American Express® Green Card
The Amex Green Card is a solid Membership Rewards-earning card for transit and travel that easily justifies its annual fee if you maximize your points and perks.
Credit card knowledge – how to avoid and manage debt, build credit, optimize rewards and bonuses – is an integral part of financial literacy today. While it can be a bit daunting, learning the ins and outs of credit cards is worth it to help create a solid budget and strong financial foundation.
— Reena Thomas, Ph.D.
About the author
Reena Thomas, Ph.D., is an editor/writer at Bankrate and CreditCards.com with a focus on credit card reward offers. She enjoys delving into the credit card landscape to help readers make valuable credit card decisions that are right for them.
Reena has over a decade of experience in education and publishing. Before joining Bankrate in 2023, she was a copy editor for NurseJournal, Trillium Publishing, Voyager Expanded Learning, and Rockefeller University Press. She also worked as a tenure-track college English instructor after receiving her doctorate and has published academic articles.
When she isn't writing and researching about credit cards, Reena can be found exploring her neighborhood for charming coffee shops, scenic trails, and friendly dog parks.
Reena's recommended readings
A beginner’s guide to credit card points
Credit card rewards mistakes to avoid
Which rewards credit card is best for me?
Credit card knowledge – how to avoid and manage debt, build credit, optimize rewards and bonuses – is an integral part of financial literacy today. While it can be a bit daunting, learning the ins and outs of credit cards is worth it to help create a solid budget and strong financial foundation.
— Reena Thomas, Ph.D.
The Amex Green Card is a solid Membership Rewards-earning card for transit and travel that easily justifies its annual fee if you maximize your points and perks.
4 reasons I’ve avoided credit card annual fees, and why my colleague thinks I should reconsider
The Indigo Mastercard is aimed at those with poor credit, no credit history, or even those who've declared bankruptcy, which means it’s easier to get approved for than other cards.
The Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit can help users build their credit score while earning a modest amount of cash back rewards.
The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card allows cardholders to build credit while earning cash back along the way.
The Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards could offer a predictable and transparent financing alternative for cardholders who struggle with managing credit card balances. By putting your balance into an installment plan, the card could help you minimize interest charges and keep your debt repayment efforts on track.
If you need to pay for surprise medical expenses with credit, make sure to pick the right card and pay off your medical debt as quickly as you can.
If you don’t qualify for the Petal 2 card, this is a decent low-cost, unsecured alternative if you’re not a student.
No matter the season, a rewards card can help lighten the load of your spending.
The rewards might not be worth the annual fee compared to other premium cards, but the exclusive travel benefits and 24K gold coat might be worth it for some.
The Avant Credit Card is an unsecured credit card designed for someone with a fair or average credit score or a limited credit history. It requires no deposit and can help you build credit with responsible use, but doesn't offer many other benefits.
Not only do Capital One business cards offer valuable rewards and cardholder benefits, but each one offers free employee cards.
A cash advance is a last-resort option to get money for an emergency or unplanned expense, but it comes with high interest and transaction fees. Here’s how to minimize the cost of a cash advance.
Discover the best American Airlines credit cards to fit your needs.
You’ll need a strong credit history for a high-limit credit card.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is a smart card to have if you fly frequently with Delta Air Lines.