Credit card News
Archive of the most recent stories from each of the categories of credit card news covered by the CreditCards.com editorial team, from A (airline miles) to Z (zero percent cards).
Choose a Story Topic
- All credit card news
- Bad credit, credit repair
- Balance transfer, debt consolidation
- Credit account management
- Credit card basics
- Credit card fundamentals
- Credit card help
- Credit cards for small business owners
- Credit scores, credit reports
- Emerging payment systems: Prepaid, debit, gift cards
- Expert Q&A
- Frequent flier programs, airline rewards
- Innovations, features, new products
- Instant approval, legal, regulatory, privacy issues
- Low interest, zero percent cards
- Merchant accounts
- Need to know
- Research, statistics
- Reward programs, cash back cards
- Shopping
- Spotlight: People on plastic
- Student credit cards, young credit
Latest credit card news
All credit card news
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- 4 things not to say to loved ones who are in debt -- If a loved one confesses debt problems to you, chances are, it has taken them a lot of courage to do so. So make sure you say the most supportive thing ... (See What not to say)
- That wasn't the APR I applied for! -- If you see a great credit card deal advertised, you might not get the low interest rate flaunted in the ad, especially if you have a poor credit history ... (See Risk-based APR)
- Best credit cards for over-50s -- Consumers over age 50 are making mistakes when it comes to credit cards, recent research says. We've rounded up some credit cards that offer the best deals for this age group ... (See Over-50s)
Bad credit, credit repair
View all bad credit, credit repair stories
- 4 things not to say to loved ones who are in debt -- If a loved one confesses debt problems to you, chances are, it has taken them a lot of courage to do so. So make sure you say the most supportive thing ... (See What not to say)
- That wasn't the APR I applied for! -- If you see a great credit card deal advertised, you might not get the low interest rate flaunted in the ad, especially if you have a poor credit history ... (See Risk-based APR)
- How to prioritise your debts -- If you have many debts, don't just pay the collector who is hassling you the most. You'll need to prioritise each debt by the consequences of non-payment ... (See Debts)
Balance transfer, debt consolidation
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- How to take advantage of the balance transfer war -- The past month has seen credit card providers go to war in the balance transfer market. Here's how to take advantage of the stiff competition ... (See Balance transfer)
- A 0% card for damaged credit -- too good to be true? -- A card from Capital One offers the perks of 0% balance transfers to those with less-than-perfect credit. But is it really a good deal? ... (See Damaged credit)
- Personal loans v credit cards: What's the best way to borrow? -- With loan rates at an all-time low, and the average credit card interest rate currently above 17.3%, is it better to take out a personal loan rather than a credit card? ... (See Loans v credit cards)
Credit account management
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- 4 things not to say to loved ones who are in debt -- If a loved one confesses debt problems to you, chances are, it has taken them a lot of courage to do so. So make sure you say the most supportive thing ... (See What not to say)
- That wasn't the APR I applied for! -- If you see a great credit card deal advertised, you might not get the low interest rate flaunted in the ad, especially if you have a poor credit history ... (See Risk-based APR)
- Best credit cards for over-50s -- Consumers over age 50 are making mistakes when it comes to credit cards, recent research says. We've rounded up some credit cards that offer the best deals for this age group ... (See Over-50s)
Credit card basics
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- How to negotiate a lower credit card APR -- At a time when everyone is feeling the pinch, achieving a lower credit card APR could help give you a little extra money each month. However, you will have to ask for it first ... (See Credit card terms)
- 5 credit card mistakes you should never make -- Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. However, there are some credit card mistakes you should never make. Otherwise, you could wind up over your head in debt ... (See Credit card mistakes)
- Choosing the right credit card for you -- There are many different credit cards available on the market these days, so it is essential that you know exactly what you are looking for before you start filling out applications ... (See Credit card choices)
Credit card fundamentals
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- Victory declared for consumers over foreign currency charges -- Leading high street banks have committed to cutting currency charges and improving overall customer service for those buying money for travelling ... (See Foreign currency fees)
- One in three could face Christmas debt hangover in 2012 -- Every year, Christmas shopping leaves many people in significant debt. This year, 31% of Brits are expected to be left in debt by the end of the festive season ... (See Holiday debt regret)
- 5 credit card mistakes you should never make -- Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. However, there are some credit card mistakes you should never make. Otherwise, you could wind up over your head in debt ... (See Credit card mistakes)
Credit card help
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- Debt relief: 3 alternatives to bankruptcy -- Times are tough. If you have more debt than you can pay, you may be considering bankruptcy. However, there are other options available to you ... (See Debt relief)
