I don’t know about you, but I’m very protective of my credit. When I learned that allowing credit card issuers and businesses to simply look at my credit could ding my score, I became a lot more protective of who gets access.
This whole idea of a soft credit check vs. a hard inquiry was something that I felt like I needed to know all about. Once I really understood the difference, I was more protective of my score in some ways but not as worried in others.
Soft Credit Check vs. Hard Inquiry
Why You Should Think Twice Before Buying Southwest Early Bird Check-In (Updated with New Price Points)
When you fly Southwest Airlines, you know you’re getting an Economy seat at an affordable price. Southwest consistently ranks among the best airlines for customer service, but the one complaint people have is not getting a good seat because they checked in too late.
If you don’t have the new Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card that gives you free boarding upgrades, you can pay an extra $15 to check in earlier than everyone else. But should you buy Southwest Early Bird check-in?
How Do Credit Cards Airline Miles Work?
You save up all year to take your family on a vacation. But it just seems to take so long and the tickets keep getting more expensive. Isn’t there a better way? We’re going to show you how to earn airline miles quickly so you can save money by booking your next vacation with those miles.
New Benefits for the SPG Amex Credit Cards: Huge Sign-Up Bonuses and More
The new SPG credit card bonuses are now available. And they’re exciting, easily topping any bonus we’ve ever seen for these cards. You’ll get 75,000 points with the SPG personal card and a huge 100,000 points with the business card.
American Express Starwood Luxury Credit Card Announced
With the merger of the Marriott and SPG hotel portfolios, there is a new opportunity to earn hotel rewards. Existing American Express SPG and Marriott Rewards credit cards will remain open for current cardholders. The rewards program is changing and so are the credit card benefits, but there are also new credit cards being issued. The American Express SPG Luxury Card is rumored to launch on August 23, 2018, with some really enticing benefits. Read on to learn about the changes to your favorite cards.
How to Improve Your Credit Score Quickly
Your credit score is the key to so many important decisions in your life. Landing a job. Renting an apartment or buying a home. Getting insurance. And, for those of us who love to travel, being approved for the premium credit cards we love so much. But, what happens if your credit score needs some help? Here are the best ways that I know to improve your credit health and your credit score.
Step-By-Step Guide to the Shopping Cart Trick: Get a Credit Card Without a Hard Pull
Having great credit allows you to apply for all of the best credit cards. But what happens if you have some dings on your credit report? Are you out of luck? There happens to be a way to start repairing your credit through something known as the Shopping Cart Trick.
Never heard of it? We’ll share what it is, how to use it and which stores offer you the best chance at approval.
How to Get Pre-Approved and Pre-Qualify for Bank of America Credit Cards
As a financial journalist, I have to admit something potentially embarrassing: I didn’t know anything about pre-qualifying for a credit card until a few years into my career. In my
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: Should You Upgrade?
It seems that every airline and hotel is launching a premium version of their credit cards. Now it’s Southwest’s turn.
Chase Refer-A-Friend Bonus: Earn Points the Easy Way
There are many ways to earn travel rewards, like flying, staying at a hotel or getting a new credit card. Did you know that some credit cards will give you bonus points for referring your friends? Here’s everything you need to know about the Chase Refer-A-Friend bonus.
Best Credit Cards for Students: How to Get Cash Back and Free Travel
When you are in college, you’re preparing for both your career and your financial future. On campus or during Spring Break, you may be tempted by the allure of a free frisbee or t-shirt, but don’t fall for these tired marketing tricks. Instead, get one of the best credit cards for students to build your credit so you can eventually qualify for the cards with the best rewards and benefits.
Citi Price Rewind Program: Tips for Maximizing This Valuable Benefit Based on New Limits
Price Protection is a valuable benefit because it protects cardholders in case something they buy goes on sale shortly after purchase. Citibank has been one of the leaders in price protection because this benefit is available on almost every consumer credit card they offer.
British Airways Credit Cards: Everything You Need To Know
When I talk to my friends about British Airways, they often wonder why I would focus on an airline that doesn’t fly within the United States.
The Best Credit Cards to Use For Any Hotel Stay (Including Airbnb)
It’s satisfying when you can book a hotel room with points. There are literally thousands of hotels around the world where you can use points from hotel cards and other travel cards to stay for free.
Capital One Balance Transfers: Everything You Need to Know
When you’re in debt, the two best ways to pay off the balances are debt consolidation and 0% balance transfers. If you can pay off the balances within 1 to 2 years, you’re better off with a credit card balance transfer.
The Best Payment Platform for Your Business: Paypal, Square, Stripe and Braintree Compared
Businesses of all sizes are looking for new ways to accept payments in our fast-paced global economy. Checks are practically a thing of the past and, luckily, getting paid for goods and services is getting a lot easier.
American Express Pre-Approval: Your Guide to Pre-Qualify for the Best Cards
I remember the days when qualifying for an American Express card was a sign of privilege. If you could throw down an Amex card, you probably had more money than most.
What Is Price Protection, Why Is It Valuable and Which Credit Cards Offer It?
Price Protection is a benefit that you may not know about, but you are missing out on some serious savings if you aren’t using it. When used to their fullest, price protection benefits could rival the credit card rewards that you earn. Many of the major card issuers, including Capital One, and Citi, offer this coverage. These are our top picks for cards with Price Protection.
Best Credit Cards Offering Price and Return Protection
Chase is eliminating return and price protections for all of its cards. If these valuable protections are important to you, check out our list of excellent alternatives from Citi, Discover and American Express. Let’s take a look at what each issuer offers before getting into the specific cards.
Chase Eliminating Price Protection and Return Protection From Credit Cards
Chase is eliminating return and price protection on all of its credit cards. The popular Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred cards will lose these benefits on August 26, 2018. And price and return protection are expected to be removed from all other Chase credit cards soon thereafter. That means that you could be missing out on hundreds of dollars of savings in the near future.