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Sara Rathner

Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit cards expert. She appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in Yahoo Finance, TIME, Reuters, NBC News, Business Insider and MarketWatch. Sara’s held a total of 23 credit cards, using travel rewards points to see the world on a budget. A proud Northwestern University alum, she also has a certificate in financial planning from Boston University. Email: [email protected], Twitter: @SaraKRathner

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Posts by Sara Rathner:
Which Credit Cards Reward Us for Actually Getting Out of the House Tonight?

Which Credit Cards Reward Us for Actually Getting Out of the House Tonight?

Sara Rathner
Dec. 6, 2019

Take a look at the rewards credit cards on the market, and you’ll see that many of them pay their highest rewards rates on everyday expenses like gas and groceries.…

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Discover Lets Select Cardholders Redeem Rewards via PayPal

Sara Rathner
Dec. 2, 2019

Discover is giving eligible cardholders a new way to redeem rewards, and it may be welcome news for online bargain hunters who haven’t yet wrapped up their holiday shopping lists.…

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AmEx App Adding Reservation Tool for Platinum, Centurion Holders

Sara Rathner
Dec. 2, 2019

Holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Centurion® Card from American Express will soon be able to make restaurant reservations using a new reservation booking tool in…

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Holders of Select Capital One Cards Will Be Able to Cash In Points on Amazon

Capital One Rewards Will Soon Be Redeemable Via Amazon.com

Sara Rathner
Nov. 21, 2019

Capital One is joining American Express, Chase, Citi and Discover in allowing eligible cardholders to redeem rewards to pay for Amazon.com purchases. The issuer didn’t offer a launch date for…

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5 Things to Know About the Aspire Federal Credit Union Platinum Mastercard

5 Things to Know About the Aspire Federal Credit Union Platinum Mastercard

Sara Rathner
Oct. 31, 2019

UPDATE Nov. 7, 2019: Terms and conditions for the Aspire Federal Credit Union Platinum Mastercard® have changed since this story was first published. Below is our story from Oct. 31, 2019, updated…

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Should You Apply for the Walmart Rewards Mastercard?

Should You Apply for the Walmart Rewards Mastercard?

Sara Rathner
Dec. 2, 2019

Walmart sells virtually every household item you could ever need, from groceries, electronics and cosmetics to party supplies, auto parts and even gas in some cases. The Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® aims to…

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Revamped AmEx Green Card: Better Rewards, New Credits, Higher Fee

Sara Rathner
Oct. 24, 2019

The American Express® Green Card is getting all spruced up. Learn More The card has unveiled a head-to-toe makeover, changing everything from its rewards structure to its physical structure in…

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AmEx Gold Increases Spending Requirement for Welcome Offer

AmEx Gold Increases Spending Requirement for Welcome Offer

Sara Rathner
Oct. 17, 2019

New American Express® Gold Card cardholders will have to work harder to earn that bounty of Membership Rewards points. Beginning on Oct. 17, 2019, the welcome offer is changing: Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards®…

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How to Upgrade or Downgrade Your Credit Card

How to Upgrade or Downgrade Your Credit Card

Sara Rathner
Dec. 2, 2019

A wallet full of credit cards is like a closet full of clothes: Items that seemed like a good idea a few years ago probably won’t be in style forever. Whether you…

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The Case for Stockpiling Points Without a Specific Trip in Mind

Sara Rathner
Oct. 3, 2019

When you’re brand new to earning and redeeming travel rewards points, picking a specific future vacation as a goal can help you select your next travel credit card with laser-like…

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