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Credit Cards
More Credit Cards
![Closeup image of a woman holding and choosing credit card to use](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01J0XXNCP3N09MKDBA8CB3D2KZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1718991106.png)
![Closeup image of a woman holding and choosing credit card to use](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01J0XXNCP3N09MKDBA8CB3D2KZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1718991106.png)
Credit Cards
How to Decide If a Credit Card Balance Transfer Is the Right Move
A balance transfer is a tool, but not a long-term solution.
![Close-up of man putting cash into wallet](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01J04FM8AMD85WZAZJT4YJH9K1/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1718211348.png)
![Close-up of man putting cash into wallet](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01J04FM8AMD85WZAZJT4YJH9K1/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1718211348.png)
Credit Cards
How a Cash Advance on a Credit Card Works (and Why You Should Avoid Them)
You could get short-term cash, but it comes with a painfully high price tag.
![A generic, if pretty, suburban house](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZJE4Y1KK8KD2983S5YKR2R6/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1717604228.jpg)
![A generic, if pretty, suburban house](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZJE4Y1KK8KD2983S5YKR2R6/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1717604228.jpg)
Credit Cards
You Can Pay Your Mortgage With a Credit Card (but You Probably Shouldn't)
It's usually a bad move—except for certain circumstances.
![Woman typing credit card into laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZ7KRKSH2A8E0ZGA6DXHRM53/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1717168787.png)
![Woman typing credit card into laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZ7KRKSH2A8E0ZGA6DXHRM53/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1717168787.png)
Credit Cards
How Interest Is Calculated on Your Credit Card
Knowing this will help you minimize the amount of interest you pay.
![person holding credit card and phone](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZ29948SBB2JY63NXYYER9HZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716992130.jpg)
![person holding credit card and phone](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HZ29948SBB2JY63NXYYER9HZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716992130.jpg)
Credit Cards
How to Avoid Interest on Your Credit Card
Minimize interest fees by understanding your card's grace period.
![Stressed woman on phone call.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYZW09HFVWQEJ0F0KQ9R4402/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716911377.png)
![Stressed woman on phone call.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYZW09HFVWQEJ0F0KQ9R4402/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716911377.png)
Credit Cards
The Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Inquiries
Understand how creditors decide whether to extend new credit to you or give you additional credit.
![Young woman typing, researching credit card options.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYKH2Y612B44CS5PHQE52HAZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716905957.png)
![Young woman typing, researching credit card options.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYKH2Y612B44CS5PHQE52HAZ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716905957.png)
Credit Cards
Five Ways to Get a Credit Card Without Any Credit History
You can still get approved for a credit card without having a credit history.
![woman typing credit card number into website on laptop computer](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYNC8TNXRV5R38PT1X1RS7X4/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716563011.png)
![woman typing credit card number into website on laptop computer](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYNC8TNXRV5R38PT1X1RS7X4/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716563011.png)
Credit Cards
Five Rewards Programs That Offer More Than Cash Back or Airline Miles
Rewards cards and airline miles often offer boring stuff like cash or travel upgrades, but wouldn’t you prefer a ... socks subscription?
![Woman applying for loan](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYGNN1DMNM1VF3V59FRB56GG/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716401965.png)
![Woman applying for loan](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HYGNN1DMNM1VF3V59FRB56GG/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1716401965.png)
Credit Cards
Six Ways to Build Credit Without a Credit Card
Building credit without credit cards does require some creativity, but it's definitely possible.
![Credit card reader tap to pay](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HY15NC4PWV5TMPYM4RTCAFYW/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1715886331.png)
![Credit card reader tap to pay](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HY15NC4PWV5TMPYM4RTCAFYW/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1715886331.png)
Credit Cards
The Difference Between a Credit Freeze and a Credit Lock (and When to Use Each)
Locks and freezes are tools that help protect you against credit fraud.
