Credit scoring firm FICO hit with DOJ antitrust investigation
The DOJ has opened an investigation into FICO based on ongoing claims of exclusionary conduct
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
Claire Dickey is a credit cards editor at Bankrate, focusing on news, product guides and educational content. Her areas of expertise include rewards and travel credit cards, building credit and credit card news. Always on the lookout for the latest credit cards and card perks, as well as cards-related legislation and regulations, Claire is passionate about demystifying personal finance topics. Her goal is to help readers save money, earn rewards and protect their credit scores.
When she’s not strategizing about how to maximize rewards on her next trip, Claire is an avid runner and day hiker.
If you’re trying to build credit, my best advice is to keep things simple. A credit card is a great way to show your creditworthiness, but picking one can be overwhelming since there are so many options out there and so many features to consider. Stick to the basics: Look for a card with low fees and the option to put down a large deposit and get a matching credit limit. If you pay on time and only charge small purchases to the card, your score can grow surprisingly quickly.
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
The DOJ has opened an investigation into FICO based on ongoing claims of exclusionary conduct
No matter what your worth is on paper, pay off your credit card debt as soon as possible.
Other student and secured cards are probably better options in order to avoid the limited rewards and slew of fees buried in this card’s terms.
The rewards might not be worth the annual fee compared to other premium cards, the exclusive travel benefits and 24K gold coat might be worth it for some.
In terms of hotel credit cards, Marriott co-branded credit cards can be a great choice.
This credit card is one of three secured cards offered by First Progress issued by Synovus Bank, and all of them can help you rebuild your credit.
The Mastercard Titanium Card comes with a steep annual fee and not enough rewards to justify it.
Have a limited credit history? Don’t worry; you can still qualify for a travel credit card to earn free flights or hotel stays.
The IHG Rewards Club is worth considering if you’re traveling with any of IHG’s brands. But what are the points actually worth?
Applying for a credit card with a co-signer is a good way to build a positive credit history, but most major issuers don’t allow them.
A card for consumers with fair credit who may not be eligible for the best rewards cards on the market today.
Earn generous rewards percentages on your small business necessities with this cash back card.
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business Plus is ideal for business owners who want rewards for their spending but have no time for rewards categories.
The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers one of the longest introductory balance transfer periods on the market. Here's why that might not be good enough.
Paying rent with a credit card can be a quick way to earn rewards, but beware of the risks before you decide.
Upgrading or downgrading your Capital One card can be a smart financial move.
Balance transfer cards let you ditch debt at a faster pace due to their intro rates.