The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, April 19, 2025

All articles tagged Payments (page 2)

What is a Minimum Payment on a Credit Card?

What is a Minimum Payment on a Credit Card?

I wouldn’t advise only making minimum payments on your credit cards, but it can make sense in certain situations. Most of the time, you’ll want to steer clear of minimum payments because they lead to interest charges and debt piling up fast. But if you are in a financial pinch or using the snowball or avalanche methods (don’t worry, I’ll cover them later), making minimum payments could actually be helpful. A minimum payment is the least amount you must pay by the due date to... read more »

How Stored Value Wallets Drive Deeper Loyalty and Connection Between Merchants and Customers

How Stored Value Wallets Drive Deeper Loyalty and Connection Between Merchants and Customers

Many enterprise retailers like Starbucks have the muscle to build promotions and incentives into their payment apps from scratch. That leaves others, including midmarket chain competitors, in the lurch because they lack the resources to out-innovate and outcompete. Ansa steps in to help coffee shops, quick-serve restaurants, and a growing collection of businesses in other verticals go up against their established competitors. With Ansa Anywhere, Ansa brings mobile... read more »

Merchants Using No-Code Payment Technology Have More Time and Resources for Business

Merchants Using No-Code Payment Technology Have More Time and Resources for Business

The payment industry is a mishmash of overlapping roles, competing technologies, and conflicting business models. PayJunction has a track record of more than two decades as a payment provider that can cut through the clutter and deliver a delightful customer experience. PayJunction works with software vendors and developers to take 100% ownership of their payment operations. It also appeals directly to thousands of merchants interested in its intuitive no-code... read more »

Empower Your eCommerce Business with a Full Suite of Payment & Verification Solutions from SeamlessChex

Empower Your eCommerce Business with a Full Suite of Payment & Verification Solutions from SeamlessChex

Businesses rely on payment processors to help them maintain positive cash flow. SeamlessChex provides innovative payment solutions that can help merchants send and receive payments quickly. The company works with merchants across various industries to minimize chargebacks and position them for success. SeamlessChex offers competitive pricing and personalized customer service to help merchants overcome challenges. If you've ever dreamed of owning your own business,... read more »

What Are Contactless Payments? A Guide to Convenient and Secure Transactions

What Are Contactless Payments? A Guide to Convenient and Secure Transactions

If there’s one thing credit companies are great at, it’s making it easier for you to spend money. Whenever I tap my credit card to make a payment at the grocery store, all I think about is how simple that was, not the hundreds of dollars I just dropped on weekly necessities — except for that Milky Way candy bar. Tapping your credit card to pay is a form of contactless payment, which means you don’t have to insert your card or enter a personal identification number... read more »

From Payment Gateway to Full-Service Processing, PayTrace Has Evolved To Meet B2B Payment Needs

From Payment Gateway to Full-Service Processing, PayTrace Has Evolved To Meet B2B Payment Needs

What was once a purpose-built payment gateway provider is now a leading full-service B2B payment processor. PayTrace started in the early 2000s as a gateway that brought efficiencies to corporate card programs. Now, as the B2B arm of payment giant North American Bancard, it is a full-stack payment processor with multiple partners and thousands of satisfied clients. The nexus of an ecosystem of integrators, native integrations, and partnerships, PayTrace is a name that... read more »

Combining Modern Technology Solutions and Experience Pays Off for This Payment Processor

Combining Modern Technology Solutions and Experience Pays Off for This Payment Processor

Talus offers payment solutions to help businesses thrive. The company completed two acquisitions in 2023 to boost its capabilities and provide more value to its customers. Talus seeks to learn about its customers’ businesses to position them to gain efficiencies and grow. The company’s knowledgeable in-house customer service team answers customer questions and helps solve their problems. When consumers need a tool to help them perform a task, they often purchase... read more »

Vaultless Tokenization Streamlines Payment Security by Putting Merchants in the Driver’s Seat

Vaultless Tokenization Streamlines Payment Security by Putting Merchants in the Driver’s Seat

Merchants of all sizes face many options in today's payment processing industry. But some choices are more future-focused than others. As a payment security provider with a decades-long legacy, Bluefin helps merchants avoid processor lock-in and preserve optionality through its innovative ShieldConex Tokenization Platform. ShieldConex encrypts data for local storage to lower costs, provides fast PCI compliance, and links merchants, software providers, and payment... read more »

Flywire Leverages Software, Technology, and Industry Expertise to Streamline Payment Processing for Clients

Flywire Leverages Software, Technology, and Industry Expertise to Streamline Payment Processing for Clients

In a Nutshell:  An increasingly interconnected world demands that payments travel from sender to recipient as seamlessly as possible. Flywire combines its proprietary global payments network, next-gen payments platform and vertical-specific software to deliver the most important and complex payments for its clients and their customers. The company serves clients in the education, healthcare, B2B  travel industries  Consumers planning to make a relatively expensive purchase, such... read more »

What is the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023?

