Credit Card Usage | Credit Card Topics

3 Best Discover Cards For Beginners (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 6/8/2023

“A beginning is a delicate time.” So opens Dune, Frank Herbert’s science-fiction masterpiece. What was true of galactic politics remains true of your first credit card. You want to start off on the right foot -- and that foot could be Discover. Discover’s credit cards provide excellent value without charging annual fees. This article reviews the cards it offers that best suit credit newbies. We also review several competing cards that deserve consideration if you’re... read more »

5 Best Credit Cards to Use at Sam’s Club (June 2023)

By: Zina Kumok, 5/18/2023

At a time when grocery prices are still increasing, consumers looking to save money will head to warehouse chains like Sam’s Club to find lower prices than they would at a traditional grocery store. If you already shop at Sam's Club, you know all about these savings — but did you know that using the right credit card can save you even more money? Read below to learn about the best credit cards to use at Sam’s Club, how to sign up, and which one to choose. Best... read more »

Support Ukraine Now: Donations Fund Global and Local Activism and Help Restore Nationhood

By: Mike Senecal, 5/4/2023

In a Nutshell: On the day in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, a few activist friends needed a platform to address immediate issues. A day later, friends of friends were adding links and forming the first grassroots networks. Support Ukraine Now quickly grew into an ecosystem of international support. Donations support 50 vetted social initiatives in Ukraine through the SUN Leaders Program. The site also points to hundreds of country-specific resources and acts as a nexus for... read more »

In The Midst Of Revitalization, Texas Memorial Museum Relies on Card Donations For Support

By: Sean Roderick, 4/12/2023

In a Nutshell: The Texas Memorial Museum is a great destination for those who want to learn about the natural history and cultural heritage of Texas. It offers visitors a number of exhibits to explore including dinosaurs, fossils and Texas wildlife. The museum also hosts educational programs suitable for children of all ages. The museum is temporarily closed for renovations and will begin reopening in September 2023. Those who wish to offer support can send gift donations through the... read more »

Kudos Smart Wallet App Streamlines Checkout and Helps Shoppers Choose the Best Rewards Card

By: Mike Senecal, 3/20/2023

In a Nutshell: Credit card rewards benefit shoppers the most when they remember to use the right card at the right time. The Kudos smart wallet app makes that easier by assessing the cards in the shopper's digital wallet and recommending the best one to use at every checkout. Kudos works with more than 3,000 cards, streamlines the autofill experience, and contains an explore feature to help consumers apply for cards that better fit their spending habits. And through Kudos Boost, Kudos... read more »

How Donations Help Pacoima Beautiful Promote Environmental Justice In An Underserved Community

By: Adam West, 3/16/2023

In a Nutshell: Los Angeles neighborhood Pacoima has been subjected to pollution from nearby airports, freeways, and power plants for many decades. In response, local mothers started Pacoima Beautiful, a nonprofit with volunteer and advocacy wings, to seek environmental justice for residents. Recent initiatives have included a campaign to shut down a nearby airport and a long-term project to develop access to outdoor spaces in the neighborhood. The organization understands what Pacoima... read more »

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR: Credit Card Benefit Comparison (June 2023)

By: Marcie Geffner, 3/6/2023

Airline travel typically involves a lot of waiting in lines. There's a security screening when you leave and, if you're traveling internationally, a customs check-in when you arrive. A prescreening service, such as TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR, may give you access to an expedited security process so you can get to your gate faster. These services can be pricey, but smart travelers who plan ahead can access all the benefits with none of the costs by applying for and using... read more »

Capital One Venture vs. Venture X: Which Wins? (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 2/20/2023

Capital One’s commercials are light-hearted, but the company is deadly serious about attracting new cardholders. This Capital One Venture vs. Venture X showdown reveals how far Capital One will go to gain market share at its competitors’ expense. Its two top travel cards offer excellent value -- your choice hinges on the features you are willing to pay for. Venture X Charges a Higher Annual Fee For More Travel Privileges Though the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit... read more »

Space for Humanity Uses Donations to Fund Space Flights and Provide Perspective on Earth’s Issues

