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Travelers are flocking to airport lounges in search of complimentary food, drinks and perhaps most importantly, a chance to relax away from the hordes of travelers at the gate. Delta's new Sky Club at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport Benji Stawski / CNBCDelta Air Lines Sky Club lounges — and the credit cards that grant entry to them — became so popular that customers complained about the long lines and crowds at many locations. More spaceDelta, United Airlines and American Airlines are racing to build more lounges and spaces and larger ones to fit high demand. The carrier separately operates a network of Polaris lounges for travelers booked in its highest cabin class, usually on long-haul international routes. United Airlines Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Persons: John F, Benji Stawski, —, Delta, Allison Ausband, Leslie Josephs Organizations: Sky Club, New, Kennedy International, CNBC Delta Air Lines Sky, —, CNBC, John, Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, Denver International Airport, Polaris, United Airlines Polaris, Newark Liberty International Airport Locations: U.S, New York, Delta

High-yield savings accounts reward you with higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts and allow your money to grow faster thanks to compound interest — which lets you earn interest on interest. While rates can fluctuate over time, high-yield savings accounts generally offer APYs over 10 times greater than the national average on savings accounts. To determine which high-yield savings accounts are the best overall, CNBC Select analyzed and compared dozens of savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best high-yield savings accounts.) Our methodologyTo determine which high-yield savings accounts offer the best return on your money, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions.

While rates can fluctuate over time, high-yield savings accounts generally offer APYs over 10 times greater than the national average on savings accounts. To determine which high-yield savings accounts are the best overall, CNBC Select analyzed and compared dozens of savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions. (See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best high-yield savings accounts.) Find the best savings account for you: Help your money grow by finding the savings account that offers the best rates and features for you. Our methodologyTo determine which high-yield savings accounts offer the best return on your money, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. savings accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions.

☆ With mortgage rates dropping and fee changes in the pipeline, now may be the time to buy that home
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Is now a good time to lock-in your mortgage rate? As long as the Federal Funds rate stays high, so will mortgage rates. Today's 30-year mortgage rates are currently 0.93% lower than they were last fall, when rates hit 7.08%. The upcoming FHFA fee changes affect conforming conventional loans, which can be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac by lenders. The future fee changes will add an additional layer of complexity to a process that already causes heads to spin.

Here's how the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stacks up against the Capital One Venture X. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card vs. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. Annual feeThe Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee while the Capital One Venture X comes in at $395. Capital One Venture Rewards vs. Capital One Venture X Benefits Capital One Venture Rewards Capital One Venture X Annual Fee $95 $395 Rewards 2X miles on every purchase, 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 5X miles on Turo bookings through May 16, 2023.

To combat the issue of employees forgetting their old 401(k) accounts, Capitalize finds your old account(s) and coordinates the IRA rollover for you. If you indicate that you don't already have an IRA, Capitalize will walk you through opening one. While Capitalize can help you roll your old 401(k)s into a new IRA or an existing IRA, the platform can't help you roll your old account into your current employer's 401(k) account. Bottom lineOverall, Capitalize provides an accessible way for finding old 401(k) accounts and rolling them into an IRA. The platform's features account for some common hang-ups when it comes to 401(k) management, such as not knowing who holds their old 401(k) account or not having an IRA account to serve as a destination for the old 401(k) account's funds.

You can also get a rewards credit card to get cash back or travel miles on everything you buy. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the more affordable cards in this category. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Learn More Information about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. There are many types of coverage you can get with credit card travel insurance.

On the bright side, the very same rate hikes have resulted in much higher yields on savings accounts. How to pick between high-yield savings accounts and CDsHigh-yield savings accounts High-yield savings accounts grant you the advantages of accessibility and liquidity. When it makes sense, you can always combine high-yield savings accounts and CDs to maximize your down payment saving strategy. You get the best of both worlds — the flexibility of a high-yield savings account and the security of a CD. Fortunately, savings rates have also increased, making it a little easier to save for a down payment.

Most personal loan lenders give you up to five years to repay the balance. CNBC Select rounded up six of the best personal loan lenders that offer longer loan terms. Not all personal loan lenders allow co-applicants but SoFi does — especially for those who are DACA recipients. A long-term personal loan is simply a personal loan that offers a longer amount of time to repay the loan balance. Common personal loan definitions you should knowHere are some common personal loan terms you need to know before applying.

