We've schooled you on what CardRatings.com ranked as the worst credit cards of 2011, so it's only fitting for us to share which pieces of plastic would actually be wise to carry in your wallet this year.
Habits are hard to break: Just when you think you're firmly in control, you backslide again. According to CardHub.com, U.S. consumers accumulated a staggering $18.4 billion in credit card debt in the second quarter -- 66% more than they accumulated in the same quarter a year ago.
It appears that complaints from consumers and regulators about the lack of credit card transparency at banks have not fallen on deaf ears. According to CardHub.com's 2011 Credit Card Application Study, the 10 biggest issuers of plastic have significantly improved transparency this year.
CardHub.com recently put five of the most well-known prepaid card issuers under the microscope to see how useful their products are based on fees and features. Which offers the best deal? The answer might surprise you. But the real question is should you use a prepaid card at all.
Credit card companies are tripping over themselves to attract big spending, timely payers. The credit industry mavens at CardHub.com report that there credit cards than ever offering higher initial rewards bonuses -- for people with credit scores above 700.
The average American family will spend about $825 more for gas in 2011 than it did in 2010. But for every pain there is a pill, and in this case, a partial cure for the fill-'er-up blues may be to sign up for a gas station credit card. Done the right way, it can result in hefty savings. The key: paying off the balance at the end of each month.
