Credit Guides

Credit scores have a big impact on your life. They decide if you get a loan or a credit card, the interest rate you’ll be stuck with, or if you’ll snag your dream apartment.

Building credit is like taking a road trip with your kids. Are we there yet? Not yet. What about now?

Your credit score is a solid 650—but your neighbor just subtly told you that they finally reached 700. Is that how they got their flashy new car? Or is there a big money-making secret you don’t know about?

Financial institutions, as well as companies, will usually check an individual's credit score before extending new credit, or lending money. Better scores can mean lower interest rates on a loan, or eliminate the need to provide a deposit before receiving service from a utility.

The 800 credit score is like the holy grail of credit ratings—only 23% of Americans can boast having FICO® Scores of 800 or above.

Are you new to the world of credit and trying to build your score? If so, you may have heard that a 700 score is usually the minimum score you need in order to have "good" credit. But how long does it take to get a 700 credit score from 0? You may be surprised to know that it doesn't take long at all, and in fact, most people can reach a 700 credit score within a year!

A 710 credit score means you barely made it to the “good” credit score range.

Having business credit can ensure it won’t happen to you. It’s kind of essential, unless you want to crash and burn like the majority of new businesses out there. If you’re thinking about making your side hustle into a legit business, you’re about to face a huge learning curve. Stick with our guide to building business credit, and you’ll already be beating the competition before you even start the race!

Sounds pretty overwhelming at first. But once you learn the ropes, you’ll be mastering the art of being an adult in no time.

It’s tempting to look for a guaranteed approval card to lower the chances of being given the cold shoulder. You won’t like hearing this, but the “guaranteed approval” is a myth. You need to meet a set of requirements for every card you apply for, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get it.

How did your colleague who spends half their time playing Sudoku get a mortgage quicker than it takes to hide their puzzle-playing habits from the boss? And how did Harry from HR apply for a car loan faster than it took for you to register a complaint?

"Can I get a credit card without paying a deposit?"

You finally went on that date. The conversation was fun and the eye contact was on point. But no call, no text—nada. Then you think back to when you both grabbed your credit cards to pay. You couldn’t help but notice their shiny Amex label—and the side-eye you got when you pulled out your credit-building card.

Annual percentage rates on credit cards are like calories in diet chocolate bars—the lower, the better. So, what is the best APR for a credit card?

If you’re looking for the perfect number of credit cards to build your credit, I’ve got bad news. There is no right answer to how many credit cards you should have.

In 2020, approximately 83% of Americans owned a credit card—and there’s a reason why. A credit card provides security, convenience, and immediate access to funds, and can even let you pocket some money. When used right. Apply for the wrong card and you’ll be paying fees for the privilege of carrying it in your wallet. But don’t worry—getting started is easy enough if you know where to begin.

Picture this—you’ve just kick-started your business, and you’re nervous as a cat. But just then, you get offered a helping hand—one that simplifies expenses, earns rewards, makes corporate purchases easier, helps build business credit, provides great rates on loans, and even makes tax filing bearable.

Do you have credit card debt? If so, depending on your finances and what you owe, you may be wondering if it's bad. First, money has no moral standing. You are not a bad or good person based on your savings, income, or debt. But, if you're wondering "Is 2000 in credit card debt bad?" keep reading and see! Spoiler alert; it's not bad, but you can pay it off if you want to (and we do advise that you do!).

People are such babies—canoodled, pampered, and spoilt by the service industry.

Most people take it at face value. You whip out your credit card, swipe, and collect your goods. Done.

You’re technically an adult at age 18, but you can’t yet buy cigarettes or alcohol—you’ve got to wait till you’re 21.

Paying off credit card debt can help boost your credit score, opening doors to better rates, more rewards, and those all-important bragging rights. But think twice before using another credit card to pay off your existing balance.

We sifted through nearly one hundred of the top credit cards, studied them, analyzed them, and then graded them based on the annual fee, APR, intro offer, and rewards rate. From this, we landed on the best cashback credit cards below.

“Credit cards are the devil!” Pretty sure that’s what Waterboy’s mamma would say—especially if she got behind on her bills.

Top secured credit card

And here's the detailed reviews for all of our top credit cards for 18-year-olds—currently 22 of them that made our top list. It's a mixture of student cards, secured cards, and a few alternative cards that dance to the beat of their own drum.

Top pick

Capital One Platinum vs. Quicksilver—which is the Capital One card for you? The choice may be simpler than you think.

If you’re trying to pick between Capital One Venture and Quicksilver, it all boils down to your spending habits and what you want from a credit card. Venture is perfect for travel lovers, while Quicksilver is the go-to for cashback fans.

Capital One SavorOne vs. Quicksilver: The choice seems to be simple. SavorOne offers up to 3% cash back, and Quicksilver only 1.5%. Both are free to use and offer sign-up bonuses. But which one will actually be better for you?

When it comes to credit card options, it’s tricky to choose which one is right for you. They all promise the best rewards, the most flashy benefits, and fees that’ll make your wallet sing.

In 2022, Capital One unveiled the Venture X Business Card. Even though this card’s perks and benefits are similar to the Venture X Rewards card, its intro offer and spending requirements are mind-blowing.

The Revenued Business Card promises to break free from credit card conventions. With flexible credit limits and a refreshing lack of credit score requirements, this card is all about supporting subprime businesses.

The Citi Premier Card dishes out bonus points on travel, dining, and entertainment.

The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is for those with less-than-perfect credit who want to establish their credit history.

If you’re a rideshare driver trying to cut down on gas expenses, the Uber Pro debit card can make your life on the road a lot smoother.

The Self Visa® Credit Card can be a good option for customers who need support while using a credit card to create or build credit.

