Credit card basics

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Credit card basics

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Is It Worth Paying an Annual Fee for a Credit Card?

Find out why credit cards have annual fees and when you should (and shouldn’t) pay them.

By Louis DeNicola

Sep 24, 2024

What Happens if You Only Pay the Minimum on Your Credit Card?

Paying the minimum on your credit card may save you in the short term, but it will cost yo...

By Jennifer Brozic

Sep 17, 2024

How to Apply for a Credit Card

Apply for a credit card by checking your credit, choosing a credit card type, comparing ca...

By Brianna McGurran

Sep 12, 2024

What Is a Cash Advance Fee on a Credit Card?

Credit cards aren't just a convenient payment method. You can also use them to get cash, b...

By Jennifer Brozic

Sep 3, 2024

How Do Credit Card Payments Work?

Your credit card issuer will calculate a minimum payment that's due each month, but you ca...

By Brianna McGurran

Sep 3, 2024

Does the 15/3 Credit Card Hack Work?

If you want to improve your credit scores the 15/3 credit card hack isn't the answer, but ...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 31, 2024

What Is APR on a Credit Card?

The APR on a credit card affects the time and cost of paying off your balance. Understandi...

By LaToya Irby

Aug 21, 2024

When Should I Pay My Credit Card Bill?

Aligning your credit card payments with the due date and your financial goals can help you...

By Jennifer Brozic

Aug 17, 2024

Does Applying for Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit?

If you’re thinking about applying for a credit card, here’s what you need to know about ho...

By Ben Luthi

Aug 16, 2024

7 Different Types of Credit Cards

There is a wide range of credit cards designed to fit every need and lifestyle, from rewar...

By LaToya Irby

Aug 11, 2024

Are Credit Cards Safer Than Debit Cards?

Credit cards are safer than debit cards because under federal law, you won't be responsibl...

By Brianna McGurran

Aug 8, 2024

Why Is My Credit Card Being Declined?

Your credit card could be declined for something as simple as an expired card, something m...

By Tim Maxwell

Jul 31, 2024

How to Freeze a Credit Card

Freezing a credit card lets you pause most new transactions. You can freeze your credit ca...

By LaToya Irby

Jul 15, 2024

What Is a Foreign Transaction Fee?

Foreign transaction fees can increase the costs of using a credit card when traveling abro...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Jun 29, 2024

What Happens if I Stop Paying My Credit Cards?

Stopping your credit card payments can affect your finances and your credit scores. Here a...

By Louis DeNicola

Jun 24, 2024

What Happens When You Lock Your Credit Card?

You may be able to lock many of your credit cards, which blocks new charges and cash advan...

By Jim Akin

Jun 9, 2024

Does Locking Your Credit Card Hurt Your Credit?

A credit card lock has many benefits, like preventing thieves from making fraudulent charg...

By Tim Maxwell

Jun 2, 2024

What to Do if Your Card Gets Declined

If your credit card gets declined, you can do a number of things to respond to the situati...

By John Egan

May 31, 2024

What’s the Minimum Age for an Authorized User?

The minimum age requirements for authorized users vary from 13 to 18. Still, some card iss...

By Tim Maxwell

May 30, 2024

How to Check Your Credit Card Application Status

Curious about the status of your credit card application? You can generally check your app...

By Karen Axelton

May 26, 2024

How to Change Your Name on Your Credit Card

The process of changing your name on a credit card varies by issuer, though most require y...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

May 24, 2024

Are Credit Cards Bad?

Credit cards can be helpful or harmful—it all comes down to how you use them.

By Louis DeNicola

May 23, 2024

5 Credit Card Hacks to Avoid

You might want to earn credit card rewards and improve your credit, but these so-called ha...

By Louis DeNicola

May 16, 2024

What Is a Cash Advance and How Does It Work?

A cash advance is a convenient way to use your credit card to get cash in a pinch. The dow...

By LaToya Irby

May 13, 2024

How Long to Wait Between Credit Card Applications

Wait six months between credit card applications to protect your credit score and avoid ex...

By Brianna McGurran

May 13, 2024

How to Get Your Credit Card’s Annual Fee Waived

There's no sure way to get your card's annual fee waived, but these four tips could help. ...

By Louis DeNicola

May 3, 2024

How to Get Cash From a Credit Card

Getting cash back from your credit card is convenient in a pinch, but it comes with a fee ...

By LaToya Irby

May 3, 2024

What’s the Average Credit Limit on a Credit Card?

