Claire Dickey

Former Editor, Credit Cards

EXPERTISE

Rewards credit cards
Travel credit cards
Credit card news
Building credit

EDUCATION

A.B.J. Advertising, Grady College of Journalism at The University of Georgia

There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey

Claire Dickey is a credit cards editor at Bankrate, focusing on news, product guides and educational content. Her areas of expertise include rewards and travel credit cards, building credit and credit card news. Always on the lookout for the latest credit cards and card perks, as well as cards-related legislation and regulations, Claire is passionate about demystifying personal finance topics. Her goal is to help readers save money, earn rewards and protect their credit scores.

When she’s not strategizing about how to maximize rewards on her next trip, Claire is an avid runner and day hiker.

Claire wants you to know

If you’re trying to build credit, my best advice is to keep things simple. A credit card is a great way to show your creditworthiness, but picking one can be overwhelming since there are so many options out there and so many features to consider. Stick to the basics: Look for a card with low fees and the option to put down a large deposit and get a matching credit limit. If you pay on time and only charge small purchases to the card, your score can grow surprisingly quickly.

Claire's recommended readings

There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey

Claire's latest articles

Capital One expands travel portal access to more cardholders, adds partner lounge access

Capital One is expanding travel portal access to more cardholders in the Capital One family. Learn more about eligible cards and rewards opportunities.

3 min read Jun 15, 2022
Is the Chase Freedom Student card worth it?

Find out whether the Chase Freedom Student card is a good match for you.

4 min read Jun 14, 2022
Mobile app comparison: American Express vs. Chase

Both American Express and Chase offer premium credit cards with mobile app experiences to match.

6 min read Apr 08, 2022
Comparing Visa and Discover cards

Visa and Discover get a lot of attention due to their popularity and perks, yet they don’t quite work the same.

6 min read Mar 31, 2022
How does the Capital One Purchase Eraser work?

Easily wipe purchases off your Capital One credit card account.

5 min read Mar 28, 2022
Capital One launches Capital One Dining, adds Capital One Entertainment

Capital One is launching Capital One Dining for those who want access to exclusive dining experiences, along with exclusive access to events and unique cardholder tickets.

2 min read Mar 23, 2022
Capital One Refer a Friend: Earn up to $500

You can earn extra rewards through Capital One just by referring your friends. Here’s how the issuer’s Refer a Friend program works.

2 min read Mar 23, 2022
How to contact your credit card issuer

When contacting your credit card issuer, preparing for the call means you’re more likely to get you what you need. Here’s how to get ready.

4 min read Mar 17, 2022