Natasha Etzel

The average credit card balance rose to $6,768 in late 2025. With interest rates near historic highs, switching to a 0% APR strategy can save the average American over $1,500 in 18 months

Small daily habits like a $7 latte can generate 4,500 points annually—enough to cover baggage fees or airport meals without changing your lifestyle.

Hero stat: Maximizers earn 3%–5% in bonus categories, while flat-rate cards offer a simple 1.5%–2% on everything. Choosing the right one depends entirely on your spending habits.

More than half of small business owners used personal savings to cover business expenses last year, putting their financial security at risk. Better cash flow management, financial separation, and strategic borrowing are more sustainable alternatives than dipping into personal funds.

You can earn high value from your spending without ever boarding a plane.

Frequent travelers have more options than ever for ways to earn travel rewards. Beyond general travel cards, hotel credit cards and airline credit cards are two choices. You can access hotel-specific or airline-specific perks and earn hotel-specific or airline-specific rewards.

Whether you combine your finances or keep them separate, credit cards can be a useful tool.

Holiday shopping can be expensive, but the right credit card helps you earn rewards, save on interest, and stretch your budget while you prep for the season.

The Citi ThankYou® Rewards is a high-value credit card rewards program available to eligible Citi credit cardholders. Through this program, you can earn Citi ThankYou® Points when you make purchases with a qualifying Citi credit card. There’s a lot of versatility in how you can redeem your ThankYou® points, including cash back, gift cards, points transfer, and travel bookings.

The Citi Rewards+® Card, from our partner, is a solid choice for those looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases without paying an annual fee. It’s ideal for those who aren’t big spenders. It earns rewards at an evaluated rate on supermarket and gas station spending. However, the bonus rewards are capped at $6,000 in spending per year.

Credit card trends 2026 will likely bring shifting rewards and benefits, more focus on borrowing costs, and wider use of digital payments like wallets and installments. Expect stronger fraud tools, more biometric authentication, and more AI-driven, personalized rewards. The takeaway: track changes, know your APR, and pick payment options that fit your budget.

The Citi Double Cash® Card, from our partner, is a cash back rewards card with no annual fee. You can earn an unlimited 2% cash back rewards. You earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% cash back when you pay off the purchase. You must pay at least the minimum amount due each month to earn rewards with this credit card.

Previously known as the Citi Premier, the Citi Strata Premier®, from our partner, has been rebranded and includes new benefits. This rewards credit card has a $95 annual fee and earns bonus rewards in several popular everyday purchase categories — plus, there are no spending caps. New cardholders can earn a generous 60,000-point welcome bonus offer.