexa. Bank of America has launched its own helpful bot. Her name is Erica, and she is capable of a wide range of banking functions. She’s not able to order pizza or play music for you, however.

Bank of America has integrated Erica in its ...

Using credit card rewards is a trendy way to pad a travel budget. Nearly 70% of Americans have a travel rewards credit card according to a survey conducted by Harris Poll in late February of this year.

While it’s a great way to add some luxury or a few extra days to ...

If you currently have auto or home insurance at State Farm, you may want to take a look at the company’s deposit products. State Farm Bank is FDIC insured and offers a large selection of account types.

First up is State Farm’s checking account. It comes with no monthl...

If you carry any number of credit cards these days – especially some of the newer, more exciting products – you’ve probably noticed a trend. Many of these cards look much different than the ones we are accustomed to seeing in our wallets, complete with elegant designs, he...

Beginning on Monday, some consumers may get a welcomed surprise when they open their credit-monitoring apps: a significant score boost. That’s because come April 16, all three credit bureaus will begin excluding tax liens from consumers’ credit scores. This change, which ...

This week, for Issue #10 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, the focus is on the future of rewards cards. The experts offer their predictions on the ever changing rewards credit card landscape and what they think is in store for us going forward. Jason Steele ask...

If you have an American Express Plenti co-branded credit card, mark your calendars. American Express is shutting down its Plenti loyalty program this summer, and if you don't use your points, you'll lose them.

Plenti tweeted out that it would end its program on July 1...

Last year, Chase Card Services and Marriott International, a leading global hotel brand, renewed their co-branding credit card agreement, and this year they're launching a new rewards card that has a limited-time 100,000-point new cardmember bonus.

The Marriott Rewards...

If you're like me, when you're shopping, you want to get through the cashier line as fast as possible. That's why last year's announcement from the four major credit card companies--American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa--that they were eliminating the signature ...

There’s something to be said for loyalty – even when it involves credit card products – but does that loyalty come at a price?

A recent study found that a surprising number of Americans are sticking with their old, trust credit card, even if it might not be the best pr...

The Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard is a new credit card designed to offer a yearly incentive that encourages long-term use. Credit card users sometimes open new cards just for the sign-up bonus and introductory offer. After meeting the terms and collectin...

If you need to open a bank account, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices today. There are a variety of account types and even different kinds of institutions. Once you understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various choices, you’ll be better ...

Building good credit is an often-misunderstood process. Having a low FICO score means you’ll pay a higher interest rate on revolving accounts like credit cards as well as personal loans, auto financing, and mortgages. If your credit history shows negative items such as mi...

When shopping around for a new credit card, there are a few important things to compare. You’ll want to know if the card earns rewards (because, why not?), whether it charges an annual fee, and how many perks it includes. You are probably also drawn in by welcome offers, ...

We all know how to get into credit card debt--that's easy. Just spend way more than you earn in a given month, and you'll quickly find yourself owing a lot of money.

We also know how to stay out of credit card debt. Don't spend more than you have in terms of the money ...

Few of us even think about our credit while we are in high school. There are plenty of things to worry about beyond finances, credit cards, and qualifying for student loans. However, there a number of reasons that you (or your high school-aged child) should work to build ...

A long time ago, you could only pay for things with cash. Then the concept of credit appeared in the 1920s, but you could only use credit at a particular store or chain that offered it. The credit card that most of us have at least one of--but likely more--in our wallet i...

SunTrust Bank has a very large selection of financial services, on both the business and consumer sides. One of its personal Mastercards would make a good addition to a SunTrust checking account, as the credit card can serve as overdraft protection.

The Cash Rewards c...

Issue #9 of the CreditCardReviews.com Credit Card Industry Roundup covers the ever so important, but often overlooked subject of credit card benefits included with card membership. Jason Steele asks this weeks panel of credit card experts the following question as to whic...

According to a recent study by SmartMetric, U.S. consumers enjoy credit card rewards, but place security concerns above their desire to own a card that offers miles, perks, and cash back rewards.

The U.S. Consumer Payment Study shows that 74% of credit card holders p...

Whether you’re just starting out in your credit-building journey or are a plastic-carrying veteran, nothing is guaranteed. Anyone can be denied for a credit card application at any time, even if you were confident in your odds for approval. So, what are the reasons you co...

USAA was founded in 1922 to make financial products more accessible to servicemen and their families. Today, the company has millions of customers and billions of dollars in assets. Soldiers who currently serve or previously have served in the U.S. armed forces can open a...

Cryptocurrencies have been tremendously popular over the last couple of years, but if you have a nice-sized chunk of cryptocurrency sitting in your digital currency wallet--say, from having a side gig that pays you in Bitcoin--and you need to use that currency to cover yo...

How many times have you been shopping online, only to abandon your potential purchases because you didn’t want to get up to find your credit card? Or maybe you were even concerned about the security of the website, and didn’t want to hand over your credit card number. Wel...

If you’re one of the 30% of Americans who don’t currently hold a credit card, you may feel like you’re missing out on the magic that is Amazon. The online sales giant, known for its lightning-fast Prime shipping (and even same-day delivery on some items), has been steadil...

Cash back, air miles and points not cutting it for you anymore? There's a new credit card coming out that's going to have a new type of reward: Cryptocurrency.

Blockrize is the brainchild of entrepreneur Thomas Harrison, who wanted to invest in cryptocurrency but got t...

As Heraclitus once said, Change is the only constant in life. And while you may have never thought about it, your credit report isn’t exempt from this rule.

In fact, I have a few predictions about the types of shifts we will encounter in the near future. All of these w...

The average American currently has over $6,000 in credit card debt. If you are currently walking around with a balance on one or more cards, you may wonder what would happen to it if you were to unexpectedly pass away. Would your spouse be on the hook for the balance owed...

Few people carry a consistent supply of cash in variously sized bills, these days. Plastic is easier to handle, safer, and often comes with rewards programs. For parents, finding change and small bills for after-school snacks between activities, spending money for a day o...

HSBC provides a wealth management package called Premier for high-net-worth individuals. The global bank offers this special service in just a few select countries. Hong Kong and the UK are of course included as these locations are where the bank has its roots. U.S. resid...

For Issue #8 of the CreditCardReviews.com Credit Card Industry Roundup, the question caters to individuals with multiple credit card accounts and advice on how to manage them when they are across multiple issuers:

**How do you keep track of all of your credit card acco...

Have you ever gone to a store or gone out to eat with a group of friends and been embarrassed because your credit card's been declined? Have you checked your credit card statement and groaned with the realization that someone's stolen your card number and made some fraudu...

Whether you do most of your retail shopping in a department store, sporting goods store, or even a big box electronics store, you’ve probably been offered a retail-branded credit card at some point. Often incentivized with shopping discounts, these store credit cards usua...

If you have an exceptional credit score, you are in a great position for applying for a new credit card. With your established, positive credit history, the door opens to you for some of the best credit products around. So, which product is the best credit card for excell...

Citigroup overcharged millions of their credit card customers between 2011 and 2017. They plan to send letters of explanation and refund checks to people affected by their failure to lower interest rates as mandated by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Dis...

If you shop around online, you’ve probably bought something on Amazon. But don’t worry, you’re not alone – as many as 86% of American adults have bought from the Prime shipping online giant. If you’re going to shop on Amazon, though, which credit card is your best choice?...

Signing up for (and using) your first credit card can be exciting. Not only does it give you spending power that you didn’t previously have, but you’re building your credit history at the same time. If you get the right card, you can also earn rewards on the things that y...