By: Adam West, 2/13/2023

In a Nutshell: Space for Humanity wants to help mission-driven world leaders see Earth’s issues from a new perspective: above the earth’s atmosphere. The philanthropic organization has sponsored Citizen Astronauts from around the world to experience the Overview Effect, described as the “cognitive shift in awareness that occurs when a human being looks down on the Earth from space.” When they return to Earth, these space travelers have a new sense of what matters most and how... read more »

15 Credit Card Tips & Tricks from Experts (June 2023)

By: Erica Sandberg, 1/10/2023

Using a credit card advantageously is within everybody's capability. You just need to learn the tricks of the trade. There are some strategies you can employ to make sure you are always on top of your account and are using it to your benefit. You can also protect your account against fraud, establish a positive relationship with the issuer, and just make life easier for yourself. If you falter, though, it can cost you both fees and credit damage. The following 15 tips... read more »

9 Best Unsecured Credit Cards For Building Credit

By: Eric Bank, 1/3/2023

Do you toss and turn at night worrying about your lousy credit score? You don't need a better mattress; you need better credit. We hate to see you dragging your sleep-deprived self around in the morning, so we've assembled a list of the best unsecured credit cards for building credit. You can obtain any of these cards without a security deposit (typically $200 or more). The card issuers designed these products for folks with less-than-good credit (i.e., FICO scores below 670).... read more »

Credit Card Donations Support DoSomething in Accelerating Youth Activism and Meaningful Change

By: Sean Roderick, 12/15/2022

In a Nutshell: The nonprofit organization, DoSomething, educates and equips young people to create positive change and become future civic leaders. The nonprofit operates globally and engages with the youth in both online and offline social campaigns. Unlike many other organizations, DoSomething inspires young people to learn by doing and provides opportunities to give back in their community while being part of a global collective of change makers. The nonprofit also leverages... read more »

How Cardholders Can Support High-Impact Activism Through the Climate Emergency Fund

By: Sean Roderick, 12/7/2022

In a Nutshell: While the planet is experiencing the associated impacts of continued climate change, governmental policies have not kept up with worsening conditions. The Climate Emergency Fund is a nonprofit organization that understands the critical need to bring about more awareness and helps support proactive transformative activism. By donating to the nonprofit through credit cards and rewards, supporters are helping in the fight to reach zero emissions and reverse the sixth mass... read more »

United Plant Savers Promotes Conservation of Native Medicinal Herbs and How Cardholders Can Help

By: Sean Roderick, 11/22/2022

In a Nutshell: As over-harvesting and habitat loss put many vital medicinal plant varieties in danger of extinction, United Plant Savers spearheads conservation efforts to ensure species are readily available for generations to come. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization conducts research, develops programs, publishes educational materials, and invites anyone interested in sustainability to join the mission. Cardholders can support the cause by making a one-time or recurring donation,... read more »

Credit Card Ownership By Age, Income, Gender & Race in 2023

By: Erica Sandberg, 9/19/2022

Data on who applies for and receives certain credit cards and what they do with credit cards once they’re activated reveals interesting consumer trends. Credit card holders have different characteristics that vary in scope. All the collected facts and data paint a fascinating story about US consumers and their credit cards. Here are the most recent statistics on account ownership broken down into key demographic measures: age, income, gender, and race. Navigate This... read more »

How Card Donations Help the Freedom House Museum Shine a Light on Alexandria’s History of Slavery

By: Sean Roderick, 8/3/2022

In a Nutshell: Freedom House, located in Alexandria, Virginia, began as a holding pen for enslaved African Americans waiting to be shipped to other cities to be sold during the 1800s. It was one of the largest domestic slave trading firms in the country at the time. Over the years, the building served other purposes until it was eventually used as office space. After being purchased by the state, the building was preserved as a historical landmark and currently operates as a museum.... read more »

Patronicity Promotes Transforming Communities Through Its Credit Card ‘Crowdgranting’ Platform

