Credit Card Guides

A credit limit is the maximum amount you can spend on a credit card. Issuers determine this limit based on factors such as your income, credit score, debt-to-income ratio and payment history. They also periodically review how you use your credit card accounts to assess whether you’re eligible for a higher credit limit. If your […]

When you apply for a new credit card, chances are you don’t pay much attention to all those long legal disclaimers. The terms and conditions, the fine print, the nitty-gritty—whatever you call it, it’s boring.

If you’re an active user of credit card rewards, you may think you already know how they work. You spend money on your card and collect the points, dollars, or cash back that accrue from each purchase. Then, after saving up until you have enough to redeem, you choose how to spend them: gift cards, statement credits, hotel stays, flight upgrades. You name it, there’s a reward redemption option for you.

With the start of a new year, many people resolve to get in better shape—and not just by going to the gym more often. Financial fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and a big part of that is making sure your credit is as strong as your core.

When searching for a new credit card, many people don’t read the fine print. Distracted by the offers of frequent flyer miles, the promise of no interest on purchases for the first 15 months, or the cash back on every purchase.

If one of your resolutions for the approaching New Year is to get–and stay–out of debt, you may be tempted to lock away your credit cards and vow never to use them again. But there’s no need to be afraid of using your cards.

If your credit is below the “good credit” benchmark of 700, you might think the only credit cards available to you are “bad credit cards.” But if that’s what you think, there’s good news: there are many great credit cards available for people with no-so-great credit.

If you have a secured credit card, chances are you’ve had trouble with credit in the past. Whether you’ve had a bankruptcy, a former spouse ruined your credit, or you are simply new to credit cards and don’t have any credit history, you’ll be on your way to a better credit score and a regular credit card.

When you see a credit card offer how do you know if it’s a good one? With so many different credit cards on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin in evaluating the latest credit card offers.

Late fees. Balance transfer fees. Inactivity fees. Swipe fees. Overlimit fees. Transaction fees.
No one likes paying credit card fees, but some are more painful than others.

They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but rewards credit cards disprove that. With a rewards credit card, you can not only get a free lunch (using a gift card or cash back bonus), you can get free flights, free hotel stays, free merchandise, and more.