What is the Credit Card Competition Act of 2023?

The Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) is a proposed federal law that would change the way most credit card transactions are processed in the U.S. Currently, almost all transactions can be processed on only one card network.  Visa card transactions are processed only via the Visa network; Mastercard card transactions are processed only via the Mastercard network; American Express cards are processed only via the American Express network, and Discover card transactions are processed... read more »

PDCflow Recognized for Its Flow Technology That Enables Secure Document Transfers and Payments

PDCflow Recognized for Its Flow Technology That Enables Secure Document Transfers and Payments

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from solutions that enable them to operate more efficiently. PDCflow offers configurable products to help its customers streamline their payment and communication processes. The company values customer feedback and provides robust support and training to clients. CardRates is recognizing PDCflow with our Editor’s Choice™ Award for its innovative payment and communication solutions. Businesses that can securely expedite payment... read more »

Rethinking Point of Sale Can Help Merchants Improve Competitiveness and Profitability

Rethinking Point of Sale Can Help Merchants Improve Competitiveness and Profitability

High-inventory, multilocation merchants — including those that aspire to the enterprise level or are already there — need a point-of-sale solution that understands their unique challenges and doesn't get in the way of achieving their goals. KORONA POS fits the bill in many retail categories because it's smart enough to know what clients need and flexible enough to adjust to changing circumstances as businesses grow. Owners and managers of customer-facing businesses... read more »

National Processing Satisfies Merchants with Exemplary Service and Straightforward Pricing

National Processing Satisfies Merchants with Exemplary Service and Straightforward Pricing

Merchants intent on growing their businesses need to accept numerous forms of payment from their customers. National Processing is a payment processor that prioritizes customer service and offers transparent pricing plans. The company’s solutions suit businesses operating in various industries. National Processing’s suite of payment tools allows merchants to accept in-person and online payments. Consumers can be frustrated with service providers when they raise... read more »

Buy Now, Pay Later: More than 1 in 4 Americans Currently Using BNPL Services

Buy Now, Pay Later: More than 1 in 4 Americans Currently Using BNPL Services

The growing popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services has revolutionized online shopping. BNPL allows consumers to split the cost of a purchase into smaller installments, typically interest-free, and pay it off over a set period.  While many appreciate the budgeting benefits and convenience, a sizable number also worry about the potential financial risks. We surveyed 1,000 American consumers to better understand how Americans are using BNPL services, current purchase and... read more »

Integrations, Security, and Savings Help Curbstone Optimize Payment Processing and Drive Growth

Integrations, Security, and Savings Help Curbstone Optimize Payment Processing and Drive Growth

Firms operating in the IBM i, iSeries, and AS/400 "mini-mainframe" environment value its scalability, security, and reliability. Curbstone integrates omnichannel B2B and B2C payment processing into the AS/400 environment using a consultative approach emphasizing each client's unique priorities and goals. Integrations support complex payment structures, reduce compliance exposure, control costs, and secure the best possible interchange rates. Curbstone helps AS/400... read more »

Accept Credit Cards Provides Low-Cost Card Processing Services With Live, U.S.-Based Support

Accept Credit Cards Provides Low-Cost Card Processing Services With Live, U.S.-Based Support

Credit card processors may struggle to differentiate themselves in a constantly evolving marketplace. Yet Accept Credit Cards appeals to merchants nationwide with its low prices, robust technology, and live U.S.-based customer support. Merchants appreciate the firm's emphasis on personalized onboarding, cost savings, problem-solving, and PCI compliance to keep payment systems serving customers. Steadfast top-to-bottom customer service makes Accept Credit Cards an... read more »

Swipesum Takes a Technology-Forward, Consultative Approach to Helping Merchants Optimize Payments

Swipesum Takes a Technology-Forward, Consultative Approach to Helping Merchants Optimize Payments

Swipesum works with merchants to locate payment processors that can help them achieve their goals. The company engages with prospective customers to understand their businesses before recommending solutions. Swipesum’s services benefit small businesses and large enterprises with thousands of locations. Based in St. Louis, Swipesum values fostering an environment where its employees can thrive. As technological advances increase the speed of business, companies need... read more »

