Press
Coverage
To request an interview with Chief Industry Analyst Matt Schulz or for other media inquiries, please contact us at:
How Much Do Parents Spend on Their Kids' Extracurricular Activities?
The Motley Fool
May 4, 2019
In fact, 80% of parents think that their children's extracurricular activities could someday lead to income for their kid, according to a new report from CompareCards.com. Read More on The Motley Fool
Kids’ Extracurriculars Are Bankrupting Parents
Fatherly
May 1, 2019
CompareCards.com surveyed 700 parents with young kids who participate in activities outside of school and found that 62 percent of them had gone into debt at some point to fund those extracurriculars, with one in three parents still paying off some of that debt. Read More on Fatherly
Kids' extracurriculars put parents in debt
Bizwomen
May 1, 2019
Eight out of 10 parents think their child’s extracurricular activities could lead to income in the future, according to a survey conducted by CompareCards.com, and the more parents spend, the more likely they are to believe it. Read More on Bizwomen
Parents are going into debt over their kids’ extracurricular activities
MarketWatch
April 30, 2019
CompareCards.com surveyed more than 700 parents with young children who participate in sports, hobbies and other passion projects outside of class. Read More on MarketWatch
Don't Go Into Debt for Your Kid's Extracurriculars
Lifehacker
April 29, 2019
According to CompareCards.com, 62% of American parents have picked up debt in order to let their children practice soccer or ballet. Nine percent of those parents owe more than $5,000, and nearly a third owe more than $3,000. Read More on Lifehacker
Survey: Parents believe investing in these will make their children wealthy
Ladders
April 29, 2019
A new report from CompareCards.com revealed that 81% of parents believe there is a beneficial correlation between the amount of money they spend on extracurricular activities for their children, and the degree it will pay off later. Forty-six percent of parents spend more than a grand a year on their kids’ nonscholastic activity, and 27% spend more than $2,000. Read More on Ladders
Want a lower credit card interest rate? Ask
KOMO News
April 26, 2019
Some of the terms of your credit card agreement aren't necessarily locked in stone. For example, you can ask the credit card company for a higher limit or to lower the interest rate. There's no guarantee they'll do it, but a recent survey by comparecards.com shows, it's worth the call. Read More on KOMO News
5 things you didn’t realize you could ask for that can save you lots of money
CNBC
April 18, 2019
Nearly 90% of people who asked for a late fee to be waived were successful, according to a report from CompareCards, a credit comparison site. Read More on CNBC
Profitt Report: Looking for a travel rewards credit card? Do your homework
WSMH
April 18, 2019
To make a credit card work for you, you first need to be good with paying off your balances. Any points or rewards you earned don't add up if you're paying interest every month. However, if you can work the system and you travel frequently, a travel rewards card might make sense says Matt Schulz of CompareCards.com. Read More on WSMH
Consumer Watch: Increasing your credit score fast
Fox25
April 18, 2019
“It is the second most important part of your credit score behind your payment history or how often you pay on time,“ says Matt Schulz, CompareCards.com Chief Industry Analyst. Read More on Fox25
Lower credit card rates, waived fees & extended limits there for the asking, survey shows
The Oklahoman
April 17, 2019
According to an online survey of 1,284 cardholders early last month by Qualtrics for CompareCards by LendingTree, 81% of those who requested reduced interest rates in the past year were successful. The average was about six percentage points. Read More on The Oklahoman
8 In 10 Americans Want More Credit Card Protection
MoneyTips
April 15, 2019
As the CARD Act passes the ten-year milestone, CompareCards.com decided to survey over 1,000 consumers to evaluate the CARD Act and gather opinions on credit card regulation. Read More on MoneyTips
Here’s one easy way to pay less to your credit card company
CNBC
April 11, 2019
In the past year — a time when interest rates were rising — 81% of cardholders who asked for a lower rate got it, and most got a reduction of between 5 and 6 percentage points, according to research from CompareCards.com. Read More on CNBC
What You Should Know About Credit Card Hardship Programs
U.S. News & World Report
April 11, 2019
Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at personal finance site CompareCards by Lending Tree and a former U.S. News contributor, says, "These hardship programs aren't supposed to last forever, but can be useful for a little while so you can get back on your feet after a difficult situation." Read More on U.S. News & World Report
Your Money: Cash is king with millennials, but delays adulting
Reuters
April 10, 2019
They can also pretty easily get a secured credit card, which are offered by most major carriers, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst for CompareCards.com, a division of LendingTree Inc. These cards function akin to pre-paid debit cards. You put down a deposit that functions as your credit limit, but you do not have to reload after each billing cycle. Read More on Reuters
What the Credit CARD Act of 2009 Means for You
