The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Thursday, April 18, 2024

All articles tagged Applying (page 6)

13 Best No Interest Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

13 Best No Interest Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

In the following article, we'll present some of our experts' top picks for the best no-interest credit cards. As any gardener knows, weeds are capable of multiplying exponentially in a matter of weeks if left to grow in the garden untended. The very same thing can happen, as many cardholders learn, if you allow your credit card's interest fees to grow without interference. But, the same way a good bit of mulching can help keep weeds in check without constant supervision, so, too, can... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards for Low Credit Scores (April 2024)

5 Best Credit Cards for Low Credit Scores (April 2024)

Finding the best credit cards for low credit scores doesn't have to feel like an impossible task. In today's market, credit cards exist for every credit score. Those toward the bottom of the credit score ranks often find it hard to even get a credit card, let alone one with the features they want. But it’s not impossible to find a credit card that offers a low APR, valuable benefits, no annual fee, and even a rewards program. Use the following links to choose a card for your score... read more »

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Review & Credit Score Needed(April 2024)

Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Review & Credit Score Needed(April 2024)

When it comes to rewards credit cards, the average consumer has hundreds of options. Despite this, however, a few quick internet searches of the best cards will show you that some banks are simply better at rewards than others. For instance, any list of the best rewards cards will likely include at least one card from Chase. And, if that list is about cash back rewards cards, well, you'll more than likely see the Chase Freedom Unlimited® featured prominently. As great as Chase's... read more »

7 Best Personal Credit Cards (April 2024)

7 Best Personal Credit Cards (April 2024)

Most Americans have at least one personal credit card, with the average adult carrying four cards each. This is hardly surprising given that credit cards are not only convenient and arguably the most secure payment method, but they can also provide valuable perks like purchase rewards and cardholder discounts, and they help build credit (when used responsibly). Moreover, the sheer volume of personal credit cards on the market today means that nearly anyone can find a credit card that... read more »

11 Best Credit Cards for Beginners (April 2024 Guide)

11 Best Credit Cards for Beginners (April 2024 Guide)

Finding the best credit card for beginners may seem like a challenge, with a seemingly endless number of cards available today. But it doesn't have to be an overwhelming experience. Building credit from scratch can seem like a Catch-22. Without good credit, you won't qualify for many of the best credit cards. But if you don’t have a credit card, it's difficult to build good credit. How do you deal with that conundrum? By getting a basic credit card as your first credit card and... read more »

7 Best Credit Card Deals (April 2024)

7 Best Credit Card Deals (April 2024)

Finding a great deal feels good -- and not just for your pocketbook. Knowing you scored sweet savings can also have a physiological response that just plain makes you happy. Even something as seemingly banal as finding an awesome credit card deal can get the dopamine flowing. Which is good news because there's no end to the deals that can be had in the modern credit card marketplace. Indeed, whether you want a lucrative signup bonus or a year without interest fees, you can find a... read more »

6 Top Cards: Credit Score Needed for Wells Fargo (Feb. 2024)

6 Top Cards: Credit Score Needed for Wells Fargo (Feb. 2024)

With roots in the Wild West and the earliest days of US banking, Wells Fargo has a history that goes back centuries. But, a long pedigree doesn't make the bank any less relevant to the financial industry today. In fact, Wells Fargo is the fourth-largest bank in the US, with over $200 billion in market capitalization. Given its ubiquity, it's little surprise that millions of Americans have -- or want to have -- a Wells Fargo credit card. And, while the bank has been known to be stingy... read more »

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Credit Score Needed for Approval (April 2024)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Credit Score Needed for Approval (April 2024)

When it comes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the credit score needed may be higher than your personal score at this time, but that doesn't mean you can never get your hands one of these sought-after cards. These days, most consumer credit scores are calculated on a range of 300 to 850, with 850 being the best possible credit score you can achieve. For the roughly 3 million consumers who have reached the pinnacle of credit, the question "Will my credit be good enough to qualify?"... read more »

7+ Gas Cards for Bad Credit (April 2024)

