Credit card basics

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Credit card basics

Page 5

What Is a Billing Cycle?

Your credit card's billing cycle, or billing period, is the time between its statements' c...

By Louis DeNicola

Apr 30, 2022

How to Change Your Credit Card Due Date

Credit card due dates aren't always set in stone. You may be able to change a credit card ...

By Taylor Medine

Apr 19, 2022

Why Do Credit Card Issuers Lower Credit Limits?

Your credit limit may be at risk if you rarely use your card or have trouble paying your b...

By Gayle Sato

Apr 16, 2022

Should I Use a Personal Credit Card for Business Expenses?

Using a personal credit card for business expenses is possible, but you’ll miss out on a l...

By Ben Luthi

Apr 13, 2022

6 Signs That You Shouldn’t Get a Credit Card

While credit cards can provide a great way to earn rewards on your everyday spending and g...

By Ben Luthi

Apr 11, 2022

How to Avoid Overspending on a Credit Card

Overspending on your credit card can cause damage to your finances and credit. Here’s how ...

By Ben Luthi

Apr 10, 2022

What Is Available Credit on a Credit Card?

Your available credit is what you have left to spend in any given billing cycle. But shoul...

By Emily Cahill

Mar 31, 2022

14 Credit Card Terms You Should Know

Here are some common credit card terms you should know to avoid fees and extra charges. Le...

By Aja McClanahan

Feb 13, 2022

What Is a Credit Card Network?

Credit card networks help people make purchases around the world, but how do they work?

By Louis DeNicola

Dec 13, 2021

What to Do When Your Credit Card Is Discontinued

If your credit card is discontinued, there may be a few things that happen. Here’s what to...

By Ben Luthi

Nov 29, 2021

What Is a Credit Card Issuer?

Credit card issuers provide credit cards to consumers, but they don’t process your everyda...

By Ben Luthi

Nov 28, 2021

Should You Use a Store Card to Buy Appliances for Your New Home?

Store cards may offer special financing and free shipping for appliances, but there are dr...

By Taylor Medine

Nov 15, 2021

Can Bad Timing Hurt Your Credit Application?

A little attention to timing can improve your credit score or eligibility when you're appl...

By Gayle Sato

Nov 12, 2021

How to Dispute a Credit Card Charge

A credit card dispute is a formal request for the issuer to remove a charge from your bill...

By Brianna McGurran

Nov 12, 2021

What Happens When Your Credit Card Expires?

If you have a credit card that's about to expire, expect to receive a new card from the is...

By Brianna McGurran

Nov 8, 2021

How Many Credit Cards Can You Apply For In A Day?

You can submit multiple credit card applications in one day. But it might hurt your credit...

By Louis DeNicola

Oct 29, 2021

Can I Cancel a Credit Card Application?

It may be impossible to cancel an “instant-approval” credit card application, but you may ...

By Jim Akin

Oct 29, 2021

How to Use a Credit Card Grace Period to Your Advantage

Your credit card grace period gives you at least three weeks to pay off your monthly balan...

By Ben Luthi

Oct 29, 2021

5 Steps to Take When Your Credit Card Changes Issuers

If your credit card changes to a different issuer, it’s important to know how that might i...

By Ben Luthi

Oct 25, 2021

How to Remove an Authorized User From Your Credit Card

To remove an authorized user from your credit card, alert them first, then call the card i...

By Brianna McGurran

Sep 27, 2021

7 Best Credit Card Features to Look at Before Applying

Credit cards can offer a wide-range of perks. Consider these seven features when choosing ...

By Louis DeNicola

Sep 16, 2021

How to Downgrade Your Credit Card

Downgrading a credit card can help you get a card that better aligns with your situation w...

By Louis DeNicola

Aug 30, 2021

4 Ways to Avoid Credit Card Late Fees

Credit card late fees aren't inevitable. Knowing your due date, setting up automatic payme...

By Gayle Sato

Aug 25, 2021

How Does Credit Card Autopay Work?

Credit card autopay is a feature that automatically pays your bill on time each month, whi...

By Taylor Medine

Aug 16, 2021

Should You Get a Credit Card From Your Bank?

There are advantages to getting a credit card from your own bank, but you might want to co...

By Eric Rosen

Aug 14, 2021

What Is a Credit Card Hardship Program?

A credit card hardship program could reduce your obligations during financial difficulties...

By Karen Axelton

Aug 6, 2021

How to Set Up Credit Card Alerts for Fraud and Purchases

Protect yourself from credit card fraud by setting credit card alerts. Here's how to set a...

