No matter who you are — whether you’re looking to vacation in style or just want some peace of mind abroad — a travel rewards credit card could be your ticket to a better trip.

But with all the options out there, how can you know what kind of travel rewards card is best for you?

Types of travel credit cards

Let’s take a look at all the different types of cards out there so you can get a better sense of which card or cards could match your traveling lifestyle.

Cobranded airline credit cards

When you frequent a particular airline, you benefit the most when you focus on that brand. Brands reward their most loyal customers, and pairing that with the right cobranded travel rewards card can boost your benefits. Many airlines offer cobranded credit cards that can earn you additional miles on all of your purchases, which you can use toward your next flight.

Cobranded hotel credit cards

Faithful to a specific hotel chain? Holding a cobranded credit card can earn you some perks that make your stay a bit more comfortable and earn you rewards toward free nights while you’re at it.

All-purpose travel rewards cards

Maybe you don’t want to be limited to a particular loyalty program and do want to earn travel rewards you can use across multiple travel options. You have a few options, from credit cards that earn you transferable currencies, to travel rewards credit cards that offer up “travel credits” toward everyday spending.

Some other credit cards — typically those with high annual fees — offer travel credits, which you can apply toward many travel-related purchases you make (depending on what your card company considers a travel-related purchase).

Cards with elite perks

If you’re a frequent traveler, you can get a travel rewards card with all the bells and whistles. The catch? These usually come with a hefty annual fee.

Next steps

Now that you’re armed with some knowledge on what options might exist, it’s important to know how to maximize your hard-earned travel rewards — whichever card you choose.

Being smart about the type of card you choose can be key in helping you offset your travel costs. Know the type of traveler you are and pick a card that suits your style — we promise there’s something out there for you.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment situation summary for May 2018, America’s unemployment rate fell to 3.8%, extending an impressive streak of job gains. But for many Americans, slow wage growth may be a heavy anchor on that upbeat news.

Buried deeper in the employment situation summary is a concerning statistic: Average hourly earnings increased by just 2.7% over the year. Combine this with news from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that total household debt increased by $63 billion in the first quarter of 2018, and we’re left with a picture of the economy that’s less rosy.

New data from Equifax shows the percentage of severe delinquency on private label retail credit cards rose to 4.65% in May, and delinquencies are now at their highest level since early 2011. This is significant because retail credit cards can be easier to get approved for and thus may attract a larger segment of subprime borrowers (historically defined in the U.S. as those with a FICO® credit score under 640).

So even though the U.S. economy is adding more jobs, growing private label retail credit card delinquencies seem to suggest that some Americans may be struggling financially. Let’s dive into what these competing figures could mean for you.

What does this mean for you?

While jobs seem to be opening up left and right, wage growth has struggled to keep pace.

This may be putting a strain on the everyday lives of Americans with various types of debt, especially borrowers stuck trying to pay off credit cards with high interest rates.

One of the drawbacks of retail credit cards is that they tend to have higher APRs. According to a 2017 Retail Store Card Survey, retail card APRs are nearly 9 percentage points higher than average non-retail credit card APRs.

With delinquencies on private label retail credit cards on the rise, some borrowers may be falling deeper into debt — even as the economy seemingly recovers around them.

Why should you care?

Before opening a credit card, it’s a good idea to know exactly what you’re getting into. That means looking at your financial situation and honestly assessing if you can pay off your bill on time and in full each month.

We generally don’t recommend carrying a balance from month to month, as this can result in steep interest charges and other potential pitfalls. But if you think you might carry a balance from time to time, you may want to shop around and see if you qualify for a credit card with a low or 0% intro APR.

If you opened a retail card and your account is now delinquent, it may negatively affect your credit. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to deal with delinquent accounts.

What can you do?

If you’ve found yourself in a sticky situation financially, there are steps you can take to reduce your financial stress:

• Don’t fall for the beliefs keeping you from paying off debt. According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s 2018 Financial Literacy Survey, 38% of Americans surveyed carry credit card debt from month to month. If you can, paying off your balance each month is a good habit to start. Write up your own payment plan and try to stick to it.
• Steer clear of high-interest credit cards. This may mean avoiding the temptation of certain store-branded retail credit cards, which can carry higher interest rates than traditional credit cards. If you can, take advantage of cards with lower interest rates and consider credit card balance transfers to consolidate and tackle your debt.
• If you have accounts in collections as a result of delinquencies, plan — don’t panic. Make sure you understand the full amount in collections, know your rights and learn how to make a payment to a debt collection agency.

U.S. household debt set another record high in the first quarter of 2018.

According to the Household Debt and Credit Report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which uses credit report data from Equifax. As of March 31, household debt hit a staggering $13.2 trillion.

