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Knowing the credit score you'll need to be considered for popular rewards credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred can help you decide which to apply for. Here are the five credit score categories, according to FICO:Poor: 300-579Fair: 580-669Good: 670-739Very good: 740-799Excellent: 800-850If you have a limited credit history, you might need to start smaller with a secured credit card or a starter credit card aimed at those new to credit. Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review for a closer look at what this premium credit card offers. Capital One says you'll need excellent credit to be approved for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. What to know about credit card approvalIt's possible to be approved for some of the best cards in the credit card world with a credit score in the high 600s.

Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it Check mark icon A check mark. Very high annual fee Highlights Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Annual companion certificate can help you recoup most, if not all, of the annual fee Check mark icon A check mark. $325 annual travel and dining credit can offset most of the $400 annual fee Check mark icon A check mark. Statement credits can help you recoup the annual fee Check mark icon A check mark.

Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe best credit cards for adding authorized users reviewsBest overall: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCost to add an authorized user: $0 for up to four authorized users. Authorized users aren't the main account holder; instead, they're using a credit card that's tied to the main account. Credit history isn't a factor in adding an authorized userFor people who are building or rebuilding credit, getting approved for a premium credit card usually isn't a possibility in the short term. Some banks will even allow you to add an authorized user under 18 to your account — read our guide to adding children as credit card authorized users for all the details.

☆ 10 Amex Business Platinum card benefits you'll want to activate right away, so you can enjoy hotel elite status, statement credits, and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Joseph Hostetler | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Thomas Pallini/InsiderThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers luxury benefits and rewards. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is packed full of benefits that are perfect for small business owners — including freelancers and remote workers. Here are 10 things you should do when you first get The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. More travel benefits than you'll find on any other business credit card Check mark icon A check mark. But by paying with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll get a statement credit of up to $189 back**.

☆ Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card review: Earn 75,000 points and get valuable perks like upgraded boarding and travel credits
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Jasmin Baron | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

Otherwise, have a look at other Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which have lower annual fees but the same elevated welcome bonus offer. Review: Is the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card the best for you? If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is definitely worth it. However, if you're not able to use all of the benefits, you could save money by opening the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card instead. Who is eligible for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card?

☆ The credit score you need for popular rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +31 min

Knowing the credit score you'll need to be considered for popular rewards credit cards can help you decide which to apply for. Crystal Cox/Business InsiderIt's good to know the credit score you'll need to get approved for a credit card before you apply. Not all rewards credit cards require a high credit score, however. Capital One says you'll need excellent credit to be approved for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. However, we don't recommend that you dive into rewards credit cards until your score is at least 700.

Show more Regular APR 19.24% - 26.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Cardholders receive up to $100 in credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee every four years. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Read more: Citi AAdvantage Executive card reviewThe Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit is available once every five years. Read more: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card reviewThis card offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® statement credit of up to $100 every four years.

☆ Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card review: Earn 50,000 points and get valuable perks like upgraded boarding and travel credits
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-13 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Jasmin Baron | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +30 min

Otherwise, have a look at other Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which have lower annual fees but the same bonus. Review: Is the Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority credit card the best for you? How to earn points with the Southwest Priority cardChase recently refreshed the earning categories and benefits on the Southwest cards, including the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. If you're a frequent Southwest flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is definitely worth it. However, if you're not able to use all of the benefits, you could save money by opening the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card instead.

Chris Parypa Photography/shutterstockThe Southwest Companion Pass allows you to fly with a companion for only the cost of taxes and fees. Here's everything you need to know about using the Southwest Companion Pass. While the Companion Pass is good for only one companion, you can change who your companion is up to three times per year. Southwest Companion Pass frequently asked questions (FAQ)Is the Southwest Companion Pass worth it? The Southwest Companion Pass lets you bring a travel buddy every time you fly Southwest for just the cost of taxes and fees.

☆ You don't need a company with several employees to qualify for a business credit card — even side gigs like driving for Uber can count
▼ + stars: | 2022-04-01 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Any sort of for-profit business activities count as a business — even on a very small scale — can likely qualify you for a business credit card. Do you qualify for a business credit card? How to establish a tax identityThe foundation of obtaining a business credit card is establishing a separate tax identity for your business activity. When you sign up for a business credit card, you're dealing with the commercial banking division of the bank. That means business credit card spending will not help you build personal credit (because these products aren't intended to be used for personal spending).

