Credit Cards | Credit Card Topics

Ari Socolow of BestCashCow on the Competitive Card Market and How Issuers Can Deliver More Value

By: Adam West, 9/1/2021

In a Nutshell: Since 2005, millions have turned to BestCashCow to make the most of their money. Along with authoritative rates and info on savings accounts, CDs, and mortgages, among other financial instruments, BestCashCow also features insights from Chief Economist Ari Socolow, whose pronouncements lately have been about the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In my discussion with him, Socolow charts pandemic-related changes in the credit card industry that are creating new... read more »

Discount Tire’s Credit Card Offers Interest-Free Payment Options and Perks at 250,000+ Gas Stations

By: Adam West, 8/10/2021

In a Nutshell: Discount Tire provides customers with efficient tire and wheel installation, and maintenance at nearly 1,100 locations in the U.S. The company also offers consumers payment flexibility with its no-annual-fee credit card issued in partnership with Synchrony. Cardholders receive deals, rebates, and even flexible interest-free repayment options based on the total amount financed. And the Discount Tire credit card is accepted at more than 250,000 gas stations nationwide,... read more »

An ADAA Expert Weighs in on the Impacts of Credit Card Debt and Stress During the COVID-19 Crisis

By: Matt Walker, 9/9/2020

In a Nutshell: Concerns about financial matters can lead to elevated stress levels, particularly in times of great economic hardship. We spoke with psychiatrist Michael S. Ziffra of Northwestern University in Chicago and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) to understand more about the connection between stress and finance, and how it can lead to more serious conditions. Ziffra explained that in times of uncertainty, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, people can... read more »

An ACFE Expert Weighs in on Training and Resources that Can Help Identify Credit Card Fraud and Protect Merchants and Cardholders

By: Adam West, 6/2/2020

In a Nutshell: Cash has become an afterthought for a growing number of consumers, and businesses that don't accept credit cards may have trouble attracting new customers. But with every card transaction comes the potential for fraud — both for companies and cardholders. For more than 30 years, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has offered training and certifications for building expertise in the prevention of all types of fraud. ACFE Senior Researcher Mason Wilder... read more »

Petal Goes Beyond Credit Histories to Provide Consumers with a No-Fee Credit Card that Paves the Way to Financial Success

By: Adam West, 1/16/2019

In a Nutshell: The most significant benefits of credit are generally reserved for people who are already financially successful. Consumers establishing their credit and those recovering from financial setbacks tend to get higher interest rates and fees and lower credit limits. But Petal is changing that. Using AI and machine learning, the Petal platform analyzes the customer's entire financial record, not just a credit score. The result is often a better deal — in the form of higher... read more »

United Bank Delivers Leading-Edge Credit Card Products to Consumers and Businesses in New England While Maintaining a Personal Touch

By: Adam West, 11/27/2018

In a Nutshell: With roots stretching back more than 160 years, United Bank now operates nearly 60 branches in communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. United Bank owes its longevity to its personalized approach to banking that fulfills the needs of consumers and businesses. The organization matches its customers with the financial tools they need to succeed, and its consumer and business credit card products have nothing to envy those offered by the largest Wall... read more »

8 Best Loans & Credit Cards for a 500 to 550 Credit Score

By: Ashley Dull, 6/18/2018

Despite the fact that it's often referred to in the singular, you actually have dozens of credit scores. That said, the most prevalent credit scoring model currently used is the FICO Score 8. The FICO Score 8 operates on a scale of 300 to 850, with 850 being the best possible score. While this might make it seem as though a 500 to 550 credit score puts you near the middle, the average FICO Score in the US is actually around 700 — and everything under 580 is firmly in the "bad... read more »

The Abt Credit Card: Flexible Financing Plans Provide a Top Funding Option for Any Household Need

By: Ray FitzGerald, 1/31/2018

In February of 2017, I purchased a home that is considerably larger than the one I’d recently sold. As a self-proclaimed tech-geek, my first concern was extending a wireless internet signal throughout the home and yard — because who doesn’t need internet access in their yard? Determined to outfit the house with a Google WiFi system, I took to the web and searched dozens of digital storefronts only to find the product out of stock at each one. Several resellers offered... read more »

Putting Union Families First — Union Plus Acts as a Financial Partner to 1+ Million Members with Hardship Help & a Trio of Credit Card Options

By: Ray FitzGerald, 11/17/2017

In a Nutshell: Millions of card-carrying union members go to work each day in America. Not only is membership a source of pride, but it’s also a strong layer of protection for your ongoing employment. Union Privilege is a nonprofit formed by the AFL-CIO in 1986 to provide Union Plus benefits to union members beyond those offered through their jobs. Membership is free to union members and, in many cases, their families, and includes a tremendous hardship grant (at no extra cost) that... read more »

Arizona-Based Vantage West Credit Union Offers Members Two Standout Visa® Credit Cards with Competitive Rewards & Low Interest Rates

By: Ray FitzGerald, 8/25/2017

In a Nutshell: Southern Arizona natives already know Vantage West Credit Union as the largest member-owned financial institution in the region. Now, thanks to two generous rewards-based credit cards, members have even more to love about the credit union. Its most recent offering, the Vantage West Connect Rewards Visa Signature, boasts a generous rewards program with 5X points on a category of each member’s choosing, 3X on gas, 2X on groceries, and 1X on everything else. For members... read more »

Municipal Credit Union’s Low-Rate & Cash Back Rewards Cards Support Every Consumer’s Credit & Spending Needs