By Karen Axelton

Jul 23, 2021

What Is a Credit Card Cosigner and Should You Use One?

A credit card cosigner is someone who applies for a credit card with you and agrees to pay...

By Taylor Medine

Jun 30, 2021

Can I Use the Checks My Credit Card Company Sends Me?

You're free to use the checks your credit card issuer sends to you. They may come with fee...

By Jennifer White

Jun 29, 2021

Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder: What’s the Difference?

The difference between a joint account holder and authorized user lies in who's responsibl...

By Ben Luthi

Jun 28, 2021

How to Get the Best Credit Card Fraud Protection

Credit card fraud protection can save you from having to pay for unauthorized purchases on...

By Ben Luthi

Jun 27, 2021

Can You Combine Credit Card Accounts?

Combining credit card accounts can help you streamline your finances and avoid annual fees...

By Eric Rosen

Jun 25, 2021

Can You Transfer Credit Limits Between Credit Cards?

If you have two credit cards with the same card issuer, you may be able to transfer some o...

By Ben Luthi

Jun 24, 2021

Which Credit Cards Let You Set Spending Limits for Authorized Users?

Adding an authorized user to your credit card can help them build credit. Setting limits o...

By Karen Axelton

Jun 23, 2021

Is It Better to Pay My Credit Card Bill Weekly or Monthly?

While it's perfectly fine to make one full payment per month, it may be beneficial for you...

By Brianna McGurran

Jun 18, 2021

Can I Close a Credit Card With a Balance?

You can close a credit card that has a balance, but you still have to pay off the debt. He...

By Louis DeNicola

Jun 18, 2021

What Is a Corporate Credit Card?

Corporate credit cards are geared primarily toward big businesses with millions of dollars...

By John Egan

Jun 13, 2021

The Pros and Cons of a Joint Credit Card

Joint credit card accounts allow you to share responsibility for debt repayment with anoth...

By Brianna McGurran

May 24, 2021

Will Carrying a Balance on a Credit Card Help My Credit Score?

Carrying credit card balances will not increase your credit scores, but it will probably c...

By Jim Akin

May 24, 2021

Can Having More Credit Cards Help Your Credit Score?

How you use credit cards is more important than the number of cards you have. Good credit ...

By Brianna McGurran

May 19, 2021

How to Apply for a Credit Card With Bad Credit

You may have fewer options if you want a new credit card and have a bad credit score—but t...

By Louis DeNicola

Apr 27, 2021

What Is an EMV Chip?

A debit, credit or prepaid card equipped with an EMV chip can be a powerful weapon in frau...

By John Egan

Apr 26, 2021

How Long After Paying Off a Credit Card Will My Credit Score Go Up?

It can take months for your credit score to rise after paying off a credit card, although ...

By Gayle Sato

Apr 22, 2021

What Can Increase Your Credit Card’s APR?

Credit cards have three variable APRs for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances. ...

By Louis DeNicola

Apr 13, 2021

When Do Credit Card Payments Get Reported?

Credit scores are updated continuously with various data points, credit card payments are ...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Mar 22, 2021

What Is a Partially Secured Credit Card?

If your credit is in bad shape, you may not qualify for an unsecured credit card. A partia...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Mar 5, 2021

Should You Upgrade or Downgrade Your Credit Card?

Is your credit card not fitting your current lifestyle? Rather than closing it, consider u...

By Hillary Back

Mar 4, 2021

What to Know Before Closing Your Old Credit Cards

Before closing an old credit card, understand the potential credit score consequences. The...

By Brianna McGurran

Nov 29, 2020

Can I Get a Credit Card at 16?

Just turned 16 and itching for a credit card? Here's everything you need to know about cre...

By Susan Shain

Nov 19, 2020

What Is a Finance Charge?

Paying finance charges for the privilege of using a credit card is only fair, but so is do...

By Jim Akin

Nov 15, 2020

Should I Only Use a Credit Card for Bills and Recurring Transactions?

Whether you're using credit cards for recurring transactions, everyday spending or both, k...

By Marianne Hayes

Nov 10, 2020

Can Store Credit Cards Build Credit?

Store credit cards offer great incentives and may help build credit. However, you should w...

By Allison Martin

Oct 20, 2020

What Are the Benefits of a Preapproved Credit Card?

Credit card companies send preapproved offers to customers they think will qualify. Learn ...

By Casey Morris

Oct 6, 2020

Why You Should Apply for a Credit Card Based on Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a key factor in which credit cards you'll qualify for, so it's wise t...

By Emily Starbuck Gerson

Sep 22, 2020

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