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☆ You just heard your college-bound child is getting less aid than you hoped. Now what?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —The good news is your child got into college and is preparing to enroll this fall. The bad news is that you’ve just learned the aid package your child’s school is offering is much smaller than you’d hoped. Over four years of college, students can take out a total of up to $27,000. “That’s cash-flow friendly while your child is in college,” Walker said. Also, Bogardus suggests checking to see if your state offers a tuition aid plan or subsidized loan rates for educational expenses.

Persons: you’ve, sobering, ”, Beth Walker, “, ” Walker, they’ve, Joseph Bogardus, it’s, Bogardus, Skip, Walker, you’ll Organizations: New, New York CNN, College Board, Center for College Planning Solutions, College, ”, Stafford, PLUS Locations: New York, New England, Stafford

☆ Unsubscribe: Radical strategies for taking back your time, attention and purpose
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jessica Dulong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Americans spend, on average, more than two and a half hours on social media each day. His book offers practical strategies for stepping back, reevaluating and unsubscribing from the ideas, habits and tech engagements that keep us from happiness. Advances in health care, like cutting-edge diagnostic tools, are just one example of the incredible benefits of the tech revolution. The crushing pace of technology doesn’t allow for the milliseconds it takes for us to be conscious enough to step back. This is a tall task, but I believe the more people can hear that voice, the healthier our society will be.

Persons: Julio Vincent Gambuto, CNN —, ”, Julio Vincent Gambuto Jon Speyers Julio Vincent Gambuto, we’ve, “, Simon, Schuster, takeout, Jessica DuLong Organizations: CNN, Pew Research Center, Gmail, Technology Locations: Bury, Brooklyn , New York

☆ The Amex Platinum gets you automatic elite status at Marriott and Hilton — here's what that unlocks at thousands of hotels around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( David E. Slotnick | Sarah Silbert | Senior Reporter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Amex Platinum; InsiderIf you have The Platinum Card® from American Express , you can get complimentary Gold elite status with both Hilton and Marriott**. Without the Amex Platinum Card, you'd generally need to spend at least 25 nights in Marriott hotels to earn Gold status in the Bonvoy program, or a whopping 40 nights in Hilton hotels to earn Hilton Honors Gold status. Here's how Marriott and Hilton Gold elite status with the Amex Platinum card works. Marriott Gold Elite Status BenefitsHere's what you can get with Marriott Bonvoy Gold status from your Amex Platinum Card. Hilton Gold status comes with a handful of extremely valuable perks, of which I'm definitely a fan.

Persons: Hilton, We're, Uber, Peacock, Uber Cash, you'll, You'll, I'm, — Hilton Organizations: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton, American Express, Marriott, Service, American, Express, Saks, Entertainment, Disney, ESPN, The New York Times, Street, Walmart, Credit, TSA, Global, Saks Fifth, Reading Chevron, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Honors American, Hilton Honors, Card, Hilton loyalists Locations: Wall, Silicon, Marriott, Hilton, Hulu

You can use a Hilton free night certificate at just about any Hilton hotel, including the stunning Waldorf Astoria Grand Wailea Resort in Maui. Hilton HotelsYou can earn Hilton free night certificates with select Amex Hilton credit cards. Hilton free night reward certificates are valid at almost any Hilton hotel, including luxury Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties. Best Hilton hotels for using a free night certificateYou'll usually get the most value from your Hilton free night certificate by redeeming it at expensive properties or luxury beach resorts. How to use Hilton free night certificatesWhen you've earned a Hilton free night certificate, you'll receive an email from Hilton Honors letting you know your award is in your Hilton account.

☆ The best credit card for each type of purchase
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Jennifer Yellin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Since every credit card earns a different amount of points on your common category purchases, the bonus points earned might persuade you to get one credit card over another. Fortunately, there’s a credit card out there for every type of purchase. Let’s check out some of the best credit card to use for all of your spend categories. Best credit cards for each category purchase in 2023While the cards listed here are some of our favorites for their respective categories, they might not be the best for your needs. American Express Gold Card: Best for restaurantsThe Amex Gold card earns 4 points per dollar at restaurants in the U.S. and abroad.