Why did the unsecured credit card blush? It was caught swiping right on a fair credit score profile.

If eBay is your number one choice for bargain buys—it’s about time you got rewarded for all the money you’ve been forking out.

Business should be about raking in the dough, not drowning in paperwork. Nobody has time for boring expense reports and snooping around your employees’ spending habits. The Ramp card claims to be the hero of streamlined expense management.

The FoundersCard seems like the most coveted, sleek, and elegant card to own. With a list of 500+ out-of-this-world rewards, it has got everyone talking.

Guaranteed 1.5% cash back on everything, no annual or foreign transaction fee, and 0% intro APR for fifteen months.

The Credit One Platinum Visa seems perfect for folks who want to boost their credit or start over. You don’t have to worry about a security deposit and can enjoy a flexible credit line. There’s an annual fee, but the card fetches you a 1% cashback on eligible purchases.

The Tractor Supply Co. credit card has no annual fee and a dizzyingly high APR—but offers a pretty nifty rewards structure. That is if you shop at Tractor Supply Co. regularly.

Are you looking for another credit card to round out your line up? Wondering which of the two—Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Capital One Quicksilver®—will be the one for you?

Diving into the world of credit cards can be a whirlwind of decisions. For those navigating the choppy waters of credit repair or building, the Surge Mastercard surfaces as a potential beacon.

The Capital One® Venture X® is an unsecured travel rewards credit card that offers an introductory offer of 75,000 bonus miles (equal to $750) and earns you rewards on all purchases, with upward of 10x mileage on certain items.

The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® credit card isn’t your typical starter credit card. This yellow credit card has no security deposit or annual fees, which makes it perfect for those focused on building credit. To top things off, it also offers a rewards program comparable to those on cards for people with great credit.

The Unique Platinum Card is an inviting choice for those with limited credit history or not-so-great credit scores. No credit check with exclusive perks? This card has your back.

Let’s be honest, credit-building fees aren’t fun. That’s why Varo Bank created a fee-free credit-builder option for you: the Varo Believe credit card. There’s no annual or foreign transaction fee to worry about. And it doesn’t stop there—Varo card has no interest rate whatsoever.

The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® has no annual fee and guaranteed 2% cash back on every purchase. Could it be the perfect low-cost rewards card?

If you’re an entrepreneur who’d rather focus on their business than stress about their credit card rewards, check out the Ink Business Unlimited® credit card from Chase. This gem keeps things refreshingly simple.

Planning a vacation should be an exciting time. But no matter how much you try to put it off, you’ll eventually have to dive into the world of currency and exchange rates.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get rewarded for spending? While no one’s going to hand you a fancy medal, the Capital One QuicksilverOne could be the next best thing.

Your business is growing, and it’s about time you upgraded to a shiny new card to reflect (or show off) your progress. Enter the American Express Blue Business Cash Card—the card that rewards you for everyday purchases without breaking the bank.

If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit, this guide will help you decide if the Cerulean credit card is the right fit for your financial journey.

Attention travel junkies: Capital One Venture Rewards card, with its rewards program and travel-related benefits, might be your best bet for an action-filled vacay.

The average American spends $150 to $200 on gas every month—a whopping $2,400 a year. That cost can shoot up to $5,000 for families who spend their days driving their kids to after-school clubs.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the great outdoors, the Sportsman’s Warehouse Explorewards Visa® may be a perfect match.

The Mission Lane Visa card is a credit-building, low-cost credit card. It can be a great addition to your wallet if you don’t want to shell out a deposit for a secured card.

Hailed as the ultimate family credit card, the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card offers cashback rewards that are hard to beat. We’re talking a rewards rate of 6% at US supermarkets, 6% on streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit, 3% on gas, and 1% on all other purchases. New cardholders can bag a sizable welcome offer too.

The Revvi Visa® Credit Card is an unsecured credit card that may be able to help you improve your credit. It doesn’t require a security deposit and your account history will be reported to all three credit bureaus.

The Capital One® SavorOne® is an unsecured cash back credit card that offers plenty of cash back rewards for multiple categories, no annual fee, and a possible $200 bonus for qualifying card holders.

Folks with good credit scores have tons of credit card options.

Imagine two boxing champions in the ring: Capital One and American Express. Both are strong contenders, but only one can win.

With a credit limit of $300 and no security deposit required, the Indigo Credit Card is a starter unsecured credit card for people without high credit scores.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa® is an unsecured cash back credit card. It provides significant reward rates for regular purchases to cardholders and there are no sign-up requirements for categories. There’s also no cap on the amount of cash back you can get.

For those with low credit scores, the First Digital credit card can feel a bit like an empty Christmas gift. You’re thrilled to get it, only to discover that you can’t really use it because of the high APR and steep fees.

The $695 annual fee isn’t for everyone—but if you’re looking for luxury travel and exclusive rewards, this card might be your perfect match.

If you’re always on the go and value every minute of your packed schedule, the Citi Double Cash Card could definitely be your kind of thing.

Offered by Cemenity Bank, the Caesars Rewards Visa is a credit card that goes nicely with the Caesars Rewards Program (known as the Total Rewards Visa).

The FIT card works like a typical credit card created for those with bad credit or limited credit history. No security deposit goes hand in hand with relatively high fees, and the entry barriers are rather low (300-600 credit scores).

The Avant Credit Card claims to be the stepping stone to credit greatness. So if you’re itching to turbocharge your credit history, this card might be your secret weapon.

Being a small to medium-sized business owner is no walk in the park. With cagey customers and painful price increases, having a business card you can rely on would be nice.

Old is gold or new is glitter—and which one’s the best pick for you?