In a move that you don't often see by major banks, Citigroup recently announced that it plans to refund hundreds of millions of dollars to some of its U.S. customers to make up for an error the credit card issuer found in determining annual percentage rates.

Citigroup ...

For Issue #7 of the CreditCardReviews.com Credit Card Industry Roundup, the focus is on adults who are new to credit cards. Jason Steele asks our group of credit card experts this week:

What advice would you give adults who are just starting to use credit cards?

...

While its parent company is based in Europe, Santander Bank provides a suite of US-based Mastercards that come with a range of enticing benefits. These perks can come at a cost, however, as some of the cards have steep fees for several activities.

The first card unde...

Mastercard is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its "Priceless" campaign with a new global push to urge its cardholders to start their own personal journey on the road to fulfilling a passion or purpose.

The credit card brand started its "Priceless" program in 1998 a...

Oh, debt. Most of us have carried it, many have fought their way out, and almost all of us have regretted ever being in debt in the first place. It may be surprising to think, then, that many Americans would willingly go into debt again… but only for certain purchases.

...

If you have a credit card that earns cash back rewards, it only makes sense to use the card for as many of your expenses as possible. After all, you essentially earn free cash each month by doing so, without spending extra money. But are there perks to using specific cred...

If you have a Citibank credit card and have paid interest on your balance over the last few years, you may be getting a refund in the mail sometime soon. After a standard, periodic internal review, the company discovered that its interest rate methodology had been skewed....

Credit cards are an excellent financial tool, allowing us flexibility in our spending, the ability to earn rewards on the things we buy, and even help up build our credit reports. But not everyone knows how to properly manage one (or a wallet full of them). Could your cre...

During September of 2017, the credit reporting agency Equifax reported that a data breach exposed the personal information of more than 140 million Americans. The leaked information put these people at risk for identity theft.

Equifax publicly acknowledged the data bre...

The Center for Microeconomic Data at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has released a Survey of Consumer Expectations, and it reveals a lot of fascinating information about how Americans plan to use their credit cards in the future.

For instance, the percentage of ...

If you’re like most people, you are up-to-date on the most popular benefits that your credit cards offer. You know the rate at which you earn cash back rewards, and you might have even taken advantage of an introductory APR offer or return protection. However, there could...

Announced a few months ago, Starbucks and Chase have finally launched their new co-branded Starbucks Visa rewards credit card, which is integrated with the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program. Customers earn Starbucks Stars on all of their purchases, which they then can red...

Most of us would never even think about cheating on our significant other. According to a recent survey, though, there’s a type of cheating that many consider to be even worse than a workplace affair: financial infidelity.

This type of infidelity involves lying to you...

Banks make a lot of money raking in fees for all sorts of activities, one of which is overdrawing an account. Overdraft fees for debit card transactions, bounced checks, and ATM withdrawals literally result in billions of dollars in revenue for America’s financial institu...

Issue # 6 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup covers paying off credit card debt. Credit Card Expert Jason Steele asks the participants this week:

What are the most effective ways to pay off credit card debt?

This week we have Susan Johnson Taylor, Louis...

In the wake of last year's epic breach at Equifax that affected up to 145 million consumers in the U.S., Equifax offered free credit monitoring and free credit freezes. Although the credit monitoring offer ended in January, the company has extended its free credit freeze ...

While governments issue warnings about the dangers of purchasing cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, a few of the largest credit card companies have released new policies against what enthusiasts call the money of the future.

Capital One, PNC Bank, and TD Bank were the fir...

No matter where you are in your financial journey, you’ve probably made some mistakes along the way. These might be small (such as a purchase that you regret in hindsight) or very large (like not saving enough for retirement while you could). Either way, it’s fair to say ...

If your mailbox is anything like mine, it’s filled with the same stuff each afternoon: bills, pizza delivery menus, and credit card offers. So, what do these credit card pre-approval letters really mean? Should you simply toss them out, or can they actually benefit you?...

For Issue # 5 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, Credit Card Expert Jason Steele asks the following question:

What are the big trends that you see in the credit card industry in 2018?

Here are the responses from this week's industry experts which inclu...

Applying (and getting approved) for your very first credit card is an exciting rite of passage. Many of us are eager to fill out that initial application with our personal info, awaiting the plastic spending power that will soon be ours. But what if you don’t have everyth...

Instead of watching reality TV shows about Alaska, you could actually travel there and earn some pretty nice rewards along the way. Bank of America has teamed up with Alaska Airlines to offer a Platinum Plus Visa and a Signature Visa.

The Platinum Plus card comes with...

What do you think about the new(er) chip readers at the cash register? Do you consider them neat, frustrating, invasive, secure, or any other adjective? Well, Visa wants to take your credit card security up a notch, by introducing the biometric credit card this year.

T...

You would think that the Great Recession would have taught many of us some tough financial lessons. After all, many of us saw our jobs, mortgages, debts, and even home prices impacted. However, according to the latest data from WalletHub, it would seem that Americans are ...

Americans have got more consumer debt than ever, yet according to Experian's annual State of Credit report, our credit score numbers are still climbing.

This month, the Federal Reserve released its latest report on consumer credit, which showed that Americans' level of...

American Express offers several corporate cards that carry a wide range of benefits for large businesses. The card issuer defines large as more than $4 million in revenue per year. There are currently seven AmEx cards that large companies can use for a variety of transact...

Citigroup is one of the world's largest financial conglomerates with prominent operations in investment banking, credit cards, and wealth management. The company also offers simple checking accounts, and they can all be opened with no deposit.

First up is the Citibank...

Credit card debt is at a new all-time high as of November 2017. Consumers owe $1.02 trillion according to the latest report from the Federal Reserve. The average American made $1,054 in new charges to their credit cards during the holiday season.

In a December 2017 su...

If you’re looking for a cashless payment method, KeyBank offers a suite of cards that provide zero liability fraud protection, 24/7 customer service, and online and mobile banking.

First up is the Key2More Rewards credit card. Co-branded with Mastercard, it comes with ...

A recent telephone survey of American adults conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International revealed that 43% of credit card holders carry a balance that’s more than two years old. 23% have credit card debt that’s more than five years old. With average in...

Many Americans suffered a financial setback in 2017. According to a survey conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education over 60% of households said they had an unexpected expense during the year that couldn’t wait.

Unexpected and expensive car repairs, ...

If you're planning a trip to the Aloha State, you could save a good chunk of money by travelling with the right card. In particular, Hawaiian Airlines offers cost-effective cards with some nice perks.

Mastercard's premier credit card, the World Elite card, is avail...

It's the beginning of a new year, which means you see a lot of personal finance advice on how to create financial goals for the year that help you build your personal wealth. Usually this advice includes getting rid of as much credit card debt as possible.

Unfortunate...

Ah, January. It's exciting to start a new year and perhaps turn over a new leaf. After all, flipping a calendar to a new year means endless possibilities for a better life, right?

That's true, until the December bills come in. It's easy to get into the holiday spirit a...

Have you ever looked at your credit card or student loan balances and thought to yourself that you’ll be in debt forever? Well, you certainly aren’t alone – in fact, two-thirds of U.S. adults believe they’ll be in debt until they die.

A recent survey of 1,144 adults, c...

Did you know that there is a wrong way to pay off your credit card bill each month? That’s right… depending on when you make your credit card payments – even if they are for the entire balance – you could be negatively impacting your credit history.

Until a few years ...

Biometrics are slowly infiltrating the products we use on a daily basis as being a more secure way to authenticate who you are by using something that's unique to you. I, for one, use my fingerprint to unlock my cell phone and my laptop. Pretty soon, we could use biometri...

