Credit Cards

The saying “It’s too good to be true” is never more evident than with credit card reward programs. Clever marketing makes many credit card reward programs seem like you’re getting a great deal, but there’s typically a catch that you won’t realize unless you dig deeper. Tiered Rewards and Thresholds The tiered reward system is … Read more

Many financial problems are either a symptom of or directly caused by bad credit card habits. Getting rid of the worst credit card habits will save you money and help your credit score. Here are nine bad credit card habits you should break before they break you. Not paying attention to your due date. After … Read more

A low credit card interest rate is hard to get and easy to lose. If you have a good enough credit history to qualify for a low interest rate, make sure you keep up the good habits required to keep that good rate. Make your payments on time. One of the easiest ways to avoid … Read more

Credit card billing statements are handled electronically, but that doesn’t mean they’re error free. Billing errors – including uncredited payments or returns, finance charge calculations, and unauthorized charges – are more common than you might think. In a November 2011 report, the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that credit card billing disputes were the … Read more

With credit cards, you have a certain amount of time that you can pay your balance in full and avoid paying interest on your credit card balance. That time period is known as the grace period. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires grace periods, on credit cards that have them, to be at least … Read more

Retail or store-branded credit cards are often the go-to credit card for people who are just starting out with credit or people trying to rebuild a bad credit score. Even if you’re not on the market for a new credit card, you’ll be asked to sign up for some retail card almost every time you … Read more

Thanks to the Credit CARD Act of 2009 credit card disclosures are much easier to understand. Credit card issuers mail these disclosures with every credit card offer and the document contains a wealth of information about the credit card pricing. If you’re deciding whether you should take a credit card offer, the credit card disclosure … Read more

Though microchip-embedded smart cards are issued and accepted in 130 countries around the world, the U.S. has been slow to adapt. Americans traveling overseas have been frustrated and annoyed when it comes to using their old-fashioned credit card with a magnetic stripe, also called a mag-stripe. Magnetic stripes on credit cards have been around since … Read more

Credit cards are wonderfully convenient and safer than carrying around a wallet-full of cash. Keep these points in mind to make your credit card use as safe as possible: Manage the risk of loss To reduce the hassle involved in reporting missing credit cards in case of loss or theft, keep a list of all … Read more

Sub-prime credit cards can offer consumers with a poor credit history a fresh start – a chance to improve their credit score while enjoying the advantages of using a credit card. Sub-prime cards work the same way as a regular credit card. The cardholder will get be able to make airline and hotel reservations online … Read more