All Articles
Points & Miles
- Airline Miles vs. Bank Points: The Comparison Should you collect airline miles or bank points? Comparing flexibility, value, and the best strategy for different travelers.
- Amex Membership Rewards: Everything You Need to Know The complete guide to American Express Membership Rewards - earning, redeeming, transfer partners, and maximizing point value.
- Award Travel for Beginners: Start Here A beginner's guide to booking award travel - how to use credit card points for flights and hotels without getting overwhelmed.
- The Best Travel Portals: Chase vs. Amex vs. Capital One Comparing credit card travel portals - Chase Travel, Amex Travel, and Capital One Travel. Which offers the best value and experience?
- Business Class for Less: Realistic Strategies How to fly business class without paying full price - realistic strategies using points, upgrades, and smart booking.
- Capital One Miles: Underrated or Overhyped? A complete analysis of Capital One Miles - are they worth collecting? How they compare to Chase and Amex points, and the best ways to redeem them.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: The Complete Guide Everything you need to know about Chase Ultimate Rewards points - how to earn, redeem, and maximize value through transfers and the travel portal.
- Citi ThankYou Points: The Hidden Gem A complete guide to Citi ThankYou Points - how to earn, redeem, and maximize value through transfer partners.
- Credit Card Companion Certificates: Complete Guide How credit card companion certificates work - which cards offer them, how to use them, and maximizing their value.
- Elite Status Through Credit Cards: Is It Worth It? How to earn airline and hotel elite status through credit cards - which cards offer status, what you get, and whether it's worth it.
- Hotel Points: Are They Worth Collecting? Should you collect hotel points or use bank points for hotels? A guide to Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG loyalty programs.
- Points Devaluation: How to Protect Your Balance How to protect your points from devaluation - strategies for using points before they lose value and choosing the right programs.
- Sweet Spots: Best Redemptions for Each Points Program The best award redemptions for Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi points. High-value sweet spots that maximize your points.
- Transfer Partners Explained: When They're Worth It How credit card transfer partners work, when to use them, and how to get maximum value from transferring points to airlines and hotels.
Card Strategy
- Is the Annual Fee Worth It? A Simple Math Framework How to calculate whether a credit card's annual fee is worth paying. A straightforward framework with real examples for every major rewards card.
- The Credit Card Application Strategy Guide A complete guide to applying for credit cards strategically - timing, order, approvals, and avoiding common mistakes.
- Authorized Users: The Pros, Cons, and Strategy Everything you need to know about adding authorized users to your credit card - building credit, earning rewards, and avoiding pitfalls.
- Balance Transfer Strategy: The Complete Guide How to use balance transfers to pay off credit card debt faster. 0% APR offers, fees, strategies, and pitfalls to avoid.
- The Best Time of Year to Apply for Credit Cards When to apply for credit cards to maximize sign-up bonuses and approval odds. Seasonal trends, timing strategies, and when to wait.
- The 5/24 Rule Explained in Plain English Everything you need to know about Chase's 5/24 rule, how to check your status, which cards are affected, and strategies to work around it.
- Credit Card Churning: Is It Worth Your Time? (The Math) An honest analysis of credit card churning - the math, the time investment, and whether it's actually worth it for the average person.
- Credit Limit Increase Strategy: When and How to Ask How to request credit limit increases to improve your credit score and purchasing power. Timing, scripts, and strategies for every issuer.
- Don't Obsess Over Credit Card Optimization: A Recovering Churner's Guide Why extreme credit card optimization isn't worth it for most people. A former churner's perspective on finding the right balance.
- When to Downgrade vs. Cancel a Credit Card Should you downgrade or cancel your credit card? Learn when each option makes sense and how to do it without hurting your credit score.
- Annual Fee Negotiation: Scripts That Actually Work Word-for-word scripts for negotiating credit card annual fees. Get fee waivers, credits, and bonus points with proven conversation templates.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Which Cards Waive Them A complete guide to foreign transaction fees - what they are, which cards charge them, and the best no-FTF cards for international travel.