7+ Gas Cards for Bad Credit (April 2024)

Like it or not, the world is going digital, and it's getting harder to get by without digital tools like email -- and credit cards. Yes, those plastic payment cards are the new cash; even at the prosaic fill-up station, digital payment rules the pump. Unfortunately, having bad credit makes the near-reliance on credit cards an issue. In fact, a low score can make it tough to find a reliable card for everyday spending, let alone find a good gas card for bad credit. That doesn't mean... read more »

7 Best Starter Credit Cards (April 2024)

7 Best Starter Credit Cards (April 2024)

Some folks in search of the best starter credit card may already have a credit history from other types of credit, but chances are the majority of people are simply looking for a good card to use to establish their credit history for the first time. If you're of the former group and already have a good credit history, you don't really need a "starter" card, per se. Instead, your credit will likely qualify for any number of prime cards, so find a quality rewards credit card and charge... read more »

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Review & Credit Score Needed (Feb. 2024)

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Review & Credit Score Needed (Feb. 2024)

Regardless of the well-rehearsed sales pitch offered by most cashiers these days, obtaining a new credit card isn't a task that should be taken lightly. Not only do you need to research and compare credit cards before choosing one to apply for, but you should also learn everything you can about your chosen card before applying. For example, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a popular card choice for consumers with fair or limited credit, thanks both to its... read more »

9 Best Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

9 Best Cash Back Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

To a certain extent, cash back rewards are basically credit card rewards on "easy" mode. While you can still work to maximize your rewards with tiered bonus categories and other tools, redeeming cash back is often as simple as clicking a few buttons to receive a statement credit, with no points to transfer or values to calculate. It's that ease of use that makes cash back credit cards popular among cardholders who don't want to jump through hoops to earn and redeem rewards. And that... read more »

9 Credit Cards That Use Experian for Approval (April 2024)

9 Credit Cards That Use Experian for Approval (April 2024)

In a world where consumer data is a legitimate commodity, nearly every company seems to track and trade in your personal information. But few companies have been in the information business quite as long as the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These three companies have massive databases full of details about the credit and payment history of millions of Americans — most of it voluntarily reported by the creditors and lenders with which we do business... read more »

7 Best American Express Card Alternatives (Feb. 2024)

7 Best American Express Card Alternatives (Feb. 2024)

Founded in 1850 as an express mail company, American Express became an international company with the creation of the Traveler's Cheque in 1891. The company has continued to grow and evolve throughout the years, entering the credit card business in the second half of the 20th century and quickly making a name for itself in that space. But, while Amex is certainly holding onto its fair share of the market, the issuer's high credit and income standards put its cards out of reach for... read more »

11 Highest-Limit Cards for Bad Credit (April 2024)

11 Highest-Limit Cards for Bad Credit (April 2024)

The internet is full of information. While only a portion of that information is actually correct, you can typically get a decent idea of the facts by exploring a few different sites and picking out the kernels of truth between them. Take credit building. Although each blogger and expert seems to have different recommendations, you can pick up the main points by reading posts from a few different authors. For example, pretty much everyone will say to pay your bills on time and to... read more »

5 Best HSBC Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

5 Best HSBC Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

Although the majority of Americans carry credit cards, most of those cards are likely from a handful of major banks that have dominated the market for decades. As credit cards continue to grow in global popularity, however, foreign banks are looking for a foothold in the U.S. market. One such bank is HSBC, a British multinational banking and financial services company that traces its roots back to the once-British colony of Hong Kong in the 1800s. Today, HSBC is the... read more »

7 Best Secured Credit Cards: No Credit Check (April 2024)

7 Best Secured Credit Cards: No Credit Check (April 2024)

Avoidance is a tactic we all use to save ourselves from pain, sadness, boredom, or simply an uncomfortable situation. We also do it out of fear — like the fear of rejection. Yes, the same thing that kept you from asking out your teenage crush doesn't simply go away when you graduate. And bad credit doesn't help. With bad credit, the fear of rejection can stop you from applying for the credit you need to improve your score, leaving you feeling trapped with a low score forever. But... read more »

