Almost a third of Americans report that since the onset of the pandemic, they have experienced a loss of income, and it has left many of them behind on their monthly bills.
Electronic payments provider ACI Worldwide recently surveyed U.S. adults and found 1 in 10 reporting they are currently past due on monthly bills as a direct result of COVID 19-related financial hits.
The situation is worse for younger Americans than older ones, with more than a quarter of those age 18-34 (26%) saying they are behind on their bills. For those age 35-51, the share was 14%, while only 5% of those age 52 and older reported having past due bills due to the pandemic.
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See related:Â Taking financial control amid a global pandemic
When asked how long they expect it will take to catch up, more than a third (35%) indicated it would take them six months or longer, with the remaining 65% saying they believe they can get back on track in under six months.
As a result of their missed payments, 15% of respondents reported they had contacted billers for payment arrangements or deferrals.
ACI Worldwideâs survey was conducted among a U.S. Census-balanced panel of 3,000 adults age 18 and older who are responsible for submitting payments for at least two of their householdâs monthly bills. The results were released Dec. 15.
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has affected the financial security of millions of Americans.
A September 2020 NPR poll found that nearly half of U.S. households experienced job loss or pay cuts during the pandemic. Fifty-four percent with annual incomes below $100,000 suffered the most serious financial problems.
However, as the situation deteriorated for many, a subset of individuals assumed newfound control over their economic well-being. The pandemic became their trigger to make powerful changes with the way they handled money, credit, income and savings.
Here’s how just a few people refused to let severe and unexpected pandemic-related conditions get them down.
Taking financial control amid a global pandemic
Improved charging habits
Repaid debt
Starting over after a job loss
Building a better budget
Increased saving and investing
Improved charging habits
According to an October Money and Morning Consult survey, 29% of credit card holders have been charging more than they had been before the pandemic, particularly on food and self-care items.
For some, like Raul Mercado from Austin, Texas, a freelance digital marketing professional, that didn’t mean acquiring high balances, but using the cards more effectively than ever before.
Mercado’s partner has been furloughed from both of her jobs, and his pay was cut by a third in the span of one month. In response, they changed the way they had been charging. The couple decided to make their cards work for, rather than against, them.
“My partner purchased an online course called ‘Credit Cards 101,’ and we learned the best way to use credit cards,” says Mercado. “We started using credit cards that included airline miles or cash back bonuses for all purchases so we could get additional resources from spending the same amount of money. Of course, we pay back our credit cards every week so we don’t go into debt. And because of all the closures around town, we are able to save significant amounts from not going out on date nights or expensive vacations.”
Now the couple is looking forward to using the rewards when travel is once again an option. They’ll stick with their new card strategy, though, since it allows them to profit from the process.
Repaid debt
A positive aspect of the pandemic is that it made many people reevaluate how they’re handing their existing financial obligations. In fact, Experian reported an unprecedented consumer debt reduction in 2020. Outstanding credit card balances dropped by 9% from 2019, representing over $73 billion in repaid balances.
Steve Morrow, a Phoenix-based CPA and founder of the kayaking blog Paddle About, and his wife slashed their liabilities over the past 10 months. They had a combination of obligations, including a car loan, home equity loan and credit card debt.
another round of stimulus checks, he will apply it to their emergency fund. In the meantime, he’s also using this time to educate their children.
“We have two teenagers and we’ve been having a lot of conversations with them about finances,” says Morrow. “In fact, one of my sons is taking a personal finance class in high school, and it’s been great to talk to him about our experiences with credit cards.”
See related: Financial bias starts early: How to talk to your daughter about finances
Starting over after job loss
Before COVID struck, Justin Duke had been driving and delivering for such companies as Uber and Instacart. “Then it all basically stopped,” says Duke. “I lost the main source of income that I had and didn’t know if or when it would be safe to do the gig work again, or what would happen with the stimulus. I had to pivot and find a new income.”
So, Duke and his wife, who live in a rural community outside Roanoke, Virginia, turned their attention to the business of raising goats and chickens. At the start of the pandemic, selling the animals and eggs via MrAnimal Farm generated a little side cash. Today, along with working a few other e-commerce and review sites, the couple is earning three times what they had been before.
