Frequent flier programs, airline rewards

Keep things simple with a cash back credit card -- Want an uncomplicated, easy-to-use rewards card? Instead of killing yourself keeping track of rotating rewards programs, try a simple cash-back card ... (See Cash-back credit cards)

Cathleen McCarthy: How to get points for small town hotel stays -- If your job takes you to small-town America, you can still find a rewards credit card that gives you big points for frequent motel stays ... (See Earning small-town hotel rewards)

Cathleen McCarthy: Is trading credit card reward points for product a good deal? -- Keeping up with rotating rewards points programs takes time and energy, so is buying stuff with your points instead a better option? ... (See Cashing in rewards points)

Erica Sandberg: Know where you stand before you apply for new credit -- To know what kind of credit card you can qualify for, you first need to know your credit score and pull your credit reports ... (See Applying for credit)

Cathleen McCarthy: Are business card flier miles taxable? -- When cashing in on miles acquired through business card use for personal travel, is there any risk of having to pay taxes on those miles? ... (See Frequent flier miles)

Credit score impact of pumping and dumping rewards cards -- Applying for big bonus rewards cards, racking up points and then canceling the card requires a credit score and a lot of discipline ... (See Rewards credit cards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, April 18, 2012: Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Average credit card interest rates held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Is airport lounge access a true credit card perk? -- A newbie business traveler questions the value of airport lounge access if she decides to apply for a new frequent flier credit card ... (See Airport lounges)

More consumers ditch rewards, go with plain vanilla credit cards -- Basic credit cards won’t help you rack up free flights, wads of cash or gift cards. But new research shows they’re back in a big way, and they’re especially popular with young, financially savvy consumers ... (See Plain vanilla credit cards)

Cathleen McCarthy: Transfer miles or buy outright to gift flights? -- Want to present a special someone with the gift of free airfare? What a sweet idea -- but watch out for those fees! Find out the best ways to cash in your extra miles before you act ... (See The gift of flight)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, April 4, 2012: Credit card interest rates decline -- Credit card interest rates dropped to their lowest level since February, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate Report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Do you lose rewards on returned purchases? -- You racked up a boatload of points on that new TV, but now you're having second thoughts? Be prepared for bad news ... (See Points and returned purchases)

Q&A: 'Millionaire Mind' author T. Harv Eker talks money, debt and breaking bad habit -- "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" author shares how your personal money blueprint can either make or break your financial goals ... (See T. Harv Eker)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 28, 2012: Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate Report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Want a rewards card with an annual fee? Run the numbers first -- If you're wondering whether it's a good move to pay the annual fee with that new rewards credit card, a little bit of math can help clear things up ... (See Annual fee)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 21, 2012: Credit card interest rates dip slightly -- Credit card interest rates dipped slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Who owns frequent flier miles from a corporate credit card? -- The company pays, and an employee flies, but who gets the miles for that flight? It turns out that neither party will end up empty-handed ... (See Corporate cards and frequent flier miles)

6 surprising things that won't hurt your credit score -- Losing your job, paying your taxes late or being locked up in prison won't hurt your credit score, as long as you keep paying on those bills ... (See Credit score myths)

Cathleen McCarthy: Which rewards card is the best for travel upgrades? -- Looking to pay for travel upgrades with rewards points? We'll lay out some of your best options ... (See Rewards upgrades)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Mar. 6, 2012: Moves by Chase, Best Buy push credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped this week for the first time in nearly three months, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 29, 2012: Credit card interest rates hit 8-month low -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offers fell to its lowest level since June of 2011, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Pros and cons of paying taxes with a credit card -- A multitude of IRS tax payment options exist, including using plastic. Before you boost your balance to pay your taxes, know exactly what to watch out for ... (See Paying taxes with credit cards)

Poll: 2 out of 3 would stop using their card if iRS starts taxing rewards points -- A CreditCards.com poll shows consumers really hate the idea of having their rewards points taxed -- a possibility card and tax experts are starting to debate ... (See Taxing miles, points)

Cathleen McCarthy: How to steer clear of frequent flier blackout dates -- Blackout dates drive many frequent fliers mad, and they can vary between airlines. These tips will help you navigate around these restrictions and fly away ... (See Rewards blackout dates)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 22, 2012: Credit card rates' holding pattern continues -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged at 14.91 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

How to donate unused rewards miles, points -- Are your miles about to expire? Don't rush out and spend them on something you don't need just to get rid of them. Donate them to charity instead -- you get the same result, minus the useless merchandise cluttering your house ... (See Donate rewards miles)

Airline and hotel rewards donation chart -- Most major hotel chains and airlines -- Southwest and JetBlue being two notable exceptions -- allow you to donate unused rewards points or miles. This chart provides links to donation information pages for more than a dozen different airlines or hotels ... (See Rewards donation chart)

Cathleen McCarthy: How to maximize the value of your rewards card -- Can't decide on which rewards card to get? The most important thing to do, our expert says, is make sure the card is a good match for your spending habits ... (See Maximizing card rewards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 15, 2012: Credit card rates remain in holding pattern -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as credit card APRs' recent holding pattern continued ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: What to consider before canceling your airline miles card -- Before you cancel your airlines miles credit card in a frustrated huff, stop, take a deep breath, and consider the impact on your credit ... (See Canceling rewards cards)

Cash-back credit cards survey: More generous, but more complicated -- A CreditCards.com/Bankrate.com survey finds that the days of low, flat rewards are ending, but consumers need to closely watch their more-complicated cards ... (See 2012 cash-back credit cards survey)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 8, 2012: Credit card rates hold steady for 2nd week -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, though issuers are still tweaking APRs ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Want elite miles from your card? Be sure to shop around -- Most credit cards won't help you get elite status with an airline, but there are some that do. Our expert helps a reader in search of the card that's best for him ... (See Credit card elite miles)

6 budget-blowing international travel mistakes to avoid -- With a little pretrip planning, you can prevent hundreds of unnecessary dollars from being added to the final cost of your trip abroad ... (See International travel money mistakes)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Feb. 1, 2012: Credit card rates hit lowest levels in 5 months -- Interest rates on new credit card fell to their lowest levels since August 2011 this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

3 money lessons from "The Bachelor" -- Week after week, "The Bachelor" fans can take the lessons they learn in the fine art of romance and apply it to their personal finances ... (See The Bachelor)

Reward point 'gifts' are taxable, says the IRS -- As sign-up bonuses for bank accounts and rewards cards have become more generous, someone new took interest -- Uncle Sam. Those sign-up bonus points are taxable, he says ... (See Card rewards taxable)

