Category: Credit Help and Tips

Credit card Q&A: “Is ID required for a credit card purchase?” Credit card rules are often gray, what with the fact that multiple companies are operating in the same space. Then you’ve got the merchants’ own rules, which sometimes don’t coincide with the terms of Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, whether they are contractually acceptable… Continue reading Is ID Required for a Credit Card Purchase?

Credit card Q&A: “Are credit card minimums legal?” The other day I was walking in New York City, and because it was so blisteringly cold, I decided to grab a cup of overpriced, hot coffee. I didn’t have any cash on me at the time, just a few credit cards I typically use to make… Continue reading Are Credit Card Minimums Legal?

So tax season is quickly approaching, and with that comes what many would call opportunistic offers for tax-related services. The most recent advertisement I’ve seen is from H&R Block, which is offering to put your tax refund on a prepaid MasterCard debit card via its “H&R Block Emerald Card.” They’ll even give you your tax… Continue reading Beware of the H&R Block Emerald Card

Let’s get one thing straight. Credit card issuers aren’t your friends. They are your business partners, and they’re in business to make money by lending you money. In fact, most credit card issuers set things up so you pay off the lowest interest rate charges first, and the highest interest rate charges last. Read that… Continue reading Watch Out for Negative Payment Hierarchy

If you’re thinking about taking a family trip this summer, or simply need to a rent a car for a business trip, make sure you’ve got a credit card handy. If you show up to a Hertz or an Avis without a credit card, you could find yourself walking away frustrated on foot Most, if… Continue reading Better Have a Credit Card If You Plan to Rent a Car

A couple of friends of mine moved into a new house a few years ago, and found themselves with a lot more space and not much to fill it. Their first instinct was to the upgrade the television. They had placed a 36 inch TV in the living room, but it seemed microscopic in their… Continue reading Balance Transfers and Store Credit Cards

Credit cards don’t typically fall into the category of pop-culture, nor do they usually garner much attention aside from their basic functionality. But one credit card has mystified and amazed consumers and the general public for years: “The Black American Express Card.” During the 1980s, many believed it was a hoax or simply urban legend,… Continue reading The Black American Express Credit Card Really Exists

You may have heard about companies that sell the credit history of others to consumers who have poor or limited credit. It’s referred to as “buying credit”, “renting credit”, or “adding seasoned tradelines”. These credit brokers target real estate professionals who desperately need to find qualified homebuyers, especially in today’s market where heightened credit standards… Continue reading The Credit Score Black Market: Buying and Selling Trade Lines

“We regret to inform you that after careful consideration we are unable to open an account for you at this time.” Heard that before? If so, you may be feeling down on your luck or in a panic to get another form of credit elsewhere. But before you freak out, think about why the credit… Continue reading Your Credit Card Application Has Been Declined