“We have a safe way to make money that we have more control over,” says Duke. “We’re financially stable and are in control! Our holiday spending this year won’t change, but the goal for 2021 is to be able to purchase a second house with the online income.”
Duke is hardly alone in his quest for earnings independence. In October, the Census Bureau reported that applications for federal employer identification numbers had surged – by July, they were up an astonishing 91%, compared to the same time frame in 2019.
Building a better budget
Insecure salaries inspired other people to reevaluate how much money was going out each month, and then make powerful changes to ensure that there was enough to meet essentials. Such was the case for Jonathan Sanchez, an Omaha, Nebraska-based personal finance blogger for Parent Portfolio, a wealth building website for families.
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“Due to the economic stress caused by the pandemic, I was furloughed from my full-time job,” says Sanchez. “This put the weight of supplying for our family solely on my wife. Initially, it was depressing for me not to be able to work as well and was hard for my wife.”
Eventually, though, he decided to use this opportunity to assess their cash flow plan to get them closer to financial independence.
“We updated our budget and became more intentional with our money,” says Sanchez. “Before, what we were doing was not budgeting but spending and thinking we should have enough until the next paycheck. We never set limits – now we do. ‘Only this much for groceries, this much for dining’ kind of thing. It helped us become more mindful. For a whole summer, I stayed home with my daughter who was in daycare, so we didn’t have that expense either, so that was like a mortgage payment!”
The couple refinanced their primary residence to reduce those payments, then purchased a house as an investment property to generate passive income. They then deleted a large portion of their student loan debt and are working toward building up a sizable savings fund.
“Now that we have a budget in place, we’re not worried about money anymore,” says Sanchez. “My wife actively looks at our budget three times a week. It’s a habit we will continue on forever!”
See related: How to stop overspending during the coronavirus pandemic
Increased saving and investing
And then there are people who have found a way to increase their net worth, despite recent economic hardship. Christen Thomas, a personal finance expert and founder of the travel advice website TravelWanderGrow, has managed to create wealth.
Thomas has always been budget-savvy, but the pandemic prompted her to take a harder look at the way she had been preparing for her financial future that extends far beyond the next 12 months.
“It’s the year I’ve moved beyond the budget,” says Thomas. “I’ve started doing much more focused research into the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement, and have adjusted my long-term investment strategy accordingly. This has led me to move from investing around 10% of my income to 20%. I plan to grow this rate to 50% over the next few years as I pay down my student loans more aggressively and cut certain expenses.”
Miller & Company, LLP, the pandemic switched something crucial but latent in many people. They’ve found ways to thrive, when it hadn’t been necessary before. People discovered their inner strength and knowledge that they can perservere under extremely difficult conditions. Many fought to budget their money for the first time.
“The pandemic grounded a lot of people,” says Miller. “It helped them develop character. Americans are resolved to figure it out. Ultimately, it taught millions of us how to rescue ourselves, and that even in the bad times, there is good.”
Certainly not everybody has been able to regroup and overcome financial adversity in 2020, but it’s worth taking inspiration from those who have.
If youâre itching to voyage around the country and to bring a partner along on your adventures, the Southwest Companion Pass is an incredible deal. Believe it or not, with the Companion Pass, you can bring a friend or family member with you for free on every Southwest flight for up to two years.
You may have heard the news: On Jan. 1, 2020, Southwest officially boosted the points requirement for the Companion Pass to 125,000 points. This bump made the Companion Pass harder to earn for many less frequent flyers, though not impossible
With travel interruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, earning the Companion Pass for 2021 might seem completely out of reach. Luckily, Southwest is offering relief to those whose canceled plans throttled their hopes of achieving this coveted perk. Southwest has now twice extended statuses for Southwest Companion Pass members. Members who received an extension of their earned Companion Pass benefits through June 30, 2021, will have their benefits extended for another six months through Dec. 31, 2021. Additionally, Rapid Rewards members with an account opened by Dec. 31, 2020, are getting a complimentary boost of 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points and 25 flight credits toward Companion Pass status. This shortcut, when combined with alternative ways to earn Companion Pass qualifying-points, means the benefit is still achievable in the current environment.