Cathleen McCarthy: If you close a card, you often lose your points immediately -- Closing a credit card? In most cases, you should you use up all your points or miles before you close the card. Otherwise, your hard-earned rewards will vanish before you can enjoy them ... (See Canceling rewards cards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 25, 2012: Credit card APRs unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: What to consider before applying for a cash back credit card -- One percent cash back for buying this, 5 percent back if you buy that -- how do you figure out which of the many cash back cards out there is the one that's right for you? ... (See Cash back credit card)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 18, 2012: Credit card rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Airlines offer better elite frequent flier deals -- Airlines may have made it easier for people get miles without ever setting foot in an airport. However, those who earned the miles the old-fashioned way get special perks ... (See Elite frequent flier status)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 11, 2012: Average APR drops following First Premier move -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, due to a sharp APR drop for the priciest card in our survey. ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Rewards card holders' biggest mistake? Not using their miles -- Sure, rewards programs can be complex and confusing. However, the biggest mistake rewards cardholders make is one that's amazingly simple ... (See Rewards mistakes)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Jan. 4, 2012: Credit card rates steady as 2012 begins -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged to start the new year, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 28, 2011: Interest rates drop for the 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: How to maximize your 'mileage run' to elite flier status -- Panicking because you're just short of getting elite status on your favorite airline? There are ways to get there without breaking the bank ... (See Mileage run)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 21, 2011: Credit card rates dip as holiday shopping nears end -- As the holiday shopping season nears an end, interest rates on new credit card offers fell from their record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 14, 2011: Credit card interest rates shoot to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged to a record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

6 reasons credit card rewards go unredeemed -- and how to change that -- One-third of $48 billion earned in rewards points or miles goes unused every year for various reasons. What's keeping people from cashing in? ... (See Unredeemed credit card rewards)

Cathleen McCarthy: 5 easy ways to get more credit card rewards points or miles -- Issuers offer countless ways for miles-hungry customers to get their fix. Here are some of the easiest methods for getting all the miles or points you desire ... (See Get more miles)

8 wise ways to rack up rewards while holiday shopping -- Does racking up rewards while shopping for gifts make you naughty or nice? It depends on how you manage your spending ... (See Holiday shopping rewards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Dec. 7, 2011: Credit card interest rates dip for 1st time in a month -- Interest rates on new credit card offers dipped slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Changing airline cards shouldn't cost you your miles -- Transferring the balance from one airline's credit card to another airline's card won't impact the miles that you've already earned ... (See Changing airline cards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 30, 2011: Credit card APRs remain in holding pattern -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Bankrupt American Airlines says your frequent flier miles are safe -- In a move to retain its most loyal customers, American assures customers their AAdvantage rewards miles are 'yours and will remain yours' as the airline goes through Chapter 11 bankruptcy ... (See American frequent flier miles)

Kim McGrigg: Be wary of getting more credit when student loan comes due -- With a $14,000 student loan coming due soon, a reader wonders if getting a new department store credit card was a bad move. Our expert's answer: It depends. ... (See Credit cards and student loans)

Cathleen McCarthy: Are rewards card sign-up bonuses just for new customers? -- A Chase cardholder wants to upgrade his old card for a new Chase card with a great sign-up bonus. Our expert says he might lose his old card's points in the process ... (See Rewards card sign-up bonus)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 23, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged as holidays near -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week as banks took their traditional Thanksgiving break from changing rates, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Canceling a credit card is OK -- if done wisely -- When your credit improves, it can be tempting to dump your old, bad-credit credit cards in favor of newer cards. But, our expert says, drop too many cards and your credit could pay the price again ... (See Cancel a card)

Cathleen McCarthy: Be mindful of your card's hassle-to-rewards ratio -- Is your rewards card more hassle than it's worth? Our expert lays out how you can figure that out for yourself ... (See Are rewards cards worth it?)

Chart: 2011 holiday credit card promotions, special deals -- This chart helps you find details of the special credit card promotions, special deals and bargains that seven major card issuers have offered for the 2011 holiday season ... (more)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- The average interest rate on a new credit card offer stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. However, that doesn't mean that all of the nation's largest credit card issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Want to cancel your card? Bank must comply -- Whether you've just applied for a preapproved credit card or you've had the card for 20 years, you can cancel the card whenever you want ... (See Cancel a card)

Cathleen McCarthy: Authorized users can't access rewards without special permission -- If you're an authorized user on someone's credit card, the only way you can access the rewards points for the purchases you've made is if the primary account holder gives you special access ... (See Authorized users and rewards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 9, 2011: Credit card APRs inch up, near record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week for the first time in a month, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Bad credit and living on disability: Is a new home out of reach? -- A new home may not be out of reach just because you have bad credit and live on disability payments, our expert says. But don't expect it to come easily either ... (See Bad credit and mortgages)

Cathleen McCarthy: What to consider before getting a hotel credit card -- If you travel a lot and you've got all the airline miles you need, getting a hotel credit card could be wise, our expert says. Here's what you need to know before you pick one ... (See Hotel credit cards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Nov. 2, 2011: Credit card interest rates see 2nd drop in 3 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched lower for the second time in three weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy Q&A: Short a few air miles? Negotiating won't work, but there are options -- Our expert says don't expect to talk your way into paying 25,000 miles for a 35,000-mile seat. However, if you're flexible and willing to do some homework, you should be able to find a deal ... (See Negotiating frequent flier miles)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 26, 2011: Credit card interest rates hold steady -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Consider your credit when pursuing card sign-up bonuses -- Rewards card sign-up bonuses are a great way to build up more and more miles. However, if you overdo it, it can hurt your credit. Our expert tells how ... (See Sign-up bonuses)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 19, 2011: Credit card APRs see 1st drop in 3 months -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the first time since July, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: How to cope with massive family credit card fraud -- When family members commit fraud against you, it can be devastating. Our expert lays out what your options are ... (See Family credit card fraud)

Cathleen McCarthy: Sharing or selling airline miles can be risky, pricey -- Giving your miles away may be noble, and selling your miles may sound wise, but it's important to know that neither move is free of risk and cost. Our expert lays out the details ... (See Selling, sharing frequent flier miles)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 12, 2011: Credit card APRs reach another record high -- Another week, another record for credit card interest rates. APRs on new credit card offers reached 15 percent for the first time in the four-year history of CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Yes, your card payment can be rejected if it's too small -- It may be shocking, but a credit card issuer can refuse to accept your payment if the amount is smaller than the minimum that you owe ... (See Minimum payments)

Cathleen McCarthy: Frequent flier? Opt for airline card over cash back -- Our expert says that if you fly regularly, you're better off with a miles card than with cash back -- especially if you're loyal to one airline ... (See Miles or cash back?)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Oct. 5, 2011: Credit card rates unchanged, remain at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Bankruptcy and frequent flier air miles - are they an asset, or protected? -- With 300,000 miles and $60,000 in debt, a reader fears his air miles might be seized if he files for bankruptcy. Our expert says his concerns are justified ... (See Bankruptcy and frequent flier miles)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 28, 2011: Credit card rates reach another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers edged up to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as rates' upward climb paused following several volatile weeks ... (See Rate report)

8 creative ways to rack up credit card rewards points quickly -- If you’ve had the same card for a few years, happy to be collecting a few hundred points here and there, we have two words for you: Wake up ... (See Rack up rewards points)

Cathleen McCarthy: Too sick to use ticket bought with frequent flier miles? You have options -- If an illness is likely to keep you from using your award ticket, don't panic. Our expert lays out what you can do to ensure you don't lose those miles ... (See Canceling award tickets)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 14, 2011: Credit card rates climb to another record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed to another record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: How do generic miles stack up against airline rewards? -- Our expert breaks down the differences between airline-specific miles and generic miles rewards, from how they're earned to how they're redeemed and beyond ... (See Generic miles vs. airline miles)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, Sept. 7, 2011: Credit card rates stay at record highs -- Interest rates on new credit card offers stayed at record highs this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Cashing in miles? Make sure it's worth it -- Be sure you're getting the most bang for your frequent flier miles when you redeem them. Our expert shows you how to do the math ... (See Cashing in flier miles)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 31, 2011: Credit card rates rise to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose to a new record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Record high rates)

