Learn About

Credit Cards Articles and Insights

Back to Page 1

How Do Credit Card Companies Make Money?

It comes from you in the form of fees and interest, and also from the merchants where you use your cards.

Melissa Lambarena's profile picture
Melissa Lambarena

Paying Taxes by Credit Card Probably Isn’t a Good Idea

Fees will eat up your rewards, and the interest on your card is probably much higher than what the IRS charges.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Does Your Credit Card’s Interest Rate Matter?

If you pay in full every month, your credit card interest rate doesn't matter. If you carry a balance, it does.

Virginia C. McGuire's profile picture
Virginia C. McGuire

5 Things to Know About First Progress Credit Cards

First Progress credit card review: These secured cards are options for those looking to build credit, but you'll have to pay an annual fee and deal with less-than-robust customer service.

Sara Rathner's profile picture
2
Sara Rathner, Caitlin Mims

Fund Your Secured Credit Card Promptly, or You’ll Lose It

If you get approved for a secured card but don't supply your security deposit quickly, your credit could suffer.

Virginia C. McGuire's profile picture
Virginia C. McGuire

What Is Credit One Bank, and Are Its Credit Cards Right for You?

Credit One offers cards for the full range of credit scores, but fees and rewards vary widely. Those with good to excellent credit will want to shop around.

Sara Rathner's profile picture
Sara Rathner

Credit Card Expiration Dates: Why They Exist, and What to Do When Your Card Expires

Expiration dates are a normal and necessary part of the credit card experience — even if they can be slightly inconvenient for cardholders.

Jae Bratton's profile picture
2
Jae Bratton, Lindsay Konsko

When Credit Card Disputes Become ‘Friendly Fraud’

It easier than ever to dispute a credit card purchase, but chargebacks should be a last resort.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Set Your Own Credit Card Limits and Improve Your Life

Forget about the credit card limit assigned to you. Aim lower with a self-imposed credit limit that keeps finances on track.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

How Credit Card Payments Are Applied to Your Balance

Anything you pay over the minimum amount due will generally be applied to your highest-interest balances first.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
2
Claire Tsosie, Sara Rathner

5 Things to Know About the Kohl’s Credit Card

It features decent rewards and a variety of discounts — if you can keep track of them all. But a general rewards card would offer more simplicity and flexibility.

Erin Hurd's profile picture
2
Erin Hurd, Gregory Karp

Credit Card Chargebacks Can Be a Powerful Tool for Consumers

Disputing charges can be used for fraud, billing errors, or when you're dissatisfied with the quality of goods and services.

Gregory Karp's profile picture
Gregory Karp

Capital One Venture Goes Metal

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

Citi Double Cash vs. Fidelity Rewards Visa: Double Cash Gives You More Options

They both offer comparable flat-rate rewards and no annual fee, but the Double Cash is more flexible.

Virginia C. McGuire's profile picture
2
Virginia C. McGuire, Funto Omojola

The Man Who Sold the World on Credit Cards

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

The History of the Credit Card

The story goes back about a century, but perhaps the most important point on the timeline came in 1950.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

The Credit Card Act of 2009: What It Does and Doesn’t Do

It limits credit card fees and makes statements more transparent. It also sharply reduced the marketing of credit cards to young people.

Claire Tsosie's profile picture
Claire Tsosie

NerdWallet Survey: Nearly Half of Americans Emotionally Overspend

Erin El Issa's profile picture
Erin El Issa

How to Make the Most of Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve's annual fee is steep. You can get a lot in return for it, but you’ll need to put in some work.

Gregory Karp's profile picture
Gregory Karp

Chase Freedom Flex vs. Freedom Unlimited: Pick Your Style

They have similar names and some identical features. But the difference in ongoing rewards requires looking inward.

Sara Rathner's profile picture
2
Sara Rathner, Claire Tsosie