Sarah Hostetler is a freelance writer and has been featured on Million Mile Secrets and The Points Guy. She covers topics on points and miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels, and general travel.
Articles by Sarah Hostetler
Best Rewards Checking Accounts 2024
If you’re one of the many who aren’t funneling money through a rewards checking account, you’re effectively lighting dollar bills on fire.
Citi Custom Cash Card Review 2024
The Citi Custom Cash Card pays 5% cash back on the spending category you use the most. Learn more in this Citi Custom Cash Card review.
Best Rewards Credit Cards 2024
Opening the best rewards credit cards can mean hundreds of dollars in cash back each year, free travel, discounts at your favorite restaurants, and more.
Best Cash Back Credit Cards for 2024
Whether the lion’s share of your spending is on dining, groceries, gas, or online shopping, we’ve identified the best cash back credit cards for your style.
Best Citi Credit Cards of 2024
Citi offers multiple credit cards to fit just about any lifestyle, which can make choosing the best Citi credit card quite difficult.
Best Auto Loan Refinance Lenders for 2024
It can be time-consuming and daunting to sift through the (seemingly endless) possibilities to find the best auto refinance lender for you. We’ve narrowed down the options to help you make the best choice.
7 Ways to Build Credit Without A Credit Card
There are loads of ways to improve your credit profile that don’t involve credit cards. Some don’t even require an application of any sort.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Review
The Amex Delta Reserve’s $550 annual fee is one of the easiest to justify for Delta flyers. You’ll save more than $1,000 each year with a bit of strategy.
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card Review: A Good Alternative If You Want to Build Credit
The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a beginner credit card that offers a respectable return on spending and benefits like free Uber One membership (for a limited time).
Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. Ink Business Cash 2024
These cards both come with astonishing welcome bonuses. And with some strategy, you can even transfer them to airline and hotel programs for free travel.
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Whether you’re interested in cash back or travel rewards, either card can be a powerful tool in your financial utility belt — but one is the clear winner.
Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card Review 2024
The Chase Ink Business Preferred offers a generous welcome bonus and rewards program, and excellent insurance coverage. Learn more.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review 2024
The Amex Hilton Card offers a bonus worth far more than its competitors—and it unlocks a perk that can save you tens of thousands of points on a single stay.
Citi Diamond Preferred Review 2024
If you’re having trouble paying off high credit card balances, opening the Citi Diamond Preferred card could be one of the best financial decisions you can make.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review 2024
Even if you only fly Delta once or twice per year, you’re sure to find the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card’s $99 annual fee well worth it.
Chase DoorDash Rewards Mastercard Review 2024
If you’ve ever used a food delivery platform, you know the fees can be frustrating. The Chase DoorDash Rewards Card helps in a few ways.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Review 2024
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is not just a hotel credit card, it’s a travel credit card with Marriott perks. Learn more.
Citi Simplicity® Card Review 2024
The Citi Simplicity® Card could save you thousands of dollars if you’re struggling with a high credit card APR. Learn more in our Citi Simplicity Card review.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card Review
Capital One VentureOne is one of the only no-annual-fee credit cards that gives you the power to transfer rewards directly to airlines and hotels.
The Difference Between a Charge Card and a Credit Card
There are really only a couple of dissimilarities—but they’re doozies. Before you go applying for one or the other, you should know what they are.
Total Visa Card Review 2024
The Total Visa credit card may be a necessary evil to overcome the messy credit history you’ve accumulated. Close it as soon as it’s served its purpose.
Best Store Credit Cards 2024
You’ve almost certainly been standing at checkout and staring down the barrel of a painfully rehearsed store credit card pitch. Did you take the bait?
Best Soft Pull Credit Cards 2024
Hard inquiries on credit card applications temporarily lower your credit score. This is why soft pull credit cards are so useful.
Upgrade Credit Card Review 2024
The Upgrade Credit Card has almost a parental relationship with its cardholders. Whether you consider that a pro or a con depends on your perspective.
