You don't want to be lackadaisical about checking your bill.

Even if you lose, the message will start to be heard.

The factors cited by card issuers are very broad. It appears that anyone - not just people in financial difficulties - could be subjected to a much higher rate for very insignificant reasons.

I came face to face with 'usual and customary,'.

It definitely pays to shop around.

One seemingly small mistake - that most people don't think of as anything - can have ramifications far beyond what seems legal to most people. But it is legal.

We see a shift in the industry toward cards that give something back, because industry research shows that reward cardholders make more purchases, tend to use their rewards cards exclusively and are less likely to jump ship for lower-rate cards.

They might also give you your credit score. They'll give you free copies of your credit report every year, and they also offer insurance against identity theft.