Credit card basics

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Credit card basics

Page 6

Will Paying My Credit Card Balance Every Month Help My Credit Score?

Paying credit card balances in full and on time every month can go a long way toward helpi...

By Jennifer White

May 2, 2020

What to Do if Your Credit Limit Decreases

If your credit limit goes down, you can do a number of things to ease the impact and perha...

By John Egan

Apr 23, 2020

What Is a Preapproved Credit Card Offer?

Preapproved credit offers can help you determine whether you'll likely get approved for a ...

By LaToya Irby

Mar 27, 2020

When to Use a Credit Card for Big Purchases

Credit cards may offer benefits and rewards and can be a good fit when you're making a lar...

By Louis DeNicola

Mar 24, 2020

Understanding Your Credit Card Balance

A credit card balance is the amount of money you owe to your credit card issuer for purcha...

By Karen Axelton

Mar 14, 2020

Can I Get a Credit Card Without a Job?

You don't necessarily need a job to get a credit card, but you do need to have the ability...

By Ben Luthi

Feb 24, 2020

How Many Credit Cards Is Too Many?

There's no magic number that's the "right" number of credit cards. Here's how to know if y...

By Jennifer White

Feb 14, 2020

Can You Apply for Two Credit Cards at Once?

Applying for two credit cards in a short period will result in two separate credit inquiri...

By Ben Luthi

Jan 26, 2020

How Do Retail Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score?

Are retail credit cards all they're cracked up to be? Find out how getting and closing a r...

By Karen Axelton

Jan 9, 2020

What Is a CVV Number on a Credit Card?

While it's not foolproof, a CVV helps make your credit card transactions safer when you're...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Dec 18, 2019

When Should I Apply for Another Credit Card?

Depending on your credit, it may be a good idea to apply for a new credit card. For some, ...

By Brianna McGurran

Oct 4, 2019

Is There a Hard Pull on My Credit When I Apply for a Credit Card?

Each time you apply for a new credit card, your credit scores may go down—but only slightl...

By Stefan Lembo Stolba

Sep 11, 2019

How Can I Update the Balance On My Credit Card?

Lenders, including credit card providers, usually update account information once a month....

By Jennifer White

Aug 28, 2019

How Do Credit Card Companies Make Money?

Credit card companies make money from merchants and cardholders through various fees and c...

By Stefan Lembo Stolba

Aug 1, 2019

Why Getting a New Credit Card Is a Good Idea

Scared of getting a new credit card? Don't be.

By Ismat Mangla

Jul 6, 2019

Is a Charge Card Different From a Credit Card?

Charge cards and credit cards aren't the same thing. Find out how these two types of credi...

By Karen Axelton

Jul 3, 2019

How Many Credit Cards Should a College Student Have?

How many credit cards is too many for a college student? Find out how multiple credit card...

By Karen Axelton

May 13, 2019

How to Get the Most From Your Credit Card

Credit cards are safe, convenient tools for making purchases, but if you maximize their be...

By Erica Sandberg

May 5, 2019

What Is a Virtual Credit Card?

Virtual credit cards are disposable card numbers designed to protect your actual account n...

By Ben Luthi

Apr 29, 2019

When to Close Credit Cards with Zero Balance

Dear Experian, I am thinking about cancelling a few credit cards that have a zero balance ...

By Jennifer White

Apr 3, 2019

Authorized User Account Not Appearing on Credit Report

Dear Experian, I checked my credit report online and saw that it says I have no credit car...

By Jennifer White

Feb 11, 2019

Should I Get a New Credit Card?

Deciding whether to apply for a new card will depend on several factors, like how many car...

By Stefan Lembo Stolba

Feb 4, 2019

Where Can I Use My Credit Card?

Will merchants accept your credit card? It depends on the payment network they belong to. ...

By Ismat Mangla

Jan 29, 2019

Balance-to-Limit Ratio Versus Debt-to-Income Ratio

Dear Experian, Does the balance-to-limit ratio only apply to credit cards, or does it appl...

By Jennifer White

Nov 27, 2018

Credit Card Under Different Name on Credit Report

Dear Experian, I have two credit cards that are affiliated with private companies. Neither...

By Experian Team

Mar 9, 2018

Removing Authorized User Accounts After a Breakup

Dear Experian, I broke off a relationship in October 2009 where I was an authorized user o...

By Jennifer White

Feb 4, 2018

Does Opening a Credit Card Hurt Your Score?

Dear Experian, I have one credit card that I use as my main card most of the time. I also ...

By Experian Team

May 2, 2017

Credit Cards: Learn the Basics Before You Apply

Credit Card Basics A credit card is a simple plastic card equipped with a special security...

Apr 5, 2017

What Happens If I Don’t Pay My Credit Card Bill?

Dear Experian, What would happen if I didn’t pay my credit card bill, but I pay all my oth...

By Experian Team

Feb 23, 2017

How Will Using My Credit Card for Large Purchases Affect My Credit?

Dear Experian, If I have an introductory zero-interest window on a new credit card (15 mon...

By Experian Team

Dec 8, 2016

Remove Authorized User Accounts from Credit Report

Dear Experian, Is an authorized user responsible for the debt? If an authorized user is re...

By Experian Team

Nov 23, 2015

The Effects of Disputing Charges on a Credit Card

Dear Experian, Will disputing a charge on my credit card affect my credit? Can the company...

By Experian Team

Jul 24, 2015

Effects of Missed Payments on Authorized User’s Credit

Dear Experian, I am an authorized user on my mother's account. Will it affect me if she mi...

By Experian Team

Mar 27, 2014

Credit Card Paid in Full but Does Not Show Zero Balance

Dear Experian, I pay my credit cards off in full before the payment is due, yet my report ...

By Experian Team

Mar 13, 2013

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