Credit card

2023 - 2 - 14

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Can You Have a Negative Balance on Your Credit Card? (Motley Fool)

Reasons this can occur include overpaying your credit card bill or getting a refund on a purchase after you've paid off your card balance. The negative balance ...

You'll get that money back as you use your credit card or through a refund from the card issuer. A negative balance on your credit card isn't a big deal. [this top balance transfer card](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) secures you a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months! For example, you might be wondering what would happen with a negative balance on a card you rarely use, if you forget to request a refund. Card issuers must make a good faith effort to refund negative balances that have been on the account for more than six months, to comply with the Truth in Lending Act. But if you've already paid your credit card bill, then you'll have a $1,000 credit. Simply using your credit card is the easiest way to resolve a negative balance. If you've already paid your bill, but also use rewards to get a statement credit, it could lead to a negative balance. If you haven't made enough new purchases yet, then you'll have a negative balance. One situation where this could occur is if your card issuer charges you a late fee after you If you return an item after paying the full balance on your But there are a few situations where your card balance could go negative.

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Image courtesy of "The Globe and Mail"

Why you should think about using up your credit card rewards now ... (The Globe and Mail)

The longer you stockpile your points, the more risk there is that today's challenging conditions in the credit card business start to affect reward programs ...

Banks charge fees to businesses for processing customer card payments and, in a slowing economy, these fees are more of a burden than usual. More than ever before, we are being exposed to the heavy cost of providing travel rewards and cash back to credit-card users. For one thing, credit cards seem to be losing some of their dominance as a preferred way to pay for things. Credit cards became this country’s preferred way to pay for purchases by offering rewards that can be redeemed for travel and merchandise, or cash back. Credit cards accounted for 59 per cent in 2021, then dropped back to 55 per cent last year. The list of steps card issuers could take to help their profitability include adding expiry dates for points and making the terms for redemptions of travel or merchandise less favourable.

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Image courtesy of "Bankrate.com"

Why The Citi Custom Cash Is A Great Credit Card For Travel ... (Bankrate.com)

Learn about the best Citi Custom Cash travel strategy and how everyday cardholders can use this card to level up their rewards game.

Read more about the card and available [Citi Custom Cash benefits](https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/citi-custom-cash-benefits-guide/) before you decide for yourself. Plus, you can pair this card with a travel credit card from Citi in order to unlock a range of advanced travel redemptions. In this case, the Citi Custom Cash can help you earn rewards while giving you the chance to pay off your balance interest-free for a limited time. An example of a card you can pair with is the [Citi Premier® Card](https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/reviews/citi-premier-card/), which is currently offering 60,000 points to new cardholders who spend at least $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. This means you can keep it for the long haul whether you’re traveling often or not, and that you’ll never have to justify its cost based on how much in rewards you earn and redeem. [“basic” ThankYou points](https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/guide-to-basic-thankyou-points/), which cannot be transferred to travel partners for a potentially higher value. Most partners let you transfer points at a 1:1 ratio as well, with the exception of programs like Choice Privileges and Sears Shop Your Way. This lets you use your points to book certain types of travel directly, which can include flights, hotel stays and cruises, to name a few options. Read on to learn the best Citi Custom Cash travel strategy and how everyday cardholders can use this card to level up their rewards game. Now that you know you can get up to 5 percent back on various bonus categories, including travel, let’s turn your attention to the welcome bonus. Ultimately, this means you’ll get a whopping 5 percent back in whatever category you spend the most in provided it falls within an “eligible” spending category. [cash back](https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/how-cash-back-works/) card, there are quite a few reasons frequent travelers also wind up signing up.

Laurentian Bank launches a new innovative credit card experience (Yahoo Finance)

Laurentian Bank (the "Bank") is proud to announce the launch of a new line of credit cards. Starting today, retail customers can apply for a Laurentian Bank ...

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Image courtesy of "pymnts.com"

Discover Reports Rising Credit Card Delinquency Rate (pymnts.com)

The firm said in a Monday (Feb. 13) filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that the percentage of loans that were delinquent 30 or more days ...

