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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What is penalty APR and how to avoid it

3 days 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

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

4 weeks 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.
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

1 month 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.
What are credit card convenience checks and should you use them?

1 month ago | cardratings.com | John Schmoll

Have you ever received blank checks with your monthly credit card statement? These credit card checks provide access to your line of credit to get quick cash or make a purchase. Convenience checks, as they’re called, provide ease of use, but like with anything tied to a credit card, it’s important to know how they work and the potential costs involved. We discuss how to use convenience checks and if they’re a good resource to use on your financial journey.
Are premium credit cards worth it?

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Lena Borrelli |Jennifer Doss

It seems a new premium credit card boasting lavish benefits emerges almost daily, if headlines are any indication. These exclusive cards often feature perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, and trip insurance, promising significant value. But what truly defines a premium credit card, and are its advantages genuinely worthwhile? Here, we take a look at the best premium credit cards, as well as what makes one in the first place.
How to maximize credit card rewards using "two-player mode"

1 month ago | cardratings.com | Adam Frankel |Jennifer Doss

Like burgers and fries or chutes and ladders, some things are just better when used together. Credit card rewards are no different. Not only can you pair complementary cards together to ramp up your earning power, but you can also pair yourself with a partner to get better returns on your card strategy. This is called “two-player mode” by those who employ the system. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works.
The bad credit trap: Why secured credit cards can feel like a dead end

2 months ago | cardratings.com | Richard Barrington |Jennifer Doss

Americans have a conflicted relationship with credit-builder/secured credit cards. A CardRatings.com survey found that people with these cards are less satisfied than customers of other types of credit cards. And yet, people with credit-builder/secured credit cards are less likely to feel they could do better with another credit card. In effect, these customers feel trapped in a bad relationship. To some extent, that’s the kind of trap that comes with having bad credit.