U.S. News & World Report
February 20, 2019
A survey completed last month for CompareCards.com showed that 47 percent of Americans said they had never heard of the CARD Act. And only 7 percent thought it had a "highly positive" impact on consumers. Read More on U.S. News & World Report
Stretch Your Dollar: Changes that might affect the way your credit score is calculated
WTNH
February 20, 2019
"Crummy credit is really expensive and some of these changes give people the opportunity to boost their credit score and that could potentially save them a lot of money," said Matthew Schulz, Financial Expert, CompareCards.com. Read More on WTNH
How to protect yourself from skimming at the gas pump
Fox Business
February 19, 2019
When filling up your car with gas, you may end up leaving the station with more than just a full tank. CompareCards.com says credit and debit card skimming is a growing threat to consumers at the gas pump. Read More on Fox Business
When you should close a credit card and how to do it right
Fox 5 NY
February 18, 2019
Half of millennials say they've had their current credit card longer than their current romantic relationship. Matt Schulz, the chief industry analyst with CompareCards, says that isn't a good thing. Read More on Fox 5 NY
Stretch Your Dollar: Preparing for an emergency bank outage
WTNH
February 18, 2019
So, what should you do when all online systems are down, and you need cash now? Experts at CompareCards.com recommend taking these three steps to prepare for a bank outage. Read More on WTNH
How to Close a Credit Card the Right Way
U.S. News & World Report
February 13, 2019
Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at personal finance site CompareCards.com by LendingTree, says, "When it comes to your credit, you're generally better off leaving a credit card open and not using it rather than closing it," particularly if you have few positive credit score factors. Read More on U.S. News & World Report
How young people can build their credit
CNBC
February 12, 2019
If you're not approved for a credit card, you can apply for a secured card, in which you put down a deposit that becomes your credit line, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at Comparecards.com. "Be sure that the card's issuer will report your payment history to the credit bureaus so you can start building your history," Schulz said. Read More on CNBC
Who have you lived with longer? Your spouse or your credit card?
WTOP
February 11, 2019
A survey by LendingTree’s CompareCards found that more than one in four cardholders never plan to change their primary credit card, and that lower-income consumers were more likely than higher-income consumers to say so. Read More on WTOP
The 10 U.S. Cities With the Highest Credit Card Balances
MoneyTalksNews
February 8, 2019
A recent CompareCards.com study found that credit card balances increased by an average of 3.6 percent from September 2017 to September 2018 in the nation’s 50 biggest metropolitan areas. And the average credit card balance by city was as high as $7,649. Read More on MoneyTalksNews
Survey: Many parents regret letting children use credit cards
NBC12
February 6, 2019
A new survey from CompareCards shows that dads are far more likely to give up their card, but they’re also three times more likely to regret that choice compared to moms. Read More on NBC12
Forget the calories — eating out can fatten your credit card rewards
CNBC
February 5, 2019
And these cards make most sense if you already eat out with some frequency, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at Comparecards.com. "The last thing anyone should ever do is overspend just to get credit card rewards," he said. Read More on CNBC
The Credit Card Act was passed ten years ago to protect consumers, is it working?
Yahoo Finance
February 5, 2019
The law passed ten years ago forced lenders to be more transparent about fees and rates. Matt Schulz - CompareCards Chief Industry Analyst - discusses. Read More on Yahoo Finance
There's a new way to instantly boost your credit score
NBC News
February 5, 2019
“The goal is to bring in as many data points as possible to help the lenders make smart decisions,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on NBC News
Almost 2 In 5 Don't Know How Credit Is Scored
MoneyTips
February 4, 2019
A new survey by CompareCards.com finds that 37% of Americans have no idea how their credit score is calculated. Read More on MoneyTips
Here's one financial resolution people plan to keep in 2019
CNBC
February 1, 2019
A new study from CompareCards.com shows that Americans are confident they will be able to pay off their monthly credit card bills a lot more often in 2019. Read More on CNBC
1 in 3 Americans Went Overboard on Holiday Shopping Last Year
The Motley Fool
January 25, 2019
During the 2018 holidays, 31% of U.S. adults spent more than expected, according to CompareCards, and that number rose to 44% among parents with children under the age of 18. Read More on The Motley Fool
The best and worst ways to borrow money during the federal shutdown
CNBC
January 22, 2019
"The truth is that a credit card cash advance can be among the best of a bunch of bad options when times get really tough, and a situation like the government shutdown can certainly be one of those times," said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on CNBC
How are credit scores determined?