11+ Best Low-Interest Credit Cards (April 2024)

11+ Best Low-Interest Credit Cards (April 2024)

No matter how great it may seem at the outset, everything in life has its downsides. Delicious pizza tends to come with a lot of calories, fast-and-fun sports cars have terrible gas mileage — and rewards credit cards have high interest rates. Happily, there are ways to have your pie and enjoy it, too. Light-cheese veggie pizzas are almost healthy, sports cars can come with electric engines, and low-interest credit card deals can offer interest-free financing. Indeed, a variety of... read more »

9 Best Credit Cards for No Credit (April 2024)

9 Best Credit Cards for No Credit (April 2024)

Although we prefer it to be common sense, enough folks try to enter restaurants and other businesses without proper coverage that the "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" signs are a common sight on the doors of modern retail establishments. But what if "No Credit" were to join the list of things that can get you barred from a business? In a day and age where everyone from your lender to your landlord is checking your credit reports, it's not as hard of a stretch as you might think. ... read more »

Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Review & Alternatives (Feb. 2024)

Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: Review & Alternatives (Feb. 2024)

Some things simply go together, like turkey and stuffing, Bert and Ernie, dinner and a movie — or credit cards and rewards. So, given that these quintessential pairs are already double the awesome, how do you up the ante even more? Why, by pairing the pairs, of course. Take the Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card, for instance. This cash back card offers big bonus rewards for dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases alike, giving cardholders the ability to turn... read more »

11 Best First Credit Cards to Have (April 2024)

11 Best First Credit Cards to Have (April 2024)

Life is full of firsts. Your first steps, your first date, your first pizza — each first, whether big or small, is one of the many moments that make up a lifetime. But, some moments are more significant than others. In fact, some firsts have the ability to set the tone for what's to come, and, sometimes, to shape your future. Like getting your first credit card. The card you choose — and how you choose to use it — can influence your financial future for years, if not decades to... read more »

9+ Best Secured Credit Cards (April 2024)

9+ Best Secured Credit Cards (April 2024)

In a time when your word to repay was all lenders had to go on, collateral was a common way to add a little extra security for the financier to the deal. Today, in the age of credit reports and scores, a positive credit history acts as collateral for a variety of credit products. But, what if you don't have a credit history — or you do, but it's not in great shape? Secured credit cards harken back to the idea of collateral by using a cash deposit as security against default. That... read more »

6 Best Wells Fargo Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

6 Best Wells Fargo Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

Whether thanks to history or cinematic recreation, some things are iconically Western, like cowboys, saloons, and stagecoaches. And — Wells Fargo? While not what many of us think of when we pass by a Wells Fargo branch, the modern-day Wells Fargo can trace its roots to the Wild West and the famed Pony Express. Those stagecoaches on its sign aren't just for show. Today's Wells Fargo may not operate many cross-country stagecoaches, but it does have thousands of bank branches that... read more »

5 Facts About the Shopping Cart Trick for Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

5 Facts About the Shopping Cart Trick for Credit Cards (Feb. 2024)

Have you ever heard of the shopping cart trick for credit cards? Although it's a little counter-intuitive to some, applying for new credit can cause your credit score to drop by several points. That's because of the hard credit inquiry added to your credit reports when lenders check your credit. While a single hard inquiry has only a small impact, multiple hard inquiries within a short period of time can cause more significant damage. As a result, it's always best to minimize the... read more »

11 Best Credit Cards for New Homeowners (Feb. 2024)

11 Best Credit Cards for New Homeowners (Feb. 2024)

Although the purchase price of your new home was likely in the six figures, handing over that check at closing is often only the start of the spending. You still need to pay for the move, set up utilities, fix that leaky faucet, buy furniture — and the list goes on. In other words, while finding savings where you can is always a good idea, it can be downright vital for many new homeowners whose budgets are already strapped. That's where using the right credit cards can make a big... read more »