While most of that debt ($8.9 trillion) comes in the shape of mortgages, one of the report’s most startling revelations relates to auto loans.

Auto loan balances increased by $8 billion in the first quarter of 2018, continuing a trend that dates back to 2012. Auto loan delinquency rates also rose, with 4.3% of auto loan balances at least 90 days delinquent as of March 31.

The report’s data also revealed that nearly 19% of new auto loan originations were issued to consumers with credit scores below 620. Oftentimes loans issued to consumers with lower credit scores can come with higher interest rates — a factor that might be contributing to the rising rates of delinquency.

The good news? A Credit Karma analysis last year found that Americans could potentially save $37 billion by refinancing their car loans.

• What does this mean for you?
• Why should you care?
• What can you do?

What does this mean for you?

As we go over in How to Refinance a Car Loan in Five Steps, generally speaking, the better your credit, the more likely you are to secure a lower interest rate. But even people with good credit can get stuck with a high-interest-rate auto loan. Buying a car involves a lot of decision-making and, in all too many cases, researching the best deals on financing may take a back seat.

Why should you care?

Rising auto loan delinquency rates may sound ominous, but they can act as a wake-up call.

Whether you took a bad deal on financing or couldn’t qualify for a cheaper loan at the time you bought your car, you may want to see what your options are for refinancing — it could lower your interest rate and reduce your monthly payments.

“The $37 billion is a big number, but what’s more impactful is how much some people are overspending on their loans on a monthly basis,” says Bethy Hardeman, Credit Karma’s chief consumer advocate. “A monthly savings of $100 or even $50 can make a big difference to a lot of U.S. households — and that’s just for one auto loan.”

Refinancing your auto loan could lower your monthly payments, which could help you avoid becoming delinquent or, if you become significantly delinquent, having to deal with an account in collections. This may be especially true if you live in one of the 25 cities where motorists are leaving the most money on the table.

What can you do?

If you’re in the market to refinance your auto loan, you should consider your options. You can check out some refinancing options or look for new auto loans via Credit Karma, but that’s not all. Here are some other tips that can help keep you on track with your auto loan payments:

If you already own a car

• Know your APR. In an October 2017 survey of U.S. car owners who are currently making monthly payments on their car, Credit Karma found that nearly half — 45% — couldn’t recall the annual percentage rate on their loan. Knowledge is power; you may not know whether you can save on interest if you don’t know what you’re already paying.
• Shop around. If you’re concerned about comparison-shopping hurting your credit scores, check out our primer on whether rate shopping can affect your scores.

If you’re shopping for a new car

• Do your research. We don’t recommend taking the first deal you’re offered without shopping around first. When financing your new vehicle, it’s important to know your options. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers an auto loan worksheet that can help you through the process.
• You can walk away if you feel pressured. We get it — buying a car can be a stressful experience. But that doesn’t mean you should let the salesman push you around. Keep your cool and feel empowered to walk away if you suspect you’re getting a raw deal on financing.

You’ve probably heard of credit card “skimmers” — devices that criminals put on ATMs or credit card readers that can read your credit card data when you swipe your card. Last year, FICO found a 10% increase in the number of payment cards that were compromised at U.S. ATMs and merchant card readers — after a 70% increase in 2016.

Credit card thieves have upped their game with new tools to access your credit card information.

Deep-insert skimmers, which are devices buried far inside a payment device, and “shimmers” are among the newest tools being used by card thieves. Shimmers can read data from even the new chip-based debit and credit cards.

What does this mean for you?

When EMV chip cards became the new standard for consumers, the idea was that credit card transactions would be better protected from in-store fraud. But with the recent form of credit card skimming using shimmers, these chip-based cards can still be compromised.

Unlike traditional skimming devices that steal data directly from the magnetic strip on a card, shimmers sit in an ATM machine or card reader and record the data from your card’s chip as the machine reads it.

“But, wait,” you may say. “Doesn’t having a chip card protect me from thieves using a clone of my magnetic strip on my credit card? Isn’t that the whole point of the chip?” You would, in fact, be correct. Every time you dip your chip card, it generates a unique code for that transaction. Fraudsters can’t duplicate that. But what they can do is use the data from the magnetic strip on the back of your card to make fake magnetic-strip cards.

Although a lot of merchants have switched over to chip card technology, some may still use the magnetic strip. If data thieves want to use the data from your card to create a counterfeit magnetic-strip card, they’ll have to use it at a place that doesn’t strictly follow chip card protocol.

Why should you care?

With new tools being used by card thieves, your chances of card theft could be on the rise. Once scammers have access to stolen data, they can use it to produce a counterfeit magnetic strip card and make unauthorized purchases online, as David Tente, an executive director with the ATM Industry Association, a nonprofit trade organization, told Consumer Reports.

