Credit Cards

Explore credit card essentials: choose wisely, decode terms, maximize rewards, understand rates, and manage debt effectively for smarter financial decisions.

Welcome to our Credit Cards hub, where you’ll discover everything you need to know about optimizing credit card use. Whether you’re selecting the perfect card, deciphering terms and conditions, or maximizing rewards, our resources have you covered. Explore articles on interest rates and debt management, or dive into FAQs for quick answers. Stay informed with the latest studies and research to make smarter financial decisions with your credit cards.

Learn more about credit cards

John Ulzheimer profile image
Erica Sandberg profile image
Bobbi Rebell profile image
Andrea Woroch profile image
Stefanie O'Connell profile image
Erin Lowry profile image

Explore Credit Cards Subtopics and Resources

Explore the essentials of credit cards, from selecting the best one for your needs to decoding terms and maximizing benefits. Discover insights on rewards, interest rates, and debt management to make informed financial decisions and optimize your credit usage.

Credit Card Debt

Learn strategies to manage, reduce, and pay off credit card debt while improving your credit score and maintaining financial health.

Secured Credit Cards

Explore secured credit cards: how they work, benefits, differences from unsecured cards, and strategies to build or rebuild credit effectively.

Credit Card Rewards

Explore credit card rewards, including points, cash back, travel perks, redemption tips, and strategies to maximize value and compare programs effectively.

Studies

Explore key research on credit cards, from selecting the right card to managing debt. These studies offer insights into rewards, interest rates, and credit scores, enhancing financial literacy and empowering informed decisions for American consumers.

The Average Credit Card Debt is Rising in American Households

By: Brittney Mayer 7/28/2017

Already approaching 7.5 billion halfway through 2017, the world population is projected to top the 8 billion mark around 2023. In the US alone, a new... Read More »

What We Found in the Fine Print of Credit Cards

By: Ashley Fricker 4/12/2016

Earlier this month, Lexington Law Firm published “Credit Cards: What We Found In The Fine Print,” a series of infographics featuring statistics about... Read More »

Credit Card Debt To Rise $55.8 Billion By 2016

By: Logan Ladnyk 6/11/2015

You’ve been reading BadCredit.org all year, working on paying off your debt as our how-to guides help you achieve financial freedom. Great job!... Read More »

5 Takeaways from the 2015 Credit Card Landscape Report

By: Linsey Knerl 4/10/2015

A traditional finance study may not seem like interesting reading, but we can learn a great deal about the typical U.S. consumer and the state of our... Read More »

Industry News

Stay updated on the latest in credit card industry news, from regulatory shifts and market trends to major company announcements. Understanding these developments is key to grasping the evolving landscape of credit cards and their broader financial impact.

Capital One Revives SavorOne to Court Fair-Credit Borrowers

Capital One Revives SavorOne to Court Fair-Credit Borrowers

Capital One recently brought back its SavorOne card with a clear tilt toward the fair-credit... Read More »

Eric Bank 8/25/2025

Subprime Rebound: Lenders Return Amid Steady Credit Trends

Subprime Rebound: Lenders Return Amid Steady Credit Trends

TransUnion’s latest Credit Industry Insights Report shows a 15.2% year-over-year jump in... Read More »

Eric Bank 8/15/2025

Tilt’s Launch Reflects Empower Finance’s Shift to Fair-Credit Models

Tilt’s Launch Reflects Empower Finance’s Shift to Fair-Credit Models

Empower Finance has rebranded to Tilt and is launching three unsecured credit cards for... Read More »

Eric Bank 8/11/2025

Card Balances Up $27B in Q2, Near Record as Delinquencies Rise

Card Balances Up $27B in Q2, Near Record as Delinquencies Rise

Combined U.S. credit card balances rose by $27 billion in Q2 2025, putting the national balance... Read More »

Eric Bank 8/8/2025

EarnIn’s Live Pay Blurs Line Between Credit and Wage Access

EarnIn’s Live Pay Blurs Line Between Credit and Wage Access

EarnIn has implemented Live Pay, a program that delivers wages in real time through a secured... Read More »

Eric Bank 8/7/2025

Potential Apple Card Deal Puts Chase in Subprime Spotlight

Potential Apple Card Deal Puts Chase in Subprime Spotlight

Talks on the sale of the Apple credit-card business to JPMorgan Chase continue, a transaction... Read More »

Eric Bank 7/31/2025