The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Gerri Detweiler

Credit Expert
Gerri Detweiler

About The Author

Credit expert Gerri Detweiler has been guiding individuals and small business owners through the confusing world of credit and financing for 30+ years. Her articles have appeared on many sites including Forbes, MSN, and MarketWatch. She is the author or co-author of six books, including "Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track." She hosted a live radio show for three years and has testified before Congress on consumer credit legislation.

Latest Posts

Worked On 8 Articles To Date
What Triggers a Credit Limit Decrease on Your Credit Card? 7 Reasons Issuers Make the Move

What Triggers a Credit Limit Decrease on Your Credit Card?

By: Gerri Detweiler 6/30/2026

You go to make a purchase with your credit card and discover the credit limit you were counting on is... Read More »

Why Credit Card Payments Sometimes Get Applied Incorrectly (And What You Can Do)

Why Credit Card Payments Get Applied Incorrectly

By: Gerri Detweiler 6/4/2026

Paying your credit card should be straightforward — and it often is — but when things go wrong, you can... Read More »

7 Reasons Why Credit Card Minimum Payments Can Increase Suddenly

7 Reasons Credit Card Minimum Payments Increase

By: Gerri Detweiler 5/28/2026

There’s often a moment of dread before you look at your credit card statement. Discovering your payment... Read More »

Why Gas Stations and Hotels Place Large Holds on Credit Cards

Why Gas Stations and Hotels Place Large Holds on Credit Cards

By: Gerri Detweiler 3/31/2026

Filling up recently, I did a double-take when I swiped my credit card and saw $175 flash across the... Read More »

Statement vs Current Balance on a Credit Card: What’s the Difference?

Statement Balance vs. Current Balance: Why Are They Different?

By: Gerri Detweiler 3/9/2026

If you find your credit card statement confusing, you’re not alone. Whether you check online, on your... Read More »

How Do I Use Virtual Card Numbers for Shopping Online?

How Do I Use Virtual Card Numbers for Shopping Online?

By: Gerri Detweiler 2/16/2026

My new credit card came with the offer to create unlimited virtual card numbers. While I’ve known about... Read More »

How Often Should You Request a Higher Credit Limit — And Does It Hurt Your Credit?

How Often to Ask For a Higher Credit Limit — And the Credit Score Impact

By: Gerri Detweiler 1/8/2026

Asking for a credit limit increase should feel like a straightforward request. You may check your credit... Read More »

Should You Get A Travel Rewards Credit Card If You Only Take One Trip A Year?

Is a Travel Rewards Credit Card Good if You Don't Travel Often?

By: Gerri Detweiler 12/3/2025

If you’ve seen videos of travelers snagging first-class seats to far-flung destinations for next to... Read More »