Luckily there are a few things you can do to help reduce your risk of card theft.

What can you do?

Credit card skimming is no new threat. But with criminals getting savvier in how they target your credit card and debit card, consumers can take steps to try to reduce their risk of getting scammed.

There are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re extra careful when using your credit or debit card:

• Avoid using vulnerable ATMs, if possible. Try to use ATMs in highly trafficked areas or in banks. If an ATM looks unusual or your card doesn’t slip into the machine smoothly, consider finding another machine.
• Use a contactless payment system. Mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Android Pay allow you to avoid using your physical card altogether.
• Guard your PIN. Covering the PIN pad and making sure nobody is looking can be a simple way of keeping your data safe.
• Check for signs of tampering. A good habit is giving the credit card reader a quick wiggle and making sure it’s firmly attached. If it isn’t, you might be dealing with a skimmer, and you’ll want to find another way to withdraw money or pay. Thieves sometimes place skimming devices right on top of regular payment devices.

As long as consumers are out there using credit and debit cards, card thieves will be looking for ways to get ahold of their financial data. Between practicing some of the tips above and keeping an eye on your transactions for suspicious activity, you can take steps to reduce your risk of card theft.

On April 16, some consumers waking up to check their credit may have been in for a pleasant surprise — credit scores may have increased overnight.

As CNBC reports, improved standards in how the three major national consumer credit bureaus — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian — look at new and existing public records could mean higher scores for some. All three bureaus are removing all tax liens from consumers’ credit reports.

In July 2017, the three major credit bureaus estimated that about half of all tax liens and nearly all civil judgments had been removed from consumers’ credit reports. Now the remaining tax lien data is being removed.

Both actions are part of the National Consumer Assistance Plan, which is a result of an agreement between the three major credit bureaus and 31 state attorneys general reached in 2015.

The NCAP includes a series of actions and policy changes that are intended to improve credit reporting data accuracy, quality and consumer credit education.

What does this mean for you?

Tax liens and civil judgments on your credit reports could lower your credit scores, so the removal of this information from credit reports could lead to an increase in some people’s credit scores — but not for everyone.

As of 2017, TransUnion and Equifax found that about 9% of people in the national consumer credit databases had either a tax lien or judgment reported on their credit file.

Based on those numbers, about 19.8 million people may now see their scores increase as a result of the changes.

Why should you care?

If you’ve never had a civil judgment or tax lien on your credit reports, this news probably won’t affect you.

But if tax liens on your public records have dragged your credit scores down in the past, this news could mean good things for your credit reports and credit scores.

It’s important to note that lenders may still consider tax liens and civil judgments — even as the major credit bureaus move away from them.

This may be particularly true for consumers trying to get a mortgage. Mortgage lenders may want to see this information when reviewing an application, and they could have a means of getting it from sources other than your credit reports.

For example, LexisNexis Risk Solutions — an aggregator and seller of information that commercial organizations, government agencies and nonprofits use to evaluate individuals, businesses and assets — now offers a LexisNexis RiskView Liens & Judgments Report, which was created specifically to fill in the tax lien and judgment information for lenders.

Bottom line

The recent action may stack on top of any impact consumers saw last July, giving some consumers a modest boost to their credit scores.

This additional score boost may come as a welcome event to consumers whose scores may have been weighed down by a tax lien.

Some popular retailers are tracking and monitoring customer sales data through a third-party service. Their goal? To identify problematic shoppers they suspect of fraud or return abuse.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, major retailers, such as Best Buy, The Home Depot and Victoria’s Secret, have hired a third-party service, The Retail Equation, to mine their return data and flag certain customers.

The Retail Equation wouldn’t reveal the full list of stores it works with to the Wall Street Journal, but Business Insider compiled a list that features such big-name retailers as CVS Pharmacy, Sephora, Dick’s Sporting Goods and JCPenney, as well as the three mentioned above.

Consumers may be unhappy to learn that their returns are being tracked and their overall return behavior scored for risk, but The Retail Equation frames its service as a necessary measure to combat return fraud and abuse. The service’s website describes fraudulent and abusive returns in the U.S. as a “$9–17 billion per year problem for retailers.”

Still, that hasn’t stopped consumers from voicing their displeasure across social media and other outlets. Some have claimed they’ve been unfairly targeted and punished, even though they weren’t doing anything wrong.

What does this mean for you?

If you’ve shopped at one of the 34,000 stores that could be using The Retail Equation, your data may be in the service’s database, which means you may have a risk score.

The Retail Equation collects shopping information from individual retailers (though it denies sharing personal consumer data between retailers).

The service may then “review the returns, look for suspicious situations, and issue approvals, warnings or denials,” claims Tom Rittman, a marketing VP at Appriss Inc., the firm that acquired The Retail Equation in 2015.

