Credit Cards | Credit Card Topics

6 Finance Experts Pick the Best Credit Cards for Beginners in 2025

By: Mike Senecal, 12/12/2024

I didn't always have the financial experience I have today. As a consumer, I had to start at the beginning like everybody else. The problem is that starting at the beginning with credit cards can mean facing some pretty serious obstacles. That's because the lending industry works on reputation. More than anything, card issuers look at your credit history to determine how much to lend and at what cost. But what do you do if you don't have a credit history or your file's too thin... read more »

Survey: 83% of Consumers Select Credit Cards Based on Perks, But Few Cardholders Use Them

By: Jon McDonald, 12/9/2024

Credit cards have long been regarded as useful tools for consumers. They allow access to an instant line of credit, build up your credit score, and protect against fraud and unauthorized purchases. Aside from these general advantages of using a credit card, many credit card companies incentivize consumers to apply by offering perks and deals for prospective cardholders. Additional perks such as cash back rewards, price protection, travel discounts, and more are just another... read more »

What is a Secured Credit Card? A Guide to Deposit-Backed Credit Options

By: Eric Bank, 10/22/2024

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “secured?” Maybe it’s the warm and fuzzies when curling up by the fireside. Or is it a more literal version, such as locks turning on safety deposit boxes? Whatever images the word conjures for you, “secured” has a particular meaning in the credit card world, and that’s exactly what I’ll dive into today. A secured credit card is backed by an upfront deposit that you must pay before you receive... read more »

What is a Credit Card Issuer? More About the Institutions That Extend Credit to Consumers

By: Eric Bank, 10/21/2024

Wouldn’t you love to rip the masks off of the institutions responsible for issuing credit cards? What are they really up to, and how can you pick a trustworthy one? Well, saddle up because I’m about to shed light on some of the lesser-known facts surrounding credit card issuers, explaining their role in helping — or sometimes tripping up — folks like you when it comes to making purchases and how you can choose the right one without stepping into a mess. Credit card... read more »

What is an Unsecured Card? A Guide to Traditional Credit Cards and Their Rates, Terms, and Limits

By: Erica Sandberg, 11/19/2024

Chances are that, like me, you have an unsecured credit card or two in your wallet. Or maybe you're interested in getting one for the first time. These accounts are great to have because, unlike their secured card cousins, you don't need to submit any cash to the financial institution to guarantee the credit line. Instead, the issuer grants you a credit card based on your past credit history, credit scores, and overall financial circumstances. Most credit cards are unsecured, so... read more »

9 Best Loans & Credit Cards: 500-550 Score (2023)

By: Ashley Fricker, 3/30/2023

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 FICO Score 8. The FICO Score 8 model operates on a scale of 300 to 850, with 850 being the best possible score. While this may 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 above 700 — and everything under 580 is firmly in "bad credit"... read more »

6 Best Credit Cards for PPC & Google Adwords (2023)

By: Toby Sembower, 9/7/2023

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 »

7 Options to Get Cashback on a Credit Card (Jan. 2025)

By: Ashley Fricker, 1/2/2025

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? (2023)

By: Ashley Fricker, 5/16/2023

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 »

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

By: Eric Bank, 8/24/2020

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 »

6 Tips: How to Increase Discover Credit Limit (2023)

By: Ashley Fricker, 10/30/2023

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 Tips: Increase Your Capital One Credit Limit (2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 7/16/2024

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 Tips: How to Increase Chase Credit Limit (2024)

By: Ashley Fricker, 3/14/2024

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, 5/24/2018

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 (14)