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NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for September 2017

Credit Cards
Smart credit card moves to make this September

With summer behind you and the kids back in school, brighten your September with the Nerds’ monthly credit card tips — from pulling your credit report to setting up alerts and using your card for exclusive experiences.

The eclipse has passed, summer vacation is an Instagram memory and the kiddos are back in school. Let’s brighten your September with the Nerds’ monthly credit card tips.

1 Check Your Credit Report

Yes, we give this tip three times a year. That’s because you’re allowed by law to get a free credit report once per year from each of the major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — via AnnualCreditReport.com. We recommend getting one every four months, beginning in January. If you’re following that schedule, you’ll pull your final 2017 report in September.

Make sure all the credit accounts listed in the report are yours and that the information is accurate. Also check your personal information, such as your name, address and Social Security number. If you find any errors, dispute them online with the credit bureau. When a credit bureau makes a correction to a credit report, it must share that information with the other bureaus; you don’t have to request the fix from each bureau.

2 Set Up Credit Card Alerts

Most credit card issuers offer notifications to help you manage your card, and we’ve noted three alerts you might want to consider: when your payment is due, when you’re close to your credit limit and when a purchase has been made on your account.

Other alerts might also be useful. You can be notified when a charge of more than a certain amount has been made with your card — this is especially useful if you have an authorized user. And some card apps tell you where you can earn bonus points or score a deal. You can set alerts on your computer or through your card’s app.

Alerts also can work the other way, so that you’re the one sending notifications. For instance, when you’re traveling, let your credit card issuer know the dates and destinations, so when that charge from Timbuktu shows up, your issuer will know it’s from you.

3 Attend a Special Event

Many credit card holders are more likely to go into debt spending on experiences rather than material goods, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. The Nerds never encourage people to rack up credit card debt, but your card might be your ticket to presales and exclusive experiences without you needing to break the bank.

For instance, this September, Mastercard is letting kids run on the field before a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles through its Priceless program. You’ll also get four tickets to the game and a preferred parking pass. Your child will meet a player and receive an autographed baseball and a Dodgers T-shirt.

And for sports fans on the East Coast who want to attend one of New York’s classic events, The Platinum Card® from American Express gives cardholders access to the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, which runs through the beginning of September. The ticket package includes suite seating and amenities, catered food and drinks, and commemorative merchandise.

4 Take Some Free Advice

Sept. 21 is my dad’s 94th birthday. I mention this because he gave me the best advice about credit cards when I was applying for my first one: “Look at the interest rate the bank pays on your money in checking and savings accounts. It’s not even 1%. They use your money to make money for the bank. Now look at how much interest you have to pay the bank to use their money if you don’t pay your balance each month. It’s over 15%. Think about how hard it is to earn that much interest on your money.”

Since then, I’ve always been what the issuers refer to as a “freeloader”: I use their money, but never pay any interest because I pay my balance in full. Thanks for the advice, Dad, and happy birthday.

Ellen Cannon is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: ecannon@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @ellencannon.

The article NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for October 2023 originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I get a free credit report?

By law you can get a free credit report once per year from each of the major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. NerdWallet recommends pulling one every four months, beginning in January, which lets you check your report three times a year using the free reports from all three bureaus.

What should I check for on my credit report?

Make sure all the credit accounts listed are yours and that the information is accurate. Also review your personal information, such as your name, address and Social Security number. If you find any errors, dispute them online with the credit bureau. When a bureau corrects your report, it must share that fix with the other bureaus, so you don’t have to request it from each one.

Which credit card alerts should I set up?

Most issuers offer notifications to help you manage your card. NerdWallet suggests three to consider: when your payment is due, when you’re close to your credit limit, and when a purchase has been made on your account. You can also set an alert for charges above a certain amount, which is especially useful if you have an authorized user. Set alerts on your computer or through your card’s app.

Should I tell my issuer when I travel?

Yes. Alerts can work both ways, with you sending the notification. When you’re traveling, let your credit card issuer know the dates and destinations. That way, when a charge from a far-off place like Timbuktu shows up, your issuer will recognize it as yours rather than flagging it as suspicious activity.

Can my credit card get me into special events?

Yes. Your card can be your ticket to presales and exclusive experiences without breaking the bank. For example, Mastercard’s Priceless program let kids run on the field at Dodger Stadium, and The Platinum Card from American Express gave cardholders access to the U.S. Open Tennis Championship with suite seating, catered food and drinks, and commemorative merchandise.