So how do you know if you’re at risk of being scored and identified as a “suspicious” shopper?

Unfortunately, there seems to be little or no indication that you’re on the verge of being identified as a problematic shopper. The specific actions that flag you as suspicious — and the retailer’s resulting measures — vary by retailer and might not be disclosed in their return policies.

Why should you care?

When you make a return at certain stores, details about your identity and shopping visit may be transmitted to The Retail Equation. Best Buy, for example, uses The Retail Equation to assess all returns, even those made with a receipt.

If your risk score, which can be negatively impacted by factors such as making too many returns in a short period of time, surpasses a certain threshold, your next return may be refused. The store’s standard return policy may not apply for you — not necessarily because your returns have been fraudulent or abusive, but simply because your “return history is often associated with such behavior” says The Retail Equation’s website.

What can you do?

We’ve all been there — buying something, and then getting home and figuring out you don’t really need it or it’s not going to work for you.

Not a problem, because you can just return it, right? Well, that may not be the case if your purchase is with a retailer that’s cracking down on shoppers they suspect of making fraudulent returns or abusing their return policy.

Rather than feel powerless, here are some actions you can take today.

• Request your report. Consumers can go to The Retail Equation’s website and request a copy of their return activity report. However, the report doesn’t list your actual score or other specifics about your standing with retailers.
• Check the return policy first. While this isn’t always the case, some retailers may include information about tracking in their return policy. It doesn’t hurt to reach out to customer service for clarification.
• Look into your credit card’s return protection. Some credit card companies, such as American Express, offer return protection that could protect you from unfair or strict merchant policies. In the case of American Express, if you try to return an eligible item within 90 days from the date of purchase and the merchant won’t take it back, American Express may refund the full purchase price (excluding shipping and handling) up to $300 per item (up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year, per card account). Other credit card companies may offer similar protections. Always check your card’s terms and conditions before making a purchase you may regret.

The Wild West days of cryptocurrency may be drawing to a close. Even as international regulators debate how to deal with virtual currencies, Twitter and other social platforms have begun to take matters into their own hands.

As Reuters reports, Twitter will ban cryptocurrency advertising on its platform starting today. This puts it in line with the likes of Facebook and Google, which announced similar measures earlier this year.

So why are these social media giants taking a stand against crypto? It’s not because they’re jealous of the hype.

As Facebook recently noted in an update to its terms, “ads must not promote financial products and services that are frequently associated with misleading or deceptive promotional practices,” such as initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency.

With so many ICOs flooding the market in recent months, it has been difficult for government regulators — much less social platforms like Twitter and Facebook — to filter out the frauds.

But that’s only half the problem. Even genuine virtual currencies are considered highly speculative, fueling concerns that potential investors who click on these types of ads may not know what they’re getting themselves into.

What does this mean for you?

Cryptocurrencies garnered massive attention in 2017, when the price of bitcoin surged from around $1,000 near the beginning of the year to a peak of nearly $20,000 in December. Perhaps you joined the rush and invested in bitcoin last year — in which case you should already be thinking about how that investment will affect your taxes.

But there are additional concerns when it comes to cryptocurrency, some more serious than others.

For one, cryptocurrencies aren’t quite regulated like traditional currencies are, with regulations varying (not all countries guarantee cryptocurrency price or attempt to manage value). The G20 — a group of nations that represents the world’s 20 largest economies — met last week and discussed, along with other regulators and policymakers, how to supervise cryptocurrencies, but no consensus was reached.

Additionally, cryptocurrencies are generally set up to help ensure participants’ anonymity — which lends itself to potentially illegal activity and transactions.

The lack of joint regulations means that cryptocurrency may present a fertile ground for fraudsters. Twitter, Facebook and Google all seem to have recognized this and have changed their policies in the interest of protecting users.

“We want people to continue to discover and learn about new products and services through Facebook ads without fear of scams or deception,” Facebook Product Management Director Rob Leathern wrote in a blog post announcing the company’s new ad policy. “That said, there are many companies who are advertising binary options, ICOs and cryptocurrencies that are not currently operating in good faith.”

Why should you care?

If you haven’t yet invested in cryptocurrency and are considering it, this should serve as another important reminder of how risky such an investment can be.

Twitter’s announcement of its ban has already unleashed some wild price fluctuations, with the price of bitcoin falling nearly 7% on Coinbase on Monday, March 26.

This highlights the big risks associated with any investments you make in cryptocurrency. With that kind of volatility, it’s important to know that investing in cryptocurrency of any kind may be more of a gamble than other investments. And as with any investment, make sure you’re not putting up more than you can afford to lose.

As we mentioned above, any transaction you make in cryptocurrency can have tax implications, too.

What can you do?