- Where to get debt help -- If you're currently grappling with overwhelming credit card debt, help is available. Here's a list of some of the best free resources available to UK cardholders ... (See Debt help)
- What you need to know about debt management plans -- If you're struggling with excessive debt, you may come to a point where your debt is simply too overwhelming to handle yourself. A debt management plan can help, but you have to be careful about which one you choose ... (See Debt management plans)
Credit cards for small business owners
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- Credit cards can make -- and break -- small businesses -- Credit cards can provide instant access to funds -- and keep struggling new businesses alive. They can also bury them in high-interest debt ... (See Small business credit cards)
- Modern Brits expect cash to go extinct -- As credit cards and debit cards get more popular, Brits are becoming less likely to use cash. More than one-third believe cash will go extinct in 15 years ... (See Cash or plastic)
- Businesses using credit cards to pay tax bills -- Struggling businesses have found a risky way to weather the economic downturn -- paying their tax bills with their credit cards ... (See Paying taxes)
Credit scores, credit reports
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- 3 cards for credit newcomers -- If you're brand new to credit, credit card providers won't exactly be eager for your business. Here are three cards that will help credit newcomers prove themselves ... (See Credit-building cards)
- Financial disassociation: How to get a credit divorce -- When you share credit with someone, the credit agencies will link you, often even after the account is repaid. A financial disassociation lets you cut those ties ... (See Financial disassociation)
- How to get your credit report, score -- It's best to know what's in your credit report before a lender does. Here's a comprehensive guide to checking your credit reports and credit scores ... (See Credit report, score)
Emerging payment systems: Prepaid, debit, gift cards
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- Currency cards can ease money hassles abroad -- Currency cards hold much appeal for international travellers, letting you lock down an exchange rate. Yet there are some small-print clauses to know about ... (See Currency cards)
- Costumers have need for speed when it comes to payments -- Customers are becoming increasingly self-sufficient and anti-establishment when it comes to paying, according to research from the British Retail Consortium ... (See Shopping)
- Editor’s pick: Five user-friendly prepaid cards -- Prepaid cards let you use plastic without the risk of debt and interest charges. Here are five prepaid cards with user-friendly terms and manageable fees ... (See Prepaid)
Expert Q&A
- Personal finance experts share love and money tips -- Buying your Valentine roses is nice. But what about having a heart-to-heart talk about money? We asked the experts how to get the conversation started ... (See Love and money)
- 5 financial resolutions to make 2013 a better year -- Need help finalising your New Year's resolutions for 2013? We asked five financial experts which money-related goals consumers should be setting ... (See Resolutions)
- How to be frugal and festive: Money bloggers share their tips -- How can families enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank? We asked four personal finance bloggers for their festive frugal tips ... (See Thrifty Christmas)
Frequent flier programs, airline rewards
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- Editor's pick: best sign-up bonuses 2013 -- Free points, vouchers and accelerated earnings: Here are some of the most tempting sign-up deals on offer at the moment -- and what to consider before snagging them. ... (See Sign-up bonus)
- Credit card companies roll out 2012 Christmas promos -- Credit card providers are joining in the holiday festivities. Here's a roundup of some of the card-related discounts, bonuses and contests on offer ... (See Christmas promos)
- Credit card travel insurance could protect you from holiday nightmares -- You know that your credit card can come to your rescue if you need emergency funds. But did you know it could come to your rescue if you're stranded or injured while travelling? ... (See Travel cover)
Innovations, features, new products
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- How to take advantage of the balance transfer war -- The past month has seen credit card providers go to war in the balance transfer market. Here's how to take advantage of the stiff competition ... (See Balance transfer)
- A 0% card for damaged credit -- too good to be true? -- A card from Capital One offers the perks of 0% balance transfers to those with less-than-perfect credit. But is it really a good deal? ... (See Damaged credit)
- Contactless card payments now accepted on London buses -- Londoners can now pay for bus travel using contactless credit, debit or charge cards. Here's what you need to know before using this new wave-and-pay feature ... (See Contactless)
Instant approval, legal, regulatory, privacy issues
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- How to get your credit report, score -- It's best to know what's in your credit report before a lender does. Here's a comprehensive guide to checking your credit reports and credit scores ... (See Credit report, score)
- OFT demands credit card surcharge transparency -- The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken steps to address deceptive credit and debit card surcharging practices -- calling out travel companies in particular ... (See Credit card surcharges)
- Online shopping: More secure with prepaid cards? -- With online credit card fraud continuing to be a problem, some experts have urged consumers to consider prepaid credit cards as a more secure option for internet use ... (See Prepaid)
