Travel credit cards have long promised luxury perks—think airport lounge access, free checked bags, and status upgrades. But with annual fees rising fast, experts...

After more than a decade of steady growth, the national average credit score has dipped for the second consecutive year, according to a new FICO report. The average score now stands at 715, down from 717 in 2024 and 718 in 2023. (FICO scores range from 300 to 850.) Rising interest rates and inflationary pressures have strained household finances, pushing many Americans deeper into debt. As credit card balances climb and missed payments become more common, the downward trend in credit scores is becoming evident. “I’m not surprised credit scores are slipping,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “With persistent inflation, high interest rates, a challenging job market, and economic uncertainty, many Americans are making...

Travel credit cards have long promised luxury perks—think airport lounge access, free checked bags, and status upgrades. But with annual fees rising fast, experts say it’s time to crunch the numbers before swiping for a shiny new card. American Express recently announced that both the consumer and business versions of its Platinum card will now cost $895 a year, up from $695—a 29% jump. Chase followed suit earlier this summer, bumping the annual fee for its Sapphire Reserve from $550 to $795, a 45% increase. And Citi just entered the premium space with its new Strata Elite card at $595 per year. Even mid-tier cards are trimming perks. Capital One’s Venture X Rewards and Venture X Business...