It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of news surrounding cryptocurrency. But no matter what your best friend keeps telling you, cryptocurrency is a risky investment that calls for some careful research.

Before getting involved in cryptocurrency, take some steps to further educate yourself — both about how investing works and the intricacies of cryptocurrency.

Still confused about what cryptocurrency is? Check out this crash course on the basics of crypto in this video from “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” It’s a fairly thorough answer, with a dash of humor for good measure.

It’s not just casual fans who are gearing up for March Madness. As The Associated Press reports, America’s gambling industry predicts $10 billion will be bet on the upcoming college basketball tournament — most of it illegally.

Illicit gambling doesn’t sit well with the American Gaming Association, an industry group that favors legalizing and regulating sports betting in the U.S. In a survey, the group found that 24 million U.S. adults participated in March Madness bracket pools last year, spending $2.6 billion on entry fees.

With legal sports betting currently limited to just four states — Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Oregon — most of these bets took place illegally, or off-the-books.

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said current laws regulating sports betting aren’t doing Americans any favors.

“Our current sports betting laws are so out of touch with reality that we’re turning tens of millions of Americans into criminals for the simple act of enjoying college basketball,” Freeman said. “The failed federal ban on sports betting has created an illegal, unregulated sports betting market that offers zero consumer protections and generates zero revenue for state and tribal governments.”

New Jersey has challenged the federal ban, and the Supreme Court is weeks away from issuing a ruling on the state’s challenge. But with March Madness just days away, let’s take a look at what the current laws mean for you.

What does this mean for you?

So, are you a criminal just because you plan on putting down $20 in your office pool? The answer is, well … complicated.

In a survey, the American Gaming Association found that in 37 U.S. states, it’s illegal to participate in sports betting pools if money is involved. So, yes, you may actually be breaking the law when you put a few bucks on Duke to go all the way.

The good news? Law enforcement has historically not placed a high priority on enforcing those laws, so you and your coworkers (along with millions of other upstanding Americans) may be in the clear.

Why should you care?

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably never entertained the notion that a harmless office pool could constitute criminal activity.

But whether or not you agree with the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, which generally prohibits states from authorizing sports betting, it’s worth understanding the current landscape of sports betting in America.

That landscape may change significantly in the coming months and years. New Jersey has challenged the constitutionality of PASPA on grounds that gambling regulation should be a right reserved for states and not the federal government.

The U.S. Supreme Court is still weeks away from ruling on that challenge, but it’s conceivable that the floodgates will soon open for sports betting nationwide.

What can you do?

With March Madness just around the corner, you might already have your bracket filled out and your buy-in all set.

Don’t worry — we’re not advocating that you tear that bracket up and demand your money back.

But in the interest of fun and financial responsibility, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind to ensure a good time. The National Center for Responsible Gambling lists four keys to betting responsibly. To paraphrase:

• Understand that the odds aren’t in your favor. It doesn’t matter how much you believe in Kentucky this year – the chances of you losing are still high. Accept this now and you’ll probably have a much better time watching the games.
• Make your bets in a social setting. This shouldn’t be too difficult if you’re participating in a pool with friends or coworkers. Think of the camaraderie, not the money, as the actual reward.
• Set a limit. If you’re organizing or participating in an office pool, consider setting a buy-in limit as low as $5. This way, nobody will risk losing more than they can afford.
• Don’t go outside your budget. If your office pool allows for unlimited entries, resist the temptation to submit 15 different brackets. Stick to one and you’ll have just as much fun. And if your bracket gets busted in the first round? Remember – there’s always next year!

Equifax has identified another 2.4 million Americans whose data was compromised last year in a massive breach that now totals 147.9 million victims.

The revelations come as the credit reporting company continues investigating the cyberattack that exposed Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and driver’s license numbers.

What does this mean?

Consumers who weren’t previously identified as victims of the breach, which was revealed in September 2017, could be at risk. The cyberattack, which occurred between May and July of 2017, was said last year to have affected up to 143 million U.S. consumers.

Why should you care?

Data breaches can seriously affect your finances. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what information hackers might have, and when or how they may use it. Even if you were already identified as a victim of this data breach, you may not see any signs of fraudulent activity for months, if ever.

Hackers can use your personal information to open up new credit cards, take out auto loans under your name or even drain your bank accounts. The process to repair the damage can be costly and become a huge headache, so it’s important to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

What can you do?

Equifax has set up a website — equifaxsecurity2017.com — to let you see whether your personal information was stolen in the initial breach. Just click the red box: “Am I Impacted?” Equifax will be notifying newly identified breach victims by mail.

Whether your personal information was compromised or not, you can be proactive in protecting yourself and your personal information. Following these tips can help you mitigate any potential damage from this breach or others.