KOMO News
January 22, 2019
Nearly 40 percent of the adults in this country have no idea how credit scores are determined, according to a recent survey by CompareCards. Read More on KOMO News
Mastercard cracks down on retailers who turn free trials into paid subscriptions — without warning customers
MarketWatch
January 22, 2019
‘Millions of Americans have signed up for a free trial, forgotten about it and then gotten billed for it.’ —Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at personal-finance website CompareCards Read More on MarketWatch
The No. 1 way to avoid financial disaster, according to this New York bankruptcy judge
MarketWatch
January 19, 2019
Credit cards are a major cause of bankruptcy, according to a 2018 study by CompareCards.com. Some 42% of credit-card debtors say they have problems making ends meet, followed by car repairs (29%) and medical bills (27%). Eating out and shopping tied at 22%. Read More on MarketWatch
Profitt Report: Almost four in ten Americans don't know how their credit score works
Fox66
January 18, 2019
It’s hard to escape it: you need a credit score to get a mortgage, an auto loan or rent an apartment. However, nearly four in ten adults say they have no idea how their credit score works according to CompareCards. Read More on Fox66
Mastercard to disallow automatic billing after free trial ends
Cards International
January 17, 2019
Matt Schulz, Chief Industry Analyst at CompareCards, said: “Millions of Americans have signed up for a free trial, forgotten about it and ended up getting billed for the service when the trial ends. It’s an annoying, frustrating experience, but this move by MasterCard seems like it might make that much less common in the future. Read More on Cards International
What Does Your Credit Score Really Mean, and How Can You Improve It?
Men's Health
January 17, 2019
According to a recent survey by CompareCards, 37 percent of Americans said they have no idea how their credit score is determined. This confusion seems also to increase by income bracket, as 58 percent of those making $100,000 or more also confessed credit score ignorance. But when given a list of contributing factors to one’s credit score, most Americans (78 percent) selected the best answers, meaning that instead of lacking knowledge, many of us just lack confidence. Read More on Men's Health
Should College Students Have Credit Cards?
U.S. News & World Report
January 16, 2019
"When you're just getting started, it's really important to know yourself or, if you're a parent, know your kid and understand whether they are someone who is likely to handle this credit limit without going on a spending spree," Schulz says. "Are they somebody who is able to make payments every month without forgetting or being late? It's really important to understand who you are and what you want from the card before you apply." Read More on U.S. News & World Report
Losing debt a top priority for many in 2019
Fox 7
January 16, 2019
A new study shows losing debt is more important than losing weight to people in 2019. Matt Schulz, Chief Industry Analyst at CompareCards, explains. Read More on Fox 7
2 Out Of 5 Balance Transfer Cardholders Don't Pay Off Their Balance In Time
MoneyTips
January 14, 2019
A new study by CompareCards.com finds that too many Americans are taking the latter path. The CompareCards 2018 Balance Transfer Credit Card Report shows that 2 in 5 Americans that have had a balance transfer card failed to pay off the full transferred balance before the introductory period expired. Read More on MoneyTips
New tricks for raising your credit score are on their way
CNBC
January 12, 2019
Financial pros warn consumers to be careful. “Just because somebody will lend you money doesn’t mean you should take it,” says industry expert Matt Schulz. Read More on CNBC
How much information are you willing to share for a better credit score? Check out Ultra FICO
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
January 4, 2019
att Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com in Charlotte, N.C., said lenders and credit scoring companies have for a long time been trying to figure a way to create a credit score for people who have never had a loan before. Unless a consumer has a car loan, a student loan, a credit card or a mortgage, that person will not have a FICO score. “There are plenty of people out there who are good risks but banks have no way of knowing that if they never borrowed before,” Mr. Schulz said. Read More on Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The best and worst ways to borrow money during the federal shutdown
CNBC
January 4, 2019
“The truth is that a credit card cash advance can be among the best of a bunch of bad options when times get really tough, and a situation like the government shutdown can certainly be one of those times,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on CNBC
Tackling debt in the new year
Fox 7
January 2, 2019
Matt Schulz with CompareCards.com talks about key findings in the recent 2018 Balance Transfer Credit Card Report. Read More on Fox 7
How to get the most out of a balance transfer credit card
ConsumerAffairs
December 31, 2018
CompareCards has studied the terms and conditions of more than 160 balance transfer cards and found that there are still plenty of zero percent introductory rate options. But it’s important to read the fine print and use the cards to your full advantage. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
A beginner’s guide to credit card rewards
CNBC
December 21, 2018
Banks compete for business by offering perks when you sign up for their cards and then swipe them — a dynamic that’s been heating up lately. “It’s a very, very good time to shop for credit card rewards,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at Comparecards.com. Read More on CNBC
Misplace your credit card? Lock it online or with your smart phone
Columbus Dispatch
December 21, 2018
Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst for CompareCards.com, said the lock-unlock option is meant to give consumers more control over their accounts. Read More on Columbus Dispatch
How the Fed’s move impacts you
Associated Press