Nearly one-third of U.S. credit card holders paid their balances in full every month during the first quarter of 2017 according to the American Bankers Association. In 2008, only 20% of cardholders weren’t carrying a balance from one month to the next.

Credit card use...

If you thought that Wells Fargo was finally putting all of their litigious woes behind them (after a few years of lawsuits, claims of fraud, and company apologies), you’d be wrong. Last week, it was announced that the company is yet again being named the defendant in a la...

If you’re keeping a close eye on your credit report using a monitoring service or even through your bank or card issuer, you may notice that your credit score can fluctuate from month-to-month. This is true whether you are making big financial moves or just trucking along...

No credit history? No credit card for you! At least, that's been the traditional attitude of credit card issuers. Getting your first credit card can be something of a Catch-22 because banks aren't prone to taking a risk on giving a credit card to someone who doesn't have ...

Oh, millennials. Our newest age group to emerge into the “adulting” scene, they seem to still have a bit of catching up to do. This is further evidenced by a recent survey, which found that nearly half of the young generation is clueless as to their current credit card in...

If you’ve ever gone furniture shopping, you’ve likely encountered them: branded credit cards that usually offer a discount on your purchase, as well as no interest for x number of months. It sounds incredibly tempting, and usually results in you doing some enticing math i...

You may or may not have heard the term “piggybacking” before, in relation to your credit cards. However, if you’re looking to build your credit, you’ll probably want to learn a bit about it.

How Piggybacking Works

Credit card piggybacking is the practice of hopping ...

For Issue # 4 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, credit card expert Jason Steele asks the following question:

What Steps Do You Take with Your Credit Cards to Help Protect Yourself from Identity Theft?

Here are the responses from this week's industry e...

If you shop regularly at one of America’s major retailers, you may be able to trim your receipts by using a store card. This is the card you most likely have been asked to open at the cash register. There’s ample reason to take the advice, although be sure to read the fin...

Customer loyalty isn’t as strong as it once was, and retailers are stepping up their game to get the attention of shoppers who may look elsewhere for the best deals. According to a recent survey conducted by FreeShipping.com, only 4% of holiday shoppers valued loyalty to ...

Mobile payments have been the next big thing for years, as companies keep wooing customers with options for paying for goods on the go within a mobile app. Now GM literally lets drivers of its cars make mobile payments with its new Marketplace feature.

Marketplace wor...

It’s a commonly-voiced concern: if you tie the knot, will your new spouse’s credit impact your own (or vice versa)? This is a particularly important question if one of you has a notably worse credit history than the other.

So, does your credit report change when you s...

For Issue # 3 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, Credit Card Expert Jason Steele asks the following question:

What's Your Best Tip For Maximizing Rewards Programs with Your Credit Card?

Here are the responses from this week's industry experts which inc...

Chase Bank wants Freedom cardholders to use their mobile payment system, Chase Pay. As an incentive, during the first quarter of 2018, they are expanding their 5% cash back program to include purchases made with Android Pay, Chase Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.

This...

Over the last few years a few companies have made a big splash trying to bring all-in-one credit cards to the market. Some of these companies include Plastc, which went bankrupt before it ever shipped a product to its early backers, and Coin, which did ship a product but ...

It happens often: your card expires and is replaced automatically, or you request a new one due to fraud, loss, or personal preference. The pain in this, though, is that you need to then inform all of the companies with whom you have recurring monthly billing that you hav...

The new iPhone X comes with an exceptional feature called Face ID that can be used in place of the older fingerprint scanner of previous phone models. Face ID projects tens of thousands of tiny infrared dots onto the user’s face. If the technology recognizes the face, it ...

If you currently carry a Discover card for the cash back rewards and perks, you might want to pay attention. Some of those benefits will be disappearing in 2018, and they may impact how you spend in the future.

Let’s take a look at what’s being eliminated, what’s stayi...

Starting the new year with a pile of credit card debt isn’t ideal, but consumers who know how to maximize their credit card rewards and minimize their fees and interest charges throughout the year can use plastic to put a dent in their holiday spending.

The key to get...

A recent survey of bank performance by Bank Director, an informational company that tracks such things, has graded some of America’s most well-known financial institutions in a variety of categories. And the results suggest that bigger is not always better.

Best for ...

Back in October we reported that Mastercard is removing the signature requirement on all purchases starting in April 2018. Now both Discover and American Express are following suit, also getting rid of the need for a signature for purchases. Discover is eliminating the re...

Hotel provider Marriott International has signed new multi-year agreements with its co-brand credit card providers JPMorgan Chase and American Express with an eye on offering new products in the coming year.

The agreements with JPMorgan Chase cover three current cards:...

For Issue # 2 of the Credit Card Reviews Industry Roundup, Credit Card Expert Jason Steele asks the following question:

Do You Believe That the Benefits of Credit Card Churning Outweigh the Negatives?

Here are the responses from this week's industry experts whic...

If you were faced with a large, sudden expense in the next few weeks, where would you turn first? Would you pay it in cash from your savings account, take out a personal loan, or simply turn to the available credit on your favorite credit card?

If you’re like many Amer...

While credit cards and frequent flyer programs of major airlines are better known, budget airlines also have their own lineups. In particular, Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines both offer Mastercards and loyalty programs that can reward devoted customers of these compan...

Information from the Federal Reserve and The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the average American adult has $5,700 in credit card debt. Nearly 40% of all American households carry credit card debt.

Many consumers will see those bills rise if the Fed decides to raise ...

“Credit or debit?” You’ve likely been asked that hundreds of times at the register. Do you know which one you should be choosing, though? Let’s talk about when it’s smarter to choose debit over credit.

When to Choose Credit

Before we jump into the times when yo...

It's shopping season, which means consumers and retailers are primed to see a lot of money change hands--or, quite probably, a lot of plastic change hands. More consumers have access to credit than ever before, and more of them are carrying a balance, according to a new r...

SunTrust Bank has a variety of deposit and credit accounts that are competitive with those offered by better known financial institutions. In particular, SunTrust’s checking accounts come with many useful banking services and there are methods available to avoid their mon...

The average credit card debt interest rate is about 16%, making it the highest it’s been in a decade. While few borrowers hover on the verge of default, these high interest rates mean banks are making big money on the American consumer’s willingness to rack up debt.

W...

We’ve all been there. You lug all of your new purchases to the register, watching the total climb higher and higher, when the clerk offers you an enticing offer to “save 20% on your purchase today.” The only catch? You have to apply for the store’s branded credit card.

...

Have you ever wondered how people who work and report on the credit card industry use their credit cards? Or better yet, which credit cards they carry?

For the first bi-weekly issue of the Credit Card Industry Roundup, CardCon Conference Founder Jason Steele asks 5 ind...

If you plan to remodel your home, or do such activities professionally, Home Depot offers a selection of credit cards that provide extended return periods and discounts on financing. Because these cards aren’t co-branded with Visa, MasterCard, or another credit card compa...

Another week, another credit card breach. This time, it's Forever 21 that's explaining why its point of sale devices in some stores were hacked, leaving anyone who bought something from them between March and October of this year wondering if they're going to have to go t...

During Starbucks' fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Kevin Johnson indicated that the company would launch their newest financial product this winter. In cooperation with the financial giant Visa, Starbucks will offer a co-branded credit card by Chase that makes earning St...

‘Tis the season, which means that gift-giving is probably on your radar. But if you also have student loan debt, beware: it seems that you’re at risk for digging yourself even further into debt with holiday shopping.