By: Sean Roderick, 8/1/2022

In a Nutshell: Patronicity is a crowdfunding platform dedicated to beautifying outdoor spaces in local communities. It provides a unique form of funding support that blends individual donations with matching government grants to ensure that projects are supported to completion. The platform also assigns coaches to each project so that there’s full support at every step of the way. Patronicity has recently started releasing resources and guidebooks to help inspire communities to... read more »

5 Best Secured Credit Cards to Build Credit (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 7/25/2022

It's true that the best secured credit cards to build credit carry some upfront costs. But for folks with bad credit, they are cheaper and generally better than subprime unsecured credit cards. In many respects, secured cards are very similar to unsecured cards. They allow you to charge in-store purchases without carrying around cash or a checkbook. Unlike debit cards, they let you stretch your payments over several months, a helpful feature for big-ticket purchases.... read more »

9 Best Credit Cards For Streaming Services (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 6/29/2022

COVID-19 changed the world in so many ways, including boosting the popularity of the best credit cards for streaming services. During the movie theater shut down, folks fought cabin fever by increasing their consumption of on-demand streaming video. About 85% of US households subscribe to at least one streaming service, and the share of subscribers using five or more services has quadrupled since 2019. Against this backdrop, several credit cards for folks with a high credit... read more »

How Credit Cards Can Support MEANS Database Reduce Food Waste and Facilitate Donations

By: Sean Roderick, 6/23/2022

In a Nutshell: Unused edible food is often thrown away in large quantities in the United States. Many charities and food banks would like to take in more food but lack the logistics to do so. MEANS Database has created an innovative platform that allows donors to connect with recipients for easy transfer of goods. The non-profit organization doesn’t charge for its services, and it provides donors liability protection and enhanced tax deductions. In the United States, the amount of... read more »

Using Credit Cards and Rewards to Support ICAN’s Women-Led Peacebuilding Efforts Around the Globe

By: Sean Roderick, 6/13/2022

In a Nutshell: ICAN is a non-government organization focused on resolving conflicts and political strife by recognizing the courage of and empowering women at the local level who are first to respond. The organization has helped the UN and foreign governments reshape conflict resolution strategies to be inclusive of women’s peace work. ICAN has also addressed how conflicts deeply impact women who are caught in the fray. Those who wish to donate to ICAN can do so through credit card... read more »

7 Best Starter Credit Cards to Build Credit (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 4/19/2022

In this article, we review the best starter credit cards to build credit. Using a starter credit card is an efficient way to create and build your credit history. Many consumers who’ve never used credit are candidates for these cards, including students. In addition, you can work to rebuild a low credit score by getting a starter credit card and using it responsibly. These cards are easy to acquire and most offer cash back rewards. Whichever one you choose, resolve to pay your bill... read more »

Costco Credit Card: Benefits & Alternatives (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 4/7/2022

Costco credit card benefits allow cardmembers like me to earn rewards on purchases in and out of the store. And I have to admit, having the card instills me with a certain loyalty. I can buy 12-packs of paper towels at half a dozen nearby stores, but I always seem to source them from Costco. On the other hand, I rarely use the card outside of Costco. I don't know if that makes me a lemming or an odd duck, but I am sure my Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi belongs in my... read more »

7 Best Credit Card Benefits (June 2023)

By: Eric Bank, 4/5/2022

I really appreciate having access to some of the best credit card benefits currently available. My upcoming family trip to Disney World will include freebies such as travel insurance, collision damage waiver on the car rental, access to airport lounges, and free checked bags, thanks to my favorite credit card. While some benefits only come with premium cards, many everyday cards offer perks to save you money. You can find cards that cover your purchased items against damage,... read more »

Chase Freedom vs. Discover it® Credit Card

By: Brittney Mayer, 3/31/2022

In the modern consumer marketplace, many industries are often dominated by two leading brands and their latest products. If you want a soda, for instance, you're likely choosing between some version of Pepsi or Coke. Similarly, most people likely carry a phone sporting the latest version of either Android or iOS. When it comes to cash back credit card rewards, two of the biggest names to beat are Chase Freedom and Discover it®. These are somewhat similar cards that pack a lot of... read more »

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