December 20, 2018
A quarter-point hike by the Fed can show up as soon as one or two billing cycles later on a variable rate credit card, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. The vast majority of U.S. credit cards today are variable-rate cards, meaning their annual percentage rate charged to users can jump anytime. The average annual percentage rate on credit cards is around 17 percent right now, according to CompareCards.com. Read More on Associated Press
Americans could pay $2.4 billion more on their credit-card debt after Fed rate hike
MarketWatch
December 20, 2018
What that means for consumers: Their credit-card bill is going up, too. Consumers with credit-card debt will likely pay an additional $2.4 billion in interest payments annually as a result of the Fed’s decision, according to an analysis from the credit-card website CompareCards.com. To determine that number, analysts at the site looked how much those carrying a balance pay in interest, based on the current average annual percentage rate (APR). Read More on MarketWatch
Here’s how that Fed rate hike will impact you
CNBC
December 19, 2018
“The best way to protect yourself from rising rates is to make interest rates a moot point by paying off your balance — that should be your goal,” said Matt Schulz, the chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Read More on CNBC
Borrowers See Rates Rise Unevenly Ahead of Fed’s Move
The Wall Street Journal
December 19, 2018
“Generally speaking, when the Fed raises rates, you’ll see the interest rate on your credit card go up in the next billing cycle or two,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on The Wall Street Journal
You may soon be able to use your cellphone bill to boost your credit score
CNBC
December 18, 2018
And having a better score doesn’t mean you should start recklessly borrowing money. “There’s no question that just because somebody will lend you money doesn’t mean you should take it,” says Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Read More on CNBC
Balance Transfer Cards: Denting Debt
Terry Savage
December 17, 2018
According to a new Balance Transfer Credit Card Report from CompareCards.com, 41 percent of Americans have used a balance transfer card in the past, but four in 10 have failed to pay off the balance during the reduced or free introductory period. Read More on Terry Savage
Wealthier Americans are most likely to get a balance-transfer credit card — but many are using them all wrong
MarketWatch
December 17, 2018
More than two-thirds of consumers with an annual household income of $100,000 or higher have used a balance-transfer card at least one — and nearly half of these consumers have opened one of these cards multiple times, according to a recent report from CompareCards. Read More on MarketWatch
Survey: Consumers less confident about paying off credit card bills
ConsumerAffairs
December 17, 2018
CompareCards reports its Credit Card Confidence Index dipped in December showing consumers are less confident they can pay off their credit card bills in full. That doesn’t necessarily mean that consumers won’t keep spending, but worries about carrying a balance -- or increasing one -- could rein in purchases. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
7 Stats About Christmas Spending That Will Knock Your Stockings Off
Swirled
December 14, 2018
Save even more by signing up for the right credit card before making all of your holiday purchases. According to Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards by LendingTree. Read More on Swirled
This Week In Credit Card News
Forbes
December 14, 2018
Only 59% of cardholders have paid off their balance transfers before the end of the introductory period, according to a new survey from CompareCards. Balance transfer cards remain a popular choice for Americans with 41% say they have had a balance transfer card in the past. Read More on Forbes
How to make sure a balance-transfer card will help you pay down your debt
CNBC
December 13, 2018
More than 40 percent of consumers who take advantage of these deals don’t get the balance paid off during the special-rate period, according to a new study from CompareCards.com. Read More on CNBC
Customers unable to make the most of balance transfer cards
Cards International
December 13, 2018
A new report by CompareCards has revealed that despite introductory offers, users of 0% balance transfer cards are unable to make the most out of the product. Read More on Cards International
3 Common Holiday Spending Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them
Southern Living
December 11, 2018
Regardless of your personal shopping budget, everybody can benefit from a refresher course on how to spend smartly over the holidays. Below, we tapped Matt Schulz, Chief Industry Analyst at CompareCards, a comprehensive credit card comparison website from the folks at LendingTree, for three common mistakes people make over the Christmas season. Read More on Southern Living
Beware: These moves can leave a dent in your credit score
CNBC
December 7, 2018
Ten percent of your score is about the variety of your debt, said Matt Schulz, credit expert at CompareCards.com. “If you’ve had a car loan, a personal loan, a credit card and a mortgage and handled them all well, you’re probably going to have a higher score than someone who has just had a credit card — all other things being equal,” Schulz said. Read More on CNBC
The 10 cities in the US where credit card balances are increasing the most
CNBC
December 6, 2018
A new report from CompareCards.com finds that Americans are increasingly reliant on credit cards. Across 50 major U.S. cities, credit card balances grew 3.6 percent on average over the past year, according to the report, which cites data from My LendingTree. In some cities, average balances grew more than 10 percent. Read More on CNBC
Marriott's Starwood database hacked
Reuters
November 30, 2018
Marriott International said on Friday hackers accessed about 500 million records in its Starwood Hotels reservation system in an attack that began four years ago. Read More on Reuters
Austin swipes highest increase in credit card debt in U.S.