A recent survey found that this year, those with stu...

That trip you’ve been dreaming about to Monaco could go a lot more smoothly if you know which debit and credit cards to take with you, and which ones to leave behind. Fees and policies for foreign currency transactions, ATM withdrawals, and purchases made outside the Unit...

As Visa's tagline says, "It's everywhere you want to be," and if you're going to the Olympics in PyeongChang this coming February--or even just want to buy some Team USA merch online--it's the only credit card you'll be able to pay with if you want tickets or souvenirs. T...

National media calls the closing of 20 giant retailers in 2017 retail apocalypse. Big names like The Limited, J.C. Penney, Macy’s, and Abercrombie & Fitch couldn’t keep up with competition from online giants like Amazon and are closing some of their physical locations. ...

You already know how much damage credit card debt can do on your wallet. The interest alone easily add up to hundreds – if not thousands -- of dollars a year! But do you also realize just how much of an impact it can have on your love life?

If you’re in debt, your prim...

If there’s one thing that we as humans are pretty good at, it’s becoming complacent. We get comfortable in our jobs, in that well-worn sweatshirt from college, and even with our credit cards. We find ourselves a good thing, and don’t really see any reason to change. The...

A new trend in the brokerage industry is developing, one which has nothing to do with investing. Brokerage houses are offering credit cards, and they offer some nice benefits when linked to a securities account.

TD Ameritrade, for instance, offers the Client Rewards C...

Holders of Hilton Honors credit cards are in for a change. Come 2018, they're going to get a different brand of card, and there will also be other Hilton credit cards to choose from.

At the beginning of the November 2018, Citi announced it has sold its portfolio of Vis...

Aside from being able to put off paying for large purchases and the various conveniences credit cards offer, there are a few perks and benefits that come with charging your purchase as opposed to paying cash or using a debit card. Many credit card users don’t read the fin...

My parents taught me many important things growing up: my mom drilled in the importance of manners and taught me how to bake, while my dad showed me how to change a tire and throw a mean right hook. However, there’s one subject that my parents (unfortunately) didn’t focus...

Uber is the latest company to jump into the crowded credit card market, and it's making a big splash with its new rewards card, which offers up to four percent back on select purchasing categories.

The popular ride sharing company partnered with Barclays for its Uber V...

While Capital One is well known for its personal credit card commercials, the financial company also provides many bank products that small businesses can take advantage of.

First up is a business checking account called Spark Business Checking. It has no monthly fees...

For many people, the winter holiday season means extra spending. Gifts, celebratory meals, hosting parties, and travel expenses add up quickly. A report released by Magnify Money states that for consumers who add debt during the holidays, the average amount is $950. Over ...

Nearly two years ago, we wrote about a company named SelfScore brought a card product to the market that allowed international students the opportunity to get access to fair credit in the United States, as they weren't often able to be part of a traditional banking group ...

It’s difficult to ignore the persistent cybersecurity threats that the financial services industry endures each day. Equifax, JP Morgan Chase, the Internal Revenue Service, and Deloitte have all experienced data breaches over the past five years. But, hackers don’t solely...

The Signature card has been Visa’s top offering in the United States for several years now. But a new product, Visa Infinite, has arrived, and it offers the company’s highest level of benefits. While some perks overlap with the Signature tier, Infinite offers many luxurie...

What if you could verify a purchase with a fingerprint, apply for a new credit card with a selfie, and verify your identity with your voice?

New technology adopted by large banks means better security for consumers and a reduced number of expensive security breaches a...

By now, we are all incredibly familiar with the drill at the cash register. You ring up your items, swipe your credit card (or, as is the new norm, insert a chip), sign a receipt or digital screen, and head out the door. Well, Mastercard is planning to make that process o...

Citibank has come up with an all-inclusive financial package that offers both investing and banking perks. Called Citi Priority, this membership comes with all the normal Citi services, such as branch locations and a handy mobile app. But it also offers a long list of ben...

The cash back rewards credit card scene has been competitive as of late, with credit card companies and banks fighting to outdo each other with rewards schemes. Now Capital One adds another cash back rewards card to its arsenal, and this time it's geared towards foodies, ...

The average American owns more than three credit cards. They are a convenient, safe, and popular way to pay for nearly everything. Even though credit cards are everywhere, there are a few persistent myths that smart consumers should understand.

_It’s alright to miss a...

Sometimes, life throws you a financial curveball. This could come in the form of an illness, job loss, divorce, or any other unplanned event that impacts your bank account as much as your cortisol levels.

So, what can you do when your budget takes a nosedive but the c...

2017 has been another non-stop year of data breaches that have put Americans' personal information at risk. Arby's, Chipotle, InterContinental Hotels Group, Brooks Brothers, Kmart, Sonic and Whole Foods are just some of the retailers and service providers who've been unde...

One of America’s most popular budget airlines, JetBlue, has teamed up with Barclays to offer two attractive MasterCards that come with a host of nice benefits. The JetBlue Card carries no annual fee, while the JetBlue Plus Card costs $99 per year.

Either card can be u...

Equifax announced a massive data breach last week that may have exposed the personal information of nearly half of all Americans. Credit experts say that freezing credit is one way to prevent identity theft in the wake of the latest information hack.

If your personal i...

When you signed up for your last credit card, you may have noticed some verbiage in the terms about cash advances. If your credit card company is anything like mine, they may even send you cash advance checks on occasion, which you could simply deposit into your bank acco...

A new survey by Mercator Advisory Group, a research company that specializes in payments and banking, is shedding important light on how consumers are performing financial transactions, and what the future holds for payment technology.

Although there are almost 70 bil...

If you're a hard-core gamer, entertainment lover and Sony Rewards member, there are some new cards designed to help you rack up Sony Rewards more quickly. Sony has partnered with Capital One to offer two no annual fee Visa rewards cards geared toward those who love entert...

Thursday, September 21, 2017, was a tough day for Whole Foods. Hackers stole payment information from their customers at undisclosed locations’ restaurants and taprooms. Only 10% of all Whole Foods stores have beer on tap, and the company isn’t disclosing exactly how many...

Getting your very first credit card can be pretty exciting. Whether it’s because you have a specific purchase in mind, want to start building your credit history, or just want to have it in case of emergencies, that first taste of plastic is a big deal.

This is why it’...

Major credit card brands often put together a variety of sweet perks to encourage you to use their credit card more frequently. Those perks can include travel assistance or extended warranties and other valuable benefits -- like free shipping on certain online shopping pu...

A recent survey by Fiserv, a financial services technology company with billions of dollars in revenue, has found that the use and acceptance of nontraditional banking services are gaining ground, especially among Millennials.

An older study from 2016 found that only ...

The results of a survey conducted in May of 2017 by Experian show that 62% of people who use credit cards believe that there’s probably a better option for them than the card they currently carry. Most aren’t as satisfied with the experience of using their credit cards as...

Military servicemen and women are, on average, known for being regimented and disciplined. It’s interesting to learn, then, that a recent study found military veterans are more likely to have credit-related issues than their civilian counterparts.

The study, conducted ...

If you’re like most Americans, you’re probably concerned about the recent cyber attack on Equifax, one of the big three credit bureaus. If you’re not, you should be. According to the company’s internal review, vital data was stolen from roughly half the country. This info...

Airline miles have long been a popular type of credit card reward, but traditionally in order to earn reward miles on a particular airline, one has to have a branded credit card for that airline--and it typically comes with an annual fee.

Not anymore. Delta and America...

