Credit Card Guides
How to Calculate Your Real Credit Card Rewards Rate
The rate on an advertisement is not the rate across your whole budget. This worked example shows gross rewards, net value, and…
Author: Dae Kim
Dae Kim writes and maintains CardTuned’s credit card guides, comparisons, and cash-back strategy articles. His work focuses on how rewards categories, spending caps, annual fees, and payment rules affect the choices readers make.
CardTuned’s editorial process uses issuer pages, pricing disclosures, rewards terms, and other primary sources to check material claims. Dae Kim reviews factual corrections and updates confirmed material inaccuracies under the site’s Editorial Policy.
Credit Card Guides
What Is MCC 5411—and Why Didn’t My Purchase Earn Grocery Rewards?
MCC 5411 identifies grocery stores and supermarkets, but it is not a bonus guarantee. Follow five checks to investigate missing grocery rewards.
Cash Back & Rewards
Flat-Rate 2% vs. Category Credit Cards: Where the Line Actually Is
A 5% category can lose to a flat 2% card across your whole budget. Use the spending share, cap, and fee calculations…
Credit Card Guides
What Happens When You Product Change a Credit Card?
Learn what a credit card product change can preserve—and what to verify about credit checks, limits, rewards, welcome bonuses and Chase 5/24.
Credit Card Guides
Does Paying Through PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay Change Your Card Rewards?
A wallet checkout can preserve card rewards, but the funding method, merchant data, and bonus terms still matter. Follow the transaction from…
Credit Card Guides
Does Closing Your Oldest Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?
Closing your oldest card can affect utilization, but it does not instantly erase its history. See a worked example and what to…
Cash Back & Rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited vs. Freedom Flex: Which Fits Your Spending?
Freedom Unlimited rewards everyday spending more consistently. Freedom Flex can win with activated quarterly categories. Here is how to compare the same…
Credit Card Guides
Should You Cancel or Downgrade a Credit Card After the Annual Fee Posts?
Annual fee posted? Compare keeping, downgrading or closing the card, then verify your refund deadline, rewards and payment obligations.
News & Offers
Aeroplan Card Refresh: Do the New Benefits Justify $195?
Evaluate ongoing Air Canada benefits separately from the two-stage bonus, and check your own notice if you already hold the card.
Credit Card Guides
Can You Downgrade the Amex Gold to a No-Annual-Fee Card?
Explore Amex Gold downgrade options, Classic Green’s fee, and the steps to protect Membership Rewards points before closing your account.