Andy Shuman is a NYC-based Personal Finance writer and blogger who covers Banking, Credit Cards, Consumer Finance, Travel, Frequent Flyer and Rewards Credit Card Programs.
The best 5 credit cards for Hyatt stays in 2024
The right credit card can transform your Hyatt stays through free nights, elite status, and discounted rates — helping you book an unforgettable vacation sooner.
Whether you're a frequent or occasional Hyatt guest, having the right card can help you earn Hyatt rewards faster and unlock perks at Hyatt hotels.
There are only two co-branded World of Hyatt cards. But you can also use certain Chase cards and transfer points to use on Hyatt stays. Here are the top five cards for maximizing Hyatt stays based on rewards and travel benefits.
CFPB proposes a $8 cap on credit card late fees: What it means for you
The CFPB's proposed $8 cap on credit card late fees could save consumers billions but may lead to unintended consequences for the credit card industry.
The cap addresses "excessive" credit card late fees, potentially saving consumers billions of dollars each year. According to the CFPB, the new rule will save about 45 million consumers an average of $220 annually.
The Credit Card Competition Act: Will it kill credit card rewards?
People love credit card rewards. Almost one in three consumers (71%) have a rewards credit card. American households took home more than $60 billion in cash and rewards from credit card rewards programs, according to The Points Guy.
Many take their rewards for granted — but that could soon be changing.
Lawmakers are considering a bill to reduce “swipe fees” businesses pay. Supporters say it could lower costs for merchants and increase consumer savings. But others argue it would essentially end credit card rewards programs as we know it.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card review
A good deal for budget-conscious West Coast residents who frequently fly Alaska Air, the Alaska Airlines Visa card pairs a generous sign-up bonus and valuable rewards program with one of the lowest APRs available on a travel card.
How a balance transfer card can save you thousands in debt
Overwhelmed by credit card debt? You’re not alone. Credit card debt is at a record high as millions of Americans struggle to keep up with high interest rates.
Credit card debt can hinder your financial freedom and cause stress in your daily life. But there’s a tool that can help you regain control of your finances and save thousands of dollars in the process: a balance transfer credit card.
Balance transfer cards can help you save money and consolidate debt, making managing and paying off your outstanding balances easier.
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum vs. Citi Diamond Preferred
Key takeaways:
Balance transfer cards can be a helpful financial tool for paying off credit card debt or an expensive purchase over time without incurring interest charges.
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card offers an industry-standard 3 percent balance transfer fee, as well as enhanced cell phone protection benefits that aren’t commonly found with this type of card.
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers a long introductory APR period, granting you up to 21 months to pay for balance transfers completed within four months of account opening.
Mission Lane Visa vs. Petal 1
Key takeaways:
Both the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card and the Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card are designed to help you build or rebuild your credit.
The Mission Lane Visa card is a no-frills card with an annual fee that can cost you $0 and all the way up to $59, depending on your creditworthiness, while the Petal 1 comes with no annual fee, no matter what.
The Petal 1 further ekes out a win with a shopping program offering up to 10% cash back at select merchants.
What are co-branded credit cards?
Co-branded credit cards are issued by a financial institution — usually a bank or credit union — in partnership with a company, organization or brand.
Examples of co-branded credit cards include airline, hotel and retail credit cards.
A co-branded credit card might be right for you if you’re loyal to a particular brand and want to earn and redeem rewards with that brand.
American Express® Business Gold Card review
The American Express Business Gold Card gets you a stellar 4-point bonus on the two categories you spend the most in each billing cycle. Plus, you’re entitled to a 25% bonus for eligible redemptions through the American Express travel portal (up to 250,000 points back per calendar year). American Express also offers financing features that give cardholders some options for managing cash flow.
Flexible bonus categories
To help match rewards with your spending, the Business Gold Card rewards 4 ...
How to Travel to New York City on Points and Miles
New York City can be a notoriously expensive city for hotel stays, but your points can help cover the cost.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The Big Apple and Gotham are not the only nicknames New York is known b...
How to Make the Most of Air Canada’s Economy Class
Air Canada completely revamped Aeroplan, its frequent flyer program, in 2020. The resulting changes are a mixed bag: For one thing, the new award charts (which are hybrid distance-zone based) have replaced Air Canada's fixed redemption values. Basically, you should expect to pay more if you’re flying in peak seasons or on popular dates. On the brighter side, the changes did away with cash airline surcharges, which means customers are only on the hook for paying taxes and third-party fees (lik...
Top Financial Management Apps Have These 5 Things in Common
If there is one thing we have become accustomed to, it's doing things on the go. Need to buy flowers? There is an app for that. Order Thai? There is an app for that, too. Pay rent or mortgage? Ditto!
It seems there is almost nothing the right app can't do, although finding the right app might often seem like a challenge. Fear not – choosing an app is easier than you might think.
All top financial management apps have five things in common.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card review
Alaska Airlines has a limited footprint and flies mostly in the Western U.S. But there is a reason why it has amassed a small army of devoted flyers. Alaska miles can carry you further than miles from other popular programs. The major strengths of Alaska’s MileagePlan are a great redemption scheme, generous routing rules, and a vast network of domestic and international partners.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card gives you an opportunity to get bonus miles for things you have to do anyway, such as paying for your airline expenses. Aside from having a better-than-average earning s
British Airways Visa Signature Card review
You might not like the $95 annual fee, but if you love saving money on travel, the British Airways Visa Signature Card from Chase is worth the price of admission. The annual fee is a small investment, considering what you get out of this product. Such perks include an excellent sign-up bonus and great earning scheme. Plus, you get one of the best frequent flyer programs in the world with a global reach that goes beyond flying on one airline. No matter where you go, Avios – the British Airways Executive Club currency – will help you get airborne even if British Airways doesn’t fly there.
Fairmont Visa Signature card review
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts might be the best hotel chain for people who hate staying in chain hotels. Fairmont hotels are not just about luxury and top-notch service, but also are unique, historic, and often castle-like properties that consistently earn accolades and awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure, and other publications. Members can also earn credits and receive benefits at Raffles Hotels & Resorts and at SwissÔtel Hotels & Resorts.
It’s no surprise that a stay at a Fairmont hotel comes at a price, and this is where the Fairmont Visa Signature card comes in handy.