Want to be elite? Know that all miles aren't created equal -- Miles earned by spending on an airline credit card can get you free flights and more, but they likely won't get you elite status with the airline ... (See Elite qualifying miles)

Flurry of credit cards for affluent people, small businesses launched -- The well-to-do and those who charge a lot are still coveted by card issuers, who offer competing lures of boosted rewards, other goodies ... (See Credit card rewards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 24, 2011: Credit card rates jump to near-record levels -- Interest rates on new credit card offers jumped to a near-record high this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Buying airline miles: Is it worth the cost? -- The offers can be tempting: buying airline miles to boost your mileage account. But how do you know you're getting a good deal and not just adding to the airlines' bottom line? ... (See Buying airline miles)

How high is too high for a rewards card's annual fee? -- When determining whether a rewards card's annual fee is too high, the most important thing is to know thyself -- or rather, thine travel habits ... (See Compare rewards cards' annual fees)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 17, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Late credit card payments may cost you rewards points -- If you're late paying your credit card bill, you may end up losing some rewards points. But the good news is that they likely won't be gone forever ... (See Lost rewards points)

5 credit score secrets of the young and FICO-savvy -- Today's 20-somethings face a stiff lending environment that looks down on short credit histories. Find out how some broke through barriers and build a solid foundation early ... (See Credit score secrets)

Cathleen McCarthy: Beware of opening, closing cards quickly to get rewards points -- Signing up for a bunch of new credit cards and getting all the sign-up bonus points may sound like a fast, easy way to a free flight. Your credit may pay a price, though ... (See Rewards points)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, August 3, 2011: Card APRs unchanged as run of declines stalls -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week, ending a two-week run of declines that brought APRs down from record levels ... (See Rate report)

Cathleen McCarthy: Cash back or miles? Ask yourself these 6 questions first -- Our credit card rewards column returns, helping a reader answer a very common question: Cash back or miles? ... (See Cash back or miles?)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 27, 2011: Credit card APRs take 2nd straight dip -- Credit card interest rates dipped for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Mint bans $1 coin trick that let rewards credit card holders rack up big points -- A favorite frequent flier points-building scheme -- buying coins from the Mint on credit cards, returning the metal but pocketing rewards, is no longer allowed ... (See U.S. Mint)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 20, 2011: Business card drop sends credit card APRs off record highs -- Business card interest rates took a dip this week, sending overall credit card APRs down from record highs, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

10 financing options for cosmetic surgery -- Tummy tucks, facelifts and nose jobs don't come cheap and are rarely covered by insurance. So just how do you come up with the cash to get the look of your dreams? ... (See Paying for plastic surgery)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 13, 2011: Credit card APRs stay at record highs -- Summer vacationers, beware: Credit card interest rates stayed at record heights for a second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How to get a refund if your airfare drops after you buy -- You book your flight early and then the price plummets. But, if you know how, you may be able to recoup at least some of the cost difference in the form of a voucher for a future flight ... (See Airfare refund)

9 unusual credit card rewards and perks -- If you take the time to peruse the merchandise and reward packages your points can buy, you may be surprised at the bounty you've been missing out on -- from kitschy to luxurious to downright bizarre ... (See Crazy rewards)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, July 6, 2011: Credit card APRs hit record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers soared to record heights this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Airline, hotel credit cards offering sign-up bonus for adding authorized users -- Adding an authorized user can put you over the top for that free flight, but experts advise caution -- it dings your credit and exposes you to financial risk ... (See Authorized user)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 29, 2011: Credit card APRs see rare drop -- Credit card interest rates fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report -- just the second drop since March ... (See APRs fall)

6 credit card problems that can ruin your summer vacation -- Here are some credit-related problems that can wreak havoc on your well-deserved holiday, and some tips on what you can do to avoid them, well before you board the plane or pull the car out of the garage. ... (See Summer vacation)

Credit card interest rates move higher, near record levels -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week, edging closer to record heights. The national average APR on new card offers climbed to 14.84 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report, June 15, 2011: Credit card APRs unchanged for 3rd straight week -- Credit card interest rates stayed steady again this week, but that doesn't mean issuers were sitting on their hands ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 8, 2011: Interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Sign-up bonuses for rewards credit cards become more generous -- As cards make a comeback from the recession, issuers chasing new customers are becoming more generous with sign-up bonuses ... (See Reward card bonuses)

With all the airline fees, can you afford that 'free' flight? -- At last, you've earned enough frequent flier rewards for a free trip to your dream spot. But with all the fees, 'free' isn't what it used to be ... (See "Free" flight fees)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, June 1, 2011: Interest rates unchanged this week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, staying fixed at 14.83 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly rate report, May 25, 2011: Average APRs fall on new card offers -- A move by Wells Fargo to cut the rates on two of its popular rewards cards caused the national average to fall in CreditCards.com's weekly rate report ... (See Weekly credit card rate report, May 25, 2011)

Credit card interest rates climb higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped this week, after Discover raised the rate on one of its business cards. But that wasn't the only troubling news for those looking for a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates stay steady -- Interest rates on credit card offers stayed static this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, though banks aren't standing idly ... (See Weekly rate report, May 11, 2011 )

Credit card interest rates move higher -- Credit card interest rates moved higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rates)

Credit card interest rates unchanged again -- With the cost of gas and groceries rising, consumers can take some solace in one thing that hasn't changed much lately -- credit card interest rates ... (See Rate report, April 27, 2011 )

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Shift in student cards sends credit card interest rates higher -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on introductory credit card offers climbed to 14.67 this week, its first jump since late February ... (See Credit card Weekly Rate Report, April 20)

5 entrepreneurs whose credit cards funded their dreams -- Yes, most experts say don't do it, but these five people used their credit cards to start their businesses. Find out how if they would have done things differently ... (See Small business funding)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 5th straight week -- Interest rates on credit card offers remained unchanged for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, and experts say that’s good news for consumers ... (See Rate report)

Kim McGrigg: Are 'free miles' really free? -- Frequent flier rewards cards usually carry annual fees, so that free flight isn't truly free, but if you handle your card right it can be pretty close ... (See Frequent flier)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates steady for record 4th straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers held steady for a record fourth straight week on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. But that doesn't mean issuers are sitting on their hands. ... (See Rate report)

Banks cut, cancel their debit rewards programs -- With banks cutting back or entirely scrapping their popular debit card rewards programs, what's a consumer to do? Here are your options ... (See Debit rewards)

8 credit card strategies of frequent flier mile pros -- These travel junkies earn hundreds of thousands of miles without ever entering an airport. Use their credit card techniques to reap your own free flights ... (See Flier tips)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for record 3rd straight week -- For the first time since CreditCards.com began tracking interest rates in 2007, APRs on new credit card offers remained unchanged for a third week in a row, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged for second straight week -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers remained unchanged at 14.65 percent for the second straight week, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Credit card interest rates stay steady -- The average annual percentage rate (APR) on new credit card offers held steady at 14.65 percent on Wednesday, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (more)

CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report: Barclays' move sends credit card interest rates lower -- Credit card interest rates inched lower for the second straight week as more banks begin testing offers for the spring ... (See Credit card rate report, March 9, 2011)