CultureMap Austin
November 30, 2018
The study, released by credit card platform CompareCards, found that the average credit card balance in the 50 largest metros went up by 3.6 percent from September 2017 to September 2018. In that time, the average credit card balance in the Austin area shot up 12.3 percent — from $6,165 to $6,924. Read More on CultureMap Austin
3 In 10 Kids Have Used Parents' Credit Or Debit Cards Without Permission
MoneyTips
November 27, 2018
A new survey by CompareCards.com finds that 29% of Americans with children below the age of eighteen have had a child use their credit or debit card without permission. Meanwhile, 52% of respondents gave their child permission to use their credit cards or debit cards – with 36% allowing three or more purchases. Of that 52% of respondents, 48% regretted their decision. Read More on MoneyTips
5 Credit Card Benefits You May Not Know About
Consumer Reports
November 25, 2018
"Even though you can't get as much benefit from it now as you once could, in terms of dollar value, it's still a great option,” says Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on Consumer Reports
Store credit cards: How to get the most out of them during the holidays
USA Today
November 20, 2018
Three-fourths of Americans have at least one store credit card in their wallet, according to a recent survey from CompareCards.com. But nearly half of them regret it. Read More on USA Today
Is a store credit card worth it?
NBC News
November 13, 2018
A recent study by CompareCards looked at credit cards from 50 of the nation’s largest retailers. Read More on NBC News
How to come out ahead with rewards cards
CNBC
November 11, 2018
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, be honest with yourself about how you plan to use the card and what you want to get from it, advised Matt Schulz, the chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Read More on CNBC
Before You Apply For That Store Credit Card...
MoneyTips
November 8, 2018
“If you see ‘no interest’ and ‘if paid in full’ in the same sentence, that should be a red flag,” says Brian Karimzad, a researcher at CompareCards.com. That wording would indicate that the card’s zero-interest period is conditional, not guaranteed. Read More on MoneyTips
Best way to avoid store credit card remorse: Don't get one
Newsday
November 3, 2018
When it comes to store credit cards, the pain can go and on. In a new CompareCards.com survey, 75% of those polled have had a store credit and 50% of them regretted it. Read More on Newsday
Half of Americans with this credit card regretted getting one
MarketWatch
November 2, 2018
The average annual percentage rate (APR) for a store card is 24.97%, according to CompareCards. Read More on MarketWatch
New Credit Score System Might Make It Easier to Get A Mortgage
Forbes
November 1, 2018
The sweet spot for UltraFICO is consumers in the 500 to 600 traditional FICO range and those who don’t have any credit score at all. Consumers with good to great credit? It’s not going to have much of an impact, according to Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Read More on Forbes
Set boundaries for kids and credit cards
Tribune Content Agency
November 1, 2018
Data compiled by CompareCards service revealed that more than half of parents with children under age 18 have let their kids borrow the plastic, and nearly half of those respondents regretted doing so. Read More on Tribune Content Agency
Companies need to let you know about data breaches — eventually
Yahoo Finance
October 29, 2018
A survey compiled by CompareCards found that over the last 12 months consumers have been more proactive in protecting their personal information, with 65 per cent of consumers reporting to have looked at their online bank and credit card statements more often, and 50 per cent of respondents said they set up alerts to notify on statement charges. Read More on Yahoo Finance
Should you let your child use your credit card?
