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Credit Cards

How to choose, use, and get the most out of a credit card — from rewards to disputes.

Credit Card Closing Date vs Due Date: What's the Difference?

Learn how your credit card's closing date and due date differ, how each affects your utilization and payment history, and how to use both strategically

Ben Luthi
By 
Ben Luthi
 • 
Kelly Suzan Waggoner
Edited By 
Kelly Suzan Waggoner
 • 
August 15, 2026

How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud

Learn how skimming, phishing, and data breaches enable credit card fraud, and the practical steps you can take to protect your accounts and credit reports.

Miranda Marquit
By 
Miranda Marquit
 • 
Kelly Suzan Waggoner
Edited By 
Kelly Suzan Waggoner
 • 
August 4, 2026

How to Remove Your Name From a Joint Credit Card

Removing your name from a joint credit card is often harder than opening the account, since both cardholders are equally responsible for the debt. In this post, we’ll walk through the steps you can take, when closing the card makes more sense, and how joint accounts differ from authorized user cards.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
July 28, 2026

How to Remove an Authorized User From a Credit Card

Adding someone as an authorized user can be helpful, but there may come a time when you need to remove them from your credit card account. In this post, we’ll walk you through the easiest ways to do it and explain how it may affect both your credit and theirs.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
July 19, 2026

How to Read a Credit Card Statement

Knowing how to read a credit card statement is essential for keeping your spending in check, catching errors, and spotting potential fraud before it becomes a bigger problem. In this post, we’ll break down each section of your statement, what to look for every month, and how to use it to protect your credit.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
July 16, 2026

Does Locking Your Credit Card Affect Your Credit Score?

Locking your credit or debit card is a quick way to stop unauthorized charges if your card is lost, stolen, or you notice suspicious activity, but it won’t directly affect your credit score. In this post, we’ll explain what locking a card actually does, what charges may still go through, and the mistakes that can hurt your credit if you’re not careful.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
June 25, 2026

Credit Card Interest Rates by Year (Historical APR Trends)

Credit card interest rates have climbed to historic highs in recent years, but understanding how we got here requires looking back decades at the forces that shaped today's lending landscape. In this post, we'll trace historical credit card APR trends by year and break down what drives rates up and down over time.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
June 16, 2026

Credit Card Debt in the U.S. by Year

Credit card debt in the U.S. has climbed to a record $1.25 trillion, driven by decades of deregulation, rising interest rates, and the growing cost of everyday essentials. In this post, we'll break down how credit card debt has grown over time and what it means for American households today.

Sarah Edwards
By 
Sarah Edwards
 • 
June 15, 2026

The Evolution and Impact of Credit Cards on Credit Scores

Discover how credit cards evolved from simple charge plates to powerful credit-building tools, and learn exactly how they influence your credit score today.

Kikoff Team
By 
Kikoff Team
 • 
June 13, 2026

For users with a starting credit score under 600, Kikoff adds 86pts* in a year with on-time payments.

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