☆ If you have the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum, you're eligible for premium-airfare discounts with more than 25 airlines
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-12 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +23 min

You'll also earn 5x Amex Membership Rewards points when you book airfare through this program. As mentioned above, you need to be a Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card cardholder to access the Amex International Airline Program and its benefits. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. One way to book this ticket is to transfer your Membership Rewards points to Delta and book an award ticket, which would cost 320,000 Membership Rewards points plus about $6 in taxes and fees. Read more: Amex Platinum versus the Amex Business Platinum: Which premium card is right for you?

☆ 6 Amex Business Platinum card benefits you'll want to activate right away, so you can enjoy hotel elite status, statement credits, and more
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-07 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

The Amex Business Platinum comes with perks like airport lounge access and airline incidental fee credits. Thomas Pallini/InsiderThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers luxury benefits and rewards. Here are six things you should do when you first get The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Activate elite status with Hilton and MarriottLike the personal version of the card — The Platinum Card® from American Express — The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers complimentary Gold elite status with two hotel programs**: Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. To do this, log into your Amex Business Platinum account online, and navigate to the Benefits tab.

☆ 11 tax deductions you won't want to forget about this year
▼ + stars: | 2020-04-09 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Tax deductions like medical expenses, mortgage interest, and, in some cases, college tuition can help reduce your overall tax bill. Note that these types of tax deductions apply only if you're itemizing your taxes instead of taking the standard deduction, which increased as part of 2017 tax reform. Home-mortgage interestIf you own a home, you probably already know about this one — it's one of the most significant tax deductions available to most families. And keep in mind that you're paying both income tax and self-employment tax on your small-business income — so you've got an added incentive to make sure you're taking all the deductions you're entitled to. This is calculated separately from both the personal deductions and your business expenses, and additional restrictions apply above certain income levels.

☆ My parents 'refinanced' my student loans, and even though I'm still paying them off I'll save over $9,000
▼ + stars: | 2020-02-12 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When I took out student loans to attend grad school, I was able to get government loans at a fixed 6.21% interest rate. I started my MBA in 2014 and the majority of my student loans were direct unsubsidized loans serviced by NelNet with a 6.21% fixed interest rate. They mentioned the idea of paying off my student loans with their home equity line of credit, and then I would owe them instead. At the time, their home equity line of credit had a sub-prime 2.49% variable interest rate — significantly lower than my student loan interest rate. Many private lenders offer student loan refinancing, so make sure to get quotes from multiple lenders before deciding to refinance — you'll want to confirm you'll ultimately save money.

By adding an authorized user to your rewards credit card, you can often share valuable perks. Authorized users aren't the main account holder; instead, they're using a credit card that's tied to the main account. Credit history isn't a factor in adding an authorized userFor people who are building or rebuilding credit, getting approved for a premium credit card usually isn't a possibility in the short term. Some banks will even allow you to add an authorized user under 18 to your account — read our guide to adding children as credit card authorized users for all the details. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe best premium cards for adding authorized users reviewsBest overall: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCost to add an authorized user: $0 for up to four authorized users.

☆ American Express Return Protection: A Comprehensive Guide
▼ + stars: | 2019-11-08 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementIntroduction to American Express Return ProtectionOverview of Return ProtectionBeyond glamorous perks like airport lounge access and annual statement credits, American Express cards offer several valuable benefits that can protect your purchases. AdvertisementEligibility and CoverageEligible CardsReturn protection is available on virtually every Amex card, from the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express to the Amex Platinum Card to the American Express® Green Card . FAQsWhat is American Express Return Protection? Which purchases are covered under American Express Return Protection? How much coverage does American Express Return Protection provide?

Persons: —, you'll, Merchant, you've Organizations: Business, American Express, Service, American, Express, Protection Locations: United, Amex

☆ By using a rewards credit card to pay my taxes, I earn more than 40,000 points each year
▼ + stars: | 2019-10-31 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I earn more than 40,000 points per year paying my taxes with a rewards credit card. While there can be fees associated with paying taxes with a credit card, sometimes the points earned are well worth it. However, I actually look forward to my tax filings, because it's a great opportunity to earn credit card rewards. Choosing the right credit card for paying your taxesThe hardest part of the process might be deciding which credit card to use. For example, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers 100,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months after opening the card, and the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers 70,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points after you make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months.

☆ 5 reasons I pay a CPA $350 to do my taxes, even though I could do them myself
▼ + stars: | 2019-10-14 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A good tax professional goes way beyond preparing your tax return — they can help you plan for the future and avoid costly mistakes. But a few years ago, I started working with a certified public accountant to do my taxes, and I've never looked back. I pay my CPA $350 each year to file my taxes, but I handle my regular bookkeeping on my own. Here are a few reasons why I decided that working with a CPA or an EA (Enrolled Agent) makes a lot of sense. Every year brings tax law changes, whether from new laws passed by Congress, old laws expiring, or regular changes to keep up with inflation.