1. Use free credit monitoring tools like Credit Karma’s free Credit Monitoring. This is a useful tool to get notified if Credit Karma notices important changes on your TransUnion or Equifax credit files — like a new account or address change.
2. Obtain a copy of your credit reports. You can obtain your full credit report from each of the three major consumer credit reporting bureaus once every 12 months.
3. Freeze your credit. A security freeze is a great way to stop anyone from using your personal information to take out a loan or new credit card in your name because it prevents potential lenders from accessing your credit files. This will also make you unable to do the same — unless you unfreeze your credit reports first.

No matter who you are — whether you’re looking to vacation in style or just want some peace of mind abroad — a travel rewards credit card could be your ticket to a better trip. But with all the options out there, how can you know what kind of travel rewards card is best for you?

In this guide, we’ll answer all your travel rewards credit card questions and more. We’ll help you figure out what kind of credit card could be your perfect travel companion, and we’ll make sure you walk away as a travel rewards pro.

Breaking down the benefits of travel rewards credit cards

So, you may have heard that travel rewards credit cards are all about the perks, but what are those perks exactly? And how do you get them? Let’s break it down.

Some of the most popular rewards you can get with a travel rewards credit card include …

• The chance to earn points or miles you can redeem toward airfare, hotels, car rentals and even cruises
• Introductory sign-up bonuses that allow you to earn thousands of points or miles after spending a certain amount within the first few months of account opening
• Hotel upgrades and free hotel stays
• Airline companion tickets, which allow you (typically once a year on your account anniversary) to bring one companion along with you on your flight — usually for only the cost of taxes and fees
• Access to airport lounges
• Travel credits you can use toward an array of travel-related purchases
• Travel protection and insurance
• Free checked bags and priority boarding

You likely won’t find a card that offers all these benefits together, which is why you’ll want to evaluate what kind of traveler you are (and what you value most) before you pick out a card and the rewards that come with it.

How to choose the right travel rewards card for you

Travel rewards cards can serve many purposes, from helping you travel for cheap to making your travel experiences a bit easier or more comfortable.

As we mentioned though, not all travel rewards credit cards are created equal. There are several types of rewards that cards can offer. And while they’ll mostly be travel related, some cards are better for certain travel goals.

Let’s take a look at all the different types of cards out there so you can get a better sense of which card or cards could match your traveling lifestyle.

Cobranded airline credit cards

When you frequent a particular airline, you benefit the most when you focus on that brand. Brands reward their most loyal customers, and pairing that with the right cobranded travel rewards card can boost your benefits.

Many airlines offer cobranded credit cards that can earn you additional miles on all of your purchases, which you can use toward your next flight.

This really becomes handy when you live near an airline hub and focus on flying that one particular airline. The savings from perks like free bag-checks or credit toward airline status can add up to a large chunk of change over time, and make travel hassle-free.

Cobranded hotel credit cards

Faithful to a specific hotel chain? Holding a cobranded credit card can earn you some perks that make your stay a bit more comfortable and earn you rewards toward free nights while you’re at it.

All-purpose travel rewards cards

Maybe you don’t want to be limited to a particular loyalty program and do want to earn travel rewards you can use across multiple travel options. You have a few options, from credit cards that earn you transferable currencies, to travel rewards credit cards that offer up “travel credits” toward everyday spending.

Some other credit cards — typically those with high annual fees — offer travel credits, which you can apply toward many travel-related purchases you make (depending on what your card company considers a travel-related purchase).

These types of credit cards also give you the ability to really expand what you can use your rewards on, because what they consider travel-related sometimes covers more than just airfare and hotels — think trains, buses and even rental cars.

Everything you need to know about airline companion tickets

Maybe you don’t always travel solo and you have a travel companion you like to bring along. Although you can always book a trip for two, it’s possible to use your travel rewards in your favor to make the trip more affordable.

Companion tickets allow you to bring someone along for the ride at a discounted price, sometimes for only the cost of the required fees and taxes. There are several airlines that offer companion tickets, but how can you know which one to go for? We’ve got you covered.

Related Read

9 airlines that offer companion tickets or discount codes

How you can travel for cheap

Once you’ve picked out your perfect travel card, the key to traveling cheap is to utilize rewards cards in a way that optimizes your savings. Now that can be easier said than done, but planning ahead with your trip can save you some serious cash.

When you’re on a trip, the perfect formula is to make sure you marry your travel benefits with your earned miles and points. Take advantage of your card’s travel benefits (like trip insurance, lounge access, free checked bags, etc.) and use those in conjunction with your points and miles, which can be used to seriously subsidize things like airfare during your trips.

If you redeem the points or miles you earn from spending, ideally you can plan a trip where you end up paying just the taxes and fees on airfare or a hotel stay.

What’s next?

