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Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Review & Alternatives (March 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 2/26/2024

Surge Mastercard reviews across the web are mixed. The issuer offers the card in secured and unsecured versions for consumers with a limited or poor credit history. While the unsecured version is a reasonable choice thanks to its generous credit limit, the secured credit card is the real standout. It offers cash back rewards and a fairly low APR to anyone willing to make a deposit at account opening. Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Reviews Around the Web These Surge... read more »

7 Cards For Bad Credit With No Deposit (April 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 4/18/2024

If you have bad credit, you may have run into an issue where you’ve been declined for a card when applying. This can be frustrating because having a credit card and using it properly can be a great credit-building tool. It may seem like you are at a loss in your search for a credit card, but don’t worry — options are out there for you. Bad credit scores may hinder your ability to be approved for some unsecured credit cards, but you may still be approved for some cards without... read more »

12 Best Soft-Pull Credit Cards (April 2024)

By: Adam West, 4/18/2024

Credit cards generally will not be issued without a hard credit inquiry, but you can get preapproved for a credit card with only a soft credit pull. Almost every time you apply for new credit, the lender credit check will usually result in a hard inquiry being noted on your reports, which may cause a small ding to your credit score. That's because lenders see an application for new credit as a desire to take on more debt. Doesn't make sense? Think of it this way: if a married person... read more »

9 Credit Cards For Very Bad Credit (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

Some decent credit cards for very bad credit exist, but truthfully, a few of them are stinkers. We've chosen the top cards that cater to consumers who've endured significant credit problems. We also identified a few prepaid debit cards for your consideration. They are compelling alternatives to credit cards for people with abysmal credit since they don't require a credit score, a security deposit, or a bank account. True, prepaid cards often come with many fees, but they are... read more »

8 Best Credit Cards with No Employment Check (April 2024)

By: Adam West, 4/18/2024

Most lenders want some sort of proof that you can pay back any loan that you receive. That goes for credit cards, banks, or a cousin who floats you a few bucks until payday. While most credit card applications just want proof of income, some still require proof of employment. We’ve done the work for you and found credit cards with no employment check so you can avoid those applications if you so choose. Also, keep in mind that no-employment-check credit cards aren’t just for... read more »

9 Best Loans & Credit Cards: 400-450 Credit Score (April 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 4/16/2024

Although the number of people with sub-500 FICO credit scores has dropped over the last decade, it's still a fairly significant 4.7% of U.S. consumers as of the last update. In contrast, the national average FICO credit score is now 716, according to the credit scoring service. And while having a credit score between 400 and 450 is above the lowest score you can have — FICO scores range from 300 to 850 — it's still a very difficult situation to remedy. That being said, it's not... read more »

12 Best Instant-Approval Credit Cards (April 2024)

By: Adam West, 4/18/2024

American cooks ran to stores in the early 1950s to snatch up boxes of instant mashed potatoes, the latest kitchen craze in many households. But some felt deceived when they opened the box to find freeze-dried potato flakes and filler. Similar confusion can occur in the credit card world, where many issuers throw around terms such as “instant” and “guaranteed” to a point where consumers often feel confused. While most online credit card applications now offer consumers instant... read more »

How to Get a Costco Citi Card (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/16/2024

You'll learn how to get a Costco Citi Card the first time you walk into the giant warehouse store. A pleasant person will direct you to the customer service desk when you try to enter without a Costco membership card. Another nice person will sell you a membership, take your photo, and hand you your ID card. You may also receive an offer to apply for a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. As it turns out, there are three ways to apply for a Costco credit card: In-person... read more »

11 Best Citibank Credit Cards Compared (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

I obtained the first of several Citibank credit cards in 1974 when I was a starving grad student living in the West Village. I chose to bestow my banking business on Citibank because it had a branch nearby, on 8th Street. Several years later, the bank installed ATMs, followed by dial-up online banking. I loved Citibank back then. I don't love banks anymore, but I respect some of them. Citibank deserves respect for its credit card lineup that provides consumers with good value.... read more »

Mercury Credit Card: Review & 5 Alternatives (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

The Mercury Credit Card must be doing something right. It appeared in 2018, and now more than a half-million people are Mercury cardholders. Previously known as the Mercury® Mastercard, and now as the Mercury® Rewards Visa® Card after a network change in 2022, the card targets consumers with past credit issues. We think it merits a further look and a comparison with a few subprime alternatives. Navigate This Article: Our Take ... read more »

Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. The Luxury Card (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/9/2024

In this article, we pit the Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs. Luxury Card trio. The Chase card is one of our top-ranked travel cards, setting the standard for rewards and benefits. Luxury Card may be a name new to many of you — it is a collection of three premium World Elite Mastercards from Barclays Bank. They, too, offer excellent perks. It's three against one in this showdown, so let's get ready to rumble. Navigate This Article: ... read more »

Citi Credit Card Preapproval Options (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

With 95 million cardholders, it's safe to say interest in Citi credit card preapproval is strong. Most Citi cards offer reward options via the ThankYou Points and Citi Simplicity card programs. And the bank makes it easy for you to prequalify for one or more of their credit cards by answering a few questions. Navigate This Article: How to Get Preapproved Best Cards FAQs You Can See If You're... read more »

Citi Double Cash Credit Score Requirements (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/16/2024

If you have excellent credit and lie awake at night wondering whether you satisfy the Citi Double Cash® Card credit score requirement, relax — you've made the cut. You belong to the approximately 20% of Americans with FICO scores of 800 to 850. But what about the other 80%? Can they get their hands on the coveted Citi Double Cash® Card? Read on and find out. Navigate This Article: Credit Needed Alternatives ... read more »