[Robert Hochschild](https://www.linkedin.com/in/roger-hochschild-519a024/) said during the Oct. [PYMNTS Data: Why Consumers Are Trying Digital Wallets](https://www.pymnts.com/study/new-payment-options-digital-wallets-consumer-finance/) [auto loan delinquencies](https://www.pymnts.com/loans/2023/earnings-season-lifts-hood-on-auto-loan-delinquencies-paycheck-to-paycheck-pressures/) as well. [New Reality Check: The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Report: The Credit Edition](https://www.pymnts.com/study/reality-check-paycheck-to-paycheck-credit-scores-consumer-card-debt-inflation/),” a PYMNTS and [LendingClub](https://www.lendingclub.com/) collaboration. [credit card delinquency rates](https://www.pymnts.com/credit-cards/2022/credit-card-delinquency-data-hints-paycheck-pressures/) are on the rise, as evidenced by reports from banks and payment networks. [reported](https://seekingalpha.com/news/3935502-discover-financial-credit-card-delinquency-rate-in-january-reaches-prepandemic-level) Monday that the delinquency rate had reached pre-pandemic levels, as January’s rate was slightly worse than the 2.65% seen by Discover Financial in January 2020.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Venezuelans say credit cards that were once lifeline now 'useless' (Reuters)

Credit cards are becoming increasingly useless in Venezuela because of high inflation and government restrictions, hurting people already struggling to meet ...

"With the limit on cards you can't even pay for lunch," said Gregorio Afonso, a 53-year-old university professor who has two local credit cards and an income of $20 monthly. It's the least likely to be given out," said economist Luis Arturo Barcenas, of analyst firm Ecoanalitica. The bolivars that they can put toward credit are going to other sectors" like businesses. "Often these credits weren't just for buying appliances, but also for day-to-day expenses." "My parents bought appliances and computers with their credit cards, but that's a memory for Venezuelans." Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

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Image courtesy of "Kiplinger's Personal Finance"

How Many Credit Cards Should I Have? (Kiplinger's Personal Finance)

Three credit card bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — evaluate several factors to determine if you have a good credit score. These bureaus look for at ...

[how to get approved for a credit card](https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/how-to-get-approved-for-a-credit-card-you-want). This will allow you to avoid expensive interest rates while [paying off credit card debt](https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/how-to-pay-off-credit-card-debt). While opening multiple credit cards can be beneficial to your credit score, it can negatively affect your score if you don’t use the cards responsibly. If you think you may be tempted to spend too much with a higher credit limit, then be wary of opening up another card. How many credit cards should you have? Having multiple cards has pros and cons, depending on how you use them as a cardholder. However, make sure you remember to spend just enough on the card for it to remain active. [Equifax](https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit-cards/how-many-credit-cards-should-i-have/#:~:text=If%20your%20goal%20is%20to,types%20on%20your%20credit%20report.) (opens in new tab), for instance, recommends having at least two or three credit cards in addition to other types of credit, like a mortgage. If you’re a responsible cardholder, adding a new addition to your wallet could prove beneficial to your credit score. Having too many open lines of credit could be a bad thing for some cardholders. These bureaus look for at least two open “lines of credit,” including credit cards, mortgages, student loans, car loans, and other types of loans, to ensure that you can handle multiple budgeting and payment schedules. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that your credit utilization remains below 30%.

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Image courtesy of "Motley Fool"

I Have 15-Plus Credit Cards, But I Only Carry These 3 in My Wallet (Motley Fool)

Credit card collectors can wind up with a thick stack of plastic. But not every card needs to be carried every day. Read on for a personal example.

[gas rewards card](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/best-gas-credit-cards/). [Read our full review](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) for free and apply in just 2 minutes. [this top balance transfer card](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) secures you a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months! And I've already written about [my thoughts on The Platinum Card® from American Express](/the-ascent/credit-cards/articles/what-its-really-like-owning-an-amex-platinum-card/). [metal cards](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/best-metal-credit-card/) weigh a lot!). So, I love the [American Express® Gold Card](/the-ascent/credit-cards/american-express-gold-card-review/). And even though I [don't always use those credits](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/articles/what-its-really-like-to-have-an-creditcard-slugamerican-express-gold-card-fieldoffer_name/) up, I get enough value out of the rewards to make up for any missed credits. In my opinion, these are the most valuable credit card points for booking [free travel](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/travel-free-credit-card-points/), especially international travel. So the third slot in my wallet is a bit of a wild card (pun intended). [Save: This credit card has one of the longest intro 0% interest periods around](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=articlecta-cc-art-sf-2-1-welref-int) [More: Save while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/best-balance-transfer-credit-cards/?ftm_cam=articlecta-cc-art-sf-2-2-na-int) Or, perhaps folks who wonder what's the point of having a luxury travel card if I'm not going to flaunt it? I like to use this card for purchases that won't fit neatly into the bonus categories on my other cards.

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Here's What Happens if You Max Out a Credit Card (Motley Fool)

A credit card is maxed out when the cardholder uses the entire credit limit. Find out what happens next and how this can affect your credit score.