What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
The Southwest Companion Pass is a special benefit for elite members of Southwestâs Rapid Rewards programs. Once you earn 125,000 Rapid Rewards points or 100 qualifying flights in a year, you can designate a companion to bring with you for free (except for taxes and fees) on any Southwest flight that you purchase â with either cash or points. The earlier in the year that you earn the Companion Pass, the better because itâs good through the remainder of the year and the year after that.
The threshold for earning the Companion Pass is steep â amounting to thousands of dollars per month in airfare or multiple flights per week. However, you donât need to be a rabid Southwest flyer to earn the pass. In the following guide, weâll delve into the details of the Southwest Companion Pass and shortcuts to earning it.
The best card for Southwest flyers
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Why should you get it?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card is by far the best value for a frequent Southwest flyer, thanks to its $75 travel credit and 7,500-point annual bonus. Plus, the sign-up bonus of up to 80,000 points can help you toward the Southwest Companion pass.
Learn more
More things to know:
Earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus earn an additional 30,000 points after you spend $10,000 in the first 9 months
7,500 bonus points each year after your card anniversary
$75 annual Southwest travel credit
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available
20% discount on in-flight purchases made with your card
Southwest Companion Pass rules
You must earn 125,000 qualifying points or fly 100 qualifying one-way flights each year to qualify.
Qualifying points include: revenue flights on Southwest, credit card points, base points earned through Southwest partners.
Qualifying points donât include: purchased points, points transferred from other members, points converted from hotel and car loyalty programs, e-rewards, e-miles, Valued Opinions, Diners Club, points earned from program enrollment, tier bonus points, flight bonus points and partner bonus points.
You should designate a companion at least 21 days in advance to receive a Companion Pass card before your flight. Youâll need the card to board your flight, and itâs nontransferable.
You may change your designated companion up to three times each calendar year.
Once you qualify, you can begin booking flights with your Companion Pass immediately, and it is good through the remainder of the year and the next calendar year (up to two years, depending on when you qualify).
You must pay for your flight with cash or points before you book your companionâs pass.
Your companion canât fly without you â they must be booked on the same flight and dates. If you cancel your ticket, their ticket will also be canceled. Also, he/she will be charged for the fare if you donât make the flight.
You have to pay for your ticket to bring a companion (i.e., you canât use a companion pass to fly with a partner also using a companion pass).
How to get the Southwest Companion Pass
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You may be surprised to learn that Southwest flights arenât the only way to earn points. In fact, there are faster ways to rack up the points that you need for the pass. Here are some of your best options:
Credit card bonuses
The best way to earn a lot of Rapid Rewards points all at once is to sign up for a Rapid Rewards credit card and earn the cardâs sign-up bonus.
However, you should be aware of Chaseâs rules on applying for Southwest credit cards before you hit submit. Due to Chaseâs 5/24 rule, your application likely be denied if youâve opened more than five credit cards (with any issuer) in the past 24 months. You canât earn the bonus on a particular Southwest card if youâve earned a bonus with that card in the past two years. Also, youâre prohibited from owning two consumer cards at once â which means you canât sign up for, say, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card to earn two bonuses in a single year.
However, you can own a consumer card and a business card at the same time. If you can qualify for a business card (which is not as difficult as you may think â any sort of side income may qualify you), signing up for a business card along with another Rapid Rewards card will give you most (or all) of the points you need to earn the Companion Pass â you can earn up to 180,000 points with two cards combined.
Sign-up bonus
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
50,000 points if you spend $2,000 in first 3 months; plus 30,000 points if you spend $10,000 in first 9 months
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
50,000 points if you spend $2,000 in first 3 months; plus 30,000 points if you spend $10,000 in first 9 months
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
50,000 points if you spend $2,000 in first 3 months; plus 30,000 points if you spend $10,000 in first 9 months
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Card
60,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 in first 3 months
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
70,000 bonus points if you spend $5,000 in first 3 months; plus 30,000 points if you spend $25,000 in first 6 months
Note, Southwest changes the sign-up bonuses on its cards frequently throughout the year. Before you sign up for a particular card, you should check the history of the bonus on that card to make sure itâs at its peak.