ConsumerAffairs
October 29, 2018
A survey by CompareCards, a subsidiary of LendingTree, found 52 percent of parents have allowed their children under 18 to use their credit cards to make online purchases. Not surprisingly, 48 percent of the parents who did that now say they regret doing it. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
New Type of Credit Score Aims to Widen Pool of Borrowers
The New York Times
October 29, 2018
“This is all about giving banks a bigger pond to fish in for customers,” Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com, said in a statement on the scoring option. Read More on The New York Times
Almost half of Americans have loaned their credit or debit card to children under 18: survey
Yahoo Finance
October 25, 2018
Yahoo Finance’s Alexis Christoforous talks with Matt Schulz of CompareCards.com about parents loaning their children credit cards. Read More on Yahoo Finance
Your child could be running up your credit card bill. You can fix that
CNBC
October 25, 2018
A new survey from CompareCards found that 29 percent of parents have had their children under age 18 use their credit or debit cards without their permission. Read More on CNBC
Half of parents who trust their kids with this money move regret doing it
Moneyish
October 25, 2018
More than half of Americans with kids under 18 have let their kids borrow their credit or debit card to buy something online, according to research released this week by CompareCards.com. Often that doesn’t go well: Nearly half (48%) of them regret doing it. Read More on Moneyish
The 4 Worst Retail Credit Cards for This Holiday Season
MoneyTalksNews
October 24, 2018
The average annual percentage rate (APR) for retail credit cards is 24.97 percent, according to a recent CompareCards.com analysis. Meanwhile, the average APR Americans pay on their credit cards is 16.46 percent. Read More on MoneyTalksNews
New FICO score will help more people get access to credit, banking pros say
NBC News
October 23, 2018
“There’s long been a real interest among the banks to find a way to assign a credit score to folks who have never taken out a loan, so there’s a lot of work that’s being put into finding some way to predict the creditworthiness of folks who have very little credit,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Read More on NBC News
The Danger of Store Credit Cards
Cheddar
October 23, 2018
Should you sign up for the store credit cards the cashiers are always pushing? According to CompareCards.com, you may want to think twice before saying yes. Store cards may save you on one purchase but could cost you in interest rates. The average annual percentage rate among the 50 companies in the report was almost 25 percent. Read More on Cheddar
FICO credit scores may jump, yet consumers should be wary. Here’s why
CNBC
October 22, 2018
A separate report by CompareCards recently reviewed credit cards from 50 of the nation’s largest retailers and found the average store card APR is now nearly 25 percent and can be as high as 30 percent. Read More on CNBC
New FICO credit score will include info from checking, savings accounts
San Francisco Chronicle
October 22, 2018
The new score also could help mainstream lenders compete with startups such as Petal, a credit card issuer that looks, again with permission, at an applicant’s bank account information, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst with Comparecards.com. He added that banks “have been doing this internally for years,” meaning that if a checking account customer wants credit, the bank will look at the customer’s checking account history. Read More on San Francisco Chronicle
Data breaches prompt consumers to protect themselves
CTV News
October 22, 2018
A new survey by CompareCards indicates that in the last 12 months, consumers have taken some kind of action to protect themselves. Read More on CTV News
This Week In Credit Card News
Forbes
October 19, 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/billhardekopf/2018/10/19/this-week-in-credit-card-news-the-lack-of-fixed-rate-cards-consumers-regret-getting-store-cards/#2f6908fd1da4 Read More on Forbes
Why women notoriously have more credit card debt than men
Fox Business
October 9, 2018
What’s more, women may be at the losing end of this trend. According to new study, more than one in four female cardholders (26%) say they are “not at all” confident in being able to pay their bills in full this month, nearly double the percentage of men at 14%. Read More on Fox Business
Survey: 20% of Americans do not feel they can pay their credit card balances in full
Ladders
October 5, 2018
Research has found that 12% of Americans say they’d prefer a new iPhone over a better credit score, but recently updated information from CompareCards.com shows that 20% of Americans don’t think they can pay their credit card balances in full this month. Read More on Ladders
American Express plans major changes to its popular Gold Card
MarketWatch
October 5, 2018
The latest updates American Express announced for the Gold Card also appear to be an effort to make it more competitive with Chase’s JPM, -0.44% Sapphire credit cards, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on MarketWatch
Facebook says 50 million user accounts affected by security breach
Fox News
September 28, 2018
Matt Schulz, Chief Industry Analyst at CompareCards, said the breach is another reminder to keep accounts secure. “This breach can be yet another wake-up call for people to take their online security seriously," Schulz said in comments obtained by Fox News. "We think nothing of visiting Facebook and Instagram 10 times a day, but we feel like we don’t have enough time to take basic safety steps for our online identity.” Read More on Fox News
Here's how the Fed rate hike will impact you
CNBC
September 26, 2018
Shop around for a better rate or snag a zero-interest balance transfer offer to insulate yourself from further rate hikes. Just be sure to check the fees and terms, cautioned Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards. Those offers aren't as generous as they used to be. Read More on CNBC
Men More Likely Than Women to Finish Their Holiday Shopping Early and Start Late, Study Finds
Fortune
September 19, 2018
According to a study done by CompareCards, a website owned by LendingTree for researching and applying for credit cards, men are three times likelier than women to have finished their holiday shopping prior to Labor Day. At the same time, men are twice as likely to start late, as 7% said they will start shopping after December 15 and only 3% of women said the same. Read More on Fortune
An Early Look at Holiday Spending
The Motley Fool
September 17, 2018
We're less than 100 days until Christmas. That may be hard to believe as it's still summer-like in much of the country and many stores have just begun to put out their Halloween merchandise. Despite that, 1 in 7 (14%) shoppers have already finished or nearly finished their holiday shopping, according to a new survey of just-over 1,000 U.S. credit card holders commissioned by CompareCards. That suggests that those shoppers are either really prepared or a lot of people on their shopping lists are getting coffee shop gift cards. Read More on The Motley Fool
1 in 5 millennials say they've been scammed at the pump in the past year
CNBC
August 23, 2018
"Gas stations are the lowest-hanging fruit for bad guys when it comes to skimming," Schulz says. In fact, 15 percent of Americans who purchased gas in the last month believe they've been a victim of skimming at the pump, according to a new survey of 1,000 people from CompareCards. Read More on CNBC
Americans paid over $100 billion in credit-card interest in 2017—and they’ll pay even more this year
MarketWatch
July 28, 2018
When the Fed raises rates, which it in June, credit-card debt gets more expensive, because banks often pass on those higher rates to customers. Consumers with credit-card debt will likely pay an additional $2.2 billion this year in interest payments because of the last rate hike, the credit-card website CompareCards found. Read More on MarketWatch
Chase and Southwest have a new travel credit card, but is it a good deal?