Now that you’re armed with some knowledge on what options might exist, it’s important to know how to maximize your hard-earned travel rewards — whichever card you choose.

The most important thing to remember when picking your travel rewards credit card is to select a card that gives you enough value.

If you fly a lot but tend to visit friends instead of stay in hotels, then a hotel rewards card is probably not for you. If you love the idea of getting VIP status but don’t think you’ll be able to make up for the high annual fee that comes with elite cards, then try a card that’s just one step down.

Being smart about the type of card you choose can be key in helping you offset your travel costs. Know the type of traveler you are and pick a card that suits your style — we promise there’s something out there for you.

Taking a look at our top travel rewards credit cards is a good start. You can see a list of our recommended cards and what they each have to offer.

It was definitely a good year for cryptocurrencies in 2017, with bitcoin surging over 1,200 percent last year.

If you invested in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in 2017, or received some as payment, you may be wondering how bitcoin is taxed. Here’s how cryptocurrency could affect your taxes.

1. How does the IRS treat bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?
2. What constitutes a taxable event when using your bitcoin?
3. How can I calculate my bitcoin earnings or losses, and how are they taxed?
4. Where do I report gains or losses for cryptocurrency trades, and what forms do I use?
5. What if I bought some bitcoin and I’m just holding it?
6. I got paid in bitcoin last year. How does that affect my taxes?

How does the IRS treat bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?

For federal tax purposes, the IRS regards cryptocurrency as property. So the tax principles that apply to property transactions also apply to convertible cryptocurrencies. Whether you realized a gain or a loss from the property transaction will influence how the transaction affects your taxes.

Like stock or tangible assets, cryptocurrency can be considered to have a taxable gain or loss. If the fair market value of the cryptocurrency you received exceeds your adjusted basis for the property, you’ll have a taxable gain.

If the fair market value is less than your adjusted basis, you’ll have a loss. Both can affect your taxes, but in different ways. And just as you would report stock market gains as income, you must count the fair market value of cryptocurrency in your gross income.

While bitcoin might be the talk of the town, hundreds of other virtual currencies exist. Whether they’re other big ones — like ethereum, ripple or litecoin — or a lesser-known name, the IRS guidelines apply to all convertible cryptocurrency.

Nonconvertible cryptocurrencies do exist. They are intended for use only in a specific domain or virtual world and can’t be exchanged for real currency. So while the IRS will want to tax your bitcoin gains, it’s probably not interested in your “World of Warcraft” gold.

What constitutes a taxable event when using your bitcoin?

In a nutshell, cryptocurrencies are subject to the same tax principles applied to property transactions. The IRS identifies a taxable event as any time you buy, sell or trade a cryptocurrency to pay for goods or services.

Confusion may arise when buying and selling virtual currencies as an investment, like selling some bitcoin in exchange for ethereum.

Some people might think that it’s a like-kind property swap covered by Section 1031 of the tax code, but the IRS has not yet addressed whether this type of exchange qualifies as a Section 1031 exchange.

If you receive virtual currencies as payment or income for products or services you provide, that would also be a taxable event. Mining cryptocurrency is a taxable event, as well.

So it’s important to accurately track all your cryptocurrency trades and record the value of each one at the current fair market value in U.S. dollars as of the date of receipt.

How can I calculate my bitcoin earnings or losses, and how are they taxed?

If you’re investing in bitcoin (or other cryptocurrency), your gains or losses and their impact on your tax liability depends on multiple factors.

First and foremost, how long you held onto your bitcoin can affect your tax liability. If you held cryptocurrency for longer than a year before disposing of it, you’re likely looking at long-term capital gains or losses.

If you held your bitcoin or other cryptocurrency for one year or less before disposing of it, you could be looking at short-term capital gain or losses.

So if you were day-trading bitcoin, you’ll be looking at tax rates on short-term capital gains. The tax rate varies depending on your income tax bracket. However, according to the IRS, the tax rate on most net capital gains is no higher than 15 percent for most taxpayers.

If you have capital losses to report or you traded a cryptocurrency for less than your adjusted basis, then you must report those losses as well. These losses can offset your gains, giving you a slight tax break.

If you had some bad timing with virtual currencies and your capital losses exceeded your capital gains, then you can use that loss to offset up to $3,000 of other income.

Where do I report gains or losses for cryptocurrency trades, and what forms do I use?

When holding virtual currencies as a capital asset, much like you would other investments like stocks or bonds, you report them on your taxes as a capital gain or loss. You will often need to file a Form 8949 to report a sale, exchange or other disposition of your virtual currency, along with your Form 1040 and Schedule D, to summarize and report your capital gains and deductible capital losses.

This is where it’s important to keep records of the fair market value in U.S. dollars of all your transactions at the time of receipt. This information will be noted on your Form 8949 and Schedule D, and used to calculate your net capital gain or loss.