If you overspend and can't pay off your balance, you'll have to [deal with credit card debt](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/credit-card-debt/). [this top balance transfer card](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) secures you a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months! You'll be able to keep using your card, and you won't need to worry about your credit score or credit card debt. [Read our full review](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) for free and apply in just 2 minutes. The average amount of credit card debt held by consumers is over $5,000, according to recent [credit card debt statistics](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/credit-card-debt-statistics/). One of the factors used to calculate it is your [credit utilization ratio](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/what-is-credit-utilization-ratio/), or the amount of your credit that you're using. [credit cards](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/), it's extremely important to be careful about your spending. If you max out a credit card, you'll have 100% credit utilization on that card. [credit score](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-score-guide/) is a measure of your creditworthiness. Maxing out a credit card occurs when you reach its credit limit. A popular guideline is to stay below 30% credit utilization. For example, if your card has a $5,000 credit limit and a $5,000 balance, then it's maxed out.

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Image courtesy of "Bankrate.com"

What To Do If Credit Card Billing Error Dispute Is Denied? | Bankrate (Bankrate.com)

If your card issuer denies your credit card billing error dispute and you don't agree, you have some options.

In case the card issuer denies your dispute, you still have options. Send it by certified mail and ask for a return receipt so that you have proof that the issuer got your letter. The issuer will conduct an investigation and resolve the matter within 90 days of receiving your dispute notification. However, it should also note to the bureaus that you are disputing the billing error. If you don’t agree with the issuer’s findings, you can ask for documents that support the decision to deny your dispute. For instance, you may see a merchant name you don’t recognize and think it’s a billing error, but the merchant is simply billing under a different corporate name. While this can get costly, if they file a case that is resolved in your favor, you could be awarded damages and also have your attorney’s fees covered. For example, if the issuer may not find evidence that the transaction you disputed was unauthorized. You will also be notified about when you need to make your payment, including any interest that accumulated on the amount while it was in dispute. The issuer cannot consider the disputed amount to be delinquent. Everyone makes mistakes, but you don’t need to pay for a billing error. If that doesn’t work, your rights under the

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card Review (Business Insider)

The Capital One Platinum Secured has a lower minimum deposit than many other secured credit cards, and with responsible use you could improve your credit ...

The regular Capital One Platinum Credit Card is not a secured card, and is designed for those with fair or To be considered for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, you don't need a good credit score. That said, once you're able to show that you're managing your credit card responsibly by making on-time payments, Capital One may upgrade you to the unsecured version of the card. Starting in as little as six months after you open your Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, Capital One will automatically review your account and consider you for a credit limit increase. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card requires a minimum security deposit of $49, $99, or $200 (depending on your creditworthiness) to secure a $200 credit line. Capital One cards, including the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, don't add [foreign transaction fees](https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-credit-cards-no-foreign-transaction-fees), so you can confidently use your card when traveling abroad without worrying about getting stung with extra charges. With responsible use, your credit score should start to improve, which can help you qualify for loans, mortgages, and other credit cards down the road. Be sure to compare all of your options to find the right secured card for your wallet. And although the card doesn't earn rewards, you'll have the opportunity to be considered for a credit line increase in as little as six months if you make payments on time. However, there are other secured credit cards that earn rewards and offer more perks, including the [best credit cards](https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-credit-cards) is next to impossible if you have a [bad credit score](https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-bad-credit-score) or no credit history at all. Because it's a secured credit card, you'll have to put down a security deposit — but its minimum deposit is lower than that of many similar cards.

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Here's What Happens if You Never Pay Your Credit Card Bill (Motley Fool)

If you don't pay your credit card bill, you'll rack up late fees and interest charges. Your credit score could drop by over 100 points. The debt will likely go ...

Or, if the card issuer sells your debt to a collection agency, the collection agency could file a lawsuit against you. [this top balance transfer card](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) secures you a 0% intro APR for up to 21 months! Your card issuer can report your account as past due at this point, and even a single late payment can cause your credit score to drop by up to 110 points. [Read our full review](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-cards/landing/wells-fargo-reflect-review/?ftm_cam=ascent-pages&ftm_veh=ascent_pitch_wt&ftm_pit=9423) for free and apply in just 2 minutes. A credit card company is going to fight harder for $20,000 in debt than for $200. Make it a goal to pay your The charge-off gets reported on your credit history, which does even more damage to your credit score. Eventually, the card issuer will charge off your account. Interest charges will continue accumulating as long as you don't pay your card balance. By law, credit card companies can only charge up to $30 for a cardholder's first late payment and up to $41 for a subsequent late payment within six billing cycles. Once you miss a credit card payment, the card issuer can charge you a late fee. [credit score](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/credit-score-guide/) will suffer as soon as they're late on a payment.

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