- The 5-Card Wallet: Building the Perfect Credit Card Setup How to build the ideal 5-card credit card wallet that maximizes rewards without overcomplicating your finances. A practical guide to card optimization.
- How Many Credit Cards Should You Have? The optimal number of credit cards for your situation - whether you should have 1, 5, or 15 cards and how to decide what's right for you.
- How to Hit Minimum Spend Without Buying Stuff You Don't Need Smart strategies to meet credit card minimum spend requirements without wasteful spending. Hit your bonus threshold ethically and efficiently.
- How to Product Change Your Credit Card (And Why You Should) A complete guide to credit card product changes - how to switch cards, preserve your credit history, and strategically upgrade or downgrade your cards.
- Retention Offers: How to Get Them and When to Ask How to get credit card retention offers to offset annual fees. Scripts, timing, and strategies for negotiating with card issuers.
- Don't Obsess Over Credit Card Optimization: A Recovering Churner's Guide I used to spend hours maximizing every purchase. Here's why I stopped — and what actually matters for most people.
Financial Products
- Best 0% APR Credit Cards of 2026 Compare the best 0% APR credit cards for purchases and balance transfers. Find cards with the longest 0% intro periods up to 21 months.
- Best Auto Insurance Companies of 2026 Compare the best car insurance companies by coverage, rates, and customer satisfaction. Find the cheapest auto insurance for your needs.
- Best Budgeting Apps of 2026 Compare the best budgeting apps to track spending and save money. Find free and paid options for every budgeting style.
- Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of 2026 Compare the best balance transfer cards with 0% intro APR periods up to 21 months. Find cards with the lowest fees to pay off debt faster.
- Best Brokerage Accounts of 2026 Compare the best online brokers for stocks, ETFs, and options trading. Find brokers with $0 commissions, powerful tools, and excellent research.
- Best Business Credit Cards of 2026 Compare the top business credit cards for small businesses. Find cards with the best rewards, 0% APR offers, and cash back for business expenses.
- Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2026 Compare the top cash back credit cards with the highest rewards rates. Find flat-rate, rotating category, and tiered cash back cards for your spending style.
- Best Checking Accounts of 2026 Compare the best checking accounts with no fees, high interest, and great perks. Find free checking, high-yield options, and accounts with cash back.
- Best Credit Cards for Building Credit in 2026 Compare the best credit cards for building credit from scratch or rebuilding after setbacks. Find secured cards, student cards, and credit-builder options.
- Best Credit Monitoring Services of 2026 Compare the best credit monitoring services to protect your identity and track your credit score. Find free and paid options for complete credit protection.
- Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2026 Compare the top high-yield savings accounts with the best APY rates. Find FDIC-insured accounts earning 4-5% with no fees or minimums.
- Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2026 Compare the best identity theft protection services with monitoring, insurance, and recovery assistance. Find complete protection for you and your family.
- Best Life Insurance Companies of 2026 Compare the best life insurance companies for term and whole life policies. Find affordable coverage with top-rated insurers.
- Best Personal Loans of 2026 Compare the best personal loan lenders with rates from 6.99% APR. Find loans for debt consolidation, home improvement, and major purchases.
- Best Mortgage Lenders of 2026 Compare the best mortgage lenders for home purchase and refinancing. Find the lowest rates, fastest closings, and best customer service.
- Best Robo-Advisors of 2026 Compare the top robo-advisors for automated investing. Find the best platforms for beginners, tax optimization, and hands-off portfolio management.
- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards of 2026 Compare the top travel rewards credit cards for maximizing points, miles, and travel perks. Expert picks for every type of traveler.
Situational Guide
- Best Credit Cards If You Have Fair Credit The best credit cards for fair credit (580-669) - options for rebuilding and improving your score.
