Chances are you’ve gotten your third stimulus check by now, but you may still be waiting on that other chunk of change the IRS owes you: your tax refund.
The IRS is sitting on a backlog of 29 million returns that require manual processing, which basically means that a human needs to review it.
To be clear, most taxpayers who e-file have their returns processed and receive their refunds within 21 days, according to the IRS. But if you’re still waiting and wondering “where is my tax refund?”, here’s what’s going on and how you can track it.
Why You Haven’t Received Your Tax Refund
The 2020 tax season has been an especially complicated one for IRS staff and accountants.
As of March, the IRS still had a backlog of more than 2 million returns from 2019. Most of them are leftover returns filed by mail that piled up last year when most IRS offices were temporarily shuttered due to COVID-19.
But on top of that, there are a number of complexities created by the three stimulus bills, the most recent of which passed in the middle of tax season. On top of the usual tax season mayhem, the IRS was tasked with delivering the third stimulus check. Plus, tax season started 16 days later than usual this year. These challenges prompted the IRS to extend the tax deadline to May 17.
For example, people who typically qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a credit for low- and middle-income working families, may not have been eligible in 2020 due to expanded unemployment benefits. The $900 billion stimulus package that passed in December changed the rules to allow families to use 2019 income to qualify instead of 2020 income.
However, the IRS didn’t have time to update its programs to reflect this change, so if you’re seeking the Earned Income Tax Credit based on 2019’s income, an IRS employee will need to manually review it.
The same applies if you qualify for stimulus money from the first two checks based on your 2020 return that you didn’t qualify for based on your 2019 or 2018 return. For example, if your 2019 income was higher than your 2020 income, you may qualify for more stimulus money. Or if you had a child in 2020, you’d get stimulus credits on their behalf. These situations also require a manual review.
But your tax refund could also be delayed for all the reasons that would apply in a normal year. For example, if your refund was sent to a bank account that you’ve since closed, the IRS will eventually cut you a paper check, but that adds to the wait time. If someone fraudulently filed a tax return in your name to steal your refund, the IRS will think that you’ve already filed and reject it. Your refund will also be delayed if you made an error or your return was incomplete.
If you owe certain types of debt like child support or back taxes, the IRS could take your refund and use it to offset what you owe.
Paper returns require manual processing, so if you’ve filed by paper, expect a long wait, even if there are no issues with your return. The IRS is urging taxpayers who have yet to submit their returns to file online instead of by mail.
If you made an error that requires an amended return, your tax season will be even more prolonged. The IRS will notify you of the error by mail, and you’ll have to send in Form 1040X. There’s only one way to do this: by mail. Then, your amended return will be added to the 29 million-plus unprocessed returns.
What to Do if You’re Still Waiting
The first step is to make sure the IRS has actually received your return.
You can track your return using the Where’s My Refund feature on the IRS website or the IRS2Go app. You’ll need to provide your Social Security number, filing status and your exact refund amount.
But these tools have limited usefulness. If your return has been processed, they tell you when your refund is scheduled for deposit, but they don’t provide information about why a return is still being processed or whether you need to provide additional information, which prompted recent criticism from the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
If you filed electronically, you should be able to see whether the IRS has accepted your return within 24 hours. If the IRS has accepted your return, that just means it has confirmed it received it. The IRS still has to process it.
If you sent a paper return, you can expect a long wait before you can confirm that the IRS even has your return. Even in normal circumstances, tracking a paper return can take about four weeks.
The IRS says its staff will help you research the status of your refund only if you filed electronically more than three weeks ago or sent it by mail at least six weeks ago, or if Where’s My Refund tells you to get in touch.
Considering that the IRS has only answered about 7% of individual taxpayer phone calls to date, it’s pretty tough to talk to a human. Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets through to a human, they probably won’t be able to give you much information. The IRS systems don’t tell employees who handle phone calls why a return required manual processing. But if you want to try, the number for checking the status of a refund is 800-829-1954.
What to Do if You Haven’t Filed Yet
The big takeaway if you haven’t filed yet: Filing electronically is the way to go. There are plenty of easy-to-use tax software options, many of which have free versions.
Not only will you get your refund faster, but you’re also less likely to make errors that could result in further delays because the software is doing the math for you. Additionally, filing electronically is more secure than putting all that personal information in an envelope.
