American Express® Gold Card
It’s a lucrative card for food credits and valuable travel rewards on dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. However, it’s not the best for occasional travelers.
16 min read
Oct 23, 2024
Garrett Yarbrough
Writer, Credit cards
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4Years of experience
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86Publications Written
EXPERTISE
- Credit card strategy
- Credit card comparisons
- Credit card rewards
- Building credit
- Credit scores
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Certification in Business and Technical Communication, Creative Writing minor | East Carolina University
- Bachelor of Arts in History | East Carolina University
Sifting through reward program, sign-up bonus or card feature terms can feel overwhelming for even credit card veterans. As a Bankrate writer, I’ve seen how translating fine print into actionable advice can help cardholders evaluate their most valuable options and build a stronger financial future.
— Garrett Yarbrough
Garrett Yarbrough writes credit card reviews, comparisons and guides for Bankrate. He specializes in all things credit cards, and he has comprehensively researched the current market and past product offers for more than three years. Garrett thoroughly analyzes credit card terms, rewards programs, introductory offers and other card features to provide readers with the most insightful steps toward personal financial growth. He has also written and researched for major Bankrate features, including the latest credit card points and miles valuations, the 2022 through 2024 Bankrate Awards, the Spender Type tool, the Credit Utilization Calculator and the CardMatch™ Approval Odds tool.
Prior to joining Bankrate, Garrett worked as a copywriter at an ad agency, and then as a freelance writer. He joined NextAdvisor.com in 2020, where his credit card, credit monitoring and identity theft analysis were regularly featured.
When he’s not reviewing credit cards or detailing the latest developments in Bankrate’s best cards, you can find Garrett traveling, reading and stopping at every niche museum he sees along the highway.
Send your questions about credit cards to gyarbrough@redventures.com.
Find Garrett beyond Bankrate
Garrett breaks down the current best credit cards on CreditCards.com
Garrett reviews the SuperCash Secured Mastercard® on CreditCards.com
Garrett reviews the Ink Business Premier℠ on CreditCards.com
Garrett reviews the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Garrett wants you to know
As someone who began their personal finance journey not too long ago, I’ve seen firsthand the many credit-related misconceptions that family, friends and other credit builders hold. I noticed these stumbling blocks led several loved ones to avoid credit cards and base important life decisions on popular financial misinformation.
Using my background in analytical research and user-focused writing, I strive to make navigating credit cards and credit building smooth sailing for others who are new to credit.
Garrett’s recommended readings
How to choose the right credit card
Rethinking credit: Tips for first-generation credit users
How to maximize your credit card rewards
Under-the-radar credit card perks you should know
Merchant category codes: How to earn more cash back
How much are points and miles worth in 2023?
Sifting through reward program, sign-up bonus or card feature terms can feel overwhelming for even credit card veterans. As a Bankrate writer, I’ve seen how translating fine print into actionable advice can help cardholders evaluate their most valuable options and build a stronger financial future.
— Garrett Yarbrough
Garrett's latest articles
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Best Credit Cards for Good Credit | Bankrate
If your credit score is between 670-739, you can qualify for most credit cards. We’ve compiled the best credit cards for good credit of 2024.
14 min read Sep 25, 2024 -
One Key™ Card review
Its robust rewards on both everyday spending and discount travel site purchases makes the One Key Card a solid fit for occasional travelers. But the redemption restrictions may be too strict for some.
16 min read Sep 18, 2024 -
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Reserve Business card offers Delta’s premier travel experience, but it may only be worth it for select business travelers.
8 min read Sep 12, 2024 -
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
With great rewards and generous hotel perks, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card is ideal if you’re a Marriott enthusiast.
11 min read Sep 12, 2024 -
PayPal Cashback Mastercard®
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard is a brass-tacks flat-rate card that offers PayPal users top-tier cash back in exchange for an above-average interest rate.
13 min read Sep 11, 2024 -
Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit
The Capital One Spark Cash Select was a part of the Capital One Spark Business that was split into two cards. Read to find out how this card compares, and if could be right for you.
7 min read Sep 10, 2024 -
Credit One Bank® Platinum Rewards Visa® with No Annual Fee
No annual fee and solid cash back make this one of the best Credit One cards, but it still merits trading up when you’re able.
12 min read Sep 10, 2024
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Jasper Cash Back Mastercard®
The Jasper Cash Back Mastercard® is a great card for future professionals new to the United States.
5 min read Mar 10, 2023 -
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Higher-than-ever sign-up bonus and perks that Southwest business travelers will love.
9 min read Dec 05, 2022 -
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is replacing the Marriott Premier Plus Credit Card, and new cardholders have the chance to earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months after account activation (for a limited time).
8 min read Nov 09, 2022 -
Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards
For those who find tracking bonus categories too cumbersome and just want simple cash-back rewards, the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards card delivers.
3 min read Apr 25, 2022 -
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
For a $450 annual fee, American Airlines loyalists can fly in style with perks like Admirals Club membership, priority boarding on flights, credit for TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry and more.
4 min read Dec 01, 2021 -
Best credit cards for exclusive concert tickets
Citi is a Bankrate advertising partner. Rewards credit cards get a lot of good press for the money-saving benefits: statement credits, points and cash back. What’s not to love about them? But fans of [...]
7 min read Sep 01, 2021
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Types of fast business loans
Fast business loans are useful for quickly funding a business, but it’s important to know the difference and purpose of each type.
4 min read Oct 21, 2024 -
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA): What it is and why it’s important
It’s a way that you can get a sense of how a lender treats borrowers like you.
5 min read May 14, 2024 -
Kiva vs. Fundible: Which small business lender is right for you?
Kiva offers no-cost microloans with limited eligibility requirements, while Fundible offers larger loans with competitive rates.
5 min read May 14, 2024 -
Personal loan origination fees and other fees to watch out for
Look for origination fees, late fees and NSF fees when comparing bad credit loans.
5 min read May 14, 2024 -
Bank of America vs. Wells Fargo: Which small business lender is right for you?
Bank of America and Wells Fargo both offer business loans to companies with good-to-excellent credit.
6 min read May 14, 2024 -
72Sold review: What it is and how it works
72Sold promises to sell your home in just 8 days, for around 10 percent more than other homes.
4 min read May 14, 2024 -
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card
The Bank of America-issued Alaska Airlines Visa credit card has a hallmark feature that's hard for other airline cards to top: its Alaska's Famous Companion Fare offer.
12 min read Jun 27, 2023 -
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
The card may not offer the most benefits, but it features solid flat rate cash back of 1.5 percent and no annual fes, making it a wise choice for students looking to build credit.
8 min read Apr 17, 2023