One thing to note is that some cryptocurrency exchanges may not issue you a Form 1099-K, which summarizes your investments. This is why it’s very important to keep good records.

For example, one of the largest U.S. exchanges, Coinbase, issued a statement that only select customers trading more than $20,000 would receive a 1099-K. Coinbase does, however, provide an exportable list of your trades, using first-in, first-out methodology for calculating your net capital gains or losses, which you can use to fill out your Form 8949.

Remember: Just because you don’t receive this form doesn’t mean you don’t have any taxable income to report!

What happens if I fail to report cryptocurrency gains or losses?

Failing to report capital gains or losses on cryptocurrency would be the same as if you failed to pay taxes on your investments. The IRS could come after you, and you could face legal issues and financial penalties for avoiding taxes. This is also true for any transactions prior to March 25, 2014, that are inconsistent with the current IRS guidelines.

If you have transactions before March 25, 2014, you can always file amended returns for those years on Form 1040X and account for your virtual currency income in a way that aligns with current IRS guidelines.

The IRS may also offer you relief from any penalties if you are able to establish that any underpayment or failure to file the right returns is due to reasonable cause.

It’s best to avoid the headache of filing amended returns by accounting for your cryptocurrency gains or losses on your return. Accurate and organized record keeping is key.

What if I bought some bitcoin and I’m just holding it?

Many people may fall into this situation: You heard about bitcoin at the kitchen table or over the holidays, so you bought some. What if you’ve just held onto it all year?

Simply buying bitcoin with your own money does not create a tax liability. If you have not gone a step further and traded or sold your bitcoin or used it to purchase something, you may not need to report since there hasn’t been a disposition of property and, theoretically, you’ve already paid taxes on the money used to buy the cryptocurrency.

For now, your best bet is to continue keeping records of your investment moving forward.

I got paid in bitcoin last year. How does that affect my taxes?

If you received bitcoin or another cryptocurrency from an employer, that income should be reported just as you would your salary on a W-2 subject to federal withholding.

If you received bitcoin or another cryptocurrency as payment for services you performed for someone else as an independent contractor, you must report that as self-employment income and it may be subject to self-employment tax.

Any payments made to you with cryptocurrency at a fair market value of $600 or more should generate a 1099-MISC for tax purposes and are taxable as miscellaneous income.

If the value of your cryptocurrency changes between the time you received it and when you file your tax return, you would report the fair market value of the virtual currency on the date you received it.

You can calculate the fair market value based on an exchange that trades the virtual currency and has a market value based off supply and demand.

If you’re mining bitcoin, then you report the gross income of the bitcoin you successfully mined at the time of receipt. However, if you are mining bitcoin as a business for yourself (not as an employee for someone else), then that income is self-employment income and is subject to self-employment tax.

What is bitcoin?

The technical definition for cryptocurrency is a digital currency that uses cryptography for security, distribution and verification. Sometimes cryptocurrency is also referred to as digital or virtual currency.

From a user’s perspective, the cryptocurrency marketplace is essentially multiple software programs that allow users to have a personal virtual wallet where they can send and receive cryptocurrency.

These transactions occur through a fully online ledger, known as the blockchain. This means there’s no need for a central bank or other authority to facilitate transfers.

To buy cryptocurrency, like bitcoin, you’ll probably need to use real money for the initial purchase. For example, if you’re buying through an app like Coinbase, you create an account and attach a payment method, such as a credit card, to the account.

You could also attempt to take up bitcoin mining, which can be a way to “uncover” bitcoins by lending your computer’s resources to do work for the blockchain.

The growth of bitcoin

The concept of cryptocurrency has been around since the late 1990s, but a cryptographer using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto is generally credited with developing the specifications and proof of concept for bitcoin in 2009.

Since then, bitcoin has grown immensely to become the face of cryptocurrency. As of January 29, 2018, its total market cap is more than $186 billion. The total cryptocurrency market cap as of Dec. 31, 2017, was over $224 billion. Bitcoin alone saw over $12 billion of 24-hour transaction volume that day.

Bitcoin and a growing number of competing cryptocurrencies such as ethereum, ripple and litecoin are becoming more commonly used in real-world applications.

Many businesses have adopted cryptocurrency, but especially bitcoin, as a form of payment. Overstock.com, for example, accepts bitcoin as payment.

However, the majority of cryptocurrency users hold their assets as investments. So while you could go out and buy something with bitcoin or send some to friends to pay them back for dinner, you’re probably looking to hold onto it as an investment.

Bottom line

However you ended up with cryptocurrency, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared come tax time. IRS Notice 2014-21 explains how bitcoin is taxed and makes assessing your tax situation when it comes to bitcoin and other virtual currencies a little clearer.