Nouri Zarrugh

Senior Editor, Credit Cards
Ribbon Icon EXPERTISE
  • Rewards credit cards
  • Travel credit cards
  • Credit card comparisons
  • Building credit
Education Icon EDUCATION
  • B.A. Comparative Religion, The University of Texas at Austin
  • M.F.A. Writing, The Michener Center for Writers, The University of Texas at Austin

 

About the author

Nouri Zarrugh is a senior editor at Bankrate who focuses on product reviews and comparisons. Since joining Bankrate in 2019, Nouri has written and edited hundreds of credit card reviews and led the development of methodologies for credit card scoring and point-and-mile valuations. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more.

Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.

Before joining Bankrate, Nouri worked as a writer and editor in digital marketing and health care technology. Also a fiction writer, Nouri is a graduate of the Michener Center for Writers and won the Keene Prize for Literature.

Nouri wants you to know

When I first got into credit card rewards, I got a little carried away. I applied for a ton of cards and was constantly juggling them to make sure I was maximizing my points on every single purchase. I kept every receipt and even tracked my earnings in a spreadsheet. It was a fun hobby, but it got to be more trouble than it was worth.

Now I keep things simple and mostly just focus on earning rewards in a few key categories. I use one card for general purchases, one for dining, one card for travel, one for online shopping and one for groceries. That covers the vast majority of my spending and feels easy to manage. Sure, I’m leaving some rewards on the table, but I’d rather save myself some time and energy.
Nouri's recommended readings

How Bankrate rates credit cards
How much are credit card points and miles worth?
Find a card based on where you spend most

Nouri's latest articles

  • Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®

    In addition to earning extra cash back in categories such as auto, home, and health, this card allows you to convert credit card debt into a fixed-rate personal loan, making it a great choice for those who need to pay down debt and build their credit. However, there may be lower-interest options available if you are financing a large balance.

    9 min read Apr 05, 2023
  • Smiling woman holding credit card while using mobile phone in city

    Wells Fargo Reflect® Card

    The Wells Fargo Reflect offers perhaps the longest intro APR period on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, but always pay on time to keep this stellar intro APR.

    11 min read Dec 20, 2022

  • Ally Unlimited Cash Back

    The Ally Unlimited Cash Back Mastercard is a no-annual-fee, flat-rate cash back card that earns unlimited rewards at a rate of 2 percent on all purchases. Like most 2 percent cards, it’s a great choice [...]

    8 min read Dec 07, 2022

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

    The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an ideal choice for Southwest flyers looking for an entry-level Southwest Airlines credit card.

    15 min read Dec 06, 2022

  • BILL Divvy Corporate Card

    If you can pay off your bill in full each week, the BILL Divvy Corporate Card could easily be one of the most rewarding business cards out there.

    13 min read Dec 05, 2022