- Best Credit Cards for Everyday Spending The best credit cards for everyday purchases - maximize rewards on normal daily spending.
- Best Credit Cards for Freelancers and Self-Employed The best credit cards for freelancers - business cards, cash back options, and strategies for variable income.
- Best Credit Cards for High Spenders The best credit cards for high spenders - maximize rewards when you spend $5,000+ monthly.
- Best Credit Cards for Families The best credit cards for families - maximize rewards on groceries, gas, and everyday family spending.
- Best Credit Cards for Home Renovation The best credit cards for home improvement - 0% APR, bonus categories, and strategies for big purchases.
- Best Credit Cards for International Travel The best credit cards for international travel - no foreign transaction fees, travel rewards, and essential perks for traveling abroad.
- Best Credit Cards for New Parents The best credit cards for new parents - maximize rewards on baby expenses, diapers, and formula.
- Best Credit Cards for Online Shopping The best credit cards for online shopping - Amazon, rotating categories, and portal strategies.
- Best Credit Cards for Retirees The best credit cards for retirees - simple cash back, low fees, and useful benefits for seniors.
- Best Credit Cards for Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) The best credit cards for streaming and subscription services - maximize rewards on recurring charges.
- Best Credit Cards for Wedding Expenses The best credit cards for wedding spending - how to maximize points on venue, catering, and vendors.
- Best Secured Credit Cards for Building Credit The best secured credit cards for building credit - which ones report to bureaus, offer rewards, and graduate to unsecured.
- Best Credit Cards for College Students (2026) The best credit cards for college students to build credit, earn rewards, and learn financial responsibility. Student cards with no annual fees and easy approval.
- Best Credit Cards for Small Business Owners The best business credit cards for small business owners - maximize rewards on business expenses, separate finances, and build business credit.
Beginner Guide
- Building Credit From Zero: The Path to 750+ How to build credit from scratch - step-by-step strategies to go from no credit history to an excellent 750+ credit score.
- Credit Card Fraud Protection: What's Actually Covered What credit card fraud protection actually covers - your rights, liability limits, and what to do if you're a victim.
- How Credit Card Interest Works (The Math) The math behind credit card interest - how it's calculated, why minimum payments trap you, and how to escape.
- Credit Cards 101: A Complete Beginner's Guide Everything you need to know about credit cards as a beginner - how they work, building credit, avoiding debt, and choosing your first card.
- Credit Utilization: The Number That Matters Most How credit utilization affects your score - what it is, what percentage to target, and how to optimize it.
- Dispute Resolution: Getting Charges Reversed How to dispute credit card charges - your rights, the process, and how to win disputes for billing errors and fraud.
- Credit Card Benefits You're Probably Not Using Hidden credit card perks most people miss - purchase protection, travel insurance, extended warranty, and more.
- Hard Pull vs. Soft Pull: What You Need to Know The difference between hard and soft credit inquiries - when each happens, how they affect your score, and what to expect.
- How Credit Scores Work (And How Cards Affect Them) A complete guide to understanding credit scores - how they're calculated, what affects them, and how credit cards can build or damage your score.
- Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty Explained How credit card purchase protection and extended warranty benefits work - what's covered, how to claim, and which cards offer the best coverage.
- How to Read Your Credit Card Statement A guide to understanding your credit card statement - key sections, what to look for, and how to catch errors.
- Credit Card Statement Credits Explained How credit card statement credits work - travel credits, dining credits, and how to maximize the value of your card's credits.
- Understanding APR: What It Means and When It Matters A clear explanation of credit card APR - what it is, how it's calculated, and why it matters (or doesn't) for your situation.
- Your First Credit Card: What to Get and Why A guide to choosing your first credit card - what to look for, which cards to consider, and how to use it responsibly.
- Travel Insurance Through Credit Cards: Complete Guide How travel insurance through credit cards works - what's covered, which cards have the best coverage, and when you need more.