CardRatings.com

At CardRatings.com, we are committed to delivering the latest insights and developments in the credit card industry. Since we launched online credit card reviews in 1998, our team of financial professionals has created thorough and impartial reviews for over 150 credit cards, empowering everyday users to make informed decisions about their credit options. Beyond our credit card reviews, we also provide a wealth of resources in our learning center, including monthly payment and credit card payoff calculators, guides for credit card reward programs, and our well-known “best of” pages. These pages showcase our editors’ top recommendations for various credit card categories, complemented by genuine ratings from real cardholders.

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Articles

What does the convergence of BNPL and credit cards mean for consumers?

3 days ago | cardratings.com | Jake Safane

Whether you’re shopping for a new summer wardrobe, buying exercise equipment, booking travel, or making many other purchases either in-store or online, you likely have more ways to pay than ever before. Cash and checks may be fading, but in addition to growing credit card usage, consumers also have new options like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services.
What is a credit card hardship program and how do you qualify?

1 week ago | cardratings.com | John Schmoll

Growing credit card debt is always a concern, most notably when facing other acute financial situations like job loss or onerous medical bills. Just getting some temporary relief can make the difference to help you begin the road to paying off debt entirely. Many credit card companies offer hardship programs to provide a way for customers to receive temporary assistance. This guide explains credit card hardship programs and their potential for debt relief.
Debt forgiveness myths not to fall for

2 weeks ago | cardratings.com | John Schmoll

Credit card debt plagues many Americans, keeping them from achieving their financial goals. Several resources are available to assist people in paying off debt, each with its own pros and cons. Debt forgiveness is one such tool, but it’s not for everyone, nor is it a quick fix. If you’re wondering how credit card debt forgiveness works, it’s important to avoid certain myths that may keep you from pursuing other money goals.
What is penalty APR and how to avoid it

3 weeks ago | cardratings.com | John Schmoll

Credit cards typically don’t have one APR. You can incur one APR for purchases, while triggering a different one if you take a cash advance. If you face the unfortunate situation of missed payments or exceeding your credit limit you may activate a penalty APR, making repaying indebtedness burdensome.
How to manage credit card debt as a retiree

1 month ago | cardratings.com | John Schmoll

Credit card debt can stymie progress toward financial goals. Dealing with high-interest debt in retirement can be exponentially worse. More retirees are struggling with credit card debt, with many using cards to pay for necessities. Left unchecked, this can derail years of retirement planning. Fortunately, there are options for credit card debt relief for seniors that make eradicating debt possible.
Should you freeze your credit? What it does (and doesn't do) to protect you

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Dawn Papandrea

With headlines about data breaches and government agency audits, some people are freezing their credit. In fact, around 10% to 20% of consumers have credit freezes in place, according to the . But should you freeze your credit? And what do credit freezes actually do to protect you? Learn all about what credit freezes can and can’t do to safeguard your identity and protect you from fraud.
How to get your credit ready for retirement

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Dawn Papandrea

For anyone who is approaching retirement age or who will be living on a fixed income, credit card debt and other credit struggles can put a real damper on your golden years. But that is the reality for a good portion of older Americans today, and not because they are splurging on trips abroad or rounds of golf. A recent AARP survey reports that nearly half (47%) of adults ages 50 and older who carry credit card debt said they used their cards to pay for basic living expenses.
How does credit card debt impact your debt-to-income ratio?

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Choncé Maddox Rhea

Understanding how credit card debt affects your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio can make all the difference when planning your financial future. The DTI ratio is a number lenders use to weigh your ability to handle new debt. If you’re carrying a significant balance on your cards, it can hold you back from achieving goals like buying a home, securing a car loan, or qualifying for better interest rates.
Credit card balances just hit a new high: Why this spells trouble for consumers

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Bob Haegele

Debt levels have increased significantly in the last 10 years in the United States, with credit card and student loan balances leading the way. Although credit card balances dipped slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve come roaring back with a vengeance in the past few years. Amidst significant economic uncertainty, many consumers are left wondering what the coming months and years will hold.
My go-to credit card-- and why I never leave home without it

2 months ago | cardratings.com | Bob Haegele

Searching for the best credit cards will likely put you on a path leading to increasingly complex strategies hyper-focused on squeezing every last point or mile out of your purchases. Some consumers take it further and look for the best redemptions available. There is nothing wrong with that, and it can be very lucrative. However, it can also take a lot of time and effort. While I have done it to some extent, I often prefer a more straightforward strategy.