
Can you go to jail for credit card debt?
You won’t go to jail for credit card debt, but you may end up in court.
Credit cards are financial tools. Use them correctly to unlock more of the world than you ever thought possible.
— Harlan Vaughn
About the author
Harlan Vaughn is a senior credit cards editor with over a decade of experience covering credit cards and travel rewards content. His work has been featured in Business Insider, BuzzFeed, Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet and more.
With millions of points and miles redeemed for travel, Harlan has used credit card rewards to visit incredible destinations including Iceland, Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand and Chile. His mission is to help others maximize their credit card rewards and benefits.
Harlan is a dad of three and lives in Memphis, Tennessee. He’s also interested in personal finance, investing and financial independence. When he’s not digging into those topics or earning rewards with a portfolio of nearly 40 active credit cards, you can find him hiking, enjoying live music and traveling with his family.
Beyond Bankrate
The pros and cons of travel credit cards
How to maximize your credit card rewards
Traveler’s guide to the best frequent flyer programs
Credit cards are financial tools. Use them correctly to unlock more of the world than you ever thought possible.
— Harlan Vaughn
You won’t go to jail for credit card debt, but you may end up in court.
Your guide to payments giant Visa and how it compares to Mastercard.
Learn the difference between a statement balance and current balance.
Receive up to 40% bonus points by taking advantage of limited-time transfer bonuses.
There are many ways to redeem cash back rewards, including as a statement credit.
A lower APR is better and a good credit score will help you qualify for better APRs
Amex Offers let you earn rewards when you activate and meet the requirements.
Hire a travel agent or book your own trip? Get the facts before your next vacation.
Prepaid cards can be used to make purchases, but you only have access to preloaded money.
The right travel credit card ultimately depends on the type of traveler you are.