Credit card interest rates see 1st drop of 2011 -- Credit card interest rates declined this week for the first time in nearly three months. But it’s not all good news for consumers, as card offers for applicants with poor credit continue to be costly ... (See Credit card rate report, March 2, 2011)

Credit card interest rates rise to highest level since December -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week -- puncturing a multiweek lull in which all 30 credit card issuers that CreditCards.com tracks left interest rates alone. ... (See Credit card rate report, Feb. 23, 2011)

Credit card interest rates unchanged for 2nd straight week -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks returned, after a period of tumultuous change, to their seasonal slow period ... (See Rate report, Feb. 16, 2011)

Credit card interest rates remain near record highs -- Credit card interest rates on new card offers were unchanged this week, lingering near record highs. ... (See Rate report)

Chase move sends credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers, already in near-record heights, continued their slow, steady climb this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report ... (See Rate report)

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone in first meeting of 2011 -- The Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to start 2011 in the same place it has spent the past two years -- on the sidelines. Its rate-setting committee voted to leave interest rates alone ... (See Interest rates)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, stay near record highs -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week as banks took a break from adjusting new card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Barclays, State Farm push credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates again crept nearer to record levels, spurred by rate increases by Barclays and State Farm Bank, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Interest rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged, despite Chase and Barclays moves -- Credit card interest rates remained unchanged this week, despite tweaks to card offers from Barclays and Chase ... (See Rate report)

Barclays' moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose slightly this week after Barclays raised interest rates on two of its cards. ... (See Credit card APRs)

Top 10 credit card television episodes -- Credit cards pop up in supporting roles on TV, often in the hands of minors or childlike adults. Their antics reveal the consequences of impulsive buying in ways not so hilarious in real life ... (See Cards on TV)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged as turbulent year closes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers remained unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks wrapped up a turbulent year in which interest rates reached record highs. ... (See credit card APRs)

Experts' credit card and debt predictions for 2011 -- Debit cards cool off, mobile payments soar and we return to some of our old habits, say our prognosticators of plastic payments ... (See Credit card 2011 predictions)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report:Barclays, Cap One moves send credit card interest rates higher -- Credit card interest rates rose for the first time in six weeks after Barclays and Capital One adjusted card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Interest rates unchanged despite move from Chase -- A Chase interest rate tweak plus a Federal Reserve announcement still added up to zero movement in the average APR on new credit card offers this week. ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates drop on Capital One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers continue to head lower, thanks to changes from Capital One, but that doesn't mean borrowing has become a breeze. ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card interest rates unchanged after Thanksgiving holiday -- Banks, apparently still shaking off their tryptophan drowsiness, left interest rates on credit card offers unchanged this week ... (See Rate report)

Weekly Credit Card Rate Report: Credit card APRs fall for second straight week -- Credit card interest rates continued to fall this week, pushed lower by a business credit card. ... (See Rate report)

6 questions to help you pick the right small business credit card -- The right questions can help you find a small business credit card that's a lifeline, not a noose ... (See Business credit cards)

Credit card interest rates fall from record highs -- Credit card interest rates finally fell from record highs this week, but it's far too early for borrowers to celebrate. ... (See APRs)

Credit card interest rates hit another record high -- If it seems like credit card interest rates are higher than they've been in a long while, you're not imagining things. This week, the national average APR on new credit cards hit another record high, according to CreditCards.com's database of card offer information. ... (See APRs)

Walmart rate hike sends credit card APRs to record high -- Interest rates on new credit card offers leaped to record highs this week, following a rate hike on Walmart's Discover card ... (See Weekly rate report)

Your credit card can make you elite -- Achieving elite status on a frequent flier program may be easier than you think -- especially if you have the right credit card ... (See Frequent flier)

Credit card APRs surge on First Premier card change -- Credit card interest rates neared record levels, after First Premier began charging the higher of two APRs to all of its new Centennial Classic cardholders. ... (See Weekly rate report)

Credit card interest rates rise on Chase, Cap One changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers inched up this week, following after rate hikes from Capital One and Chase. ... (See Rate report)

Forgot to pay your credit card bill? You could lose your rewards points -- Here's another reason to pay your credit card bill on time: If you pay late, you could lose your rewards points ... (See Credit card rewards)

Credit card interest rates flat despite Chase changes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, despite several APR changes from Chase. ... (See Chase)

Credit card interest rates see 2nd straight increase -- For the second straight week, it got more expensive to get a new credit card, though only slightly ... (See Rate report)

5 ways to know you've got the wrong credit card for you -- You had a closet full of clothes you adored as a teenager -- but that doesn't mean you'd wear them now, right? The same thing goes for your credit card ... (See Wrong card)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates jump following Capital One APR hikes -- Interest rates on new credit card offers offers jumped this week, after Capital One increased rates on seven of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates fall after Sony Card returns -- Credit card interest rates fall this week after the Sony Card made its return ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com weekly survey: Interest rates remain unchanged for second-straight week -- Credit card interest rates held steady this week at their lowest levels since mid-May ... (See Rate report)

Retail credit cards 2010: Higher APRs, reduced rewards -- 2010 was not kind to retail credit cardholders. However, as the economy stabilizes, relief from higher APRs could be in the cards. ... (See Retail credit cards)

Credit card interest rates unchanged despite NFL card's return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following the return of the NFL Extra Points Rewards credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Capital One's moves send credit card interest rates falling -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One introduced lower rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

Airline cards for frequent flier cards remain popular, despite CARD Act -- Predictions that the Credit CARD Act of 2009 would cause airline rewards to dry up have proven untrue ... (See Airline rewards cards)

Interest rates stay steady, but 59.9 percent APR reappears on First Premier card -- The national average interest rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, even as one issuer reintroduced an extremely high rate. ... (See Rate report)

Credit CARD Act begins final phase -- Gift card protections, requirements for reasonable fees and mandatory account reviews when interest rates are hiked are among the new consumer protections in Phase III of the Credit CARD Act of 2009. ... (more)

American Express No. 1 in customer service survey -- AmEx trumped other major issuers in customer satisfaction in the 2010 Credit Card Satisfaction Study, conducted by J.D. Power and Associates ... (See J.D. Power survey)

Wells Fargo interest rate increase sends credit card APRs higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (See Rate report)

Duplicate of Wells Fargo move boosts credit card interest rates -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Wells Fargo increased the rate on a card ... (more)

Credit card lending standards loosen for 1st time in 3 years -- It got easier to get a credit card in the second quarter of 2010, according to data released by the Federal Reserve on Monday ... (See Survey)

Capital One APR decrease sends credit card interest rates to 3rd drop in 4 weeks -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the third time in four weeks, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Capital One lowered the rate on a card product. ... (See Rates)

Amid economic uncertainty, Federal Reserve leaves interest rates alone -- Amid signs that the economic recovery is in doubt, the Federal Reserve on Tuesday kept interest rates unchanged, leaving the majority of credit cardholders protected from sudden increases in their annual percentage rates ... (See Fed)

Interest rates fall after Walmart card makes online return -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fall after G.E. Money brings back its Walmart Discover card. ... (See Rates)

