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3 Key Differences — Chase “Slate” vs. “Freedom Flex” vs. “Freedom Unlimited”

By: Mike Randall, 12/27/2016

As one of the largest credit card issuers in the world, Chase Bank has plenty of experience in meeting the needs of consumers. Chase knows there are different cards for different spending needs, which is why they offer a range of credit cards with a variety of features and rewards. From frequent flyer programs to cash back bonuses to attractive balance transfer offers, Chase has a credit card to meet just about any consumer or business need. Let’s take a close look at their most... read more »

GOBankingRates™ — Changing the Way People Think About Money Through Diverse Content & Enhanced Online Experiences

By: Brittney Mayer, 11/28/2016

In a Nutshell: Few things are as interwoven with our everyday lives as money; from food to travel, and everything in between, our finances impact just about every other aspect of life. At GOBankingRates.com, they know the importance of finance -- and its impact on other parts of life. In addition to covering everything from personal finance and savings, to investing and retirement, GOBankingRates helps readers connect their money to their lives -- and lifestyles. The site focuses on... read more »

“How Does a Secured Credit Card Work?” (+ 5 Best Secured Card Offers)

By: Ashley Dull, 11/2/2016

I recall researching my very first credit card as a college student and seeing a lot of terms I was unfamiliar with — secured cards, unsecured cards, APRs — and one of the big questions that jumped out at me was, "How does a secured credit card work?" Thankfully, as a finance writer and through personal experience, I've become much more familiar with the credit card lingo over the years. Secured credit cards are a great resource for anyone with poor credit looking to a)... read more »

Credit Sesame Gives Free Credit Scores, Financial Tools, and has 8M Users

By: Amber Brooks, 8/24/2016

In a Nutshell: Credit Sesame provides free credit scores and report cards to its members. Anyone can become a member and get continuous access to and updates about your credit -- at no cost. The site gets information from TransUnion and then breaks down your credit score for you, so you understand what factors go into it. Credit Sesame is much more than a simple tool for credit assessment; it also offers educational blog posts and research focused on credit-related issues. On a mission... read more »

What is a Charge Card? (Charge Card Definition + 3 Card Options)

By: Eric Bank, 8/18/2016

Most Americans shop using cash alternatives. Carrying cash around is inconvenient and risky, and paying by check is often a hassle. Furthermore, cash and checks will do you no good for your online purchases, as you will need some kind of account that allows you to pay for your items electronically. One option is a charge card. Some people use this term interchangeably with credit cards, but charge cards differ from other card types in a number of ways. So, what is a charge card?... read more »

CreditCardForum: Honest Credit Card Advice & Answers from an Online Community Nearly 20,000 Strong

By: Amber Brooks, 8/8/2016

In a Nutshell: For anyone with questions about credit cards, CreditCardForum offers an online community of people ready with answers. Founded in 2008, the forum hosts almost 20,000 active users who discuss salient credit card topics every day. Whether you’re wondering about the rewards of a particular card or your chances of being approved by an issuer, you can quickly find an answer by posting a question or searching through existing topics on CreditCardForum.com. Letting users... read more »

MoneyRates: Consumer Education, Financial Tools, and the Voice of an Industry Expert

By: Lauren Keys, 6/15/2016

In a Nutshell: Finding the right place to put your money is a big deal. Some banks charge fees where others don't, and some have more perks depending on the type of account you want to open. For more than 15 years, MoneyRates.com has provided banking data, such as interest rates, for easy, side-by-side comparisons. In 2009, MoneyRates brought on Richard Barrington, a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), to be the spokesperson of the site and offer expert insight into the world of... read more »

Creditnet.com Forum Serves as a Safe Place for Consumers to Ask Difficult Financial Questions

By: Lauren Keys, 4/4/2016

In a Nutshell: Between Credit Talk and its General Lounge forum offerings, Creditnet.com has been a conduit for financial communication between individuals with credit concerns since 1995. With peak membership following the financial crisis in the mid-to-late-2000s, Creditnet.com’s forum has seen nearly 500,000 posts to about 70,000 threads. People turn to the forums for help with uncomfortable financial topics they may be too embarrassed to discuss with friends or family. // The... read more »

Credit One VS. Capital One – What are the Differences?

