5 Smart Ways to Use Credit Cards

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Why was any time wasted on publishing this article?? There is nothing new that hasn't been printed in the last 20 years.
The only way to use a credit card is to pay the bill off every month and not to use it like some kind of ATM. Once you're there, you can take advantage of rewards. I put all my purchases on the card, too. And I take advantage of shopping tie-ins that give extra cash back for buying through their website. Discover Card has a very lucrative site.

Jimmy of MD 4:55PM November 22, 2010

Forget about mileage and other point rewards. Get cash. The others usually have some cost involved, or don't allow you to maximize your percentages. Cash you can spend how and where you want. Always get cash back

David of MA 9:12AM November 22, 2010

What's in *your* wallet?

Roland99 of FL 9:51PM November 21, 2010

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showforum=2

Bob Wang 8:46PM November 21, 2010

The often quoted Dunn and Bradstreet report is a myth. Please link me to it.
Credit impossible to get? Ridiculous. I continue to get approved for everything I apply for, including the very best rewards cards out there. My FICO is 755. BTW none of my 15 rewards cards have an annual fee, NONE.
Are you people just making stuff up?

chuck of NV 8:30PM November 21, 2010

I'm frugal with credit cards, but the Citibank card I got makes sense because it lets you get anything off the Amazon site. I regularly buy off Amazon and paying with card credits for me is a great deal. I agree don't carry a balance and avoid all fees...

mbi of NY 4:35PM November 21, 2010

A Dunn & Bradstreet study found that people spend 12-18% more when using credit cards than when using cash for eating out and shopping. I can definately see a person spending more than usual while thinking "oh this increases my points" In the end..the house (credit card companies) always wins.

lmashore of DC 2:34PM November 11, 2010

Yeah, but these people aren't *getting* credit cards right now, are they? All the rewards cards I've seen offers for involve huge yearly fees, and even people with fairly good credit can't get them.
This is old advice that I've seen over and over, but doesn't address the reality that getting a credit card right now is pretty much impossible unless your credit is nigh impeccable.

Stacy of NY 4:44PM November 10, 2010