Master the world of credit cards through our comprehensive learning paths. From beginner basics to advanced strategies, discover how to use credit cards responsibly while maximizing their benefits.
Understand how credit cards work and build a solid foundation of knowledge
Learn how credit cards can help establish and improve your credit score
Maximize the benefits from your credit cards through strategic use
From understanding the basics to mastering advanced techniques, our complete curriculum covers every aspect of credit cards.
Understand how credit cards work and build a solid foundation of knowledge
Learn how credit cards can help establish and improve your credit score
Maximize the benefits from your credit cards through strategic use
Use credit cards to fund travel and enhance your journey
Manage credit cards wisely to avoid debt and maintain financial health
Learn how to keep your credit cards and identity safe from fraud
Special considerations for small business owners and entrepreneurs
Sophisticated approaches for maximizing credit card benefits
Answer a few questions about your spending habits to find the best rewards cards for your lifestyle.
Find my best cardSee how much interest you'll pay over time and how long it will take to pay off your balance.
Calculate costsSee how different credit card actions might affect your credit score over time.
Simulate changesCompare detailed card features side-by-side to find the perfect fit for your needs.
Compare cardsFor those new to credit cards, we recommend following this progression:
Learn how credit cards work, key terminology, and the different types available
Understand how to use credit cards to establish and improve your credit score
Learn essential habits to avoid debt and maintain a healthy financial life
After developing responsible habits, learn how to maximize benefits from your cards
Dive deeper into specific card types based on your lifestyle or business needs
Complete your knowledge with security best practices and sophisticated optimization techniques
Pro tip: No matter how advanced you become with credit cards, always prioritize responsible credit management to protect your financial health.
Credit card companies generate revenue through interest charges, annual fees, interchange fees from merchants, late payment fees, and other service charges.
Credit applications typically result in a hard inquiry, which may temporarily lower your score by a few points. However, the impact diminishes over time and is often outweighed by the benefits of responsible card use.
There's no universal "right" number. For most people, 2-5 cards offers a good balance of credit-building benefits and rewards optimization without becoming difficult to manage. Your ideal number depends on your personal financial habits.
Closing a credit card can potentially hurt your credit score by reducing your available credit and affecting your credit history length. Consider keeping no-annual-fee cards open, even with minimal use, unless you have a compelling reason to close them.