$95 Apply now On Wells Fargo's website Apply now On Citi's website Apply now On Chase's websiteHere are the cheapest ways to get a family to Hawaii on points and miles. HiltonFor the highest Hilton credit card welcome bonus, look no further than the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card . You can also utilize miles from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to cover the cost of activities. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Pay these rewards with your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and redeem miles toward statement credits.

☆ Do college students have to file a tax return? See if you're required, and why you may want to even if you're not
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

If you make enough money, the Internal Revenue Service will require you to file a tax return. Below, find out if you need to file taxes this year and why you might want to anyway. 2022 federal income tax return requirementsBefore you file, you'll need to know your status. Even if you're not legally obligated to file a tax return, the IRS recommends doing so anyway if you had income tax withheld from your earnings, because you may be entitled to a refund. Other situations, such as having a child or qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), may add incentive for you to file a tax return, if they apply.

If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Amex Membership Rewards points Capital One miles Chase Ultimate Rewards points Choice Privileges points Citi ThankYou points Hilton Honors points Hyatt points IHG Rewards points Marriott Bonvoy points Wyndham Rewards pointsYou travel with a large family Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. $95 Apply now On Wells Fargo's website Learn More Apply now On Chase's websiteHow to earn points with the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a straightforward earning structure, earning bonus points at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties and in other useful categories. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant card fees and costsThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a $650 annual fee. You also aren't eligible for the welcome bonus offer on this card if any of the following apply to you: You are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit CardYou've opened the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card in the last 90 daysIn the last 24 months, you've received a new cardmember bonus offer or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ CardIs the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card worth it? There are also two new mid-range Marriott cards to consider (Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) which both have a $250 annual fee).

Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.74% - 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it Check mark icon A check mark. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightRewards on food delivery: You'll earn 4 points per dollar on takeout, food delivery, and dining. Review: U.S. Bank Altitude Go card reviewFood delivery credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)Which is the best credit card for food delivery?

Amex Platinum; InsiderThe Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to $200 in annual airline incidental fee credits. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. That said, The Platinum Card® from American Express is a definite keeper for anyone who travels frequently. For example: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express receives up to $200 toward airline incidentals per calendar year. What you need to know about the Amex Platinum airline creditThe Platinum Card® from American Express awards its $200 airline incidental fee credit once per calendar year.

In this guide, we'll give you a crash course on how to quickly earn credit card rewards and book free travel. If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

Many people with debt or children get life insurance to protect their families. Why life insurance made sense at this point in our livesI know we don't have to carry life insurance. Insider's Featured Life Insurance Companies Lemonade Life InsuranceNationwide Life InsuranceGuardian Life Insurance Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Some may wonder why we chose term life insurance over permanent insurance. Term life is also a lower-cost life insurance policy.

Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.99% - 26.99% 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. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Read more: United Explorer card reviewCredit cards with airport lounge access frequently asked questions (FAQ)What are the Centurion Lounge locations? The Platinum Card® from American Express is the all-around best credit card for airport lounge access. Joseph Hostetler, CEPF Credit cards reporter Joseph Hostetler is a credit cards reporter for Insider who also covers helpful miles and points tricks.

Show more Regular APR 18.24% - 25.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightRewards on food delivery: You'll earn 4 points per dollar on restaurants, which includes most US food delivery services. Show more Regular APR 19.99% - 26.99% 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. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightRewards on food delivery: You'll earn 4 points per dollar on takeout, food delivery, and dining. Review: U.S. Bank Altitude Go card reviewFood delivery credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)Which is the best credit card for food delivery?

Show more Regular APR 18.24% - 25.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. 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. United Airlines credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)What credit score do you need for a United Airlines credit card? That said, each of the United cards is considered a different product, so you can have more than one United card — for example, the United℠ Business Card and the United Quest℠ Card. The United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card, and United Club℠ Infinite Card offer a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee every four years.