MarketWatch
July 21, 2018
Still, these types of travel credit cards can be limiting for travelers who don’t want to fly with just one airline, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Read More on MarketWatch
These Secret Changes Could Impact All Of Our Finances
Forbes
July 19, 2018
Credit cards can be the biggest asset or the biggest liability in your wallet, depending on the decisions you make. Many rewards cards users—40%—carry a balance, according to a study by CompareCards.com. Read More on Forbes
Don’t ever do this with your credit card
MarketWatch
June 17, 2018
Nearly 40% of cardholders with a rewards credit card carry a balance, according to a recent survey from the credit-card website CompareCards.com. Read More on MarketWatch
Chase axes perk from its Sapphire Reserve card—why your issuer could do the same
MarketWatch
May 30, 2018
Many cardholders don’t even know which perks and protections their cards offer, according to a survey from the credit-card website CompareCards.com. Read More on MarketWatch
The average credit card charges over four different fees
ConsumerAffairs
May 30, 2018
An analysis of 200 popular credit cards by CompareCards, part of LendingTree, has found every credit card charges at least one fee, with the average card assessing 4.35 different kinds of fees. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
Most people choose not to attend destination weddings
CBS News
May 18, 2018
A destination wedding costs the typical guest a whopping $1,421 on average, including travel, gifts and personal items required to attend, according to a survey by CompareCards.com. Read More on CBS News
What Does It Cost to Attend a Destination Wedding?
The Motley Fool
May 18, 2018
The average destination wedding costs each attendee an average of $1,422, according to a recent survey of 1,000 wedding guests by CompareCards.com. The average outlay rises to $2,514 when the event takes place outside the United States. Read More on The Motley Fool
How Much Does It Cost to Go to a Destination Wedding?
Inside Weddings
May 18, 2018
CompareCards, a website that allows users to view different credit card offers in one place, surveyed 1,000 Americans to learn about the financial impact destination weddings have on both guests and the hosting couples. Read More on Inside Weddings
A Wedding Invitation Should Come With a Price Tag
Quartz
May 17, 2018
If the betrothed opt for a destination wedding—as so many couples do these days—the average guest spend is $1,421 in the US and $2,514 if the wedding is abroad, according to a survey from credit card company CompareCards. Read More on Quartz
Average credit card rate now exceeds 15 percent
ConsumerAffairs
May 16, 2018
But a bright spot in the CompareCards.com analysis shows consumers paid off a big chunk of their credit card balances, perhaps applying some of their tax refunds to their debt. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
How to lower your credit card rate with a single call
WFTS
May 10, 2018
According to CompareCards.com, only one in four credit card holders bothers to ask for a lower APR, and of those that called and make the request 64 percent did see a reduction in their rate Read More on WFTS
Plot Your Strategy to Pick the Best Rewards Card
Kiplinger
May 9, 2018
If you tend to carry a balance from month to month, the interest you pay is likely to cancel out the rewards you earn. A CompareCards survey found that 39% of rewards credit card holders carry a balance, with an average total balance of more than $2,500. Read More on Kiplinger
20% of People Track Their Miles More Carefully Than Their Money
The Motley Fool
May 5, 2018
A recent study from CompareCards showed as many as 20% of rewards card users actually track their credit card miles more carefully than they do their checking account balance. That's one in five cardholders who are keeping more careful track of free miles than their hard-earned cash. Read More on The Motley Fool
This one simple trick could help you dodge a credit card late fee
CNBC
May 4, 2018
That’s according to financial website CompareCards.com, which conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Americans with at least one credit card about their interactions with card issuers. “As a customer, you have the ability to ask your card issuer to change the terms of your card pretty much anytime you want, ” the site points out. Read More on CNBC
Best travel cards 2018: How to find the best credit cards and when it’s better to go with cash back
Mic
May 2, 2018
A person who spends about $3,500 on vacation in Europe, for example, racks up an extra $100 in foreign transaction fees, according to a recent study by CompareCards. Read More on Mic