And of course, the sooner you file, the better. It usually takes longer to get your refund as Tax Day approaches, so stop delaying and block off time for a date with your tax software of choice.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She writes the Dear Penny personal finance advice column. Send your tricky money questions to [email protected]
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law’s editorial disclosure for more information.
Building a good credit score takes time, when building your credit from scratch, you can typically expect to see a score within six months. If you’re working to rebuild your credit after financial setbacks that resulted in a drop in your credit score, repairing your credit comes down to ensuring you’re being financially responsible from here on out.
Establishing a good credit score doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes it can feel impossible to recover from financial setbacks. There’s no solid timeline for building good credit, but it’s important to understand how your credit score is calculated so you know what actions you can take to get your credit in good standing. Read on to find out how long it takes to build good credit, as well as tips on maintaining and building your credit score.
How long does it take to get a credit score?
Building up your credit score starts with the basics—using credit. Opening a credit card or becoming an authorized user are two ways to start building your credit from the ground up. Many people think that you start with a credit score of zero and have to work your way up, but you’ll typically start with a score around 500 to 700, depending on the health of your credit history thus far.
As mentioned, it can take up to six months to build enough credit history to obtain a credit score. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with a score over 670 being considered a good credit score.
While establishing a score can take up to six months, working your way up to an excellent credit score can take much longer. Your credit score will typically update every 30 to 45 days, and building good credit will take years of consistent and responsible credit use.
How are credit scores calculated?
The credit score you receive is calculated based on your borrowing history. There are five main factors that determine your credit score. These factors include:
Payment history (35 percent)
Credit utilization (30 percent)
Length of credit history (15 percent)
Different types of credit (10 percent)
New credit (10 percent)
Since the length of time you’ve been building your credit plays a role in your credit score, building it up to an excellent score can take some patience.
How to increase your credit score now
If you’re new to credit and just beginning to build your credit history, applying for a credit card is a quick way to start building your credit score. Your information is reported to the credit bureaus every 30 days, so it’s an easy way to start building credit quickly.
Besides getting a credit card, make sure you’re making your payments on time every month, since your payment history is worth 35 percent of your credit score. Make at least the minimum payment on time each month and your healthy payment history will be reported to the credit bureaus monthly. This healthy history can help you increase your credit score over time.
Lastly, reducing your available amount of credit can play a significant role in increasing your credit score. If you’re able, increasing your credit limit or paying down your debts in lump sums can help free up some of your available credit. Remember, credit utilization accounts for 30 percent of your credit score—keeping your credit utilization ratio as low as possible is key to improving your credit score.
What to avoid when building your credit score
Unfortunately, when it comes to credit, one financial mishap could end up costing you—sometimes taking years to recover from. To maintain an upward trend of positive credit history, you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes:
Missing payments
Since your payment history accounts for 35 percent of your credit score, missing even one payment can be detrimental, as it can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. Late payments are usually reported 30 days after their due date.
Applying for multiple credit cards or loans
When applying for a credit card or loan, creditors run a hard inquiry to assess credit history and determine the trustworthiness of a borrower. One hard inquiry doesn’t have much of an impact on your credit score and may only drop it by five points. However, having multiple hard inquiries in a short amount of time can hurt your credit score and make you seem like a risky borrower to lenders.
Defaulting on a loan
Defaulting on a loan occurs when you’ve failed to make payments for a consecutive period of time. Your credit score drops every 30 days that you’ve missed a payment, and failure to pay can have an extreme impact on your credit score. If too much time passes, lenders can contact the credit bureaus, resulting in a credit score drop.
If you continue to fail to make a payment on a loan your account could be sent to collections by the loan issuers, where legal action can take place. Depending on the type of loan you have, lenders may try to garnish your wages or take your assets.
Using too much available credit
Your credit utilization accounts for 30 percent of your credit score, making it one of the most important factors contributing to your score. If you use too much of your available credit, your credit score can take a serious hit. For example, if your credit limit is $4,000 and your current balance is $3,000, that puts your credit utilization at 75 percent, which is significantly higher than recommended.
Additional tips for building and maintaining a good credit score
Now that you have a solid understanding of what can hurt your credit score, let’s take a look at how you can increase and improve your credit score.
Open a secured credit card account
Secured credit cards are best for individuals who have no credit or have a low credit score, and they work to help borrowers build or repair their credit. Unlike traditional credit cards, secured cards require the borrower to put down a cash deposit, which can be used to settle any unpaid debt should the issue arise.