The average credit limit in the U.S. was $29,855 at the end of the third quarter of 2023, ...

By Louis DeNicola

Apr 30, 2024

What Does No Preset Spending Limit Mean for a Credit Card?

A no preset spending limit credit card doesn't restrict you to a set credit limit. Instead...

By LaToya Irby

Apr 27, 2024

How Do I Check My Credit Card Benefits?

Understanding your credit card benefits can help you get more value from your credit card....

By LaToya Irby

Apr 25, 2024

What Is the Average Number of Credit Cards?

Although buy now, pay later plans are partially responsible for the decline in the number ...

By Chris Horymski

Apr 24, 2024

What Is a Convenience Fee on a Credit Card?

For certain payments, a merchant may charge you a convenience fee if you use a credit card...

By Ben Luthi

Apr 23, 2024

How to Get Approved for a Credit Card

Getting approved for a credit card can be challenging, but these tips can help you maximiz...

By Evelyn Waugh

Apr 23, 2024

4 Alternatives to Credit Card Cash Advances

Several alternatives to cash advances can help you access money while saving on borrowing ...

By Tim Maxwell

Apr 7, 2024

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Credit Card?

You can get a credit card at 18 in most states. However, because you're under age 21, you'...

By LaToya Irby

Apr 3, 2024

Does My Company Credit Card Affect My Credit Score?

Small business credit cards might affect your credit score if you're the business owner or...

By Louis DeNicola

Mar 29, 2024

What Is a Convenience Check?

Credit card convenience checks can be used to access credit for cash advances, purchases a...

By Sarah Archambault

Mar 28, 2024

What to Know About the CFPB’s Cap on Credit Card Late Fees

If you’re late on a credit card payment, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new ru...

By Ben Luthi

Mar 28, 2024

Where Is American Express Accepted?

If you have an American Express credit card, you can use it to make purchases with most me...

By Ben Luthi

Mar 28, 2024

How Does Credit Card Lounge Access Work?

With credit card lounge access, you can access airport lounges around the world, enjoy a v...

By LaToya Irby

Mar 27, 2024

When Can You Be Charged a Late Fee?

Paying late by any amount of time can result in a late fee. But a record of on-time paymen...

By Bev O'Shea

Mar 20, 2024

What Is Credit Card Travel Insurance?

Learn how credit card travel insurance can help minimize financial losses if your trip is ...

By Jennifer Brozic

Mar 19, 2024

Are Virtual Credit Cards Safe?

These digital credit card numbers provide an extra layer of security—making it harder for ...

By Marianne Hayes

Mar 19, 2024

Can You Buy Gift Cards With a Credit Card?

You can typically buy gift cards with a credit card and maybe even earn rewards. Beware th...

By LaToya Irby

Mar 16, 2024

What Is a Grace Period?

A grace period is an interval during which you are not charged interest or fees on money y...

By Jim Akin

Mar 10, 2024

How Many Numbers Are on a Credit Card?

Credit cards have 15 or 16 numbers printed on the front or back of the card. Each digit re...

By Tim Maxwell

Mar 10, 2024

Why Do Credit Card Issuers Ask Your Income?

Card issuers may ask for your income when you apply for a card and periodically when you h...

By Louis DeNicola

Mar 2, 2024

Can You Pay Rent With a Credit Card?

Paying rent by credit card is only permitted by some landlords, though some third-party se...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Feb 29, 2024

Can I Disable Cash Advances on a Credit Card?

You might have the option to disable cash advances on your credit card, depending on your ...

By Tim Maxwell

Feb 29, 2024

Should I Sign My Credit Card?

If your credit card has a signature panel—and many do not—you should sign it. It's safe an...

By Bev O'Shea

Feb 28, 2024

Do You Have to Notify Your Credit Card Company When You Travel?

You typically don't need to notify your credit card company when traveling in the U.S., bu...

By Karen Axelton

Feb 27, 2024

What It Means When Your Credit Card Application Is Under Review

Don't assume the worst if you have a credit card application under review. The card issuer...

By LaToya Irby

Feb 27, 2024

7 Credit Card Transactions That Are Actually Cash Advances

Certain purchases are actually cash advances and trigger a fee and higher interest. Learn ...

By LaToya Irby

Feb 22, 2024

What Is a Credit Card Hold?

Some businesses you shop with may use a credit card authorization hold to reserve some of ...

By LaToya Irby

Feb 16, 2024

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