Clearly Payments Helps Merchants of All Sizes Thrive Through Lower Fees and Attentive Service

Clearly Payments Helps Merchants of All Sizes Thrive Through Lower Fees and Attentive Service

Businesses can increase their revenue by accepting more types of payments from customers. Clearly Payments is a payments processor that prides itself on its service and transparent pricing. The company responds quickly to customer questions and relies on referrals for new business opportunities. Clearly Payments offers solutions to companies with brick-and-mortar locations and web-based businesses. Payments are the lifeblood of the business world. After all, a... read more »

ROLLER Streamlines Payments and Operations for the Attractions Industry Through a Unified Platform

ROLLER Streamlines Payments and Operations for the Attractions Industry Through a Unified Platform

ROLLER provides software solutions to help attractions venues save money and increase efficiency. The company offers an array of services to suit various types of attractions businesses. Its online ticketing system allows guests to purchase admittance tickets and ancillary items before arriving at a venue. ROLLER’s commitment to being a leading financial service solution for attractions operators has earned it our Editor’s Choice™ Award. Visits to... read more »

SkyTab Provides Flexible, Scalable POS Solutions for Restaurants, Bars, and Hospitality Providers

SkyTab Provides Flexible, Scalable POS Solutions for Restaurants, Bars, and Hospitality Providers

SkyTab distinguishes itself in the crowded restaurant, hospitality, and food-and-beverage point-of-sale and payment space by offering better value, convenience, and flexibility than competitors. SkyTab requires zero upfront cost and a low monthly fee for the works: hardware, software, and support, including on-site installation and a lifetime hardware warranty. The platform also includes many wishlist features at no additional cost and provides third-party integrations... read more »

Credit Cards vs. BNPL Services: What to Know in 2025

Credit Cards vs. BNPL Services: What to Know in 2025

Payment options for consumer goods and services abound. Credit cards are most common. According to data collected by the Federal Reserve, roughly 69% of Americans had such an account in the second quarter of 2023. But buy now, pay later (BNPL) plans are also becoming popular. A Morning Consult survey found that 1 in 5 U.S. adults said they made a purchase with one of these short-term loans in August 2023.  So should you use a credit card or a BNPL to get what you want?... read more »

SMB Owners Can Harness the Versatility of Zil Money to Pay Every Vendor with a Credit Card

SMB Owners Can Harness the Versatility of Zil Money to Pay Every Vendor with a Credit Card

The best business ideas are inspired by a problem someone in the trenches  experienced. As owner of Tyler Petroleum, Zil founder and CEO Sabeer Nelli wrote software to handle his payment problems. That platform became Zil Money, an all-in-one payment solution for SMBs that provides hassle-free payment services and integration with popular accounting systems. Zil Money is simple and easy to use without requiring expensive subscription fees or exorbitant transaction... read more »

Cheddar Up Helps Groups Collect, Manage, and Track Payments and Ancillary Organizational Information

Cheddar Up Helps Groups Collect, Manage, and Track Payments and Ancillary Organizational Information

Anyone responsible for payment collection knows what a chore it can be. Cheddar Up facilitates the process of collecting payments and their accompanying documents by offering reporting tools and tailored plans that align with a group’s requirements. Cheddar Up’s versatility makes it suitable for numerous groups and nonprofit organizations. New parents daydream about their child’s future, envisioning all the milestones and ups and downs their child will... read more »

EBizCharge Recognized for Pioneering Embedded Payment Solutions

EBizCharge Recognized for Pioneering Embedded Payment Solutions

EBizCharge is more than a provider of payments solutions; it listens to businesses to understand their aspirations, challenges, and workflows. EBizCharge’s practice of learning what customers need positions it to recommend products and services that help its customers succeed. Its integration capabilities enable seamless payments processing. CardRates is recognizing EBizCharge with our Editor’s Choice™ Award for its leading payments solution. EBizCharge... read more »

25 Fascinating Credit Card vs. Cash Spending Statistics (2025)

25 Fascinating Credit Card vs. Cash Spending Statistics (2025)

Consumers have plenty of options when it comes to paying for transactions. Cash and credit cards are two of the most popular methods of payment, and both of them come with their share of benefits.  Whether you reach for a stack of bills or whip out your credit card to complete a transaction often depends on your personal preferences and which option is most convenient for that particular purchase. Or maybe you reach for something else altogether. Advances in technology have... read more »