Christy's Latest Posts
Traveler’s Checks When Traveling Abroad — Useful or Outdated?
When traveling abroad, you might wonder how to pay for things once you arrive. Should you bring currency on your trip? Which currency should you bring? Can you get money once you arrive? How much cash should you carry at…
What Is a Line of Credit and How Is It Different Than a Credit Limit?
A line of credit is a type of bank loan. You or your business can withdraw up to an agreed-upon amount as many times as you want, as long as you repay what you owe each time. This can be great…
Can Your Credit Limit Be Lowered Without Warning? [What to Do Next]
If you have a credit card, you’re probably familiar with your credit card limit, or the total balance you can have outstanding on your card at any time. So what do you do if your credit card company decides to…
What Is the Difference Between a Credit Report and a Credit Score?
When you apply for a credit card, new apartment, mortgage, or car loan, lenders will likely look at 1 of 2 things — your credit score or your credit report. Both are important to the lender for them to assess…
What’s the Difference Between a Hard and Soft Credit Check?
When a lender or creditor is considering offering you a line of credit or a loan, they’ll check your credit to help determine whether or not to lend you money. These inquiries can take the form of a hard inquiry,…
What It Means To Freeze Your Credit [And When It’s a Good Idea]
Between all of the recent data breaches in the news and the ever-present threat of identify theft, it is very likely that many people have had some personal information stolen, including Social Security numbers and other financial data. If your…
What Does a Charged-off Account on Your Credit Report Mean?
When looking over your credit report, you might notice that a certain item is marked as “charged off,” but might not be sure what this means. Since this item will negatively impact your credit, it’s important that you get all…
How To Pay Your Credit Card Bill & Avoid Interest Fees
All the different numbers and dates listed on your credit card bill can make it difficult to know exactly what you owe each month in order to avoid interest fees. You might also be wondering how and when you should…
Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards: What’s the Difference & Which Is Best?
It’s easy to get confused between debit and credit cards. Both carry the logo of a major credit card company, such as Visa or Mastercard, and can be used at most retailers to purchase goods and services. The key difference…
Here’s How Much U.S. Airlines Make from Baggage Fees Each Year [Data Study]
Baggage fees continue to grow as a revenue source for U.S. airlines, which collected a record $5.1 billion in charges over the past year. In late 2018, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and others all raised the price…
Zika Virus: What It Is, Affected Countries, Symptoms, Treatment and More [Guide]
The Zika virus dominated headlines in 2016 when some infected women had babies with significant birth defects. At the time, the threat of the mosquito-borne virus caused major concern, leading many travelers to change their travel plans. Since Zika is…
The Best and Worst U.S. Airlines To Fly with Your Pet [Data-Study]
When flying with your pet, you want to make sure you’re flying on a carrier that not only cares about you but also your pet. A good place to start is the airline’s track record. Here’s a breakdown of the…
ETIAS for Europe & Visiting the Schengen Area – Everything U.S. Citizens Need To Know [Visas & Rules]
Currently, travelers with valid U.S. passports can visit Schengen countries and stay for up to 90 days without issue. However, starting in 2025, an additional requirement may be put in place. Read on to educate yourself about all the current…
The Ultimate Guide to Air Travel With a Disability
Traveling by plane is one of the safest and fastest ways to get to your destination. But crowded airports, long waits at security checkpoints, and baggage restrictions can make flying challenging when you have a disability. According to the Bureau…
The Top 9 Most Kid-Friendly Airports in the U.S. [2019 Study]
Update: We’ve updated our study for 2023! Make sure to check out our latest results at: The Most Kid-friendly U.S. Airports [2023 Data Study & Survey]. Airports can be quite tricky for families. They often suggest you arrive hours ahead…
Which U.S. Airlines Dominate Market Share in North America? [2018 Data Study]
The passenger air transportation market is a thriving industry, taking individuals to locations around the globe. In this study, we focused on the market share of airlines that are a little closer to home. In this article, we’ll break down…
The REAL ID Act: What It Means, State by State Requirements, and Updates [2024]
You may have noticed Transportation Security Administration signs posted at airport security checkpoints warning travelers about upcoming ID requirement changes. So what exactly are these changes, and what do you need to do to be ready? We’ll break down exactly…
How To Easily Get Through TSA Airport Security [Includes Infographics]
For many travelers, getting through airport security is one of the most frustrating aspects of flying. Long lines combined with regulations that seem to change constantly can be anxiety-inducing! One way to reduce your stress is to dress smartly. Another…
The Top 10 Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. [Study]
Traveling with a pet can be stressful, whether it is a service animal or not. If you have a large dog, you have to deal with the anxiety that comes with placing your pet in the cargo hold. With a…
The 10 Fastest Growing & Declining Airports in the U.S. [Data-Driven Study]
America is home to many large airports, from John F. Kennedy in New York City to Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. These airports serve as main hubs for big carriers such as United, American, Delta, and JetBlue. But with the rise of…
The Ultimate Travel Guide to New York City – Best Things To Do, See & Enjoy!
No matter where you’re from, New York City is probably pretty high on your list of places to visit. And no matter the season, there are always magical things to experience. If you’re planning a trip to NYC, you can…