☆ 5 things you might be doing already that could boost your credit score quickly
▼ + stars: | 2019-10-03 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Building up a strong credit score is key if you want to benefit from great credit cards offering a ton of points and miles. That's because you need to use credit to build credit. Here are some of the most effective ways to increase your credit score that you might be doing already. Opening more accountsIt may seem counterintuitive, but having more credit cards can make your credit score go up. The more money that you have borrowed and paid back on time, the higher your credit score will be.

Though some studies indicate that couples who combine finances are happier, many younger couples are opting to keep things separate. Here are eight reasons why couples should consider combining finances, and why this idea isn't as old-fashioned as you may think. The average interest rate for a savings account is 0.09% APY, though there are many online banks with savings programs that have a much higher interest rate. Communicate more up front about your financial goals and values with your current partner to make sure you're both on the same page." Combining finances from the beginning and having regular check-ins about your finances can prevent the surprises that lead to conflict.

Persons: —, Amanda Clayman, Sherri Newpol, Clayman, Brian Face, spender, you'll Organizations: Research, Service, Prudential, Newpol Psychological

☆ I used a 0% APR credit card to borrow the money to start my business, and I'd tell anyone to do the same
▼ + stars: | 2019-10-01 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I'm a big fan of 0% APR credit card offers like those on the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, because if you have a plan, you can borrow the money you need without having to pay interest. That means you can carry a balance month to month without incurring the notoriously high credit card interest rates, essentially using that money as an interest-free loan. I may have gotten this idea from my parents, who financed our pool on a 0% APR credit card back in the early 2000s. then it's definitely worth it to check out some great credit card options. The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American ExpressAlternatively, you may consider the Amex EveryDay Credit Card if it's Membership Rewards Points that you're after.

☆ 6 things I wish I could tell my 20-year-old self about money
▼ + stars: | 2019-08-27 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I wish I could go back and tell my 20-year-old self that I probably don't need a masters degree, to have more than one checking account, and not to be cavalier about student loan debt. I'm 27 now, and I already have six things I wish I could go back and tell myself when I was 20. This is a key difference, because it means that they don't need to pay dividends to shareholders. Lower interest rates when borrowing money, higher deposit rates when saving money, and lower fees. Colleges and universities have a financial interest in your continued enrollment, and they don't have a fiduciary responsibility to you.

☆ What you need to know about your FICO score and how to build good credit
▼ + stars: | 2019-08-08 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Your FICO score may be slightly different at each bureau depending on what information they have about your credit history. Check your credit score through Experian TransUnion , and EquifaxGet the latest tips you need to manage your money — delivered to you biweekly. It's worth noting that while every credit bureau uses the FICO system, not every credit score is a FICO score — other scoring systems exist, such as VantageScore. paying off your credit card balance in full every month and not charging more than you can afford) can help to build your credit score, a high debt-to-credit ratio can hurt your FICO score. Length of credit historyIf you are a new borrower, don't expect to start with a perfect 850 credit score.

☆ Online checking accounts woo millennials with cash back, no fees, and interest on your money, but anyone can take advantage
▼ + stars: | 2019-07-24 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Stephanie Hallett | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Most traditional checking accounts come with a monthly fee and don't offer many (if any) perks or rewards. Some online banks, on the other hand, offer checking accounts that are not only fee-free, but also offer cash back and other rewards. Here, we look at online checking accounts and perks offered by Discover, BECU, Varo Money, and Aspiration. AdvertisementIf your checking account fees just went up again, you might be wondering whether there are better alternatives. This may not end up bothering you much, since online accounts fill the gaps with online services that traditional banks may not have.

Persons: —, it's, you'll Organizations: Discover, Service, BECU, Northwest Credit Union Foundation, MasterCard, The Bancorp, Corp, Coastal Community Bank Locations: Wells, Washington, Charleston , South Carolina, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Delaware, Everett , Washington

☆ The 5 best tools to keep track of credit card rewards, according to a woman with 25 cards
▼ + stars: | 2019-06-04 | by ( Caroline Lupini | Freelance Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). Alexander Chaikin / Shutterstock.comWriter Caroline Lupini has 25 credit cards and has been managing rewards travel seriously since 2013. She travels six to eight months of the year, largely by using credit card rewards. Not all credit card offers are created equal, and not all credit card offers are right for you or your personal credit. Read more: Why this seemingly expensive credit card is worth its annual fee — especially for anyone who travelsTravel Freely is also a good tool for credit card enthusiasts.

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