In a recent report issued by the National Bureau of Economic Research, two studies of retirees reveal that early baby boomers born between 1948 and 1953 aren’t as well off financially as those born in the two decades before.

Recent Census Bureau data indicates that am...

Once upon a time, pulling plastic out of your wallet at the register was reserved for big-ticket items. Maybe you used a credit card to purchase new living room furniture, or for that big screen tv. Stores often offered zero percent financing for a period of time, too, re...

Nearly 150-million people had their data exposed in the Equifax data breach -- that’s half of the population in the United States. Two weeks after the July breach was revealed, experts are now saying that the hack was so massive, the thieves were able to steal some 200-th...

Just when Wells Fargo thought a recent scandal was finally behind it, new revelations have surfaced, causing the fiasco to rekindle. Previously, the company announced that 2.1 million bogus accounts were opened without customer approval by employees trying to meet stressf...

Women spend more and make less, but they can manage their credit better than men. A new report released by the research firms Yankelovich Monitor and Greenfield Online revealed women are responsible for 85-percent of all consumer purchases despite making 80-percent less t...

As a result of the biggest hacking schemes ever, personal information contained in the Equifax credit reports of millions of people is now in the hands of cyber criminals. Equifax made the official announcement on September 7, 2017.

The breach isn’t limited to the Uni...

Having good credit can be a very beneficial thing. It can allow you to snag awesome credit products, like rewards-based credit cards. It can unlock the door for things like student loan refinances or consolidation loans. And, according to one recent study, it can also sav...

PayPal is jumping into the cash back rewards credit card market with a new Mastercard that offers two percent cash back on all purchases, both online and in stores, wherever Mastercard is accepted.

Two percent cash back is on the high end of the cash back rewards spec...

ETrade is widely known for its funny commercials, which advertise the broker’s low-cost investment services. What is not well known is that ETrade is part of ETrade Financial Corporation, a holding company that also operates ETrade Bank. The banking unit of E*Trade ha...

Fitbit, the company that's ubiquitous for fitness trackers that encourage wearers to get in enough exercise and steps everyday, has now jumped into the smartwatch category with its new Ionic smartwatch, which combines health, fitness, music, apps--and even payments into o...

Credit cards can be a big blessing to those that use them. They’re an easy way to earn rewards on the things you already buy, and can provide a buffer when you need to make a big purchase and don’t have the cash on hand.

However, they can also be a curse.

It isn’t ...

A recent study by Digital Shadows, a digital risk management company, is shedding light on the sophistication and growing complexity of cyber criminal organizations, especially as they pertain to the world’s financial conglomerates.

The research has revealed an educati...

PayPal just unveiled a new 2% cash back MasterCard with no annual fee, no rewards expiration, no minimum redemption amount, and no rules about how card owners can use their rewards.

Other card benefits include PayPal’s security protections and perks from MasterCard li...

Imagine being over $12 trillion in debt. That's what America's households combined are facing when looking at households' mortgage, auto loan, credit card and student loan debt, says the New York Federal Reserve, and this debt is growing.

The New York Fed recently rele...

Getting a good grasp on the idea of credit scores can be confusing. After all, there are so many different factors involved, it’s hard to know the impacts of every move you make. More than that, though, is the fact that there are literally hundreds of credit scoring model...

Many consumers open a subprime credit card account hoping that it will improve their low FICO credit score. Nearly 40% of millennials have subprime credit according to TransUnion. Over 16 million Americans with credit scores below 600 own at least one credit card. A subpr...

With the help of Chase, Southwest Airlines has a suite of Visa credit cards that earn miles in Rapid Rewards, its frequent flyer program. Even better, the cards offer enticing perks like admission to special events and access to international flights through partner airli...

After Discover had been rated the best in card satisfaction for the last three years, but this year, American Express surged to reclaim victory in the J.D. Power 2017 Credit Card Satisfaction Study.

In the eleventh edition of this study, American Express got the highes...

Proof that it’s important to read notifications from credit card companies about changing terms came this week from Comenity Bank. The financial company manages lines of credit for department and grocery stores across the country.

They are well-known as a bank that is...

If you’ve ever checked your credit report, you’ve noticed the section about inquiries. This part of your report plays into about 10% of your FICO credit score, so it certainly isn’t insignificant.

So, what are credit inquiries, are there different types, and how do the...

Bank of America is working on a suite of new technologies that will change the way you perform banking transactions. One tool in particular that could revolutionize how financial affairs are conducted on a mobile device is an iris scanner.

The bank has teamed up with ...

The luxury rewards credit card segment is getting a new competitor, as Bank of America is launching a new high-end rewards card this September.

Called the Premium Rewards card, it aims to break into the segment of rewards card holders who may want a piece of the premiu...

The generation that has all the information at their fingertips actually possesses some surprisingly poor awareness about how credit cards work, says a new survey from LendEDU.

LendEDU, an informational website about student loan refinancing, recently commissioned a po...

If you fly regularly on Delta Air Lines, American Express offers a card that earns miles in the company’s frequent flyer program, SkyMiles. In fact, there are three Delta SkyMiles cards. They have different levels of rewards with different annual fees.

The first one i...

According to bank data generated by Javelin Strategy & Research, 40% of millennial consumers (ages 18 to 34) receive push notifications, texts, and pop-ups generated by apps on their smartphones to alert them to credit card activity.

There are several types of notific...

It’s a familiar scene nowadays: you’re at the counter ready to pay, but first, you have to ask if they accept chip. If they do have it, you insert your credit card for an undisclosed amount of time until the machine beeps and rattles and asks you a bunch of questions. Eve...

American consumers have more money, more debt, and are choosing to deposit their income into checking accounts instead of shopping or investing. The latest data from the Commerce Department shows that consumer spending in the United States was flat during the first part o...

Wells Fargo & Company is hard at work creating new technological features that will improve its customers’ banking experiences with the company. It recently announced the development of Control Tower, an innovative tool that will display a “digital financial footprint” of...

Starting July 2017, a pilot group will be able to fund their Abra accounts using their American Express cards. Abra, a money-transfer and cryptocurrency app, has joined forces with American Express to make a way for consumers to buy bitcoin without the wait. More than 10 ...

Having your identity stolen is no joke. If a thief gets a hold of your personal information, they can take out credit cards and loans in your name that they never intend to pay. If you don't check your credit report on a regular basis, you won't know these accounts exist ...

United Airlines has teamed up with Chase to offer a suite of Visa Signature cards that come with some very nice perks, especially for frequent flyers of the airline. The cards earn miles in MileagePlus, United’s loyalty program. They also come with other benefits when use...

The cost of credit is on the rise in 2017, and making these mistakes with credit cards is more expensive than ever.

Carrying a large balance from month to month

If the Fed raises interest rates as promised throughout this year, nearly everyone who carries a balance...

If you saw an ad that promised you "a new profession, a new source of income, a completely different quality of life," you might take notice. If it then promised to "show you how to earn money in an interesting, intellectual and amicable way, and find progressive friends ...

Even though rewards and cash back incentives tend to be the main enticement offered by credit card companies/issuers, there are often additional perks offered. Some only embed these added benefits within their lengthy terms and conditions. Meanwhile, many others, such as ...

Credit score companies FICO and VantageScore have recently adopted new ways of calculating your ability to repay loans, and the new scoring methods are making it possible for credit card users to have higher credit scores; both credit score companies put the credit score ...

In recent years, luxury credit cards have gone viral with new cardholders being so excited about getting their new status symbols, they've posted "unboxing" videos online when the card arrives in the mail.