By: Eric Bank, 2/8/2016

Credit One vs. Capital One — what are the differences between these two credit card issuers? Although they sound and look alike, make no mistake that Capital One and Credit One are very different. Capital One Bank is a dominant card issuer and suits folks of all credit scores. Credit One Bank is a smaller financial institution that mostly caters to consumers with bad or no credit. Capital One has more than 60 million cardholders; Credit One has 12 million and growing. Capital... read more »

Consumer Guide: California Credit Laws

By: Ashley Dull, 11/24/2015

California is notorious for its beautiful scenery, Hollywood celebrities, surfing and wine country — but California is also recognized for having many unique laws (like how women are prohibited from driving in house coats...), including some pertaining strictly to credit card usage. For example, if you’re using a card to make an in-store purchase and the cashier asks for your address, did you know this is against the law in California? Where I live in Florida, I am asked for... read more »

How to Calculate APR on a Credit Card

By: Ashley Dull, 11/16/2015

Banks are notorious for making numbers complicated. Even something as seemingly simple as your credit card’s annual percentage rate (APR) becomes complex when trying to calculate how banks get that number. But not to fear — learning how to calculate APR on a credit card is possible, and we'll show you how. As a responsible consumer, you're rightfully concerned as to how this perplexing number determines what you’re paying in interest charges. We've broken it all down for you as... 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 »

6 Expert Tips: Increase Your Credit Limit (Get Approved Now)

By: Ashley Dull, 8/21/2015

Are you interested in learning how to increase your credit limit? First and foremost, ask yourself why you want to increase your credit limit. If it’s to go on a shopping spree or purchase things you can’t afford without credit, stop right there. You'll need to have proven to yourself and the bank that you know how to use credit responsibly in order for them to approve you. This means that you’ve exemplified yourself as a good customer for at least 6 months. If your cards are... read more »

6 edX Courses That Can Change Your Financial Future — Led by the World’s Top Professors, For Free

By: Ashley Dull, 8/10/2015

In a Nutshell: edX.org is an innovative online learning destination where anyone can access free classes taught by professors from the finest universities, colleges and educational institutions in the world. Out of 48 courses in the economics and finance space, and 582 current offerings overall, we’ve narrowed down the best of the best for individuals who want to improve their financial literacy and reach their monetary goals. If advice and guidance from world-renowned experts in... read more »

How to Close a Credit Card

By: Mike Randall, 5/28/2015

The decision to slim down on the plastic in your wallet can be made for a number of reasons. Maybe your card issuer raised your APR or implemented new fees. Maybe the rewards and perks just aren't there. Or maybe you've come to the conclusion that you just don’t need to carry around so many cards. No matter the reason for closing a credit card, there's more to think about than simply cutting it into tiny pieces or pushing it through your shredder. Will My Credit Score Change? ... read more »

How We Improved Our Credit Score

By: Erika Blaska, 12/24/2014

I am a credit agency’s dream — I have never made a late payment, I always pay my bills early, and I have ample savings. My husband, on the other hand, did not take his credit as seriously as I did. He missed a couple of payments, only paid the minimum amount due and even paid an annual fee for a credit card. These things did not sit well with me — we needed to initiate "Operation: Improve Your Credit Score." I was determined to help my husband raise his credit score so... read more »

5 Secrets Credit Card Companies Don’t Want You to Know

By: Alexandra Leslie, 12/15/2014

Ever since the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act [CARD Act] took effect in February 2010, credit card bills are easier to read and understand for the average American. However, credit card companies sometimes still sneak in things in the fine print. They still find ways to take advantage of unassuming consumers who do not know any better. Get smarter with your finances and more realistic about your plastic by becoming aware of these five secrets... read more »

4 Ways Credit Card Companies Hack Your Brain

By: CardRates.com Staff, 11/24/2014

Think back to the last time you were offered a credit card. What do you remember most: the deals and rewards the card offered or it's APR, fees and fine details? Credit card companies make billions of dollars a year through clever accounting and finance technique, but the vulnerability of the human brain may be their most valuable tool. These tricks come from theories grounded in behavioral finance, a study that blends psychology and consumer finance. We spoke with some of the... read more »

Former Credit Card Junkie Goes from “Rock Bottom” to Consumer Superstar

By: CardRates.com Staff, 11/4/2014

Credit cards offer a risky combination of power and convenience. For better or worse, millions of people use credit cards every day, so much so the average household credit card debt hovered around $15,607 last September. But what happens when you let that power go to your head? Merchants start declining your cards, debt collectors call you constantly and you're left struggling to find ways to make ends meet. If this sounds like you, you're not alone. Beverly Harzog ... read more »

7 Things You Didn’t Know About Credit Card Numbers

By: CardRates.com Staff, 10/29/2014

Think you know all about that ubiquitous little piece of plastic you carry in your wallet? Most of us look at our credit cards on a regular – even daily – basis, but how much attention do we really pay to them? I’m sure we all realize every credit card has a unique string of numbers that is used to identify our individual account data, but that little number printed on your card holds a lot more information than just that. 1. What the first digit means - Major Industry... read more »

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