Interest rates rise after Chase adjusts card offer -- Credit card interest rates increased following Chase's adjustment of a card offer. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card contracts unreadable for most Americans -- A CreditCards.com analysis of the contracts filed in a federal database shows most can't comprehend the agreements their credit card issuers send them ... (See Unreadable card agreements)

New federal credit card agreement database shows potential, isn't user-friendly -- A new federal database of credit card agreements contains a wealth of information, but it isn't presented in a user-friendly way, critics say ... (more)

10 wordiest credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these droned on the longest, according to a CreditCarsds.com analysis ... (more)

Quotable: What lawmakers, experts say about CreditCards.com's readability study -- Lawmakers, consumer advocates, banking industry officials and financial literacy and readability experts react to the CreditCards.com analysis of the readability of U.S. credit card agreements ... (more)

Readability of the credit card agreements from 20 largest issuers -- Large national banks issue more than 90 percent of the cards in the United States. Here's how their credit card agreements compare for readability ... (more)

10 most unreadable credit card contracts -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most unreadable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (See Unreadable card contracts)

10 most readable credit card agreements -- Of all the credit card contracts posted online in a new Federal Reserve database, these were the 10 most readable, according to a CreditCards.com analysis ... (more)

Credit card Interest rates fall for first time since May -- Credit card interest rates fell last week for the first time in more than two months, according to CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

6 credit card fees you might not know about -- In the aftermath of new regulations that cracked down on some of their most lucrative practices, credit card companies are looking for new sources of revenue. If you're not careful, you may get hit with a broad array of old and new fees ... (See Obscure credit card fees)

How to keep track of all those rewards points -- The idea of earning free stuff is so alluring that many consumers now have too many reward programs to keep tabs on ... (See Rewards points trackers)

Credit card interest rates hold steady for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged for the second straight week, as banks left their card products alone. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates end five-week run of increases -- The streak is over. Last week, for the first time in more than the month, the national average interest rate on a new credit card offer did not increase, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

Interest rates advance for fifth consecutive week -- Credit card APRs increased for the fifth straight week, the longest increase in nearly three years. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates rise for fourth straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers tiptoed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, marking the fourth consecutive weekly increase. ... (See Rate report)

Capital One move pushes APRs higher for 3rd straight week -- Another week brought with it another interest rate move by Capital One, sending credit card APRs still higher. ... (See Cap One)

4 rules to win at the credit card rewards game -- Charging all your purchases to pump up your rewards point total may be tempting … but is it worth the threat to your finances and your credit score? The answer may be yes, if you follow these four rules ... (See Credit card rewards)

Cap One's moves push credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers surged higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, following card adjustments by Capital One. ... (See Rates)

Capital One's rate hikes send credit card interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by rate increases from Capital One. ... (See Rate report)

8 ways to maximize your credit card rewards points -- Once you've gone to the trouble of earning all those bonus points, spend them wisely. Here are eight tips from experts on getting the most from your rewards ... (See Credit card rewards)

Credit card interest rates remain unchanged -- Interest rates on new credit card offers were unchanged this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after banks largely refrained from adjusting their card offers. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates' slide continues -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined for a record fifth straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after Citi lowered rates on a card product. ... (See Interest rates)

Credit card interest rates fall for record 4th straight week -- Card rates continue to be volatile, with cards entering and exiting the market as the industry -- faced with the recession and new regulations -- rapidly changes ... (See Rate report)

Target's moves send credit card interest rates to 3rd straight decline -- Credit card interest rates fell again, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by Target's recent move to eliminate its Visa credit card. ... (See Rate report)

Citi's moves send interest rates down for 2nd straight week -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell for the second straight week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, amid signs the consumer lending environment may be improving. ... (See Rate report)

Interest rates fall as issuers modify credit card offers -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after issuers tweaked the rates on several card products. ... (See Rate report)

Interest rates rise as credit card issuers tweak offers -- The industry continues to writhe and adjust as card issuers learn to cope with the Great Recession and new regulation ... (See Rate report)

DIY, credit card style: Issuers roll out 'do it yourself' cards -- More companies are rolling out tools on the Internet that give consumers greater control over the features of their cards ... (See DIY cards)

Bad credit card issuer's moves send interest rates lower -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, after subprime issuer Credit One tweaked some of its card offers ... (See Rate report)

How the Credit CARD Act will affect types of credit cards -- The Credit CARD Act has pushed card issuers to make big changes -- and some types of credit cards will be impacted more than others. We look at each type. ... (See Card law impact)

Capital One's business card moves send interest rates higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers rose this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, spurred by changes in Capital One's business card offerings. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card law compels speedy estate settlement for debt after death -- A little-noticed provision of the Credit CARD Act of 2009 makes it easier for the estate's administrator to settle the account in a timely fashion. ... (See Death)

Credit card agreement from your issuer -- Federal law now requires credit card issuers to post their agreements; find yours from this list. ... (See Agreements)

Credit card interest rates fall after Wells Fargo cuts APRs -- In what it called a "competitive pricing" move, Wells Fargo drove down the average rates on new credit cards this week by lowering the rates on four of its credit cards. ... (See Rate report)

Varied credit card travel perks make them good vacation partners -- Travelers can count on all kinds of special treatment from their credit cards. Benefits vary widely; shop for a card that fits your travel plans. ... (See Card travel perks)

Credit card interest rates jump, approach record highs -- Credit card interest rates reached their second-highest level on record after U.S. Bank raised rates on several of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

From credit card disaster to card master: 7 tips from the debt reformed -- Repaying big card balances is hard enough, but remaining debt-free is even more so. Learn how seven credit card 'disasters' turned into credit card masters. ... (See Reformed)

Interest rates fall as 59.9% APR credit card goes away -- Interest rates pulled back from record levels this week, although cardholders may not have much reason to cheer. ... (See Rate report)

Interest rates surge higher as credit card reform arrives -- Banks jacked interest rates to record levels this week, getting in their final licks against consumers ahead of the new credit card regulations. ... (See Rate report)

New credit card era begins with latest CARD Act provisions -- It's a new day for credit cards. As of Feb. 22, new consumer protections within the Credit CARD Act of 2009 take effect. ... (See Era)

Interest rates edge lower just ahead of CARD Act implementation -- With the Credit CARD Act's implementation just days away, experts say competition for prime borrowers may help keep rates steady. ... (See Rate report)

White House to answer consumer questions about Credit CARD Act -- The White House will answer Americans' questions about the new credit card reform law during a live online town hall at 2 p.m. EST Feb. 22. ... (more)

Choose a credit card that matches your life stage -- Your finances change as you march through stages of life; shouldn't your credit card choice change, too? ... (See Life)

No change in credit card APRs this week -- Credit card interest rates were unchanged this week, as banks paused after pushing rates to heights not seen in more than two years. ... (See Interest rates)

Credit card reform arrives in the form of the Credit CARD Act -- The most sweeping credit card changes ever are being imposed on credit card issuers, which in the course of complying, are making dramatic changes in consumers' credit card accounts -- not all of them welcome ... (See Credit card reform law goes in effect)

Credit CARD Act of 2009 article archives -- All the CreditCards.com coverage of the credit card reform law ... (more)

Frequent flier cards evolve, become trickier; tips to maximize rewards -- For consumers willing to weigh the costs and advantages of so many different reward programs, the changes can be a real boon. But there’s also no denying that deciphering reward programs is becoming more complicated. ... (See Frequent flier cards)