To determine the best debt consolidation loan offers for bad credit, Select compared dozens of lenders by credit score requirements, interest rates, fees, repayment terms and other factors. The best debt consolidation loans for bad creditBest overall: AchieveAchieve Best for people without a credit history: UpstartUpstart Best for flexible repayment terms: UpgradeUpgrade Best for fast approval: LendingPointLendingPoint Best for low origination fees: AvantSubscribe to the Select Newsletter! Most debt consolidation loans for bad credit can charge interest of up to 36%, but Achieve's highest interest rate is considerably lower. It's possible to qualify for a debt consolidation loan with bad credit (a credit score of under 670). Our methodologyTo determine which debt consolidation loans are the best for consumers with bad credit, Select analyzed dozens of U.S. personal loans offered by both online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions.

☆ The best ways to book domestic flights using Amex Membership Rewards points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Below, CNBC Select details the best ways to redeem Amex points to fly for free (or nearly free) across the U.S. Best Amex cards for earning Membership Rewards pointsAmerican Express has a strong lineup of both personal and business cards that earn transferrable Membership Rewards points. How to use Amex points for domestic flightsYou can only transfer Amex points to two U.S.-based airline programs: Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. Booking United flights with Amex points Amex Membership Rewards points don't transfer to United MileagePlus, but you can book United award flights through United's Star Alliance partners, such as Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan. By strategically transferring Amex points to partner airlines, you can use Amex points to book flights with United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others.

☆ More than two-thirds of Americans’ financial situation did not improve or stayed the same in 2022 — here's how to better your finances in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jasmin Suknanan | Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

With a higher credit score, you can qualify for better interest rates on your credit card, mortgage, or loan, better loan terms and sometimes even higher funding amounts. One of the most important ways to increase your credit score is to continue making on-time payments on any existing debt. So if you've spent $5,000 on a credit card with a credit limit of $10,000, your credit utilization rate is 50%. Keep in mind that it can take some time to see drastic improvements in your credit score, however, every little score bump helps. Another way to put a little extra money in your pocket is by using a cash-back or rewards credit card.

Between out-of-control inflation and the Federal Reserve's attempts to temper it with rate hikes, just about everything in America became more expensive in 2022 — including credit card debt. Credit card interest rates soared in 2022, and they did so with mind-boggling speed. According to Bankrate, credit card rates had the steepest single-year increase since the company began tracking them in 1985. This means that if you have any credit card debt, it's become more expensive than ever. Get a balance transfer credit cardA balance transfer allows you to move debt from a high-interest credit card to one with a promotional 0% APR period.

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™. Credit card issuers will typically pull your personal credit when you apply for a business credit card. Don't miss: How to check your business credit score for freeHow long does it take to get a business credit card? With time and patience, you'll be able to qualify for more rewarding business credit cards, such as the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express. Our methodologyTo determine which business credit cards are the best picks for business owners with bad credit, Select analyzed the most popular credit cards available to U.S. business owners with poor or average credit.

One criteria mortgage lenders use to assess your mortgage application is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). According to a breakdown from The Mortgage Reports, a good debt-to-income ratio is 43% or less. That's why many common forms of debt — like student loan debt or credit card debt — can be a major barrier to homeownership. For example, Ally Bank doesn't charge certain lender fees such as an application fee, origination fee, processing fee or underwriting fee. This is why they calculate a debt-to-income ratio to judge how much of your income goes toward debt payments.

But if you’ve booked your Southwest flight with a credit card that offers travel insurance, you may have better chances of getting your money back. Here’s what Southwest may agree to cover — and how your credit card might help if the airline falls short of your expectations. How to use credit card travel insuranceTo use travel protections available with your credit card, make sure you purchase your airplane tickets with that card. You can also call your credit card issuer and talk about your specific situation to ensure that coverage will apply. If your credit card doesn’t offer travel insurance but you travel often, it might make sense to look into cards with this benefit for your future trips.

While these events are out of our control, there are still steps you can take in 2023 to feel a little more confident and prepared with our finances. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Earn up to 4.11% APYMinimum balance NoneMonthly fee NoneMaximum transactions NoneExcessive transactions fee NoneOverdraft fees N/AOffer checking account? Check your credit scoreChecking your credit score can be especially important if you plan on applying for a mortgage, loan, apartment or a new credit card later in the year. Experian Boost® Learn More On Experian's secure site Cost FreeAverage credit score increase 13 points, though results varyCredit report affected Experian®Credit scoring model used FICO® Score Results will vary. Bottom lineWhile 2022 was a financially tumultuous year with many twists and turns, there are steps every individual can take to walk into 2023 feeling a little more prepared.

