Credit card match-ups: “Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum” You may have heard that the Amex Platinum underwent some major changes recently. If you haven’t, the biggest takeaways are the higher annual fee and the Digital Entertainment Credit. Amex Platinum will no longer charge cardholders $550 per year for the privilege of holding the card.… Continue reading Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Platinum: Why There’s One Clear Winner Now
The Most Expensive Credit Cards
Ever wonder what the rich and famous carry in their respective purses and wallets? I assume the most expensive credit cards available. Clearly they can’t lug around ordinary plastic cards or bags of cash, so how do they make all those super expensive purchases? Well, like everything else in life, there’s another level of luxury… Continue reading The Most Expensive Credit Cards
Amex Platinum Card Review: Is It Worth $695?
Recently, I highlighted the most expensive credit cards currently available in the United States, including Amex Platinum. It was more of a “for fun” post, rather than an advice piece. And at the end of the article, I noted that many of those credit cards were more entertainment value than actual value. But one very… Continue reading Amex Platinum Card Review: Is It Worth $695?
Credit Card Minimum Spend: 10+ Ways to Earn That Big Bonus
Credit card Q&A: “How to meet credit card minimum spend?” There are always lucrative credit card sign-up bonuses available. But in many cases, you’ve got to spend an awful lot of money to get rewarded. If you just got approved for the Amex Platinum, but don’t know how you’ll spend $6,000, read on… For some… Continue reading Credit Card Minimum Spend: 10+ Ways to Earn That Big Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred 80K Sign-Up Bonus Now Available
It’s been a while since the Chase Sapphire Preferred came with an 80K-point sign-up bonus, but the offer is officially back! I believe it was last available in November 2020, so it really hasn’t been too long and to that end, appears to be cyclical, hopefully. How to Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred 80K Offer… Continue reading Chase Sapphire Preferred 80K Sign-Up Bonus Now Available
What Credit Score Do You Start With?
Credit score Q&A: “What credit score do you start with?” Questions related to credit scores are always difficult to answer because companies like FICO don’t reveal every detail of their complex and secretive scoring algorithms. Credit scores also happen to be very unique from consumer to consumer, with no two alike. Kind of like snowflakes,… Continue reading What Credit Score Do You Start With?
Does a Credit Check Lower Your Credit Score?
Credit Q&A:”Does a Credit Check Lower Your Credit Score?” I get this question all the time, and like all things in the credit score realm, it depends. Sigh… There are a number of different reasons to run a credit check, and thus the confusion, but we’ll get to the bottom of it. I promise. Checking… Continue reading Does a Credit Check Lower Your Credit Score?
Credit Line Increases Can Hurt and Help Your Credit Score
While it generally makes sense to raise credit lines periodically to increase your available credit and credit utilization, it can also backfire if you aren’t responsible. Some credit line increase requests count as hard credit inquiries, which will be documented on your credit report for two years, and count against your credit score for one… Continue reading Credit Line Increases Can Hurt and Help Your Credit Score
Make Large Purchases Early in Your Billing Cycle
If you generally pay off your entire credit card balance each month, but often have a tough time doing so, you may want to think about timing your credit card purchases. Allow me to explain. Credit cards have billing cycles, typically 30 days or roughly one calendar month. All purchases made during a given billing… Continue reading Make Large Purchases Early in Your Billing Cycle
Paying Your Taxes with a Credit Card
Tax season is upon us once more, and before you know it time will be running out to get those completed tax returns to the IRS. For those of us who actually have to make a payment, as opposed to simply receiving a refund, that April 15th deadline couldn’t seem any closer. And with all… Continue reading Paying Your Taxes with a Credit Card