Fed issues final Credit CARD Act rules -- The Federal Reserve issued final rules implementing the second phase of the credit card reform law. They are the most significant changes in credit card laws in decades. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates drop once again -- Interest rates on new credit card offers fell again this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but the typical borrower may not benefit. ... (See Rate report)

New Year's personal finance predictions for 2010 -- You'll change the ways you and your family will spend, borrow and save, experts predict. ... (See 2010)

Credit card rates dip again, but more hikes likely coming soon -- Interest rates on new credit card offers declined slightly this week, although experts say that dip doesn't mean cardholders should expect borrowing on plastic to get cheaper anytime soon. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates keep climbing higher -- Interest rates on new credit card offers climbed higher this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as banks continue to charge cardholders more to carry a balance. ... (more)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- Credit card interest rates jumped slightly again this week, as banks continued to make it more and more costly for consumers to use their plastic. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates unchanged after holiday -- Credit card issuers took a holiday from raising interest rates this week, as experts began to see signs that consumers' access to credit may be starting to ease. ... (See Rate Report)

BofA rate hikes push national average credit card APR higher -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers rose slightly this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, as Bank of America increased rates on two of its cards. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card APRs fall sharply, but you shouldn't get too excited -- Annual percentage rates on new credit card offers fell sharply this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but don't expect your APR to drop, too. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card rates' ascent shows no sign of slowing -- It just keeps getting more and more expensive to be a credit cardholder -- and analysts say there's little change in sight. ... (more)

Rates steady this week, but banks keep tweaking other terms -- Banks may have left rates unchanged this week, but they nevertheless made some changes behind the scenes that could impact cardholders' pocketbooks ... (See Rate report)

Credit card interest rates push higher again -- APRs on new credit card offers inched up to 12.64 percent this week, says the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. This continues recent trends of rising interest rates this year, as banks continue to make moves ahead of a new card law. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card rates flat as banks look for other ways to boost profits -- Interest rates may be flat, but don't cheer yet: Banks are simply shifting their money-making strategies, experts say. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card APRs fall slightly, reversing recent rate-hike trend -- Credit card interest rates dropped slightly this week, after several banks made a commitment to abstaining from additional rate hikes. ... (See Rate report)

Major issuers' rate hikes send national average card APR higher -- Several credit card issuers raised interest rates this week, driving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers upward for the third straight week to 12.64 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

American Express boosts national average credit card interest rate -- American Express this week raised annual percentage rates on several of its card offers, pushing the national average APR higher for the third time in four weeks. ... (See Rate report)

APRs rise, even after Fed leaves rates unchanged -- The Federal Reserve chose to leave lending rates unchanged earlier this week, but credit card issuers didn't follow suit. ... (See Rate report)

How to build a better credit card portfolio -- Standing pat with one card isn't a smart move today. Allocate credit as you do assets, strategically trimming or adding cards to get the most out of each. ... (See Portfolio)

Credit card rates steady as banks struggle with uncertain economy -- Amid mixed economic signals, banks kept interest rates unchanged on credit cards offers this week at 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

After a pause, credit card interest rates resume upward march -- After staying flat the previous week, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers rose to 12.28 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How to safely, securely destroy a credit card: 6 tips -- With credit card fraud and identity theft on the rise, a single scissor snip won't cut it anymore. ... (See Destroy)

Consumer credit plunges record $21.5 billion in July -- Consumer debt fell by an unprecedented $21.5 billion in July, according to new Federal Reserve data, as consumers continued to shy away from borrowing in the recession. ... (See G.19)

Pitfalls of pumping, dumping sign-up bonus cards -- The "pump and dump" strategy of taking advantage of huge bonus sign-up reward points or miles can really mess with your credit if you're not smart ... (See Rewards)

Credit card APRs steady, though banks are tweaking other terms -- Even as banks continue to tinker with their business models in reaction to new credit card legislation, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers was unchanged this week at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

After run of rate hikes, banks leave APRs unchanged -- Banks paused this week following a recent run of interest rate increases, leaving the national average annual percentage rate on new credit cards unchanged at 12.17 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

How magnets can ruin credit cards -- "Demagnetization" can render a card useless; know what to do if it happens. ... (See Useless)

Are your air miles at risk if you fall on hard times? -- A reader wonders what would happen to his miles if he closes his credit card account, settles with the card company or goes bankrupt. ... (See Miles)

Black, white, titanium: Are elite credit cards worth it? -- If your credit rating is outstanding, you earn big and spend big, you could win an elite credit card, which provides premium benefits -- at extreme cost. ... (See Elite)

Fed report: Lenders again tighten credit card loan standards, but not as much -- Credit card issuers again cut credit in the second quarter of 2009, as did lenders of many kinds, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve. ... (See Tighter)

Have card, will travel: A guide to traveling with a credit card -- You need to take steps before, during and after the trip if you want your travel to be enjoyable for you and your credit. ... (See Travel)

Consumers gain right to opt out of credit card rate increases -- The first phase of the new Credit CARD Act of 2009 kicked in Aug. 20, lengthening notice requirements to 45 days and giving consumers the right to opt out of rate increases. ... (See Law)

Credit card APRs jump for 4th time in 5 weeks -- Following a brief pause last week, the national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers rose for the fourth time in the past five weeks to 12.06 percent, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. ... (See Rate report)

After weeks of increases, credit card APRs finally stand still -- Ending a streak of three straight weekly APR increases, the national average interest rate on new credit card offers held steady this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report. Just don't expect it to last. ... (See Rate report)

Credit card APRs rise for third straight week -- Borrowing money on a new credit card continues to become increasingly expensive, as banks work to protect themselves from a weak economy. ... (See Rate report)

The greatest gift of all: free travel -- When offered someone else's frequent flier miles for travel, there are some rules of the road that you should follow. ... (See Free!)

Let's talk credit: 8 must-have couple conversations -- Attitudes about using credit cards vary dramatically, and learning a partner's outlook can avert all-too-common money disputes. Here are the eight top credit issues every couple should tackle. ... (See Talk to me)

Credit card interest rates keep moving higher -- The cost of using credit cards continues to rise, giving consumers yet another reason to keep their plastic in their wallets. ... (See Rate report)

Your rights when dealing with canceled flights -- When your flight is canceled, you might be surprised to find that the airlines aren't legally required to do much to accommodate you. ... (See Canceled)

Credit card interest rates rise ahead of new law -- Regulations plus recession make card issuers pull the APR trigger and hike cardholders' rates. ... (See Rates rise)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates barely lower -- The national average annual percentage rate on new credit card offers edged barely lower this week, according to the CreditCards.com Weekly Credit Card Rate Report, but analysts expect interest rates to rise in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

CreditCards.com's Weekly Rate Report: Rates unchanged -- Credit card interest rates didn't move this week, but experts say recently introduced laws and an eventual economic recovery likely mean higher credit card APRs in the not-too-distant future. ... (See Rate report)

Who owns the rewards on a company card? -- If you are given the option to pay for the AmEx rewards program membership, then most companies should cede ownership of those perks to you ... (See Rewards)

Finding rewards cards with local customer support -- When searching for a rewards credit card program, some consider outsourced, foreign customer support a huge detractor. ... (See Rewards)