What credit scores don't captureLenders have always needed a way to determine a borrower's creditworthiness, and credit scores were a faster, easier way to do so. "If you look at credit scores from the perspective of other social actors, like policymakers or consumer advocates, why someone does or does not repay might start to have more bearing on how you make sense of credit scores," says Kiviat. The credit scoring system can also reflect and even worsen existing racial and wealth inequality. However, the credit scoring and reporting systems can function imperfectly, leaving many of the most marginalized without credit scores or with poor credit scores. Furthermore, policymakers have been considering how to make it easier for people to access their credit scores and resolve mistakes on their credit reports.

Student loan debt has become such an issue that the Biden Administration has been attempting to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt per eligible borrower and has continually extended the student loan repayment pause. Ways employers are currently assisting with student debt management"Employers are increasingly offering student loan contribution plans as a direct way to help borrowers pay down student loan debt," Scruggs says. How other employers can help employees manage student loan debtOne of the simplest and most affordable ways employers can help employees is to share information on what employees need to know about their student loans. "There are many ways to help employees manage and pay down student loan debt. However, note that if you refinance federal student loans you'll lose federal protections, like the current student loan payment freeze and potential student loan forgiveness.

☆ 5 surprising things your homeowners insurance covers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

A home is the biggest purchase most people make in a lifetime, and homeowners insurance is essential for protecting your biggest asset. Homeowners insurance covers the cost of fixing or replacing your home when it is damaged by a covered event, such as a fire, or certain types of bad weather. It's important to do a detailed review of your homeowners insurance policy to understand exactly what is and isn't covered. But finding the right homeowners insurance for you isn't as simple as locking in the lowest monthly premium. To file a homeowners insurance claim, you'll want to notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the event.

Given the current economic outlook and interest rate environment, saving money and paying down high-interest debt have become more appealing. Select dives into what you should do with your money after the Fed's interest rate hike. But in a world of high interest rates, savings accounts can earn much more considerable returns. One of the best ways to save money during times with higher interest rates is to focus on paying down your debt with the highest interest rate first. With inflation, savings rates, and interest rates on debt all at elevated levels, you may have to balance building your savings with paying down debt.

If you're expecting a holiday bonus this year, you may already be looking forward to all the ways you can use this windfall of cash. If you haven't started building your emergency fund yet, it's generally advised to put your money in a high-yield savings account. So, it could be wise to use a portion of your holiday bonus to pay down some of that debt. This card even offers a welcome bonus: you can earn $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first three months. Bottom lineReceiving a year-end holiday bonus can be exciting but it's important to devise a plan for making the most of it.

Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members currently have the opportunity to bid Marriott points on Super Bowl LVII packages through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. Even better, now through Dec. 20, Chase is offering a 40% bonus when transferring points to Marriott, so you'll actually get 1.4 Marriott points for every Chase point you transfer. Bottom lineSuper Bowl tickets are expensive, but if you have a hoard of Marriott Bonvoy points you may be able to win packages available through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. These Super Bowl packages are being sold to the highest bidders and include tickets to the game, hotel accommodations, and exclusive experiences. Unfortunately, if you don't have enough Marriott points to win one of the Super Bowl packages you may have a tough time using them to save money on hotel stays.

If you're wrapping up holiday shopping — or just starting at the last minute — you may be trying your best to avoid going into to debt when purchasing gifts. Taking on too much additional debt can cause multiple negative effects, like a dip in your credit score if your credit utilization is too high. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid choice for earning 2% cash rewards on every purchase, plus it comes with a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. For balance transfers, the Active Cash Card has an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% ($5 minimum). To qualify for the intro 0% intro APR, balance transfers must be done within 120 days from account opening.

Below, Select shares insight on what you should consider to stay on track with your retirement savings as we close out 2022. So it's important to consider this carefully so you can avoid outliving your retirement savings — or even over-sacrificing when you're younger. Or perhaps you actually don't need to be as aggressive in your retirement savings next year. Wealthfront Learn More On Wealthfront's secure site Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. Betterment Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.

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