Milestone® Mastercard® Review 2024
Built into the Milestone Mastercard® are traps that those new to credit (or with poor credit habits) may easily spring. Sky-high fees and interest rates make it dangerous.
10 of the Easiest Personal Loans to Get
Whether you’ve got unexpected medical bills, you want to go back to school, or you want to consolidate your debt, a personal loan can revolutionize your life.
Public App Review
The Public app has a lot going for it, but experienced investors will be underwhelmed. And that’s OK—Public doesn’t claim to be the most well-rounded choice.
What Is the Difference Between the 3 Types of Visa Credit Cards: Traditional, Signature, and Infinite?
The type of Visa credit card you have is meaningful. The higher the tier, the more valuable your benefits might be, such as travel insurance, discounts, and purchase protection.
Best Debt Consolidation Loans for 2024
Depending on the size of your debt, you could save thousands of dollars by eliminating high-interest credit card balances with a debt consolidation loan.
Avant Credit Card Review 2024
The purpose of the Avant Credit Card is to give those with “fair”credit a chance to eventually qualify for better credit cards.
What Is a Good APR for a Credit Card?
The lower the APR the better, but if you’re responsible with your credit card, you’ll rarely or never encounter an interest payment.
Does a Debt Management Plan Affect Credit?
A debt management plan is one of the least painful ways to climb out from under the thumb of crippling credit card balances.
How to Send Money With a Credit Card
If you need to send money from your credit card to a friend or family member, there are many ways to do it. But are the fees too high? Learn more.
Credit Utilization Ratio: All You Need to Know
Endeavor to keep your credit utilization below 30%. That’s the key to harnessing the “amounts owed” component of your credit score and keeping your credit healthy.
What Is A Fair Credit Score
A fair credit score isn’t sufficient to thrive in the world of credit. Let’s look at what you can expect with such a score as well as some ways to increase it.
How Do I Check My Credit Score
Knowing your credit score can help you to understand realistic options when it comes to applying for credit cards—and even spot things like fraudulent activity.
Best Spring Break Destinations for 2024
Don’t feel like you must plan the same Caribbean spring break trip as everyone else. Plenty of destinations have just as much beauty and adventure, but without overtourism.
When’s a Good Time to Request a Credit Limit Increase?
If you’ve got a good relationship with your bank due to on-time payments and routinely low credit card balances, you’re justified in asking for a credit line increase.
Does Applying for a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit?
If you use your credit responsibly, you’ll be able to increase your credit score far beyond what it was before you submitted your application.
Defaulting on Credit Cards: Why It Happens and What to Do
Defaulting on a credit card is one of the worst things you can do for your credit. Here’s how to avoid it—and what to do if you’re already experiencing default.
Credit Card Grace Period: What It Is And How It Works
Did you know that you can receive what essentially amounts to a short-term loan from the bank without paying a lick of interest?
Credit Card Skimmers: How to Spot And Avoid Them
Credit card skimmers come in all shapes. Sometimes they’re false keypads or card slot attachments. With a bit of diligence, you can avoid them nearly every time.
Disney® Visa® Card Review 2024
Disney lovers can get real value from the Disney Visa Card. The card’s undoing comes from the fact that Chase issues another, far more valuable Disney card.
Credit Card Scams to Know in 2024 (and How to Avoid Them)
Diligence goes a long way in preventing credit card fraud. The best thing you can do is empower yourself with information on current common grifts.
Credit Card Closing Date: Meaning And Implications
Your credit card closing date can affect the interest you accrue, the health of your credit score, and the cash back or other awards you earn.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review 2024
The Southwest Plus Card is good for those that fly Southwest once or twice per year—and it can fast-track you to one of the undisputed best deals in travel.
How to Report (and Prevent) Credit Card Fraud
The best action step to avoid credit card fraud is simply to be skeptical of everything. Refuse to let yourself become complacent when it comes to credit cards.