Show more Regular APR 18.24% - 25.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. 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. United Airlines credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)What credit score do you need for a United Airlines credit card? That said, each of the United cards is considered a different product, so you can have more than one United card — for example, the United℠ Business Card and the United Quest℠ Card. The United℠ Explorer Card, United Quest℠ Card, and United Club℠ Infinite Card offer a statement credit for the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee every four years.

Show more Regular APR 19.99% - 26.99% 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. With an annual fee of $650, you'll get benefits such as:To boot, you'll receive Priority Pass Select airport lounge access. It balances excellent benefits, including Gold elite status and 10 airport lounge visits per year, with a modest annual fee. $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee. Its annual fee is $0 intro for the first year, then $95, so you can experience a lounge or two without committing to a big annual fee.

Maskot/Getty ImagesPaying with a credit card rather than a debit card or cash gives you more security in the event of fraud. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Credit card? If you do use a credit card, make sure to pay off your balance in full by the due date to avoid interest charges. If you use your credit card like a debit card, it offers the best protections at checkout.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are two of the best rewards credit cards with annual fees at the $95 level. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a better pick if you prefer using rewards for cash back. See Business Insider's list of the best rewards credit cards you can get »Compare the Premium Rewards and Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardBank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Earning rate on purchasesWhile both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card give you 2x points on travel (not purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®), the Bank of America Premium Rewards card comes out way ahead in terms of ongoing earnings. Potential for 25% to 75% more rewards with the Bank of America Premium Rewards cardThe Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card also comes with a really unique perk for Bank of America customers.

☆ All the Perks You’re Missing Out on Without This Card
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-10 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

By Ana StaplesAt $695 a year, The Platinum Card® from American Express is a travel credit card for heavy spenders who prefer to travel in luxury. You typically want a rewards credit card that already fits your spending, not a card you have to adjust your shopping habits for. For more than two decades until the early 2010s, the Platinum Card from American Express was the only premium travel credit card in the market. The Platinum Card started off as a charge card, meaning it didn’t allow you to carry a balance. The feature offers the flexibility of a traditional credit card by providing card members the option to pay off purchases over time with interest.

Persons: Ana Staples, Amex, Uber, you’ll, That’s, it’s, Jan, “, Marriott, you’d, Nilson, won’t Organizations: American Express, Luxury, Delta Sky, Walmart, American, Amex, incidentals, airfare, Hulu, ESPN, Disney, New York Times, Global, TSA, Saks Fifth, Honors, Avis Preferred, Hertz, Executive Travel, Venture, Capital, Express, Survey, Discover, Chase, Visa, Mastercard, Amex Assurance Company Locations: Amex, Hulu, U.S

☆ Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card review: An excellent premium card for Marriott loyalists with a 150,000-point bonus and refreshed benefits, including Platinum elite status
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-24 | by ( Jasmin Baron | Read More | Read Less | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +45 min

Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant card fees and costsThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card has a $650 annual fee. There are also two new mid-range Marriott cards to consider (Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) which both have a $250 annual fee).

The more Amex Platinum cards I have, the easier I can justify paying the annual fees. Amex Platinum; InsiderThe Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a $695 annual feecomes with a $695 annual fee I carry three of these cards and pay $2,085 in annual fees each year. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. For example, if you've already received the Amex Platinum welcome bonus, you can still earn the bonus from the Amex Platinum for Charles Schwab. Eligible airlines for the Amex Platinum incidental credit include: Alaska AirlinesAmerican AirlinesDelta Air LinesHawaiian AirlinesJetBlue AirwaysSpirit AirlinesSouthwest AirlinesUnited AirlinesBottom lineI pay three $695 annual fees each year to hold three Amex Platinum cards.

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). This brought us to open our first premium card recently — The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you're unfamiliar with the Platinum Card, it is a heavy-duty metal card, and it's definitely got the sleek factor going for it. Prior to obtaining this card, the most we had paid for an annual fee was $250 for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. When my husband and I were initially discussing the Platinum Card it definitely gave me sticker shock.

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