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 Store Credit Cards for December 2023
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 for December 2023
Hard inquiries on credit card applications temporarily lower your credit score. This is why soft pull credit cards are so useful.
Best Rewards Credit Cards in December 2023
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 December 2023
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 Auto Loan Refinance Lenders for December 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
Total Visa Card Review 2023
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.
Milestone® Mastercard® Review 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card Review 2023
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.
6 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.
Upgrade Credit Card Review 2023
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.
Disney® Visa® Card Review 2023
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.
Delta SkyMiles Gold AmEx Review 2023
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.
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.
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).
Avant Credit Card Review 2023
The purpose of the Avant Credit Card is to give those with “fair”credit a chance to eventually qualify for better credit cards.
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.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review 2023
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit Card Scams to Know in 2023 (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.
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?
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.
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.
Should I Sign My Credit Card
Signing the back of your credit card was once helpful to prevent fraud, but that’s not the case not anymore. However, merchants can decline your card if it’s not signed.
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.
Capital One Spark Cash Plus vs. Ink Business Cash 2023
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.
