Articles by Amy

Everything You Need to Know About a Negative Credit Card Balance Don’t panic — there are a few reasons why your balance may show as negative, but at the end of the day, it’s most likely a good thing for you. Here’s why… [toc] How is My Credit Card Balance Calculated? A credit card balance… continue reading

Planes are only getting more and more cramped, but fear not! Obviously, if you can swing it, the best way to sleep on a plane is to score a lie-flat bed. More and more airlines are offering first-class and business passengers lie-flat seats and spacious suites — I mean, that’s why we’re all about the… continue reading

Never. Stop. Earning. Points. So you’ve earned your sign-up bonus, enjoyed your introductory 0% interest rate, and had your annual fee waived the first year. Now what? The honeymoon phase with your new credit card doesn’t have to end after the first year. Read on to learn how to enjoy your card to the fullest,… continue reading

These are the top picks from our team of rewards pros Business cards can help you establish business credit, finance purchases to grow your business, earn rewards, and enjoy travel perks. But if your small business has modest spending and travel needs, you probably don’t want to pay a premium on a fancy travel card… continue reading

Cash is King Cashback business cards can help you establish business credit, manage cash flow, finance purchases, and earn cash back to help grow your business. But if your monthly small business expenses are less than $1,500 a month, you probably don’t want to pay $450 for a premium card with high spending thresholds. Instead,… continue reading

To close or not to close? Here’s what to consider If you haven’t used a credit card in a while and have transferred or paid off its balance, you may be tempted to close it. However, automatically closing it might not be a good idea because it could still be helping your credit score. [toc]… continue reading

Bottom Line: Whether a credit card reward is taxable depends on whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the reward to be a rebate or an award. When a Reward is Not Taxable Generally, when you earn a reward by making a financial transaction such as a purchase, the reward is considered a rebate or… continue reading

The interest rate applicable to credit card accounts is also referred to as the “annual percentage rate,” or APR. The interest rate applicable to most balances on a credit card, including the balance generated by purchases, is often referred to as the “retail” or “purchase” APR. Historically speaking, credit card offers in 2017 were very… continue reading

Depending on your financial circumstances, there may not be a single perfect card that meets all of your needs. Therefore, having more than one credit card can be a good option. Here are some other reasons having more than one credit card can be smart:   Save Money With Balance Transfers. If you have an… continue reading

The one-size-fits-all approach definitely doesn’t work in the context of choosing a credit card. Each person has a unique set of circumstances, spending habits, and needs that may make one credit card a better fit than another. By helping you to understand the differences between credit cards, Credit Card Rewards can help you find the… continue reading

One of the best perks of using your credit card is earning the points to pay for your next vacation.  During our last family vacation we traded in our airline miles for 4 domestic round-trip flights, used airline fee credits to cover the cost of our checked baggage, discounts at one of the hotels we… continue reading

As any start-up business owner knows, when you’re starting a new business it may be difficult to get funding. Out of necessity, many new business owners rely on personal credit cards to get their new business off the ground.   Advantages to Using Your Personal Credit Card The advantage to using your personal credit card… continue reading

Your Credit Score is No Mystery Sometimes it can seem like credit scores come from a black box, but the reality is that is not the case. Here are 10 common credit score myths that we’ve debunked in order to help you better understand your credit score and how & why it changes. [toc] Myth… continue reading

Areas of Your Life Affected By Your Credit Score A credit score is a number between 300-850 that estimates your creditworthiness by taking into account the details on your credit report. Having a good credit score is important because it determines whether you’ll qualify for a loan or new service and how beneficial the terms of… continue reading

If your credit history has been damaged by late payments or too many inquiries, time is your biggest ally. Over time, the effect of these negative events lessens. In addition, there are steps you can take:   #1 Pay your Bills On Time. Late payments and collections can seriously damage your credit and simply paying… continue reading

Without fail, every time you check-out at department, big box, or retail chain store you’ll be offered a quick savings if you sign up for their store credit card. Saving money upfront may be tempting, but you should think twice.   #1 Most store cards have higher interest rates than other cards, which will likely… continue reading

Many cards offer more than points and cash back In addition to cash back, miles, and low or no interest rates, many credit cards offer special benefits that not all cardholders are aware of. In order to maximize the benefits offered by your credit cards, its important to read the fine print that comes with… continue reading

  No Credit History: If you’re under 18 you’ll be denied credit on your own, but you could still be added as an authorized user on your parents’ card. If you are at least 18 but have no credit history it will be harder to get a traditional credit card but still possible. [INSERT TIPS… continue reading

According to the 2017 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Consumer Credit Card Market Report, every day, U.S. consumers submit over half a million applications for credit cards. Because rejected applications may negatively impact your credit score, it’s wise to apply only for cards that you have a good chance of being approved for. These 4… continue reading

A balance transfer allows you to move your credit card balance to a different credit card with a lower interest rate. Having a lower interest rate allows you to pay down your debt faster and save on interest payments. How much can a balance transfer save? Transferring a balance from a high annual percentage rate… continue reading