Christine's Latest Posts - Page 11

Normally, the best practice for utilizing any rewards-earning credit card is to pay off your entire balance each statement period. Not carrying over a monthly balance is the primary way to avoid interest charges that can negate the value of…

If you have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military, you may be familiar with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The act, passed in 2003, included several financial protections for active military members. One such protection is…

If you stay at Marriott properties, even occasionally, you may be able to elevate your experience, earn more Marriott Bonvoy points, and score a free annual hotel night certificate just by having the right Marriott Bonvoy-branded card. If you don’t…

Frequent travelers who are interested in premium travel benefits and solid reward-earning opportunities gravitate to The Platinum Card^® from American Express. The card, as well as The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, has been the go-to card for meeting…

We all know how expensive smartphones can be, so when yours is lost, damaged, or stolen, chances are you’ll face both inconvenience and cost to fix or replace it. Fortunately, some credit card companies offer cell phone protection as a…

You have to love the diverse selection of accommodations offered by Wyndham. If you’re searching for budget accommodations, mid-level value, luxury properties, or even a vacation rental condo, you’ll find all those choices and more in the brand’s portfolio. This…

Normally you’d need to be a dedicated patron of a specific hotel or car rental loyalty program to achieve their coveted elite status levels and reap the corresponding benefits. There are a lot of reasons to do so, of course,…

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card has consistently been at the top of our list of favorite travel rewards cards due to its earnings and redemption options for valuable Ultimate Rewards points and its complementary travel and shopping benefits. There’s no…

When you add up the total of your everyday purchases such as groceries, gas, and online purchases, it may be surprising to see the amount you’re spending on a daily basis. In fact, it’s possible that everyday spending recently has…

Nothing beats a hotel-branded credit card for earning rewards, free hotel nights, travel benefits, and perks that make your hotel stay more comfortable. And if you’re a fan of Marriott’s Bonvoy program, you’ll be glad to know you have several…

There’s little doubt that The Platinum Card^® from American Express is one of the most impressive travel rewards cards available. The card is known for its generous welcome bonus, earning and redemption options for valuable Membership Rewards points, and a…

There are several ways to earn frequent flyer miles. Flying on a purchased flight with an airline and opening (and spending on) an airline-branded credit card are at the top of the list. However, there may be an easier way…

The entertainment industry certainly changed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of a night out at the movies, we stayed home streaming Netflix. And that concert we planned to attend morphed into an online fundraising event. Slowly but…

Our senior years can be some of the most exciting years of our lives. If we’re fortunate, we’ll now have the time, and hopefully, the resources, to make our travel dreams come true. As we age, however, traveling may pose…

None of us could have anticipated the devastating effect COVID-19 would have on our daily lives and its effects on travel throughout the entire world. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or take just a stunning vacation each year, chances are…

Capital One has done a good job of advertising its credit card products. Many people are familiar with those commercials featuring a celebrity spokesperson where you’re promised the ability to earn “unlimited double miles on every purchase, everywhere, every day.”…

Shopping at wholesale club retailers like Sam’s Club can save you a bunch of money if you’re able to accommodate the purchase of items in bulk. And while savings are great, buying in bulk could also result in leaving the…

Road trips allow you to see the country up close and in relatively slow motion. Unlike flying, road trips are less about efficiently traveling from point A to point B than they are about creating experiences during the journey. Planning…

If you’re a current or prospective Verizon customer, you should continue reading, especially if you’re looking for a way to save on your monthly wireless bill. That’s because the Verizon Visa^® card, now available exclusively to Verizon customers, can earn…

Many home improvement projects can cost a bundle, so it would be a shame not to earn rewards on those expenses. Unfortunately, earning rewards on those purchases is not usually a straightforward process as few credit cards offer bonus rewards…

When you’re ready to purchase travel insurance, you’ll have a nearly endless selection of companies from which to select. You can begin, however, by narrowing your choices to those companies that are highly rated by respected insurance financial rating companies,…