Now Citi is trying to up its game in this segment to compete w...

Is cash on its way to becoming a financial dinosaur? If Visa has their way, extinction is imminent. Visa plans to hand $10,000 over to each of 50 restaurants and food vendors for marketing and technology upgrades if the business will commit to starting what Visa calls, ...

Going to college is the first time many Americans have their first experiences with adult-style responsibilities such as managing their money. The college experience presents unique financial challenges because students must cover all their expenses with little or no inco...

Citibank has launched its digital wallet called Citi Pay, which allows Citi customers to quickly pay for goods and services online, in-app or in-store.

The service was first rolled out in Singapore, Australia and Mexico last November, and it included tap and pay capabi...

After more than 16 years together, Citibank and Hilton are going their separate ways. Earlier this year, the hotel chain created an exclusive partnership with American Express, and beginning in January of 2018, all Citibank credit cards with the Hilton logo will stop work...

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently issued a new rule that makes it possible for consumers to sue financial companies. A group of credit card customers who have a dispute can now file a class-action lawsuit.

Credit card companies usually have a mandatory...

Curve, one of the hottest new mobile-wallet options out there, has rolled out a new feature that lets you switch which card you paid with. It’s like the first step towards time travel -- kind of.

Fittingly, they’re calling it ‘Financial Time Travel,’ and it’s patent pe...

You make decent money, and you’re good at managing it. You have more than enough cash to pay for the things you need, plus some left over for discretionary spending. You know people with credit cards who have staggering amounts of debt and they’re miserable. You don’t wan...

In our convenience driven world, we’ve shifted to a “get it and forget it” psychology. Need to order an Uber or Lyft at 1 am? Easy. Just use the app. Want to pay for parking without using coins? Download the app, connect your credit card information, and pay instantly. Bu...

It might pay to check your credit score this summer, as you might see it rise, even if you haven't done anything differently with your credit. Although the boost might seem as if it happened by magic, it's really the result of a new change credit reporting agencies (CRAs)...

Almost half of all Americans experienced credit card fraud between 2012 and 2016 according to statistics compiled by Aite Group of ACI Worldwide. Only two countries; Mexico and Brazil, have a bigger problem with credit card fraud than the United States.

There were gia...

Have you ever been duped by one of your phone’s apps?

You downloaded that fun new game or free rebate app, only to be tricked by pop-ups and ads asking you to pay to upgrade. Some are quite sneaky, too, inserting upgrade screens where you least expect them. You go to c...

The credit card thieves targeting you don’t need sophisticated hacking skills to get ahold of your credit card details and take all of your money. Though credit card skimming, the practice of stealing credit card numbers off the physical credit card rather than online, is...

Transunion just released the findings of their Generation Z’s Financial Report Card study conducted in May of this year. Teens from the United States, Hawaii, and Alaska between the ages of 13 and 17 were interviewed extensively about their ability to manage money, how th...

A credit score is an important tool that lenders, billers and even landlords use to make decisions about you. A good credit score can mean you get a good interest rate on a mortgage or auto loan or get approved to move into that dream rental apartment. A bad credit score ...

A new financial app launched this week with the promise that it will help consumers automate their financial lives. Tally aims to revolutionize the credit card industry by automating individuals' credit card management and saving money for those who carry balances from mo...

Credit card popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, in part, due to incentivising points systems and cash back programs. But now, impending lawsuits are threatening consumers beloved cash-back programs.

But who in the world would have something against cash-back, ...

In the 21st Century, one of the most enticing credit card features is their various cashback and other rewards systems. But, what most consumers may not know is that the merchant or small business transactions fees fund the consumer rewards. Each time you use your credit ...

Finding an inaccuracy on something as important as your credit report can be alarming. After all, the impact can be wide-reaching and detrimental.

What does it mean? How will it impact your credit score and loans? More importantly, are you the victim of credit fraud? ...

Millions of Americans use their credit cards to buy goods and services online, but this doesn’t mean ecommerce is getting any safer. Data security breaches continue to rise in 2017 as hackers attack retailers to steal credit card numbers and other personal information. If...

If you’ve ever booked a flight online, put down a deposit on a resort getaway, or even prepaid for a rental car, you’ve probably been offered the upsell of travel insurance. This add-on coverage varies in price, but is meant to ease your worries about the “just in case” s...

It is possible to use credit cards without going into debt. Many consumers use credit cards so they can receive rewards in the form of gift cards, travel miles, or even cash back.

The difference between people who use credit cards to their financial advantage as oppos...

As if college kids don’t have enough to worry about when it comes to finances -- think loans, books, rent -- they’re losing money banking, too. A new report found American college students are shelling out over $795 million a year on bank and credit card fees.

As of l...

Starting in 2008, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steadily at less than 1% for more than seven years to battle the crippling economic downturn. Times have changed, as seen by indicators such as record low unemployment rates, prompting the Fed to raise interest rat...

A recent poll by creditcards.com indicates that despite rising reports of credit card fraud, consumers continue to allow merchants to save their credit card and debit card details online.

Two-thirds of the poll’s respondents indicated that they allow at least one mobi...

You’ve probably seen these eye-catching cards out there, on television commercials or in your mailbox. You know, credit card companies offering ridiculously high cash back rewards – as much as 5 or 6%! – on the things you buy most: gas, groceries, and even Amazon.com purc...

At the 2017 Wired Business Conference, sponsored by Visa, there’s evidence that the way consumers pay for goods and services is about to undergo sweeping changes.

Visa’s innovation chief, Jim McCarthy, would like physical credit cards to disappear. The company is work...

If you've ever been shopping at a major retailer--particularly one that sells high cost items like furniture or appliances or even medical and dental services--you've likely been asked whether or not you want to open up a store credit card so that you can take advantage o...

Right now the U.S. economy is looking pretty good -- unemployment is down and stocks are up, but more Americans aren’t paying their credit card debts.

That’s according to a new study by Moody’s Investor service, who says over the last two financial quarters banks have...

Credit card issuers love sending direct mail to solicit new cardholders, so you might be used to seeing a lot of credit card offers in the mail. Some of these have special, limited time rates for new cardholders who transfer balances onto the new card. Others contain bala...

With the unemployment rate slowly, but steadily, declining and the workforce participation rate showing an increase, it may come as a surprise that credit card defaults are also experiencing a bit of an upswing. While the defaults are nowhere near the 9% to 10% rates whic...

Summer's just around the corner, so that means it's time to prepare for summer vacation. Whether you're staying close to home or traveling half way around the world, getting away from it all can be a great approach to resting and recharging--that is, until you get the bil...

Ah, your credit score. The key to everything from a home mortgage to low interest rates, and everything in between. Some employers are even known to run credit checks on potential employees before offering them a position. Your credit score has a huge impact on almost eve...

Today’s hottest new accessory isn’t a designer bag or expensive foreign watch, instead, it’s a small piece of metal consumers carry mostly out of sight. That is, until it’s time to pay the bill.

The metal credit card craze has swept the nation, but for once it’s not r...

Some people learn about credit cards and how to manage their spending at a very young age, but most people get their first exposure to swiping plastic on a regular basis after high school when they’re out in the world on their own for the first time. You’ve probably notic...

There are many benefits to paying with a credit card. Sign up bonuses and cash back programs offer credit card customers powerful incentives to open new accounts, switch cards, or simply continue to use the cards they like the most.

Unfortunately for many card users, ...

Another day and yet another credit card data breach. This time hackers targeted Chipotle Mexican Grill at various locations throughout the U.S. (if you believe you might have been a victim of this crime, Chipotle provides information on the specific restaurants affected h...

