Fees and Penalties Articles

It's important to be well educated before applying for credit or making any other major financial decision. In our education center we well inform you about any aspect of applying for and using credit. We publish new credit card articles weekly so be sure to check back often.

• 6 Things You Don't Know About Credit Cards
  By law, credit card companies have to disclose their fee schedules to consumers. The trouble is, the calculations of these fees and finance charges are often found in the fine print of the account disclosure statement you receive when you first open your credit card account. In this case, what you don't know really can hurt you
  
• Are Low Interest Credit Cards Really a Good Deal?
  Low interest doesn't always mean what you'd think. Here are some tips for finding out if your low interest credit card is a good deal.
  
• The Perils of Universal Default
  What is universal default, and why is it such a bad thing? This article explores the reasons why universal default should be avoided.
  
• Good Customers, Bad Interest Rates
  Bad interest rates happen to good customers. If you're suffering through a period of high "penalty" interest, read these tips for avoiding and reversing these higher rates.
  
• When to Ask for a Better Deal
  If you've been a good customer, you have every right to ask for a better deal on fees, penalties, and terms. Make your credit card company work for you!
  
• Fight Fees with Low Fee Credit Cards
  Hidden fees can really cost you. Find out if you're paying too much in credit card fees, and what to do about it.
  
• How to Avoid Unreasonable Penalties
  Credit card penalties are at an all time high. Learn how to avoid unreasonable fees and penalties and find the best card for you.
  
• Playing the Credit Card Game: Avoiding Late Fees
  Did you know that some credit card companies purposely send their customer bills out so late in the billing cycle that you would literally have to submit payment the day the bill arrives in order to have any chance at getting the payment in on time? It’s a tactic that many of the companies use to increase the amount of money they earn off their customers on the late fees.
  
• Hidden Credit Card Fees
  By federal laws, credit card fees cannot actually be "hidden" from consumers, but that doesn't mean that all credit card users fully understand how they are charged or what instances will result in fees or increases to existing rates.