Credit Card Usage | Credit Card Topics | CardRates.com

21 Best Credit Cards for Shopping

By: Matt Walker, 9/27/2019

Most people have experienced heading out to the supermarket, a department store, or the mall, to pick up one or two items and leave instead with four bags full of stuff. Sometimes a sale is just too good to pass up. That’s why consumers often look for the best credit cards for shopping. And while 90% of retail shopping in the U.S. still takes place in brick-and-mortar stores, experts forcast that online shopping will account for 20% of all sales by the year 2025. That means having... read more »

5 Wise Ways Couples Can Use Credit Cards When Planning a Wedding

By: Andrea Woroch, 7/25/2019

When you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with and you’re ready for that long-term commitment, the next step is usually marriage. Celebrating this big moment is always better with your close friends and family, but planning a wedding that can accommodate everyone can quickly become overwhelming and stressful thanks to the pricey fees imposed by venues and service providers. From food and drinks to decorations and music, and, of course, the dress, wedding... read more »

Purchases You Shouldn’t Make with a Credit Card

By: John Ulzheimer, 6/3/2019

Credit cards are a smart way to pay for your purchases. They are convenient, safe, and many can pack a large amount of buying power. When you are using your credit card to pay for pretty much anything, you can enjoy some great fraud protections that can help to keep your money safe from crooks and scam artists. Believe it or not, credit cards may help you save money -- if you use them wisely -- since many of them offer attractive perks. With some credit cards, the use of the account... read more »

15 Best Credit Cards for Small Purchases in 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 5/20/2019

While chasing signup bonuses and big rewards are tried-and-true strategies for scoring headline-worthy redemptions, most of us rely on the small, everyday purchases to accrue our piles of points and miles. Thankfully, with one of the best credit cards for small purchases in your wallet, that accrual doesn't have to be slow. Keep reading for our rundown of some of the best credit cards for small purchases on the market today. Maximizing rewards on your small purchases — as with... read more »

How Credit Cards Can Impact Your FICO® Scores

By: John Ulzheimer, 4/25/2019

It goes without saying (or writing) that your credit scores are a big deal. They are especially so when you want to apply for a new loan, credit card, or some other service that uses credit scores as part of its underwriting process. And while there are two primarily utilized scoring platforms, FICO and VantageScore, FICO is still the most commonly used credit score by most lenders. What you may not understand is exactly how FICO and other scoring models get to that three-digit... read more »

Adopt These 7 Credit Card Habits to Stay Out of Debt

By: Andrea Woroch, 4/24/2019

The average credit card debt per U.S. household hovers over $8,000. Although this number is shocking, it doesn’t mean you should cut up your cards and banish them from your life altogether. In fact, when used wisely, credit cards can actually improve your financial health. From increasing your credit score to offsetting everyday costs and travel expenses, and providing additional protection for big-ticket purchases, credit cards can be valuable tools toward managing your money... read more »

2 Ways to Reduce Your Credit Card Interest Rate

By: John Ulzheimer, 3/13/2019

If no one has told you -- and you've yet to discover it for yourself -- credit card debt can be expensive. And, the longer you carry that debt, the more expensive it can get. For example, on a card with a typical 17% annual percentage rate (or APR), a $500 purchase could cost you almost $100 extra in interest fees — and could take nearly two years to pay off — if you only make the minimum payment. That means the great suit that was on sale for $500 could actually cost you $600... read more »

11 Lesser-Known Credit Card Perks & How to Use Them

By: Erica Sandberg, 3/1/2019

You know that the credit card in your wallet helps you make purchases safely and conveniently, but there are other advantages it could have. In fact, many credit card issuers have created an entire menu filled with various perks for its customers. While not all will be relevant to your lifestyle, odds are at least a few of these little-known benefits will work to your financial advantage. In the articles that follows, we'll take a look at some of those lesser-known credit card perks... read more »

12 Best Medical Credit Cards of 2020

By: Ashley Dull, 8/22/2018

A good plan is the key to success for many things in life, including your personal finances. But, no matter how excellent the plan, some things simply defy planning — like medical emergencies. And, while having a healthy emergency savings can be enough to buffer a few medical bills, a single trip to the emergency room can easily wipe out even the most robust savings account. While many medical offices offer financing through medical credit card accounts, a regular, open-loop... read more »

18 Best Gas Credit Cards for 2020

By: Brittney Mayer, 7/25/2018

A typical internal combustion engine operates thanks to a reaction between fuel and oxygen that causes hot gases to expand within the cylinders. Those gases drive the engine's pistons, generating work, which — along with other key components — powers your vehicle. In other words? Without fuel, the engine doesn't work. And without a working engine, your car isn't going anywhere. So, if you have an internal combustion engine in your car, you need gas. And gasoline isn't cheap.... read more »

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