Learn About

Credit Cards Articles and Insights

Back to Page 1

Visa vs. Mastercard: Why It Doesn’t Make Much Difference

Both are accepted pretty much anywhere that takes credit cards. But the benefits that matter most don't actually come from Visa or Mastercard.

Paul Soucy's profile picture
2
Paul Soucy, Kevin Cash

Bank of America Premium Rewards vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred

To decide between these cards, consider which perks and features matter most to you.

Paul Soucy's profile picture
Paul Soucy

Should You Put Your Home Renovation on a Credit Card?

You could rack up serious rewards, but the interest could be punishing. Consider a card with a 0% promo period.

Kimberly Palmer's profile picture
Kimberly Palmer

How to Choose a Student Credit Card

Make sure you can qualify, then look for one with no annual fee that reports payments to all three major credit bureaus.

Ellen Cannon's profile picture
2
Ellen Cannon, Melissa Lambarena

How to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Your financial liability might be limited, but dealing with fraud is still a huge hassle. Fortunately, there are preventive steps you can take.

Sara Rathner's profile picture
2
Sara Rathner, Gregory Karp

Americans Favor Debit Over Credit for Their Go-To Card

Erin El Issa's profile picture
Erin El Issa

5 Things to Know About the PayPal Extras Mastercard

The PayPal Extras Mastercard earns rewards in popular spending areas, but it comes with roadblocks.

Kimberly Palmer's profile picture
Kimberly Palmer

How to Choose a Rewards Credit Card

First, consider your credit history and habits. Then, think about what kind of rewards you want: cash back, miles or points.

Chanelle Bessette's profile picture
Chanelle Bessette

What Is Credit Card Payment Allocation?

Your balance may actually be split into smaller balances. Issuers apply your payments according to certain rules.

Melissa Lambarena's profile picture
Melissa Lambarena

Chase Limits Customers to Just One Sapphire Card (Now Reversed)

Chase's policy, in effect from 2017 to 2025, was mostly designed to prevent cardholders from collecting multiple bonuses.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Instant Approval Credit Cards May Not Offer What You Seek

Instant approval doesn't necessarily grant immediate access to a card, nor does it guarantee approval for all. Here's what to know and expect.

Kenley Young's profile picture
2
Kenley Young, Chanelle Bessette

AmEx Pay It Plan It: What It Is and How It Works

Pay off smaller purchases one at a time or set up payment plans for larger ones, saving money on interest.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Capital One Quicksilver vs. QuicksilverOne: How They Differ

Your credit score will determine which card you are able to get.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

How to Choose an Airline Credit Card

If an airline credit card makes sense for you — and in many cases, it may not — your choice will be dictated in large part by where you live.

Gregory Karp's profile picture
Gregory Karp

What Is a Co-Signer on a Credit Card?

A co-signer agrees to pay the bill if the primary cardholder doesn't. It can help someone out — but it's risky.

Chanelle Bessette's profile picture
Chanelle Bessette

What Is a Credit Card Product Change, and How Does It Work?

A product change allows you to swap an existing card that’s already in your wallet for another card from the same issuer.

Jae Bratton's profile picture
2
Jae Bratton, Ellen Cannon

2017 Consumer Credit Card Report

NerdWallet's 2017 Consumer Credit Card Report finds that unsecured cards marketed to those with poor credit usually come with high fees and low limits that leave cardholders perpetually maxed out.

Erin El Issa's profile picture
Erin El Issa

What Happened to No-Fee Balance Transfer Cards?

Major credit card issuers once made it easy to transfer debt and pay it off without it costing you a penny in interest or fees. Those days are gone.

Paul Soucy's profile picture
Paul Soucy

How to Make Sense of Your Credit Card Number

That long number isn't random, and it identifies more than just whose account the card belongs to.

Gregory Karp's profile picture
Gregory Karp

Why Are Credit Card Interest Rates So High?

Card issuers are in the business of making a profit, but it also comes down to the financial risk they are taking.

Gregory Karp's profile picture
Gregory Karp