Low interest, zero percent cards
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- That wasn't the APR I applied for! -- If you see a great credit card deal advertised, you might not get the low interest rate flaunted in the ad, especially if you have a poor credit history ... (See Risk-based APR)
- The longest balance transfer deals in the UK -- Looking to move high-interest credit card balances to lower-interest card deals? Here are eight of the longest 0% balance transfer deals on the market ... (See Balance transfer)
- Best low-interest credit cards for Christmas shopping -- If you think you'll be carrying a balance into the new year, minimizing your interest costs is the way to go. Here are some of the best low-interest cards for Christmas ... (See Low-interest cards)
Merchant accounts
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- How chargeback can get your money back -- If you used plastic to pay for goods or services that fell short of the seller's promises, your card could come to the rescue in the form of chargeback ... (See Chargeback)
- Watchdog group challenges card surcharges -- Consumer watchdog group Which? says that excessive surcharges on credit cards are unfair to consumers. ... (See Card surcharges)
- U.K. credit card fraud on the decline -- With the advent of chip-and-pin technology and greater awareness of fraud by merchants, card fraud has seen a drop of 20% ... (See Credit card fraud)
Need to know
- 4 things not to say to loved ones who are in debt -- If a loved one confesses debt problems to you, chances are, it has taken them a lot of courage to do so. So make sure you say the most supportive thing ... (See What not to say)
- That wasn't the APR I applied for! -- If you see a great credit card deal advertised, you might not get the low interest rate flaunted in the ad, especially if you have a poor credit history ... (See Risk-based APR)
- Does the surcharge ban go far enough? -- This month has seen the long-awaited ban on credit card surcharges finally come into effect. But does it go far enough? ... (See Surcharge)
Research, statistics
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- Best credit cards for over-50s -- Consumers over age 50 are making mistakes when it comes to credit cards, recent research says. We've rounded up some credit cards that offer the best deals for this age group ... (See Over-50s)
- What we buy and how we spend: A decade of change -- The Payments Council took a look back on the past decade in a February 2013 report, which found that Brits are splashing out on fun -- and moving toward a cash-free lifestyle ... (See Spending statistics)
- Glimmers of optimism appear among financial gloom -- With Christmas debt looming and warnings of a triple-dip recession in the headlines, you might think consumers are feeling pessimistic about their finances. But recent research shows otherwise ... (See Optimism)
Reward programs, cash back cards
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- Best credit cards for over-50s -- Consumers over age 50 are making mistakes when it comes to credit cards, recent research says. We've rounded up some credit cards that offer the best deals for this age group ... (See Over-50s)
- When it might make sense to get a store card -- Experts generally warn consumers against taking out store cards. But are they always a bad idea? Here's when you can say "yes," to the clerk's sales pitch at the till ... (See Store cards)
- Editor's pick: best sign-up bonuses 2013 -- Free points, vouchers and accelerated earnings: Here are some of the most tempting sign-up deals on offer at the moment -- and what to consider before snagging them. ... (See Sign-up bonus)
Shopping
- Does the surcharge ban go far enough? -- This month has seen the long-awaited ban on credit card surcharges finally come into effect. But does it go far enough? ... (See Surcharge)
- How to play dynamic currency conversion game -- If you’re traveling abroad (and taking a UK-issued card with you), beware of being duped into paying more for your purchases via dynamic currency conversion ... (See Dynamic currency conversion)
- Currency cards can ease money hassles abroad -- Currency cards hold much appeal for international travellers, letting you lock down an exchange rate. Yet there are some small-print clauses to know about ... (See Currency cards)
Spotlight: People on plastic
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- Credit card debt weighs heavily on pensioners -- Pensioners on fixed incomes are turning to credit cards to make ends meet -- and many are finding themselves trapped in a cycle of debt ... (See Pensioners in debt)
- For Irish debtors, bankruptcy 'tourism' offers a way out -- Ireland is notorious for its tough bankruptcy laws. The UK, however, is much more lenient -- and that has led to what's called "bankruptcy tourism" ... (See Bankruptcy)
- Falling credit card balances may not be good news -- Even with the pinch of the recession, UK consumers are keeping their credit card balances low. Good news, right? Not necessarily ... (See Card balances)
Student credit cards, young credit
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- Financial education coming to the classroom -- Adults often learn money lessons the hard way. Starting in 2014, children in the UK will start learning those lessons years in advance -- in secondary school. ... (See Financial education)
- Why young consumers are credit shy -- Almost half of consumers under 35 years old have no interest in using credit cards, research has found. Here's why young people are so credit-averse ... (See Credit shy)
- How young is too young for a prepaid card? -- Children as young as 8 can now get prepaid cards. Is this a recipe for disaster -- or a good opportunity to educate kids about plastic? ... (See Kids and money)
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