Aaron Hurd

About the author

Aaron Hurd

Aaron Hurd is a credit card, travel rewards, and loyalty program expert. Over the past 15 years, he has authored over a thousand expert contributions published by leading outlets including WSJ, TIME, Newsweek, Forbes, NerdWallet, The Points Guy, Bankrate, CNET, and many others. He has also served in consulting roles for many of these same outlets, designing content strategy, hiring teams of teams of editors and contributors, developing thought-leadership pieces, and ghost-editing for senior editors. Aaron is well-known in the miles and points community and regularly presents about travel rewards at conferences like the Chicago Seminars and Minnebar. Aaron has enjoyed the game of optimizing credit card rewards since getting his first credit card shortly after he turned 18. He started learning about credit cards and travel rewards from the (now defunct) FatWallet Finance forums and FlyerTalk. He holds more than 40 open credit cards and has first-hand experience with almost every major credit card product.
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Foundations, Capital One, Chase

Foreign transaction fees: Everything you need to know

by Aaron Hurd January 28, 2024 0

Many credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of up to 3% on purchases you make outside your home country. If you’re planning on traveling abroad, it... Read more.

Uncategorized

Federal tax payments: Ink cards not working (fixed)

by Aaron Hurd January 23, 2024 0

Update 1/23/24: I recently paid my estimated taxes with an Ink card and found that this is working again. Some of the best credit card welcome bonuses require a... Read more.

Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Easy-ish $300 travel credit and lounge access

by Aaron Hurd January 21, 2024 0

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card at a glance Here’s what you need to know about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Rewards 10x on hotels... Read more.

Welcome Offers, Amex

Blue Cash Preferred: Possible secret $300 welcome offer available

by Aaron Hurd January 10, 2024 0

Recently, I stumbled across an increased bonus offer for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. This hidden welcome offer gives you $300 back after... Read more.

Guides to Cards, Citi

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card review: Now 5% on gas at Costco

by Aaron Hurd January 8, 2024 0

January 30, 2025: The recently-refreshed Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers up to 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco. But the card’s 2% rewards... Read more.

Guides to Cards, U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: The best travel rewards card you’ve never heard of (No longer available)

by Aaron Hurd January 7, 2024 0

November 13, 2024: Alongside the launch of the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been discontinued... Read more.

Uncategorized

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

by Aaron Hurd December 24, 2023 0

I’m taking a few days off for the Christmas holiday, but I just wanted to hop online to write a quick note of gratitude to you, the readers of this site. If... Read more.

Best Cards, Amex, Chase, Wells Fargo

Best cash back credit cards: 3% everywhere for a year and up to 10% in categories.

by Aaron Hurd December 21, 2023 0

When you use a cash back credit card for purchases, you can get a rebate that often is 3%, 5%, or even 10% of your purchase. Some cards offer generous cash back... Read more.

Chase

Yes, you can get approved if you’re at 5/24

by Aaron Hurd December 20, 2023 0

Yes, it is possible to get approved for a new Chase card if you are at 5/24. Recently, a few blogs and some posts in Facebook groups and on forums have reported... Read more.

a target store with cars parked in front of it

Cards, Guides to Cards

Target Circle™ Mastercard: 5% discount at Target and Target.com

by Aaron Hurd December 20, 2023 0

The Target Circe™ Mastercard is Target’s rebranding of the Target RedCard Mastercard. The card offers a generous discount at Target and Target.com, plus... Read more.