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NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for September 2017 page context

NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for September 2017 is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.

NerdWallet's September 2017 credit card tips: check your free credit report, set up account alerts, attend exclusive card events, skip interest. Read more.

Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.

Got a question about a bill you pay each month? This page can help you find the best answer. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Read each part of this page at your own pace. If you need more help, go on to a guide on your topic. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We put facts and tips in one place. This makes it easy to learn about the bills you pay at home. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page can help with real questions. You can learn about your plan, your account, and what you pay each month. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Use the menu and the links to go from a big question to the facts that fit your own needs. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We keep things short and clear so you can choose well. You can then read more if you want to. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

The links on this page help you weigh your choices. They also help you see what you pay and what to do next. You can save a lot over time.

Our goal is to help you spot the bills you pay each month. We also share smart ways to keep them low. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

Come back to this page when you have a new question. It will still be here to help with bills and savings. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

We link the small choices you make each day to the big picture. That means your budget and what you spend at home. We make it easy for you.

Each part of this page helps you see what you need. It may be help with a plan, your account, or a good read. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Use what you learn here to plan your questions. Look at your choices, then take the next step when you are ready. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

Our pages link to each other. That way, you can find more help and still keep track of what you came for. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page makes it easy to find the key facts first. Then you can pick a plan or make a change with less stress. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Good facts help you see why a bill went up. They also show you what to check before you call or reply. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page puts the key facts in one place. It can help you talk with a company about your bills and how to save. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

Our other pages explain the words you see on a bill. They also help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

Our tips focus on real choices you can make. Start with the basics, then read a more detailed guide if you need one. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

This page is one of many that we share. Together they cover home costs, the firms you pay, and how to get help. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

Take your time and read this page first. It helps you see your choices and find out what to read next. We make it easy for you. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

We set this page up so you can compare and keep reading. You will not need to hunt for what you want. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Monthly bills come with rules, terms, and fine print. This page helps you find the parts that count for you. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

Our pages give you a clear view of what you pay each month. You can then pick the plan or guide you want. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

Some of our guides cover the basics. Others go into detail on one company or one type of bill. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

It pays to read first and act later. This page links you to the next guide if you want to learn more. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We share guides that help you make sense of your bills. They show your choices and the best next step. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

Want more detail on a bill, a plan, or your account? Check this page against the links we share here. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

We group our pages by topic to keep things simple. This helps you stay on track as you read about your costs. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

A bit of background goes a long way. It helps you spot what counts before you check a bill, change a plan, or call us. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

This page is part of our help library. It gives you clear facts and links so you can keep on reading. We make it easy for you. We are here to help.

Your needs can change, so come back any time. Our other pages can help you look into a new cost or plan. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

We laid out this page to help you get the facts and compare them. You can then choose your next step with ease. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

With summer behind you and the kids back in school.

The eclipse has passed, summer vacation is an Instagram memory and the kiddos are back in school.

Yes, we give this tip three times a year.

Make sure all the credit accounts listed in the report are yours and that the information is accurate.

Most credit card issuers offer notifications to help you manage your card.

Other alerts might also be useful.

Alerts also can work the other way, so that you’re the one sending notifications.

Many credit card holders are more likely to go into debt spending on experiences rather than material goods, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

For instance, this September, Mastercard is letting kids run on the field before a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles through its Priceless program.

And for sports fans on the East Coast who want to attend one of New York’s classic events, The Platinum Card® from American Express gives cardholders access to the U.S.

Sept.

Since then, I’ve always been what the issuers refer to as a “freeloader”: I use their money, but never pay any interest because I pay my balance in full.

Ellen Cannon is a writer at NerdWallet.

The article NerdWallet’s Best Credit Card Tips for October 2023 originally appeared on NerdWallet .

By law you can get a free credit report once per year from each of the major credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Make sure all the credit accounts listed are yours and that the information is accurate.

Most issuers offer notifications to help you manage your card.

Yes.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 Check Your Credit Report.

2 Set Up Credit Card Alerts.

3 Attend a Special Event.

4 Take Some Free Advice.

Frequently Asked Questions.

How often can I get a free credit report?.

What should I check for on my credit report?.

Which credit card alerts should I set up?.

Should I tell my issuer when I travel?.

Can my credit card get me into special events?.

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