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2018 American Household Credit Card Debt Study

American households are carrying more credit card debt from month to month than they did last year. With interest rates rising, now’s a good time to banish those balances for good.

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Erin El Issa

Card Lock: What It Does, Who Offers It, How to Use It

If you lose a card, this feature lets you essentially 'turn it off' to foil thieves. But you can also use it strategically in other ways.

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Gregory Karp

5 Things to Know About the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard helps you earn enough points to leave winter behind.

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2
Sara Rathner, Claire Tsosie

5 Things to Know About the Bank of the West Cash Back World Mastercard

The card offers a high rewards rate on several everyday spending categories, but it's available only in certain states.

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Sara Rathner, Claire Tsosie

Engagement Rings and Credit Cards: A Rewarding Match

The right card can give you a long interest-free runway to pay off that diamond, or rewards to fund a honeymoon.

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Sara Rathner

How to Dispose of a Credit Card — No Burying Required

Plastic? Use a good pair of scissors. Metal? Send it back. But destroying a card doesn't close the account.

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Gregory Karp

Fingerhut Credit Review: Easier Credit Access, but With Costs

The inflated prices, stiff APR and shipping expenses associated with the retailer make it a last resort for buying on credit.

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Robin Saks Frankel

Putting Cosmetic Surgery on Credit Cards? Avoid These Complications

Before you put plastic surgery on ... well, plastic, consider the cost, your budget and your risk tolerance.

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Claire Tsosie

5 Things to Know About the Kansas City Royals Mastercard

It offers cash back and access to exclusive events. And depending on your budget, it could be a home run for everyday spending.

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2
Sara Rathner, Gregory Karp

How a Credit Card’s Unique Pitch Helped Me Fix My Roof

An instant card number + a generous bonus offer + a 0% intro APR period = a fast solution at a discount.

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Kenley Young

Can I Apply for Credit Cards I’ve Had Before?

Here’s what you need to know if you plan to apply for credit cards you’ve had in the past.

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Erin El Issa

How to Stop Credit Card Preapproval Letters

With a phone call or a visit to an opt-out website, you can stop these offers. Just be aware of what you'll miss.

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Lindsay Konsko

How to Live With Your First Credit Card’s Low Limit

If your first credit card has a low limit, using it to cover everyday expenses may not be ideal. But the card can still help you build a credit history.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Why Do Some Stores Have Credit Card Minimums?

A "minimum required purchase amount" helps the merchant cover the fees it must pay to process your transaction.

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2
Lindsay Konsko, Robin Saks Frankel

Credit Card CVV Number: What It Is and How to Find It

This 3- or 4-digit code is a key security feature. Merchants can't store it, so it can't be stolen in a data breach

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Anisha Sekar

I Only Have One Credit Card – Is That a Problem?

There's no problem with using a single card. Just watch your balance, and have a backup plan if it gets declined.

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Lindsay Konsko

Is There a Limit to How Many Credit Cards I Can Have?

You can have as many credit cards as you want — or, at least, as many as you can get approved for.

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Lindsay Konsko

5 Things to Know About the PNC Points Credit Card

The good news is this card earns a lot of points, but the bad news is they aren't very valuable.

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2
Robin Saks Frankel, Caitlin Mims

5 Things to Know About the Brooks Brothers Credit Card

The card earns rewards on spending with the retailer and in everyday categories, but other options offer more flexibility.

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Gregory Karp

How to Choose a Gas Credit Card

You may not spend as much on gas as you think, which is why the best ones give you elevated rewards on more than just fuel.

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Gregory Karp