Think back on your financial history over the past decade. You’ve probably grown a lot in recent years, picking up new habits and beliefs. It’s likely that you’ve begun prioritizing savings or budgeting more than you did before. Maybe you’ve even done some learning from m...

In an effort to give marketers more information on their online ad campaigns, Google is announcing a new tracking service that monitors how much money consumers spend in a brick and mortar store after seeing an online ad.

For example, if a local restaurant buys ad ca...

Having good credit scores opens many doors. Through judicious use of credit cards, you can get the credit scores you need to get approved for a home or car loan, rent a nice apartment, and even get a job if the employer does credit checks. Yet, a surprising number of Amer...

It’s true that credit scores make a massive impact on the financial lives of Americans. However, many people don’t understand what their credit score is and how it works.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that student loan, automobile, and mortgage balance...

Rewards card users open their credit card accounts with the best intentions. They look forward to cashing in on points, gift cards, miles, and even cash back offers. While it’s a lofty goal, many users fall short of their goal to get the most out of their rewards card acc...

I remember being 12 or 13 years-old and having my dad drop my friends and me off at the mall. He would often hand me a bill from his wallet – usually $10, but sometimes $20 if he was feeling extra generous – and bid us goodbye for a few hours. We were incredibly happy per...

Hackers are always on the lookout for new ways to steal your identity. First, they swiped our credit card identities right from under our noses by hacking computer data or even physically scanning our cards through our wallets. Today, we have chip cards and pins for an ad...

The economy has improved, and credit card users are at their highest numbers since 2008, before the start of the Great Recession. Out of the 171 million Americans who use credit cards, approximately 16.33 million of them fall into the subprime category, and that’s the big...

Wherever there is data, there will be a hacker trying to access it. Every day we send 2.5 quintillion bytes of data to be stored on servers spread throughout the U.S. (and the world). Billions of devices are in perpetual connection to all-pervasive Internet we’ve come to ...

If you had to take a guess, how much would you say the average American holds in credit card debt? Would you guess $500? Maybe $3,000? Well, according to Experian’s latest study, we are actually carrying around much more: an impressive $5,551 in debt each.

The problem...

High-end bonuses and perks that come with many credit cards could be on the decline as credit card companies respond to both consumer demand for more easy to understand and accessible offers and rising debt levels in the upper middle class.

Getting an idea of the aver...

Chase set the credit card rewards world abuzz May 7 when it announced that existing owners of Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred, and Sapphire Reserve credit cards would receive 100,000 bonus points for taking out a mortgage with the company. Card users can redeem the points fo...

The number of credit card holders in the U.S. with at least one credit card has reached 171 million, the highest level since 2005. That’s according to the credit monitoring firm TransUnion.

"Overall, the credit market is performing well," Nidhi Verma, TransUnion's sen...

When you're trying to get a credit card or other types of loans, like mortgages and auto loans, banks have to decide not just if they're going to lend to you, they also have to decide how much interest to charge you. One of the tools they use to help make that decision is...

Technology makes it easy to use credit cards pretty much anywhere, but where there's technology, there's a way to hack into it.

You've likely heard of skimming, a way card thieves steal credit and debit card numbers from card reader terminals at places like ATMs and g...

Forty three percent of Millennials currently have subprime credit, which means their credit score is situated somewhere between 550 and 620. This is surprising considering the fact that, in the Digital Age, information about how to keep a solid credit rating is everywhere...

If you were paying attention last year, you probably heard at least something about Wells Fargo and their big scandal involving fake accounts. Even after their record-breaking fine, it seems that the massive bank isn’t done taking a beating.

What They Did

To rec...

First Chase wowed travel-focused consumers with its fancy Sapphire card. Then Amex added a Platinum card to its luxury line. Now U.S. Bank debuts its Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite card, a luxury travel rewards card that gives extra rewards for using mobile payments.

W...

If you’ve been in the personal finance realm for any period of time, you’ve probably heard one of the classic rules of credit cards: Don’t close those old accounts, or your credit score will drop! But is this really true, and are there times where it really is smarter to ...

Just when you thought you got the hang of this whole credit score thing, they’re changing the rules. The new changes to VantageScore, the alternative to FICO that’s often used when applying for credit cards, are based on increasingly-available trended data.

Forbes rep...

Security and convenience top the list of reasons many consumers continue to look for ways to leave their credit cards at home. For this reason, mobile payment systems offer an attractive value proposition to credit card holders: Load every credit card you have into the sy...

It’s one of the most confusing and frequently pondered questions in personal finance, but untangling it could mean the difference between meeting financial goals or falling far short. Should you pay off credit cards or put money aside for emergencies?

The average Ameri...

Applying for a new credit, an auto loan or a mortgage? You'd better hope that your credit score is good. This is a three-digit number that signifies what type of borrower you are, which is basically how well you manage money and debt and if you're likely to default on a l...

If you’ve been on the market for a rewards credit card that offers great cash back across the board, you’ve likely come across the Citi® Double Cash card. Without the hassle of revolving categories (it offers 2% on every purchase you make, period) and the expense of an an...

In the game of credit card industry vs. thieves, it seems as if the neck-and-neck race is never ending. As spending money gets easier with advanced technology, but it doesn’t necessarily get safer.

Almost half of Americans have been victimized by a credit card thieve...

One of the major benefits of credit card ownership today is access to lucrative points systems. But, a new study by Bankrate found that three out of 10 credit card holders (31%) have never even redeemed their rewards points.

Those points being left on the table can tra...

Making an informed decision about which credit cards are best for a specific situation could mean the difference between having a great experience and ending up in real financial trouble.

Sign up bonuses and cash back offers are enticing, and credit card companies des...

A surge in luxury, travel credit card signups that brought on huge points rewards could be what drives summer travel to be more hectic this year.

Gerard du Toit, a Boston-based partner at the consulting firm Bain & Company, explained to Marketwatch that about half of p...

The news is peppered with accounts of hackers breaching company networks and stealing data. In fact, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), parent of Holiday Inn, is one of the latest companies under scrutiny for data breaches. The hotel company acknowledged in February tha...

There are many credit cards out there, all offering a little something different to their consumers. You have cards that earn cash back or miles, rewarding cardholders for their spending habits. Some give 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for a period of time,...

As a parent, you want your kids to have a leg up in this world, which is why you move to areas with good schools and encourage them to excel in sports and their other interests. It might be challenging to even think about your kids having credit reports and credit scores ...

For a while, a lot of people thought physical credit cards would become obsolete and that payment apps and smart devices would make it so that consumers never had to swipe their plastic in public again. So naturally, the metal credit card craze caught industry observers ...

Initially, it appeared to be a great idea in the Digital Age: a single, programmable card that would digitally store 20 credit or debit cards. Users would be able to switch between the different cards depending on which one they wanted to use. Indeed, Plastc was overwhelm...

Tax season is here. In fact, the deadline is quickly approaching. That means procrastinators, those dealing with confusing filings, and others who are avoiding the big bill are now looking this fateful day in the eye. But, there’s also the early filers who have already co...

So you have two debit cards, seven credit cards, and more rewards cards than you can count. Keeping track of all that plastic can be aggravating, especially if you try carrying them around with you all of the time. And then there’s traveling. If you’re a globetrotter usin...

New data from the Federal Reserve shows that consumers in the United States have combined credit card debt at a level that hasn't been seen since before the most recent recession.

The Federal Reserve tracks consumer debt on a monthly and quarterly basis. Revolving deb...

