Is closing a credit card bad?
Closing a card can increase your credit utilization, which can hurt your score.
7 min read
May 25, 2023
Credit Scores & Reports Advice
Read the latest advice from our team of experts on everything you need to know about your credit score and credit reports.
Latest Credit Scores & Reports Articles
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How to do a balance transfer with American Express
Learn about balance transfers with Amex and which cards include intro APR offers.
6 min read May 24, 2023 -
How long does it take to raise your credit score?
Depending on why it’s low, it can take months or even years to raise your credit score. Here’s what you need to know about how to rebuild your score.
5 min read May 22, 2023 -
Should you pay your credit card bill early?
Paying your credit card bill early can lower your credit utilization and help you avoid late payments.
4 min read Apr 20, 2023 -
Do balance transfers hurt your credit score?
Create a debt repayment plan to get more out of your balance transfer card.
4 min read Apr 12, 2023 -
What credit score is needed for Chase credit cards?
In most cases, your credit needs to fall in the “good” to “excellent” range.
2 min read Jan 12, 2023 -
How your credit limit is determined
Here’s how credit limits work, how issuers calculate credit limits and what you can do to increase yours.
5 min read Jan 12, 2023 -
What credit score do you need for a credit card?
A look into what impacts your credit score, plus what credit score you need to qualify for different types of credit cards.
7 min read Jan 11, 2023 -
How to prequalify for an Amex credit card
Checking for prequalification with Amex is easy with Bankrate’s CardMatch tool.
7 min read Jan 05, 2023 -
What is the average credit limit for Americans?
How credit limits in the U.S. vary by age and region
5 min read Dec 22, 2022 -
I received a store card I didn’t apply for. Should I cancel it?
What do you do if you receive a credit card you didn’t apply for?
3 min read Dec 05, 2022 -
How to do a balance transfer with Capital One
You can transfer a balance to a Capital One card in a few easy steps.
4 min read Nov 15, 2022 -
What is a business credit score and how does it work?
Read on to learn how business credit scores work and how to get one.
5 min read Nov 09, 2022 -
Do I have to pay off credit card debt that’s been sold to a collector?
Debts, unlike fine wine and my wife, do not improve with age. Unpaid debt doesn’t go away. Until the debt is either paid or forgiven, you still owe the money. This is true even if it’s a credit card [...]
5 min read Sep 30, 2022 -
Can I get a credit card without a Social Security number?
You may not need an SSN to access credit if you have a credit file or an ITIN.
4 min read Sep 14, 2022 -
Does asking for a credit card rate cut affect your credit score?
A rate decrease won’t hurt your credit unless it triggers a hard inquiry.
3 min read Sep 07, 2022 -
When do credit card companies report to the credit bureaus?
Safeguard your score with a few extra steps regardless of when your issuer reports.
4 min read Sep 05, 2022 -
Do preapproved credit card offers affect your credit?
Preapproved credit offers help you figure out if you are eligible for a credit card, but do they impact your credit score?
3 min read Aug 30, 2022 -
Cut off? What to do if your credit card issuer lowered your limit
Preventative measures you can take, plus what to do if your limit was already cut.
6 min read Aug 16, 2022 -
How being an authorized user affects your credit
Credit scores can benefit from the activity reported from an authorized user.
5 min read Aug 15, 2022
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