Referral bonuses are another great way to rapidly accumulate points toward the Companion Pass. Chase offers 10,000 points per each friend who is approved for a Southwest card, up to 50,000 points per year. Even better, Chase recently updated its refer-a-friend offer for Southwest so that you earn a bonus on any card that your friend chooses to apply for, including the business cards, even if you don’t own that particular card. You can log into the Chase site to grab your Refer-a-Friend link to share with friends, family, and of course social media.
Southwest flights
Besides credit card bonuses and referral bonuses, flying frequently on Southwest Airlines is your next best bet for stacking up Rapid Rewards points. Depending on the fare, you can earn between 6 and 12 points per each dollar that you spend on Southwest airfare. You would need to spend between $9,167 and $18,333 on airfare to earn enough points for the pass.
Rapid Rewards points earned
Wanna Get Away fares
6 points per dollar
Anytime fares
10 points per dollar
Business Select fares
12 points per dollar
Rapid Rewards partners
Southwest has several travel and shopping partners through which you can earn Rapid Rewards points. For instance, many of Southwestâs car rental partners offer 600 Rapid Rewards points per rental. Also, the Southwest hotels portal is a great way to earn up to 10,000 Southwest points per night – all of which qualify for the Companion Pass.
Credit card spend
Your spend with the Southwest credit cards also earns points that count toward the Companion Pass. Most of the Southwest cards offer the same earning rate: two points per dollar on Southwest purchases (on top of your base point earnings), Rapid Rewards hotel purchases and car rental partner purchases, and one point per dollar on everything else.
Unfortunately, the overall earning rate with most Southwest cards is very low â amounting to around 1.08-percent per dollar for the average cardholder. At that rate, youâd have to spend around $101,851 on average on a Southwest card to earn the pass just through credit card spending â not a very realistic amount for most cardholders. Still, using your Southwest credit card is a good way to add incrementally to your earnings, especially for purchases that earn double points.
Additionally, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card has a slightly higher earning rate than the rest of the airlines co-branded offerings. The Performance card earns 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases, 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. That means small business owners who spend a significant amount in these areas can get a bit more value.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining program is another good way to add incrementally to your point balance. You can earn up to two Rapid Rewards points per dollar by eating at qualified restaurants.
This is an especially valuable option for those who cannot travel right now due to current restrictions. You’ll still earn points for purchases made with qualifying restaurants when you order takeout or delivery from the restaurant itself.
Rapid Rewards shopping portal
You can earn Rapid Rewards points that stack on top of your credit card points (as well as other deals and discounts) by clicking on a retailerâs link through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal. The Rapid Rewards site includes many major retailers, such as Best Buy and Bed Bath and Beyond. The number of points that you earn varies quite a bit by retailer, but tends to range between one to four points per dollar. For instance, Bass Prop Shops is currently offering four Rapid Rewards points per dollar on online purchases. At that rate, youâd have to spend around $27,500 to earn 125,000 Rapid Rewards points.
Earning the Companion Pass on a moderate budget
While 125,000 points seems like a daunting number, when you add all these earning opportunities together, itâs actually quite feasible to earn the Companion Pass with a moderate amount of spend.
For instance, consider you earn the up to 80,000-point sign-up bonus and refer two friends to Southwest credit cards. Those two actions alone can earn you 100,000 points â a significant portion of the way toward the pass. To earn the other 25,000 required for the pass, you can leverage high-earning categories like Southwest flights and purchases in the shopping portal â putting all spend on your credit card to ensure you earn as much as possible.
Additionally, you can maximize your Southwest points by using your Southwest card on planned, recurring payments like select gas purchases or certain utility bills.
How to use the Southwest Companion Pass
Register your companion
As soon as you qualify, go to the Southwest website and designate a companion for your next flight. Make sure you register your companion well in advance of your flight â your companion needs the pass to board the plane, and it takes up to 21 days to mail. You arenât stuck with one flying companion â you can change your designated companion up to three times per year. (You can do this online or instantly over the phone.)