![Woman on laptop in cafe](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HWQSENDRS4Z6C21W61DWDRK3/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1714491190.jpg)
![Woman on laptop in cafe](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HWQSENDRS4Z6C21W61DWDRK3/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1714491190.jpg)
Credit Cards
Five Lesser-Known Ways You Can Redeem Airline Points and Miles
If you’ve got miles or points piling up, there are more ways to use them than you think.
![Man looking at phone and credit card.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HWNHHTC7XFY0QKY52DPVK7Z2/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1714415004.png)
![Man looking at phone and credit card.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HWNHHTC7XFY0QKY52DPVK7Z2/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1714415004.png)
Credit Cards
When to Use a Credit Repair Service (and How to Find One)
Having trouble qualifying for loans or credit cards? A credit repair service can help.
![Credit card inserted into chip reader.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HW63KN77QPKW711KNDNRSSAC/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1713897067.png)
![Credit card inserted into chip reader.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HW63KN77QPKW711KNDNRSSAC/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1713897067.png)
Credit Cards
Here's How Magnets Actually Affect Your Credit Cards
And while we're at it, why you shouldn't keep your hotel key card next to your phone.
![Frozen credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HTJ9HM10AGHC90WS8YSWQPM3/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1712158461.jpg)
![Frozen credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HTJ9HM10AGHC90WS8YSWQPM3/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1712158461.jpg)
Credit Cards
How to Freeze, Unfreeze, and ‘Thaw’ Your Credit (and Why You Should)
A credit freeze can protect you from identity theft—but sometimes you’ll need to lift that freeze for credit or job applications.
![Hands holding credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HSH6CZVGDZZFTBTCA9HBJYQB/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1711054158.png)
![Hands holding credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HSH6CZVGDZZFTBTCA9HBJYQB/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1711054158.png)
Credit Cards
The 15/3 Hack Could Boost Your Credit Score
Use this simple payment schedule to send your credit score in the right direction.
![Paying with credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HR7QQCZQAGGGXBYR9MVCBVXE/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1709656749.png)
![Paying with credit card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HR7QQCZQAGGGXBYR9MVCBVXE/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1709656749.png)
Credit Cards
This New Rule Will Cap Credit Card Late Fees at $8
By cutting late fees, over 45 million card users could save an average of $220 annually.
![Someone holding a credit card to look at while they use a laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HJ035G96ABBJAAJQ7Z87XWXG/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1702984660.png)
![Someone holding a credit card to look at while they use a laptop](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HJ035G96ABBJAAJQ7Z87XWXG/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1702984660.png)
Credit Cards
How to Use Your Credit Card Rewards to Spend Less on Holiday Gifts
Spend your points on gift cards and cash rewards to make presents essentially free.
![Here’s When It’s Smart to Have Just One Credit Card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2H2GH49CRBGFY03AX6VC09/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699834424.jpg)
![Here’s When It’s Smart to Have Just One Credit Card](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2H2GH49CRBGFY03AX6VC09/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699834424.jpg)
Credit Cards
Here’s When It’s Smart to Have Just One Credit Card
Juggling multiple cards isn't for everyone, at least not all the time.
![You Should Use Transferable Points When You Travel](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2HE3W4S0VRRMSZC57WQHGF/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699834118.jpg)
![You Should Use Transferable Points When You Travel](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2HE3W4S0VRRMSZC57WQHGF/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699834118.jpg)
Credit Cards
You Should Use Transferable Points When You Travel
Transferring your points is the best way to get the most value from your rewards.
![person typing on computer with one hand and holding credit card in the other](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2GNC3XN08G0385RBCFM7EQ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699836234.jpg)
![person typing on computer with one hand and holding credit card in the other](https://cdn.statically.io/img/lifehacker.com/imagery/articles/01HF2GNC3XN08G0385RBCFM7EQ/hero-image.fill.size_245x138.v1699836234.jpg)
Credit Cards
When You Should Overpay Your Credit Card
These are the times you might want to keep a negative credit balance.