How to build credit

Choice Hotels began to push upmarket when it debuted the Cambria brand in 2005. The hotel franchisor lacked upscale expertise, as it had been best known for midscale brands, such as Quality Inn and Comfort Inn, and economy brands, like Rodeway Inn.

If you own and operate a small business, you're probably familiar with business credit cards. But if your company is really on the up-and-up, you might want to start looking into corporate credit cards.

It's that time of year again: Time to use any credits that will expire at the end of the year, plan any last mileage runs or mattress runs for elite status and start thinking about your points-and-miles strategy for next year. It's also a good time to see what loyalty program and credit card changes are happening next year.

The holidays are an expensive time of year — especially if you're hoping to travel to visit loved ones or head out on a peak-season vacation.

Chances are you have a credit card that offers some type of travel insurance or trip protection. This could be for benefits like trip delay reimbursement or lost luggage insurance. With these protections, purchasing a travel insurance policy may seem unnecessary.

Not long ago, I was at Home Depot with my mom, grabbing a few things she needed, like lightbulbs and air filters. A friendly employee wearing the store's iconic orange apron greeted us.

When you first see it, the term "negative balance" can make you think you made a mistake, like forgetting to pay your credit card balance. However, a negative balance on your credit card is actually a good thing because it means the bank owes you money instead of the other way around.

There's nothing like being asked to be a part of someone's special day. Whether it's via a thoughtful gift box or an excited phone call, when a sibling or close friend asks you to be in their wedding party, you're almost certainly going to say yes.

Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" returns to the U.S. next month, and while I'm no Swiftie, I have a 9-year-old daughter who's a massive fan. I may not be able to belt out the lyrics to many of her songs, but I do have a ton of experience leveraging my travel credit cards and knowledge of points and miles to make memories with my family.

Few films drive home travel’s ability to help us understand one another as poignantly as Will & Harper. When Will Ferrell’s longtime friend and Saturday Night Live collaborator Harper Steele comes out as a trans woman, the two set off on a road trip from New York to Los Angeles to better understand her transition and, in turn, their friendship. “I love this country so much,” Harper says. “I just don’t know if it loves me back right now.” Over 17 days, a three-vehicle crew followed the pair and, with mounts on Harper’s Jeep and car-to-car shooting, captured 240 hours of footage. Here, director Josh Greenbaum reflects on the places that moved him and on navigating the country in a new light.

Virgin Red, a popular British loyalty program that offers flights, cruises, and hotels, has launched its first-ever credit card for U.S. travelers.

If you feel like life is more expensive right now, you aren't wrong. Inflation has risen and softened, yet the prices of everyday items continue to stay high.