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Millions of Americans use credit cards, but are we getting the best deals we could? For those who confined their search to the major banks, the answer is probably not. Today, we kick off an ongoing series in which we'll profile some of the best offerings in plastic.

Amazon's holidays are off to a great start, but with its stock trading north of 100 times earnings, AMZN shares could be the one thing you don't want to buy from the online retailer. Instead, consider these companies that are riding on the coattails of the online shopping boom.

Google's (GOOG) Wallet is getting thicker. The company is adding Visa, American Express and Discover to its payment system, which aims to make cellphones the credit cards of tomorrow. Google Inc. on Monday said it has licensed the right to add virtual "cards" from the three payment networks to its...

Gallivanting across the stage during a live performance, the Rolling Stones' spry frontman seems much younger than his 68 years. The same can be said for many older companies that are surprisingly nimble and growing quickly, leaving young whippersnapper upstarts eating their dust.

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.

If you've been racking up credit card rewards, summer is the perfect time to use them. In fact, a new survey suggests that more Americans plan to do just that -- cashing in their credit card rewards as a money-savvy way to enjoy everything from quick weekend getaways to extended overseas vacations -- during the summer months.

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.

After a rough opening session on Monday, stocks rebounded sharply on Tuesday. The Dow enjoyed a triple-digit gain after oil prices eased and bank shares bounced higher on the possibility of further dividend payouts and share buybacks.

Credit card companies are seeking to delay enforcement of lower limits on so-called "swipe fees." If successful, the postponement will cost customers and retailers more than $1 billion a month.

With corporate earnings season in full swing -- watch for McDonalds, along with Catepillar, Amazon and other -- and with the Fed meeting on interest rates, the GDP estimate and housing numbers coming out -- the week ahead is expected to be quite busy.