Think you're a credit expert? Take our quizzes and prove it! -- Are you a credit expert? Or maybe you don't know an APR from NPR or CPR. Whichever side you fall on -- or if you're somewhere in the middle -- you can test your knowledge of credit in our quizzes ... (See Quiz)

Comparing value of cash back cards vs. rewards -- The value of credit card rewards programs are as different as their participants. Free travel may have more appeal than cash back or vice-versa. ... (See Cash)

Credit not right? Time for a credit card checkup -- Is your credit not feeling quite right? If so, it may be overdue for an annual check-up. Fortunately, a thorough exam doesn't involve an appointment with a hard-to-reach specialist: This Rx is strictly DIY. ... (See Checkup)

Multi-airlines cards versus single-airline cards -- Both multi-arlines rewards cards and single-airline cards have pluses and minuses, and which is right for you depends on what kind of frequent flier you are. ... (See Perks)

American Express, U.S. Bank contend for rewards card customers -- In the wake of Delta's merger with Northwest Airlines, American Express announced April 27 it will be taking over Northwest's WorldPerks rewards program. Meanwhile, WorldPerks' former provider, U.S. Bank, sought to stay competitive by introducing its own expansive rewards card. ... (See Fliers)

Do you lose your miles when canceling a card? -- When canceling a frequent flier credit card, make sure you know how your miles are cached or you just might lose them. ... (See Cancel)

Determining value of rewards redemption -- While typically not the best value for your rewards points, redeeming for merchandise can be handy when real "money" is more important in your pocket than any amount of miles or point ... (See Merchandise vs. miles)

Canceled flight? Want your miles back? Good luck! -- A poor flight experience doesn't mean you can dispute the charges on your credit card and get your miles reimbursed. ... (See Miles)

Credit Card Help: 10 worst credit card mistakes -- Making these 10 mistakes will turn good credit into bad and bad credit into lenders-won't-go-near-you credit. ... (See Mistakes)

Are credit card rewards taxable? Probably not, but ... -- The IRS has indicated that it does not presently view rewards such as frequent flier miles as income, and therefore they're not taxable. ... (See Taxable?)

Credit card interest rates - interactive graphic on APR changes -- Since coming under financial pressure, credit card issuing banks have stopped passing along rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, CreditCards.com data show ... (more)

Credit card terms are changing for the worse for consumers -- Have you read your credit card terms lately? Many credit card issuers are rolling out new fees, slashing rewards points and hiking existing fees and interest rates -- even for good customers. ... (See Changes)

Tricks and tips to keep frequent flier miles from expiring -- You don't have to book a ticket to keep your frequent flier miles from expiring -- you just have to shop. ... (See Expiration)

U.S. Bank, AeroMexico forge airline rewards card partnership -- U.S. Bank has partnered with Mexico City-based AeroMexico to offer a frequent flier program through the AeroMexico Visa and AeroMexico Visa Signature credit card. ... (See U.S. Bank)

Tracking rewards program changes before they happen -- Credit card rewards programs change all the time, but if you keep on top of things and are flexible, you can cash in those miles or rewards before you lose them. ... (See Rewards)

How to find the best airline rewards bonus miles deal -- In the market for a new rewards card? Make sure you scour Google to make sure you get the best bonus miles deal out there. ... (See Free miles)

Debunking myths about frequent flier programs -- Even with flights being cut back, now is the time to redeem your frequent flier miles. Competition for once-rare seats has lessened and airlines have made it easier to comparison shop. ... (See Cashing in)

How the IRS treats frequent flier credit card rewards -- are they taxable income? -- When cashing in frequent flier miles, it's important to know whether the IRS considers them gifts or taxable income. ... (See IRS)

Credit card statistics, industry facts, debt statistics -- Read recent credit card statistics, surveys and research from a variety of sources. This frequently updated compilation of credit card statistics is all sourced, making fact-checking and research easy. ... (See Credit card statistics)

Best credit card stories of 2008 -- The year 2008 saw unprecedented change in the credit card industry, turning card debt from convenient friend into everyone's enemy. These are the top 10 stories that helped chronicle it. ... (See 2008 review)

9 predictions for credit cards in 2009 -- This has been a tumultuous year for credit cardholders and issuers. What does 2009 hold? We'll take a look. ... (See '09 card predictions)

Become debt-free with credit card debt consolidation -- If you have a large outstanding credit card balance, now might be the time to consider your credit card debt consolidation options. ... (more)

How to buy a car with a credit card -- and when not to -- Not all car dealers let you, but for those with rewards cards and faith in their ability to repay, buying a car with a credit card can make sense. ... (See New wheels)

Fees, the economy and gas prices are threatening frequent flier programs -- Fees, the economy and gas prices are threatening frequent flier credit card programs. ... (See Flier fees)

The evolution of frequent flier credit cards and programs -- Airline frequent flier programs as we know them today began in early 1981, when the only way to earn miles was through flying. In the late 1980s, the first airline credit card made its debut. ... (more)

Airline frequent flier fees and rules -- The airline industry is changing and frequent flier award tickets are no longer free. Here is a chart of fees you can expect to pay if you plan to cash in your air miles. ... (more)

Continental frequent flier fees and rules -- The airline industry is changing and frequent flier award tickets are no longer free. Here is a chart of fees you can expect to pay if you plan to cash in your air miles. ... (more)

Delta frequent flier fees and rules -- The airline industry is changing and frequent flier award tickets are no longer free. Here is a chart of fees you can expect to pay if you plan to cash in your air miles. ... (more)

U.S. Airways frequent flier fees and rules -- The airline industry is changing and frequent flier award tickets are no longer free. Here is a chart of fees you can expect to pay if you plan to cash in your air miles. ... (more)

United frequent flier fees and rules -- The airline industry is changing and frequent flier award tickets are no longer free. Here is a chart of fees you can expect to pay if you plan to cash in your air miles. ... (more)

Fed leaves rates unchanged; card rates to stay put -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, left a key interest rate unchanged. ... (more)

Do airline rewards programs trump cash rewards programs? -- With credit card rewards programs so prevalent, The Credit Guy Todd Ossenfort weighs the benefits of frequent flier programs versus cash back rewards programs. ... (See Touch choice)

Poll: Gas prices causing people to cut visits to family, friends -- More than half of Americans say they've cut down on visiting family and friends due to gas prices, a CreditCards.com poll reveals. ... (more)

Credit card travel tips -- From airline frequent flier miles to foreign currency conversion, know the rules of the road before you hit the road this summer. ... (more)

Vacation, travel plans: Charge to credit card, easier to recoup losses -- Recouping your money if your trip is canceled is much easier with credit cards than if you paid with cash or by check. ... (more)

Airlines increase frequent flier sign-up bonus rewards for credit cards -- As lenders and airlines compete for the prized frequent flier demographic, credit cards are offering bigger and better airline mileage extras to woo new customers. ... (more)

Trying to thwart recession, Fed cuts rates by 0.75% -- The Federal Reserve, as expected, slashed a key interest rate, but whether that cut will be passed along to individual cardholders depends on the bank, the card agreement and the credit standing of the consumer. ... (more)

Use corporate credit cards wisely -- Used wisely, corporate credit cards can help you achieve career goals and reap personal perks. Used poorly, they can lead to a corporate freefall, or at least a drop of a few rungs. ... (more)

