This week our favorite blogs have given us helpful tips for keeping up healthy credit scores and even getting free vacations out of it. As always, if you enjoy any of our favorite bloggers, we encourage you to follow them on Twitter for regular updates. And don’t forget to follow Credit.com at @CreditExperts.
View From the Wing – Using Credit Card Offers to Construct a Free Dream Trip Quickly
Some common beliefs about credit card travel miles are changing — namely that they take too long to accrue, are saddled with restrictions and don’t really amount to much. With banks and airlines working more closely now and some new cards offering major sign up reward bonuses, the trip you thought was out of reach may be closer than you think. @USATodayTravel
How Closing a Credit Card Affects Your Score
With the great new rewards, balance transfer options and general desire to have more credit, there are countless reasons consumers are tempted to open up new cards. Closing the accounts when they no longer serve you can be detrimental to your credit score, so it’s important to keep that in mind before closing and opening credit card accounts. @tarasbernard @NYTimes
Balance Transfer Day – A New Bank Protest Set for December 11th
There’s another anti-bank protest in the same vein as Bank Transfer Day that asks consumers to transfer their credit balances from big banks to lower and zero interest credit cards on the same day — Dec. 11. The aim is to help consumers lower their interest rates while making a big statement to the big banks. @HuffingtonPost
The Difference Between a Hard Pull and Soft Pull Credit Inquires
One of the five factors credit bureaus take into account when scoring your credit is the amount of times your credit is checked. Some businesses and utilities companies require credit checks as a prerequisite for services, but it’s hardly fair that those things should affect your score. Luckily, it doesn’t have to affect you if your credit is being checked with a “soft pull.” It’s important for you to ask if that is the case before the process begins. @moolanomy
Steakhouse Waiters Busted in Alleged Identity Theft Ring
It may come as no surprise that high-end New York City restaurants are over-charging their guests, but now the waiters are taking it to another level. When paying the bill at some well-known steakhouses, patrons had their credit card information lifted by the wait staff, and then used to buy luxury items that were resold for cash. This story is another reminder that you don’t know where your information could be compromised and the best protection is checking your account, daily. @NBCNewYork
Image: zuperdzigh, via Flickr.com
Tim Langevin Credit.com team member and personal finance contributor, Tim studied journalism at Columbia College, Chicago and graduated with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. Tim shares his unique insight on finding the best bargains and tips to help consumers stay on budget and in control. Have a question for our experts? Email them at CreditExperts@Credit.com.
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