Don’t fall for this expensive and common misconception about credit cards
MarketWatch
May 2, 2018
More than half of all credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, according to a separate analysis on foreign transaction fees released Tuesday from CompareCards.com Read More on MarketWatch
What You Don't Know About Foreign Transaction Fees
Lifehacker
May 1, 2018
A separate report from CompareCards.com found that nearly half of all cards charge the fee. Read More on Lifehacker
On the Spot: Having extra protection from credit cards can be like money in the bank
Los Angeles Times
April 30, 2018
But these cards are more than just a pretty face. Many have benefits that you don't think about, maybe because you don't know about them. In fact, according to a recent CompareCards survey, almost half of card holders don't use the benefits. Read More on Los Angeles Times
America's debt load is reaching a tipping point
NBC News
April 3, 2018
A new survey from CompareCards.com found that nearly two-thirds of cardholders who contacted the lending institution and asked for a lower APR got one. It appears that many people don’t know they can ask for a better interest rate; only about one in four cardholders said they had ever done so. Read More on NBC News
Survey finds 39 percent of rewards cardholders are paying interest
ConsumerAffairs
March 22, 2018
A recent survey by CompareCards.com found that 39 percent of consumers with a rewards card carry a balance. The researchers say the average balance is $2,547. Read More on ConsumerAffairs
Had a Credit or Debit Card Declined? Chances Are, It Was Your Fault
The Motley Fool
March 8, 2018
It's estimated that 26 million Americans had at least one credit or debit card declined over the past year, and the most common reasons were insufficient funds in the case of the latter, or having maxed out one's credit limit in the case of the former. All told, 12% of credit and debit card users were stuck in the sort of uncomfortable situation detailed above, according to data from CompareCards.com. Read More on The Motley Fool
12% of Americans Had a Credit Card Declined in 2017
The Motley Fool
March 5, 2018
Having a card denied happens more often than you may think. In fact, a just-released survey from CompareCards.com found that 12% of credit and debit card users had at least one card declined in the past year. That's roughly 26 million people who suffered through having a card turned down, based on the number of Americans who use at least one debit or credit card. Read More on The Motley Fool
When credit card is declined, it’s a symptom of a problem
Newsday
March 3, 2018
According to a new survey by CompareCards, 12 percent of credit and debit card users had at least one card declined in the last year. Read More on Newsday
A new nightmare for furloughed workers — preventing damage to their credit scores
MarketWatch
January 13, 2018
If affected federal workers do end up having a missed payment documented on their credit report, they should explain what happened, said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. Some banks have even delayed credit reporting for furloughed workers in the past, he said, though there’s no guarantee of that. “It’s worth your time to make a phone call,” he said. Read More on MarketWatch
Credit card rewards expected to improve in 2018
ConsumerAffairs
January 10, 2018
Consumers applying for a credit card in 2018 will have even more attractive options as the industry's competition for customers shows no signs of letting up. Last year saw an increase in rewards and a decline in fees. Thomas Donaldson, Senior Credit Specialist at CompareCards, predicts credit card perks will get even better in the months ahead. "Heading into 2018, the credit card landscape is more competitive than ever as issuers compete for the number one spot in consumer’s wallets," Donaldson told ConsumerAffairs. "When banks compete, consumers win." Read More on ConsumerAffairs
Credit Cards Trends to Watch in 2018
PaymentsJournal
January 9, 2018
The wide array of new rewards, perks and benefits means it is time for people to reassess what credit card they use daily. If people haven’t taken a good look at how they pay recently, there’s a good chance they are leaving rewards or cash-back on the table. Read More on PaymentsJournal
Here’s How Almost Half of the Country Is Losing Money on Balance Transfer Cards
ValuePenguin
January 3, 2018
The Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate hike makes carrying credit card debt even more expensive for card holders, and many have started looking toward balance transfer cards to help them get out from under that debt, according to CompareCards’ 2018 Balance Transfer Credit Card Report. Read More on ValuePenguin