6 tips for organizing gift, debit and credit cards -- Between gift cards, debit cards and credit cards, you can end up with a lot of plastic. Here are six organizing tips. ... (more)

CreditCards.com poll results: Credit and health care costs -- A CreditCards.com poll finds a majority of Americans realize that inability to pay their share of health care costs has the potential to wipe them out financially. ... (more)

21 resolutions to beat credit woes and debt regret -- Minimize debt and maximize credit advantages in the coming year with these 21 credit and debt resolutions. ... (more)

Disclosures would increase on subprime credit card fees -- Subprime cards carry upfront fees that the Federal Reserve board contends are not clearly disclosed to customers. ... (more)

Regulation Z proposed changes for minimum payments -- Credit card companies and credit issuers would have to tell account holders how long it would take to repay loans if they make minimum payments. ... (more)

Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms -- Regulation Z amendments would require changes in credit card terms to be displayed in a table for easy reading. ... (more)

Rules for credit card periodic statement disclosures -- Under proposed federal rule changes, monthly credit card statements would include tables to clearly disclose fees, interest, purchases and other details. ... (more)

Credit card reform: The fine print of proposed changes to Regulation Z -- Regulation Z requires creditors to disclose all costs and terms before a new credit card's first use. However, according to the board, "Currently, there are few ... (more)

Regulation Z rules proposed for credit card fee disclosures -- Credit card companies would have to clearly disclose fees charged to credit cardholders. ... (more)

Regulation Z would require credit card APR disclosure rules -- Regulation Z would require credit card companies to clearly disclose APRs. ... (more)

Regulation amendments propose fixed rate credit cards -- Fixed credit card rates would actually be fixed under Regulation Z amendments. ... (more)

Reg Z proposes credit card notice of term changes to 45 days -- Changes in terms of credit card contracts would need 45 days' advance notice. ... (more)

'Regulation Z' overhaul to change credit card fine print rules -- The Federal Reserve Board has proposed the most sweeping changes in nearly 30 years to credit card disclosure rules, known as Regulation Z. ... (more)

Regulation Z: Feds move to change credit card rules -- The Federal Reserve Board is likely to decide on final credit card disclosure rules in 2008. ... (more)

How the public feels about Regulation Z proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules -- Comments from consumers, credit grantors, payment processors and others on proposed changes to credit card disclosure rules ... (more)

The history of credit cards -- A history of credit cards, including the first general use credit card and the first charge card. ... (more)

Anatomy of a credit card -- Ever wonder what all those numbers mean, or what's on that black stripe? Find out here. ... (more)

Credit cards quickly fund charities, deliver tax deductions -- The end of the year is the time to consider wrapping up your charitable donations to qualify for the current year's tax deduction, and there's no quicker way to donate than with a credit card. ... (more)

Reward options for business credit cards: miles, rewards, cash back -- Business credit cards used to be plain-vanilla, no-frills cards that served only as a way to separate business spending from personal spending. Look how they've grown. ... (more)

Reward options for business credit cards: miles, rewards and cash back -- Business credit cards used to be plain-vanilla, no-frills cards that served only as a way to separate business spending from personal spending. Now business credit cards offer as many reward options as personal credit cards. ... (more)

A CreditCards.com survey of airline blackout dates -- CreditCards.com survey finds few formal blackout dates, but some restrictions still apply. ... (more)

Despite 'no-blackout' promises, fliers' freebies limited -- A CreditCards.com survey of the 16 frequent flier cards offered by 10 large issuers finds it's hard to book that coveted holiday seat, no matter how loudly the card company proclaims 'no blackout dates.' ... (more)

CreditCards.com editorial policy, corrections policy -- CreditCards.com strives to publish accurate information. If you believe we have published something in error or wish to comment on an article, please e-mail us at editors@CreditCards.com ... (more)

Best Credit Card Rewards: Amazing experiences with experiential rewards -- Today's best credit card rewards can earn you golfing tips from Tiger Woods. ... (more)

6 steps to minimize debt, maximize credit card rewards -- Reward credit cards can be a great tool. They allow consumers to earn points on charges than can be turned into perks such as cash ... (more)

Airline Credit Cards: Delta Airlines changes its processing methods -- Delta has eliminated holdbacks with credit card processors, ensuring it will receive payment when consumers use airline credit cards. ... (more)

Airlines Credit Card: Redeeming flier miles as airline fees rise -- Redeem your credit card frequent flier miles as more airlines raise the costs of fees for flying. ... (more)

Mileage Credit Card Rewards: Fewer flights for your points. -- Despite a decrease in flight values, mileage credit card rewards require same number of points. ... (more)

Airline reward credit card programs increasing popularity -- Recent trends show increasing preference for an airline reward credit card over cash back cards. ... (more)

Mileage credit card rewards: How to use your points before they expire -- With new expiration guidelines, consumers should watch their mileage credit card points carefully. ... (more)

Credit card reward points could disappear without notice -- Don't sit on points too long. Rewards programs, while popular, last only as long as the company says they do. ... (more)

Credit card reward points can translate into holiday gifts -- Reward credit card points can be redeemed for gift certificates or checks that can be used to buy Christmas gifts this holiday season. ... (See Points)

Airline credit cards tips: Maximize rewards, frequent flier miles -- Get tips on using airline credit cards to maximize your rewards. ... (more)

Credit card debt information (2006-2007) -- Listing of facts and statistics related to the credit card industry and personal debt. ... (more)

Book air flights early when using frequent flyer miles -- When trying to redeem credit card frequent flier miles, experts say it's never too early to book that next flight. Redeeming miles earned with a credit card can be challenging at the last minute. ... (more)

American Express kicks off new Blue Sky rewards credit card -- American Express kicks off the new Blue Sky from American Express, which features rewards from out of the blue; specifically frequent flier miles ... (more)

Discover credit card: Loyalty for cash back, reward programs -- Consumers tend to stay loyal to issuers who offer rewards such as Discover Credit Card. ... (more)

Reward card programs can help you save money during your summer vacation -- Learn how reward card programs can help you earn airline miles and hotel stays for travel. ... (more)

Airline rewards credit cards: Information and selection advice -- Researching airline credit cards will help find the card that fits your needs. ... (more)

Tips for finding the best airline credit card -- Want airline rewards? Compare and determine the best airline credit card at CreditCards.com. ... (more)

Frequent Flier Miles: Earn them quickly with these strategies -- Find an airline credit card offer to start earning points toward a free flight. ... (more)

Cash back or airline reward credit cards? -- Comparison of cash back and airline reward credit cards ... (more)

Airline Rewards Credit Cards Information: Frequently Asked Questions -- Get your questions answered and learn about the benefits of owning an airline rewards credit card. ... (more)

How to sort through frequent flier rewards programs -- How to sort through the multitude of credit card reward programs. ... (more)

Credit Card Terms: A glossary of commonly used words and terms. -- Understand commonly used words, phrases, and acronyms in the credit card industry with this credit cards glossary. ... (more)

Online credit card applications: FAQ about CreditCards.com and your card application -- If you're wondering whether it's safe or smart to apply for a credit card here at CreditCards.com, it's both. Here are answers to frequently asked questions ... (more)

Airline Credit Card Offer from Jet Blue and American Express -- Jet Blue and American Express team up to create a new airline credit card offer. ... (more)