Book a flight
To book a free flight for your companion, first, go to the Southwest Airlines website and book your own airfare with cash or points. Once your ticket is booked, you can add your companion to your reservation by clicking on the âAdd Companionâ option on Southwest.com. (Or you can call Southwestâs reservations line to book your flight and have a companion added over the phone.)
Check in at the airport
You must bring your Companion Pass to the airport to check in. Youâll be asked to present a photo ID for yourself and your companion. Be sure not to stand your partner up at the last minute â if you donât show up at the airport, your companion will be charged the full price of the fare.
Tips for earning the Southwest Companion Pass faster
Sign up for credit bonuses when they hit a peak â Wait until the bonus on a particular card hits a peak, and then apply for it.
Sign up for two Southwest credit cards â Consider signing up for both a Southwest business and consumer card within the same year to earn all the points you need from sign-up bonuses.
Look for special deals â If you keep an eagle eye on the Rapid Rewards program, you can find some incredible deals that can allow you to get a large influx of points or even earn the pass with a much lower threshold. For example, Southwest sometimes offers additional points on airfare purchases. Also, in 2017, Southwest ran a promotion in California that allowed residents there to immediately qualify for the pass if they signed up for a Southwest credit card.
Take advantage of all your point-earning opportunities â Stick to flying Southwest Airlines (even for business trips) and make every car rental, credit card expense, online shopping experience and hotel stay count toward earning the pass.
Bottom line
That Southwest Companion Pass is in closer reach than you think, even while travel is currently restricted. The points boost for Rapid Reward members in 2020, plus earning options like the online shopping portal and dining program, keep the perk within reach for Southwest flyers. By keeping a keen eye on credit card sign-up bonuses and taking advantage of all the earning opportunities, many Southwest enthusiasts successfully earn the pass each year.
See related: What are Southwest points worth?, Southwest credit cards, Best ways to earn Southwest points, Best ways to redeem Southwest points, Southwest Airlines partners, Southwest A-list status, How to book a Southwest Rapid Rewards flight, Rapid Rewards Shopping guide
Sending cash to friends and family? Before you reach for that credit card, grab a calculator. It’s time to do a little math.
With most everything you purchase online or through apps, credit cards have the edge. With plastic, you have chargeback rights. If you’re overcharged or receive the wrong item, broken merchandise or nothing at all, your card issuer will make it right. And if you use a rewards card, you collect points or miles, too. Win-win.
But it’s different story when you’re sending money through peer-to-peer platforms. Many of them (like Google Pay, Popmoney and Zelle), don’t allow consumers to use a credit card to send cash.
Others (like Cash App, PayPal and Venmo), allow credit cards but also charge a fee for the privilege – often about 3%.
See related: How to choose a P2P payment service
The hidden costs of using credit cards to send money
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Choose a credit card to send money and you might also end up paying additional fees to your card issuer. That’s because the combination of some peer-to-peer apps with certain cards are coded as cash advances, rather than purchases.
For many cards, that cash advance code triggers a higher interest rate that kicks in the moment you make the transaction, as well as a separate cash advance fee that’s often $10 or 5% of the transaction – whichever is higher. (Currently, the average interest rate for cash advances is 24.8%, while the average APR for purchases is 16.05%.)
So the combination of peer-to-peer service fees, credit card cash advance fees and that higher interest rate (with no grace period) could make sending a few hundred dollars a bit more costly than you’d planned.
No chargeback rights with credit cards
The real kicker: Unlike other venues, you don’t have chargeback rights when you use credit cards to make peer-to-peer money transfers.
When you present your credit card in an online or brick-and-mortar store, there’s a merchant involved – and the law provides chargeback rights for your protection in case you don’t get what you were promised in the deal. But in a peer-to-peer money transfer, there’s no merchant, so currently the laws don’t give consumers any chargeback rights, says Christina Tetreault, manager of financial policy for Consumer Reports.
“The chargeback right requires a merchant,” says Tetreault. “One of the hoops a consumer has to jump through is to try and work it out with the merchant.”
If you use a peer-to-peer service and send the wrong amount or send the money to the wrong person, most platforms advise that the only way to get it back is to contact the recipient and ask them to return it. And that’s often the same whether you use a credit card, debit card, bank account or funded account on the platform.