In the world of credit card scoring, many consumers aren’t aware that credit card lenders can utilize various credit scoring reports to determine your creditworthiness -- indeed, there are dozens of ways your score can be calculated.

While there isn’t exactly a “secre...

When you just want a little bit of information about your credit card, why would you bother calling customer service just to spend a lot time going through phone menus or sitting on hold--or worse, have to deal with a keypad that doesn't register or your card number, or h...

A new threat to people with chip cards called "shimming" is causing problems with the newest credit card technology designed to prevent theft and identity fraud.

EMV, or “chip” cards are common, now. This new technology is supposed to keep us safe from the unpleasant s...

If you’ve thought about trying your hand at travel hacking – the process of utilizing credit card sign-up bonuses and mileage rewards to make your globe-hopping dreams come true – you’re in on one of the best credit card tricks around. However, there are a few things you ...

Financial institutions specialize in getting you excited about rewards so you’ll sign up for their credit cards. You usually can claim the rewards based on how much money you spend on the cards and where, and they can add up to some pretty amazing deals, especially if you...

A year after launching its first credit card for international students in the United States, SelfScore is releasing their Achieve Mastercard to further help students from abroad build up much-needed credit scores for life in America.

The SelfScore Achieve Mastercard i...

The Supreme Court released a decision on a case surrounding First Amendment rights around how retailers can talk about credit card surcharges and cash discounts. The Court also rejected two other appeals, ending the opportunity for more credit card cases to be heard at th...

It’s likely that credit card interest rates will rise throughout 2017 as the Fed hikes rates, as promised. Now, more than ever, it’s important to concentrate on paying down, or even paying off credit card debt. Not only will paying down those lingering debts save you from...

For a majority of Americans, spending extra cash on various credit card fees and surcharges is a pain point they prefer to avoid. Since the bottom line of many businesses is also largely impacted by the banking industry, additional fees place merchants in a precarious pos...

If you’ve ever opened a credit card, bought a home, or even signed up for high speed internet, you’ve had your credit checked. In order to determine your creditworthiness, lenders will often turn to one of the three credit bureaus -- TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian – for...

The hassle of paying bills never goes away no matter how much or how little money you earn. If you prefer or need to use your credit card rather than cash to pay bills, you’re stuck when certain businesses, such as those to which you pay rent, car payments, property taxes...

While many credit cards offer annual breakouts of how you spend money on your credit card, some people find it useful to have cards for specific spending purposes. For car enthusiasts who spend money fixing up their cars or even car owners who have aging cars that they're...

One of the biggest changes to credit reports for US consumers is scheduled for July 1, 2017. The bureaus will stop reporting some types of judgments and tax liens. As a result, many Americans' FICO scores will go up.

The National Consumer Assistance Plan (NCAP) enacted...

The Fed has increased interest rates only three times since the financial crisis of 2007-2008: the most recent coming in March of 2017. While this may signal a perceived boost in the U.S. economy, interest rate hikes – even as minuscule as a quarter of a point – cause a c...

Most of us know whether our credit cards give us cash back or points or miles when we make purchases, but do you know all of the other benefits your credit card may give you, such as car rental insurance, extended warranties and trip cancellation protection?

A new app...

Have complaints--or kudos--about how well your credit cards actually work for you? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) wants to hear from you to help it compile its latest credit card review.

The CFPB, the government agency that looks out for consumers' int...

Will credits for Uber rides be a tempting enough reward for consumers to sign up for a new credit card? American Express hopes so. The credit card has recently announced it's updating the rewards--and fees--associated with it Platinum Card.

Beginning March 30, America...

As the old saying goes, it takes money to make money. In personal finance, sometimes you need to borrow money in order to make an investment that can reap a larger reward. This can be having the ability to buy a computer that can help you further your education or get cer...

In the cult classic "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery," the villain Dr. Evil learns a thing or two about the changing value of money. When he demands a ransom of one million dollars, his Number 2 quietly informs him that that's not that much money in today's do...

Not quite two years after it shipped its first batch of product, Coin, the technology company that made a big splash by providing a credit card consolidation tool to make your wallet slimmer, is calling it quits.

Coin launched in November 2013, and after months of dela...

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and whether you'd like to get a gift for that special someone in your life, celebrate the love of friendship or treat yourself, that means you're opening your wallet. According to Bing, last year people spent a record $19.7 billi...

A stronger economy means more consumer confidence, and the American Bankers Association's latest Credit Card Market Monitor report reflects this concept, as it found that more consumers are interested in having and using plastic as a form of payment.

Last August, we h...

Identity theft can be completely ruinous. Thieves who get your information can open credit cards and mortgages in your name. In some cases, they drain your bank account or charge their medical bills to you. The consequences can be dire in terms of suddenly thinking you're...

Membership often has its rewards, and Amazon hopes that its new Visa card will entice people to sign up for its Amazon Prime service. Now members of Amazon Prime can now apply for a new Amazon Visa card that's just for them--and offers rewards of its own.

This week, Am...

It wasn't a happy new year for TransUnion and Experian, as these two credit reporting agencies entered into a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for deceptive information about and marketing of credit scores and credit-related products. The tw...

Will 2017 be the year you finally pay off your credit card debt? Or maybe make a sizeable dent in it? Don't worry--you're not alone. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, American households are carrying a total of $747 billion in credit card debt, which mean...

For many people, shopping online takes the hassle out of going to the store. There's no traffic, no crowds, no lines--you can sit at home in your pajamas and shop in comfort.

However, as more people shop online and credit card technology improves, credit card thieves ...

Last week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates. As usual, this announcement caused a lot of fuss in the financial world, because whenever the Fed makes a move like this, it's big news because it affects a lot of things within the national economy, including the inte...

A few weeks ago, this space ran an article about a data breach at Madison Square Garden that may have affected credit card holders whose cards only have magnetic stripes. If these cards had had EMV chips, the likelihood of their card information being stolen and potential...

One way to avoid getting snowed under by a mound of credit card debt is to make sure you pay off your balance in full every month. Another--and very popular--way is to use a debit card. While using a debit card helps you spend only what they earn, there are some drawbacks...

This month, Madison Square Garden announced that it has been the victim of a long security breach that has put its in-venue customers at risk for having their identities stolen.

The breach is suspected to have lasted almost a year, from November 9, 2015 to October 24,...

Before you can get your Thanksgiving turkey on the table, your mailbox and inbox are filled with holiday shopping catalogs and offers. Whether you've already crossed everyone off your list or you're waiting to shop until it's actually Black Friday, you should be thinking ...

Since 2010, American Express has encouraged consumers to spend at least one day a year shopping at small businesses in their area. Small Business Saturday, as it's known, takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving--or in shopping parlance, the day after Black Friday, ...

It's been a rough couple of months for the leadership at Wells Fargo, ever since the scandal broke that some of the company's employees had been opening different types of accounts--including credit card accounts--for customers without their permission. This issue with We...

When you're mired in credit card debt that stems from outstanding balances on multiple cards, the mailer with low-rate debt consolidation checks from your credit card issuer might be the saving grace that helps you get out of debt--or are they?

Credit card issuers that...

Identity theft protection company LifeLock has just released a mobile app that can help consumers manage all of their credit card accounts in one place.

Called Identity, the company bills it as a "personal assistant" to help you manage your online accounts through your...

Want credit without the credit card debt? Online shopping with Affirm, an alternative credit product can make that possible.

Affirm is a fintech company that's been around for a little over two years. Founded by PayPal co-founder Max Levchin, it's designed to allow con...