In most cases, the amount you put down will be equal to your available credit amount. For example, to get a credit limit of $1,000, you’ll typically need a deposit of $1,000. Credit limits for these cards are traditionally lower than unsecured credit cards and have higher interest rates.
If you’re working on building your credit from the ground up or repairing your bad credit, a secured credit card can be a good option to help build your creditworthiness. Once you’ve built up your credit and have remained a responsible borrower, you can move your way up to an unsecured credit card.
Become an authorized user
If you’re just starting to build your credit, you may not be approved for a traditional credit card just yet. In this case, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is an easy way to start building your credit history.
As an authorized user, you’ll have access to a credit card and can use it as such, but the primary holder of the account will be legally responsible for the debt. This option is best for those building their credit history from scratch, but it shouldn’t be used as a long-term option.
Apply for a credit builder loan
A credit builder loan is an option for those with no or low credit history looking for a low-risk way to build their credit. Unlike a personal loan, a credit builder loan essentially works backwards—the lender puts your approved loan amount into a savings account, you repay the loan over time and once the loan is paid off, the lender releases the funds to you. This allows you to build a solid payment history, thus increasing your credit score over time.
Keep balances low
Experts suggest that your credit utilization ratio should always be below 30 percent to maintain a positive credit score. If you can, consider paying more than the minimum payment each month to ensure your credit utilization ratio stays as low as possible. So long as you’re paying off high balances before the next reporting period, your credit score should not be negatively impacted.
Pay credit card bills on time
Since payment history is the leading factor in your credit score, it’s important to be on top of your monthly payments. If needed, set up an automatic payment system so you never have to worry about making your payments on time each month.
Don’t close unused credit cards
If you’re not using a credit card, keeping the account open won’t hurt your credit score, but closing the account can. The length of your credit history impacts your credit score, so keeping any accounts open can help build your credit history and increase your total available credit, boosting your score over time.
Monitor your credit report
If you’ve been a responsible borrower and see sudden drops in your credit score, check your credit report and look for any discrepancies. If there are errors on your report, dispute the errors immediately to get them removed. The longer those errors stay on your report, the more damage they can do to your credit score.
Building credit takes time, and getting your credit score in good standing takes years of consistent and responsible credit management. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of credit score ranges, and follow the tips in this article to help build and maintain good credit.
Reviewed by Miriam Allred, an Associate Attorney at Lexington Law Firm. Written by Lexington Law Firm.
Miriam Allred was born and raised in Southern California. After high school she joined the US Navy. She then went on to get an Economics degree from Chapman University where she got to enjoy an internship at the United States Supreme Court. Miriam then went to Brigham Young University where she received her Juris Doctor. Prior to joining Lexington Law, Miriam worked as a civil rights attorney dealing with discrimination and sexual harassment. In this role she helped write and create policies and investigate sexual harassment and discrimination complaints. Miriam also has experience in family law. Miriam is licensed to practice in Utah.
Note: Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.
Storing your cash in a duffel bag under the bed has its perks — immediate access when you need it and the feeling of completely controlling your own finances.
But hoarding hard-earned money in your own home puts it at risk of theft or loss to natural disasters, and it’s doing you no favors in terms of interest.
Savings accounts at an FDIC-insured bank, on the other hand, keep your money secure and can earn you more money in the process.
Nowadays, the best savings accounts are typically with online banks due to higher interest rates, but brick-and-mortar banks still have some (though not many) benefits.
So which savings account should you choose? We’ve ranked the very best savings accounts available today to get you started.
What is a Savings Account?
A savings account is a bank account where you store your money until you need it. To see a detailed explanation to how it differs from a traditional checking account, visit our checking vs savings account comparison.
The best savings accounts are secured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000. That means that if you store your money with a bank and it goes under, you won’t lose your money.
Savings accounts are perfect for achieving your savings goals — for a car, a house, a wedding, vacations, you name it. More importantly, they are the best tool to build your emergency fund.
Most experts agree your emergency savings should total six months’ worth of necessary expenses in the case of job loss or another unpredictable emergency. Necessary expenses might include rent/mortgage, car payments, insurance, medical bills, utilities and groceries.
Don’t sweat it if you don’t have six months’ worth saved up. It takes time to build up your savings. Even if you can deposit $50 a month, you will eventually reach your goal.