“Be doubly sure when you’re sending the money that you’re putting in the correct information,” says John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud for the National Consumers League. “It’s still a buyer beware world when it comes to peer-to-peer.”
The solution
If you’re sending money and want to use a credit card, it pays to do a little sleuthing first. Check out the peer-to-peer site. Does it allow users to send money with a credit card? If so what, if any, fees does it charge?
On some platforms (PayPal is one), you could see similar fees for using a debit card – while sending from a bank account or funded account on the platform is free.
The good news is that many peer-to-peer platforms clearly disclose it when there’s an extra charge to use a credit card, says Tetreault. With Venmo, for example, you’ll get a pop-up message.
Harder to decipher: Will credit card transactions on the platform be treated as a cash advance? If your preferred platform doesn’t post this information, you might need to contact customer service. (And how quickly and easily you get an answer can tell you a lot, too.)
Ask your card issuer the same question: Are peer-to-peer money transfers on the platform you’ve chosen treated as a cash advance? If they are, what’s the interest rate, and what’s the cash advance fee?
“What I would suggest is to ask that question, via email, of your financial institution,” says Tetreault. “It may be in their FAQs. And you want to save that email. If you have it in writing, if there’s an issue later, you’re better positioned to contest that fee.”
But “the hard truth is you may not be able to find out ahead of time,” she says.
Another solution: Opt to use a credit card issued by a credit union.
“With credit unions, the APR is usually the same” for purchases and cash advances, says John Bratsakis, president and CEO of the Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association.
Likewise, with American Express cards you pay your regular interest rate and no cash advance fees on peer-to-peer transfers, says Elizabeth Crosta, vice president of public affairs for American Express.
And credit cards from U.S. Bank register peer-to-peer money transfers as regular purchases – with no cash advance fees or cash advance APRs, says Rick Rothacker, spokesperson for the bank.
See related: How do credit card APRs work?
What’s your reason for using a credit card?
Take a good look at the reason you’re using a credit card, too. If you want chargeback rights, that’s not an option. If you’re doing it for the rewards, will the value of those points or miles be eaten up by extra fees or a higher interest rate you have to pay to use the card?
And if you’re using a card because you don’t have the cash, that might be a good reason to rethink the idea of sending money in the first place.
That’s a huge red flag, says Bruce McClary, vice president of public relations at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
“The need to convert credit into cash is what really gets my attention – because that hints at a lack of savings,” he said. “It’s a reality a lot of people are facing, especially now.”
Cash advances aren’t as expensive or risky as payday loans and car title loans, but they should be among your last resorts. If you’re looking for short-term relief, you could ask your credit card issuer for help, or find out if you qualify for a personal loan. You could also borrow from a family member or trusted friend, but be wary of the potential relationship toll if you can’t pay them back.
Getting cash from credit cards
Fifty-two percent of Americans report that the pandemic has damaged their finances, according to a recent survey by the NFCC. More than a fifth of those had to tap savings for everyday expenses, while 16% increased their credit card spending.
And that’s a sign of financial stress, says McClary. “It means that, in some situations, they have run out of savings.”
There are ways you can use your card to get cash, though.
Cashing in rewards
Some rewards cards from issuers such as Chase, Bank of America and US Bank let you deposit cash-back rewards directly to your bank account.
And Wells Fargo also will let you deposit its Go Far Rewards directly into another Wells Fargo customer’s account, says Sarah DuBois, spokesperson for the bank.
Gift cards
Many credit cards let you convert rewards into retail gift cards. So a pile of points can help a friend or family member buy much-needed groceries or a few holiday presents.
Or simply “buy a gift card for someone,” says Bratsakis.
Retailer-specific gift cards and gift cards issued through local and regional retail associations and malls often come with no fees – meaning every dollar you spend goes toward your gift.
Convenience checks
While you can get a cash advance or use convenience checks from your card issuer, both those options often come with fees and higher interest rates. Not a smart money move, especially in the current economy.
While some lenders may offer convenience checks with deferred interest, that’s not the same as “no interest,” says Bratsakis. Also, if you don’t pay the loan in full, will you owe the full interest retroactively?