7 Credit Cards That Don’t Do a Hard Pull (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/2/2024

I recently spoke to a friend's son about credit cards that don't do a hard pull. The young lad was a little depressed after experiencing several credit card rejections, but he cheered up when he learned about credit cards that don't require a credit check. He was happy to plunk down a $200 deposit and now has a secured credit card. His father was grateful -- I think. If you have bad or limited credit, a card that doesn't require a credit check can get you into the game. Use... read more »

Citi® Secured Mastercard® Review & Alternatives (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/16/2024

This Citi secured credit card review should interest the 26 million Americans who are credit invisible (i.e., without enough credit history to earn a credit score). Citi designed this card for consumers with limited or no credit. Unlike most secured cards, this one doesn't favor consumers with less-than-good credit. Navigate This Article: Our Take Card Benefits Approval Requirements Alternatives... read more »

7 Credit Cards For Scores Under 600 (April 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 4/18/2024

About 16% of Americans have bad credit, which means the market for credit cards for scores under 600 is quite large. Banks big and small offer secured and unsecured credit card offerings to meet consumer demand. These cards have forgiving approval standards, and our top choices below offer perks beyond the standard revolving line of credit. Best of all, these cards will report to at least one credit bureau so you can improve your credit score over time with responsible... read more »

7 Guaranteed-Approval Credit Cards With No Deposit (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

If you’ve encountered offers for guaranteed approval credit cards with no deposit and thought it was hype, your instincts were right. No credit card guarantees all applicants will be approved. However, we’ve identified seven credit cards that have minimal requirements for approval. Almost every credit card company can guarantee you an instant decision when you attempt to prequalify for one of its cards. But remember, prequalification does not guarantee final approval, although... read more »

8 Best Beginner Credit Cards: No Annual Fee (April 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 4/16/2024

Consider the best credit cards for beginners with no annual fee when embarking on your financial journey. While an annual fee can sometimes be worth the yearly expense, entry-level credit cards rarely come with perks worth paying for. And when you bypass an annual fee, you’ll lower your cost of credit, which puts money back into your pocket for the things that matter most to you. We’ve spent years researching the top credit cards in various categories and have focused... read more »

15 Easiest Credit Cards to Get (April 2024)

By: Brittney Mayer, 4/18/2024

Asking the question, "What is the easiest credit card to get?" is a bit like asking, "What's the best diet to lose weight?" Both questions will return a huge number of responses, most of which will be starkly different — and few of which will be the right advice for everyone. Instead, the easiest credit card for any given consumer to get will vary based on each individual's specific credit profile and personal needs. For example, the easiest credit card to get as a student will be... read more »

7 Best Same-Day Credit Cards (April 2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 4/18/2024

With the rise of digital technology, it seems as though everything has gotten faster and more immediate. Not only can you get movies and music instantly from anywhere, but you can have everything from food to household goods delivered in less than an hour in most cities. Given that so much can be obtained so quickly, it's natural to want the same results when you apply for a new credit card. At the very least, you'd expect same-day shipping, right? But while you can often get... read more »

8 Best Credit Cards for 600 to 650 Credit Scores (April 2024)

By: Adam West, 4/16/2024

When we decided to compile a list of the best credit cards for 600 to 650 credit scores, we had to first figure out the needs of the people in this score range. That’s because every credit card is different, and each consumer demographic has unique needs. If your credit score sits in the 600 to 650 range, you’re likely struggling to qualify for the top cards on the market, and yet, your score is just high enough to make cards designed for consumers with poor credit seem... read more »

The 1 Discover Credit Card For Bad Credit (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/16/2024

Although I strive mightily to offer dispassionate information, I must admit to having a soft spot for Discover products, including the Discover credit card for bad credit. This little David takes on Goliaths Visa, Mastercard, and Amex with excellent cards that deliver high value, never charge an annual fee, and treat new cardmembers to its famous Cashback Match. The issuer is doing something right: 99% of merchants that accept credit cards welcome the Discover brand. ... read more »

9 Guaranteed Approval Credit Cards For Bad Credit

By: Mike Randall, 4/18/2024

While "guaranteed approval" may sound like the answer to your credit card woes, the fact is that all credit cards come with some basic requirements before a company will issue you a card. A key factor in these so-called guaranteed approval credit cards is that the requirements to qualify are usually minimal. Most issuers of this type of card will require you to have an active checking account and to show proof of income that exceeds a certain minimum amount. There is also the... read more »

How to Apply For a Credit Card With Bad Credit (April 2024)

By: Eric Bank, 4/18/2024

Knowing how to apply for a credit card with bad credit can make the difference between glorious approval and bone-crushing rejection. Well, maybe that's a tiny overstatement, but if you're going to apply for a new card, you may as well put the approval odds in your favor. Read on to see how. Navigate This Article: Step 1: Check Your Credit Step 2: Research Cards Step 3: Prequalify Step 4: Apply... read more »

How to Get a Business Credit Card (April 2024)

By: Marcie Geffner, 4/5/2024

Most people are familiar with personal credit cards. But many don't know that, if you own a business, you may also be able to get a business card. This type of card can be especially helpful for startups and small businesses that may struggle with cash flow and need financing to cover their expenses until they improve their profitability. In many respects, business cards and personal cards are similar. But there are important differences as well. You may get bigger signup bonuses,... read more »

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