One thing a savings account is not is an investment account. Savings accounts have historically low interest rates (or APY — annual percentage yield), but they are inherently low risk.
Pro Tip
After you have padded your savings account with enough cash to cover emergency expenses and your other savings goals, your money is better spent on investments like IRAs, 401(k)s and stocks.
Common alternatives to savings accounts include certificates of deposit (CDs), where you store your money for a fixed term for a slightly higher interest rate, and money market accounts, which typically offer a higher APY but have significantly higher minimum balance requirements.
So just how much interest will you earn in a savings account? That depends on the amount you’ve saved and your APY.
Online Banks vs. Brick-and-Mortar Banks
Before the advent of the internet, brick-and-mortar banks (and credit unions) were the only place to store your money, if not in your duffel bag.
But over the last couple decades, online banks have transformed the way we think of safely storing our money, and because of their low overhead (fewer staff and few or no physical locations), they can offer much better interest rates on savings accounts.
Pros of Online Savings Accounts
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When online savings accounts first surfaced, bank customers were hesitant to store their money with companies they had never heard of and were fearful of internet security issues.
Today, many of these same customers now see far more pros to online savings accounts than their traditional physical banks.
Higher Interest Rates
This is easily the most important distinction between brick-and-mortar banks and online banks. The national average APY for a savings account is 0.70%, but many brick-and-mortar banks offer just 0.01% interest rates on their savings accounts.
Online banks, on the other hand, tend to offer savings rates that are better — sometimes a lot better
Availability
Online banks are always open. The most competitive online banks offer around-the-clock service over the phone or online, and typically have more user-friendly apps and websites.
Some national banks and credit unions may offer 24/7 service, but their physical locations are typically limited to the 9-to-5 business hours.
Pros of Brick-and-Mortar Savings Accounts
There are advantages to brick-and-mortar banks. However, if these benefits do not hold massive weight for you, we highly recommend an online savings account.
Easy Access to Account Funds
Emergencies wait for no one. If you have an unexpected need for $10,000, it would be nice to be able to immediately access that.
Many online savings accounts take several days to get you your funds via ACH deposit or a written check, though wait times for ACH deposits have dramatically decreased in recent years.
(You can also speed up the process by opening a checking account with your online bank or choosing an online savings account with ATM benefits. Prioritize online banks that offer free checking accounts or ATM convenience cards.)
Brick-and-mortar banks, however, can allow major withdrawals at any of their locations. No waiting necessary.
In-Person Support
Some people prefer to resolve their issues over the phone or online, but many others find comfort in face-to-face communication. By opening a savings account with a bank that offers physical locations, you’ll be able to get in-person help from financial experts during regular business hours.
… And a Toss-Up
When it comes to access to ATMs, there is no clear winner. Obviously, brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions offer ATMs at all their locations, where you can easily withdraw your money.
Many online banks, however, offer fee-free withdrawals at select ATMs, and the best online banks will reimburse you for fees incurred out of network.
Best Savings Accounts of May 2021, Ranked
So what are the best savings accounts of May 2021? That depends on what you value most.
In determining our top nine, we reviewed more than 20 popular savings accounts and considered what elements seem to be most universally important:
Best savings rates
Stellar mobile app and/or web experience
Convenience of transfers (easy access to funds)
We considered only savings accounts that were FDIC-insured or NCUA-insured and had no monthly fees.
Because physical branch access is becoming increasingly less important, all accounts on our list are online or hybrid (online with some brick-and-mortar bank locations).
So what didn’t we consider when making our list that you might also want to look for?
Bonuses: Because banks regularly add, remove or replace their bonuses, we did not include them in our criteria. If you’re stuck between two or three comparable savings accounts, see which one offers the best sign-on bonus. We highly recommend checking out our current bank promotions list to help earn bonus cash or incentives when signing up for a new savings account.
Customer service: Quality of customer service is subjective. Read reviews and ask friends and family about their experiences when considering banks.
To truly determine how you feel about the level and quality of customer service, give the bank a call and ask some questions about the account. From that interaction, you should be able to feel out how much each bank values customers and prospects.
1. Synchrony Bank High-Yield Savings Account
We ranked Synchrony’s account as the very best savings account of May 2021 because it has the perfect combination of the most important elements of a bank.
APY: 0.40%.
Monthly fees: None.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: None.