“That’s where consumers have to be careful,” he says. With a convenience check or even a cash advance, “that’s usually where consumers can get themselves into trouble if they can’t pay it off and get hit with deferred interest.”
See related: What is deferred interest?
Bottom line
When it comes to peer-to-peer payments, cash really is king. You can then put it into a funded account with the money transfer platform or your bank account. And most peer-to-peer platforms let you do this for free.
“The safest way to use these services is to send money person-to-person and be diligent about getting all the details correct so it doesn’t go to the wrong person,” says Tetreault.
Only send to people you trust and know in real life, she says. “And before sending money make sure you understand what, if any, fees you might incur.”
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One of the questions Iâm asked the most is, âWhich credit card should I get?â
Thereâs not a one-size-fits-all answer, but hereâs how to narrow it down:
Which credit card to choose if you carry a balanceÂ
If youâre in credit card debt, then you need to prioritize your interest rate over rewards. The average credit card charges 16.05%. It doesnât make sense to pay interest just to earn 1%, 2% or 3% in cash back or travel points.
If you have credit card debt, forget about rewards for now. You can avoid interest for up to 18 months with the right balance transfer card. And some card issuers (especially credit unions) charge ongoing (non-promotional) rates as low as the 6%-9% range. Donât chase rewards if youâre revolving a balance.
If you have credit card debt, I recommend these cards:
Citi Simplicity® Card*: 18-month 0% intro balance transfer offer; transfers must be completed in the first four months; 3% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum); 0% introductory purchase APR for 18 months; regular variable APR of 14.74%-24.74%
Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® card: 15-month 0% intro balance transfer offer; intro balance transfer fee of 3% or $5 (whichever is greater); transfers must be made within 120 days to qualify for intro offer; 0% intro purchase APR for 15 months; regular variable APR of 14.49%-24.99%; regular balance transfer fee of 5% or $5 (whichever is greater)
BankAmericard® credit card: 12-billing-cycle 0% intro APR balance transfer offer; must complete the transfer within 60 days of opening the account; 3% or $10 transfer fee, whichever is greater; introductory 0% purchase APR for 12 billing cycles; regular variable APR of 12.99-22.99% on purchases and balance transfers
See related: Balance transfer cards with no transfer fee
Which card to pick if you donât have any credit card debtÂ
Now weâre on to the fun stuff! The key questions at this juncture focus on how much effort you want to put in, how you spend your money and what you want to get out of your rewards.
Some people treat credit card rewards like a game. Itâs fun for them, and they spend time looking for the best deals and juggling multiple cards. Yet about three-quarters of credit card holders prefer simplicity and would rather use the same card or two as widely as possible, we found in an August 2019 survey.
You wonât get the best rewards with that approach, but you can still do pretty well. Here are my favorite flat-rate cash back cards:
Alliant Visa Signature Card: 2.5% cash back on every purchase with a $99 annual fee; in your first year (waived your first year)
Citi® Double Cash Card: Essentially 2% cash back on everything (technically 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay it off); no annual fee
If you make more than $20,000 in credit card charges in a typical year, the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature is a better bet despite the annual fee.
Which card to pick if you’re willing to put in a little work to earn better rewardsÂ
Dividing your spending among multiple cards is the best way to reap higher returns. At this stage, you need to consider how you spend your money. Different cards incentivize different types of spending (e.g., travel, restaurants, groceries, entertainment).
You also need to think about your desired redemption. Cash back has the broadest appeal (after all, who couldnât use a little more cash?), although travel rewards are usually the most valuable. Some 49% of U.S. adults have at least one cash back card, 20% have an airline or hotel rewards card and 19% have a general travel rewards card, our research shows.
Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express® Gold Card, the Citi Premier® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card).
Each of these issuers has more than a dozen airline and hotel transfer partners, plus you can book an even wider variety of flights and hotels directly through the card companies. These programs provide tons of flexibility, and in terms of cents per point, they generally offer higher returns than cash back cards.
Parting advice
As you can see, picking the right credit card for you is an individual decision. Iâll leave you with two more thoughts:
Youâre doing well as long as youâre avoiding credit card debt and redeeming rewards for something thatâs valuable to you.
