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Credit Card Articles

Articles about choosing the right credit card, and how to get the most from the ones you have.
 
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Recent Articles

Interest rates and a question mark scattered about on flash cards.
Feb. 18, 2019 | By Matt Frankel, CFP®

Interest rate vs. APY vs. APR: What's the Difference?

The terms interest rate, APR, and APY are often used interchangeably, but have different meanings that are important to understand.
Feb. 15, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

Does Your Cell Phone Bill Impact Your Credit Score?

Not every bill you pay affects whether your credit score goes up or down. Learn what kind of impact your cell phone bill can have on your credit score.
Close up of hands holding a credit card and using a laptop.
Feb. 15, 2019 | By Matt Frankel, CFP®

Secured Credit Cards: What You Need to Know

A secured credit card can be an excellent tool to rebuild or establish credit, so here’s what you need to know before you get one.
Feb. 14, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

Credit Scores Just Hit a Record High! How Does Yours Compare?

The average American’s credit score has reached record heights. Here’s what consumers have been doing right and what you can do to keep pace.
Feb. 11, 2019 | By Matt Frankel, CFP®

How to Set Up a Credit Fraud Alert in 3 Easy Steps

If you’re worried about identity theft and want to be proactive, a fraud alert can be a good idea.
White index cards with various percentages on them.
Feb. 8, 2019 | By Matt Frankel, CFP®

Why Your Credit Card APR Is Going Up and What to Do About It

Here’s how credit APRs change over time, and what it means to you if you have outstanding credit card debt.
Feb. 6, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

4 Reasons to Use a Credit Card When Shopping Online

The payment method you use online is more important than you might think. Check out the reasons why a credit card is the smartest option when shopping online.
Feb. 5, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

7 Ways to Save Money on Travel

Think you need a lot of spare cash to travel? Not with these tips that can help you save money every time you hit the road.
Feb. 4, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

Is Shopping Online With a Credit Card Safe?

With the amount of cybercrime that goes on, you always need to be careful about where you enter your credit card number. Protect your information by finding out when it is and isn’t safe to shop online with a credit card.
Jan. 31, 2019 | By Elizabeth Aldrich

Avoid Doing These 3 Things When Traveling With a Credit Card

Traveling is costly. Here’s how to make sure you’re not spending even more than you need to.
Jan. 30, 2019 | By Eric Volkman

The 5 Most Important Things to Know When Opening a Credit Card

We know, you can’t wait to use your new credit card to swipe your way to happiness. Before that plastic arrives, though, there are a few important details about it you need to be aware of.
Hands open up a wallet showing that the inside is empty.
Jan. 29, 2019 | By Elizabeth Aldrich

These 2 Costly Credit Card Trends Could Hit Your Wallet

The economy is looking up -- and so are interest rates.
Piggy bank surround by cash stacks.
Jan. 29, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

Only 39% of Cardholders With Credit Card Debt Know This Important Piece of Information

Your debt may be costing you more than you think!
Young woman holding a credit card in her hand as she uses a laptop.
Jan. 24, 2019 | By Elizabeth Aldrich

4 Reasons to Avoid Opening a Store Credit Card in 2019

Opening a new store credit card may save you a few dollars up front, but these costly pitfalls can easily outweigh the discounts.
Two credit cards sitting on top of various American dollars.
Jan. 23, 2019 | By Eric Volkman

Bonus vs. Flat-Rate Cash-Back Credit Cards

You can either earn elevated rewards with selected bonus categories or at one steady rate for all purchases. Here’s how to decide between the two flavors of cash-back cards.
Jan. 22, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

4 Hyped Credit Card Trends That Need to End

Exciting credit card news isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Here are the hyped credit card trends that we’re sick of seeing.
paper airplanes flying among stars
Jan. 18, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

What the Chase Ultimate Rewards and Korean SKYPASS Breakup Means Going Forward

Korean SKYPASS is no longer a transfer partner of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Find out what this means for Chase cardholders and how much this could affect your travel plans.
model plane, Big Ben, double-decker bus, and other travel icons
Jan. 17, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

Should I Alert Discover If I Plan to Travel With My Credit Card?

Before you hit the road (or the air) for your next trip, find out whether you’ll need to set up a travel alert so that you can use your Discover credit card.
Jan. 15, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

7 Strategies for Traveling With a Credit Card

A credit card can always come in handy on a trip. Before you take off, check out these strategies for traveling with a credit card so nothing goes wrong on your vacation.
Jan. 14, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

How to Use United's Excursionist Perk to Score a Free Extra Flight on Your Trip

Bring your next trip in under budget by tacking on an extra segment using the United Excursionist Perk.
desk calendar showing "31"
Jan. 14, 2019 | By Elizabeth Aldrich

How Often Does Capital One Increase Credit Limits?

Capital One has some rules when it comes to credit limit increases -- make sure you know them before you request one.
secure credit cards with a lock over them
Jan. 14, 2019 | By Motley Fool Money Staff

Why Should I Sign Up for a Secured Credit Card?

Secure credit cards can be a good way to get your credit score out of the basement, but there are some caveats.
Jan. 14, 2019 | By Eric Volkman

These 4 Times Paying With Cash Is Better Than a Credit Card

The credit card is one of the most useful financial instruments ever created. Credit cards are so useful that we sometimes forget they can’t be used in every buying situation.
Jan. 14, 2019 | By Eric Volkman

Are Contactless Credit Cards the Future?

The typical credit card transaction will soon be quite different. Find out exactly what the big change will be.
tool bag full of tools
Jan. 8, 2019 | By Lyle Daly

How to Repair Your Credit in 6 Steps

A bad credit score can be a constant source of frustration. If your score isn’t where you’d like it to be, our guide on how to repair your credit can help you boost it back up.