Credit Cards & Rewards
New card launches, reward program changes, sign-up bonuses, annual fee comparisons, cashback and travel cards, and how to use credit cards strategically.
Latest in Credit Cards & Rewards
Credit card APRs averaging 23.7% despite three Fed rate cuts — Boston Fed says it’s hurting spending
Three Federal Reserve rate cuts were supposed to make borrowing cheaper. For the roughly half of American credit card holders who carry a balance month...
Visa’s Level 2 interchange program sunsets TOMORROW — merchants face higher fees under new AI-audited rules
A mid-size office supply distributor processing half a million dollars a month in corporate card payments could see roughly $1,250 in new interchange costs appear...
Credit card annual fees top $800 as Amex Platinum hits $895 — should you cancel before renewal?
When American Express raised the Platinum Card’s annual fee to $695 in 2021, longtime cardholders grumbled but mostly stayed. Now Amex is testing that loyalty...
Chase Sapphire Reserve raises annual fee to $795, adds new perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve now costs $795 a year. That is a $245 jump from the card’s previous $550 annual fee, and it marks the...
Credit card rewards lose value faster than many users realize
More than 90 percent of general-purpose credit card spending has flowed through rewards cards since 2019, according to the CFPB’s report on the consumer credit...
The ideal number of credit cards for your credit score according to FICO data
Credit cards can be powerful financial tools when used responsibly. They help build credit history, provide fraud protections, and often offer rewards that can make...
The average American household now carries over $10,000 in credit card debt at 21% interest
Credit card debt has quietly crossed another troubling milestone for American households. Recent data shows that the average household now carries more than $10,000 in...
The CFPB tried to cap credit card late fees at $8: the rule was struck down and here is what you still pay
A federal judge in Texas vacated the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) rule that would have capped most credit card late fees at $8, ending...
How to get approved for your first credit card in 2026 with zero credit history
Getting approved for a first credit card without any credit history can feel like a frustrating catch-22. Many lenders want to see a credit record...
Credit cards earning up to 6% cash back on groceries in 2026
Groceries remain one of the largest recurring expenses for many households, which makes the right credit card surprisingly valuable. A strong grocery rewards card can...
How to get a credit limit increase without triggering a hard pull on your credit
Increasing your credit limit can improve your credit score, expand your spending flexibility, and lower your credit utilization ratio. However, many cardholders hesitate to request...
What happens to your credit score and interest rate when you max out a credit card
Credit cards can be useful financial tools, but maxing one out can create consequences that ripple far beyond a single purchase. When a card reaches...
Credit cards with hidden fees that quietly add up to hundreds per year
Credit cards can be powerful financial tools when used responsibly, but many come with fees that are easy to overlook. While some costs are obvious,...
Credit card perks worth $500 or more per year that most cardholders overlook
Many people focus on credit card rewards like cashback or airline miles. Those benefits are easy to see because they show up on monthly statements....
Are store credit cards worth the 25% discount? The real math on 8 major retailers
Walk into many large retailers and the same offer appears at checkout: open the store credit card today and get 20% to 30% off your...
Credit card strategies that save retirees on fixed incomes hundreds each year
Retirement often means living on a fixed income, which makes controlling everyday expenses more important than ever. Credit cards are commonly viewed as a source...
The 5 most common reasons credit card applications get denied and how to fix each one
Getting denied for a credit card can feel frustrating, especially if the application process only takes a few minutes, but lenders rarely reject applications at...
Credit card myths that could be quietly costing you hundreds each year
Credit cards are one of the most widely used financial tools in the United States. They can build credit, provide consumer protections, and even generate...
Secured credit cards: how they work, what they cost, and the fastest way to graduate to unsecured
Secured credit cards are often the first real opportunity someone has to rebuild damaged credit or establish credit for the first time. They are simple...