Not everyone wants to fly to the Maldives in first-class and stay in an overwater bungalow. Even if it yields fewer cents per point, a free flight to grandmaâs house or cash back on everyday purchases could make more sense for your particular situation.
You should absolutely consider sign-up bonuses when evaluating credit cards, but donât lose sight of the fact that your credit card strategy should be a long-term pursuit. Especially if youâre new to credit, focus on ongoing value rather than card churning.
* Information about Citi Simplicity has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuers did not provide the details, nor are they responsible for their accuracy.
In the era of lockdowns and social distancing, you’re probably relying most heavily on your credit card, as you shop online for many of your purchases.
But you might run into a snag and not be able to complete your transaction if you’re trying to use your card after its expiration date.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to keep those purchases coming all year long.
See related: How do credit cards work?
Wear and tear
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While your credit card account itself doesn’t expire at a certain time, the piece of plastic associated with it does.
That’s because “magnetic stripes wear out, cards bend,” says Nessa Feddis, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association.
Because of their propensity to show wear and tear, “issuers want to make sure to get working cards into customers’ hands,” says Ted Rossman, industry analyst for CreditCards.com.
Cards with magnetic stripes typically wear out faster, so they usually expire after three years, Rossman says.
EMV cards, which contain computer chips embedded in them, tend to show less wear than those with magnetic stripes, Rossman says. As a result, many issuers are extending the expiration date on those cards to five years.
Sending you a new card periodically also allows issuers to implement design upgrades and technology updates, according to a spokeswoman for Discover.
Credit cards for retailers such as Macy’s can be an exception and there may be no expiration date on such cards.
Safety and security
Expiration dates also serve as a security measure. If you’re making a purchase online or by phone, you’ll typically be asked to provide your account number, the three- or four-digit security code on the card and the credit card expiration date.
The expiration date helps to verify that your transaction is valid, Feddis says. “It’s another data point to match up.”
For the card issuer, putting an expiration on a credit card helps the company manage its credit card portfolio, Rossman says. About 20% to 30% of credit cards that are issued are never activated.
Having an expiration date on a card serves as a “mechanism for re-evaluating a customer’s standing and potentially clearing dormant cards off the books,” Rossman says.
According to the American Bankers Association, Americans held 373 million credit card accounts in the second quarter of 2020. But that was down from 374 million in the second quarter of 2019. It was the first time the number of accounts has fallen since 2012, no doubt tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, credit card debt fell by $74 billion from the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020, according to the New York Federal Reserve. The drop was driven by the economic recession caused by the pandemic.
See related: Many Americans say they’ll spend less after the pandemic than before
Where to look
If you want to check your credit card’s expiration date, you’ll often find it embossed on the front of your card, under your account number and above your name.
It will be embossed with the two-digit month and two-digit year, such as 02/21.
In the past, the raised numbers were needed on the front of a credit card because merchants would use a machine to make an imprint of the numbers on a receipt, and customers would have to sign the receipt. Now those machines are few and far between.
Today you may have a newer chip credit card that has no raised numbers on the front, and the account number is printed on the back.
With those cards, you’ll also find the expiration date on the back of the card, below your account number.
The expiration date is listed as a month and year, so your card is valid through the last day of that month, the Discover spokeswoman says.
Your new card should be sent to you well in advance of the expiration date. Once the new card arrives, be sure to activate it using your computer or by calling in to the number listed on the sticker placed on your card. Sign your card and be sure to destroy your old one.
See related: What do the numbers on your credit card mean?
Recurring payments
If you use your credit card to make recurring payments, you’ll need to update your card information with the merchant to make sure your payments continue to go through, the Discover spokeswoman says.
However, many merchants subscribe to credit card issuers’ account updater services. If you get a credit card with a new expiration date, or you receive a card with a new account number, the service updates that information to the merchant, so your credit card payment will continue to be processed.
If your account information doesn’t automatically update, you may receive an email from the merchant, asking you to go to the company’s website and update your information.
Paying attention to your credit card expiration date can help keep your transactions on track throughout the year.
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