By: Adam West, 8/18/2017

In a Nutshell: As part of its commitment to serving more than 400,000 members, Municipal Credit Union offers a variety of credit cards for consumers with any type of credit score. The institution's offerings not only have some of the lowest interest rates on the market and great benefits, they are available to those with excellent credit as well as those with blemished or no credit history. Based on customer feedback, MCU added its new TRUE Rewards Cash Back Visa to go beyond its... read more »

CreditDonkey Offers Consumers & Businesses Advice on Choosing Credit Cards & Investment Opportunities that Best Meet Their Needs

By: Sean Garrity, 2/13/2017

In a Nutshell: Studies show the number of people looking for sound, professional financial advice has been growing for years. Though navigating the vast maze of financial services online can seem daunting, CreditDonkey is a centralized location where consumers can find the resources they need to increase financial literacy. CreditDonkey offers credit card and broker comparison tools to help people make informed decisions on the cards and investments right for them. The goal is to... read more »

6 Best Credit Cards for PPC & Google Adwords

By: Toby Sembower, 11/10/2015

If you or your business plan on doing a ton of online advertising — be it pay-per-click (PPC), native, display or otherwise — choosing the right credit card can make a world of difference. Keep reading for our choices for the six best credit cards for PPC and Google Adwords. After all, why charge $50,000/month in Google Adwords spending to a debit card when you could earn $1,000/month back on that instead? Why cut Bing Adcenter a check each month when using an air miles card... read more »

10 Best Options: How Do You Get Cashback on a Credit Card?

By: Ashley Dull, 11/6/2015

In the article that follows, we offer our take on the 10 best options that answer the question, "How do you get cashback on a credit card?" Consumers who may be just starting out on their journey to establish credit may find themselves asking this, among other questions about the credit world. It's also a question asked many, many times over the years by recent college graduates and even consumers who are rebuilding their credit scores after a few missteps during their journey. ... read more »

What’s the Best Credit Card for Airline Miles?

By: Ashley Dull, 11/4/2015

If you’re a frequent flyer, or anyone who just likes to travel on the cheap, you may be wondering, "What's the best credit card for airline miles?" Identifying this can deliver some serious benefits in the long run. These cards provide the opportunity to fly around the world for little to no money, with perks like priority boarding, airport lounge access, free checked baggage, and in-flight wifi. Air miles work just like rewards points on other credit cards: points accumulate by... read more »

10 Best No-Interest “0% on Purchases” Credit Cards

By: Toby Sembower, 10/30/2015

Credit card issuers are known to offer a number of amazing perks to attract and retain new credit card customers — free air miles, cash back, you name it. One of the most underutilized of these perks is the "0% APR on purchases" feature offered by many of the top issuers. What does that perk mean exactly? A 0% on purchases introductory APR simply means when you make purchases on a card, the issuer will not begin accruing interest on those amounts until after a predetermined number... read more »

Credit Card Compromised? What to Do Immediately (3 Actions)

By: Eric Bank, 10/29/2015

Is your credit card compromised? When bad things happen to your credit card, you must leap into action in order to contain the fallout. Immediate actions can limit the harm and save you time repairing the damage. Here are the top three tips to follow when your credit card becomes compromised: Have the card deactivated. Note: Remember to destroy your old one (if it's not lost). Check your credit reports and scores. You can do that at TransUnion cheaply. Update your payment... read more »

“Can You Withdraw Money From a Credit Card?” (Here’s How)

By: Mike Randall, 10/23/2015

Can you withdraw money from a credit card? Here's how this less common use case for credit cards works. And the short answer is, yes, you can use your credit card to take out a little cash in an emergency. But let's take a look at this scenario in more detail. Most credit cards have a cash advance option for holders in good standing that allows them to withdraw money from a credit card. There are, however, a few things to consider when it comes to using your credit card at an... read more »

6 Expert Tips: How to Increase Your Discover Credit Limit

By: Ashley Dull, 9/16/2015

Perhaps you recently landed a nice raise at work, reduced your credit utilization, or simply, you've had your Discover card account for a while now and have always paid on time — it may time to explore how to increase the credit limit on that Discover card. As with any credit card issuer, Discover offers several ways for cardholders to request a credit limit increase on their card accounts. Below are all the options you'll need, including how to reach Discover via phone or login... read more »

6 Expert Tips → How to Increase Credit Limit (Capital One)

By: Ashley Dull, 9/1/2015

After you've had your Capital One credit card for a while and you've established a history of timely payments, you may be Googling terms like "how to increase credit limit." Thankfully, Captial One makes it pretty simple to request an increase to your credit limit online or over the phone. You may also select and apply for a new, high-limit card online. Here are the resources you'll need to increase your limit: Call or Login Online | Choose a New Card | 6 Tips from... read more »

6 Expert Tips → How to Increase Credit Limit (Chase)

By: Ashley Dull, 8/26/2015

JPMorgan Chase & Co., known simply as Chase, is one of the most popular major credit card issuers in the world, thanks in no small part to its diverse offering of rewards credit cards. And as a credit card user, increasing your credit limit can potentially deliver positive results to your credit report as your credit utilization ratio decreases. Keep reading for tips to increase your credit limit. Chase provides a couple of options to request a credit limit, which are detailed... read more »

Who Invented the First Bank-Issued Credit Card?

By: Mike Randall, 3/30/2015

Ah, the ubiquitous credit card. Considering how these little pieces of plastic have helped to shape the consumer landscape for nearly six decades, do we really give them enough respect? (You thought I was going to say credit, didn’t you?) We seldom give more than a passing thought to using a credit card for everything from dinner at our favorite restaurant to paying for gas at the pump. But have you ever wondered who invented the first credit card? Where did it all begin? Seen... read more »

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All articles tagged Credit Cards (22)