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Should I Pay For a Vacation With a Credit Card?

If you've saved the money and can pay back the credit card bill right away, then absolutely. But if you're considering financing the trip with the card, it could be costly, in several ways.

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Erin Hurd

Should I Use a Credit Card to Donate to a Political Campaign?

It's quick and easy, but your candidate's campaign will have to pay fees that reduce the impact of your donation.

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Lindsay Konsko

Can I Pay Off My Student Loans With a 0% Credit Card Balance Transfer?

Paying student loans with a credit card may be possible (if you jump through some hoops), but it's not a good idea.

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Anisha Sekar

5 Times a Balance Transfer Is a Bad Idea

The costs of balance transfers can exceed the benefits — if, for example, your debt can be paid off quickly, you struggle to make on-time payments or your credit is subpar.

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Claire Tsosie

Can the Authorized User on My Credit Card Redeem Rewards?

It depends on the issuer. Some major issuers allow authorized users to redeem rewards; others don't.

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Lindsay Konsko, Melissa Lambarena

I’m Delinquent on a Credit Card Payment — What Should I Do?

With some effort, including paying off your balance and possibly a few late fees, credit card delinquency can be overcome.

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Lindsay Konsko

Credit Card Tokenization: What It Is, How It Works

Tokenization replaces your sensitive card data with a jumble of letters and numbers that are useless to a hacker.

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Lindsay Konsko

Are Cash Advances a Good Idea?

Rarely. They offer convenient access to fast cash, but high fees and interest will cost you dearly. Less expensive alternatives exist.

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Anisha Sekar

When Is the Best Time to Pay My Credit Card Bill?

Aim to pay your credit card by the due date. But if you're looking to boost your credit scores or reduce interest costs, consider paying earlier.

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Jae Bratton, Lindsay Konsko

Why Do People Call Credit Card Debt ‘Bad’ Debt?

"Bad" debt doesn't provide anything of ongoing value, incurs high interest and can take years to pay off.

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Erin El Issa

Can I Pay Off Medical Expenses on My Credit Card With My HSA/FSA?

It's common to put medical costs on credit cards. You can pay them off with your HSA or FSA, but keep good records.

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Erin El Issa

What Happens to Credit Card Debt When You Die?

Credit card debt doesn't just go away when you're gone, but the liability doesn't always fall to your loved ones by default either. It depends on the kind of account, where you live and more.

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Kenley Young

Credit Card Authorized Users: What You Need to Know

An authorized user can make charges on someone else's account but is not ultimately responsible for payment.

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Erin El Issa

I Defaulted on My Credit Card — Now What?

Your debt will be turned over to a collection agency, and your credit score will likely take a severe hit. Here's what to do about it.

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Lindsay Konsko

Why Don’t I Always Have to Sign for Credit Card Purchases?

Signatures were always a weak method to verify cardholders' identity and prevent fraud. We've found better ways.

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Lindsay Konsko, Paul Soucy

Will a Change to My Credit Card Number Hurt My Score?

The new number is linked to the same account, so your score shouldn't suffer. But you're not out of the woods yet.

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Erin El Issa

How Long Should I Keep a Credit Card?

Even if you’ve stopped using a card, in most cases it’s generally preferable to keep the account open. But there are exceptions.

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Lindsay Konsko

Can Gas Stations Charge More for Using a Credit Card?

Yes, they can, but it still might be more cost-efficient to pay with plastic than cash.

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2
Lindsay Konsko, Jae Bratton

I Make a Small Income — How Can I Qualify for a Credit Card?

Income isn’t the only thing credit card issuers examine. Your credit score and other factors matter, too.

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Lindsay Konsko

What Makes Discover and American Express Different From Visa and Mastercard

Discover and AmEx issue cards, but they also process transactions, which gives them a bigger cut of fee revenue.

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Lindsay Konsko