ATM card: No fee for in-network ATMs, $5 monthly reimbursement for out-of-network ATM fees
Access to funds: ATM, electronic transfer to an external account, wire transfer or a paper check in the mail.
Mobile app: Yes. At the time of this writing, the app has a 4.5 rating on the App Store and 3.7 on Google Play.
Details: Synchrony Bank High-Yield Savings account.
2. CIT Savings Builder Account
CIT Savings Builder is another solid account option, but you have to meet certain conditions to earn it:
APY: To earn up to 0.40% APY, either your account needs $25,000 in it, or you must make a monthly minimum deposit of $100 to the account. The latter option should be more feasible and is a good incentive to save each month.
Minimum balance requirement: $100.
Additional fee for withdrawals: None.
ATM card: None.
Access to funds: Electronic transfer, wire transfer (free if you have $25,000 or more in the account) or paper check.
Mobile app: Yes. At the time of writing, the app has a 4.6 rating on the App Store and 4.2 on Google Play.
Details: CIT Savings Builder.
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3. Ally Online Savings Account
Though savings accounts are different from checking accounts — and thus should not be thought of as a place to quickly and easily get money — Ally does make it easier than most to access your funds when you need them. Just open a free checking account (ranked 5th in the best online checking accounts of 2020), and you can easily transfer your money over.
APY: 0.50%.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: After the six permitted withdrawals a month, you’ll pay $10 per transfer with Ally.
ATM card: None.
Access to funds: You can transfer money via direct deposit, electronic transfer, wire transfer or paper check.
Mobile app: Ally’s mobile app is highly rated at 4.7 stars on the App Store and 3.7 on Google Play.
Details: Ally Online Savings account.
4. Alliant High-Rate Savings Account
The Alliant High-Rate Savings account is offered via the Alliant Credit Union, so instead of FDIC insurance, it carries insurance through the National Credit Union Administration, but the benefits are the same.
Because it is a credit union, joining Alliant can be a little more challenging. You need to fulfill one of these four requirements:
Be a current or retired employee of a business that is partnered with Alliant.
Have an immediate family member or domestic partner who banks with Alliant.
Be a member of an Alliant-related organization/association.
Become a member of Foster Care to Success, Alliant’s partner charity.
Live in one of the communities near the Alliant headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
APY: 0.55%. You need an average daily balance of $100 for the APY to kick in.
Minimum balance requirement: $5.
Additional fee for withdrawals: Hard limit on six federally regulated withdrawals.
ATM card: Money access is super convenient with a free ATM convenience card that qualifies at more than 80,000 ATMs nationwide.
Access to funds: If you live in the Chicago area, you’ll even have access to brick-and-mortar locations.
Mobile app: It’s got a solid app (4.7 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play)
Details: Alliant High-Rate Savings account
5. Discover Savings Account
The Discover Savings account offers a substantial APY and easy access to funds via a rewards checking account.
APY: 0.40%.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: The bank may refuse to pay transactions that exceed the six monthly permitted withdrawals.
ATM card: While Discover doesn’t offer an ATM card for its FDIC-insured savings account, you can sign up for the Discover Cashback Debit (it’s free!), which earns up to 1% cash back on up to $3,000 a month.
Access to funds: The linked debit account provides an easy way to transfer funds; otherwise, you can rely on electronic transfers, wire transfers and paper checks.
Mobile app: Discover’s app has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 4.5 rating on Google Play.
Details: Discover Savings account
Learn more: Discover Bank review
6. Capital One 360 Savings Account
While it’s certainly not the savings account with the best interest rate, it makes up for it with no monthly fees, easy integration with other Capital One 360 accounts (including a checking account for easy funds transfer) and a killer app.
APY: 0.40%.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: Hard limit on six federally regulated withdrawals.
ATM card: None.
Access to funds: If you don’t open a linked checking account for the easy ATM access, you can still access your funds via the traditional (but slower) means.
Mobile app: In 2018, the Capital One 360 mobile app was ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction in the banking category for the second year in a row in J.D. Power’s U.S. Banking App Satisfaction Study.
The app has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 4.7 rating on Google Play.
Details: Capital One 360 Savings account
7. Barclays Online Savings Account
Barclays has its cons, like challenging access to funds, but its high APY and strong mobile app earned it a spot on this list.
APY: Barclays is one of three banks on this list to offer the competitive 0.40% APY.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: Withdrawals that exceed the monthly limit will result in a fee.
ATM card: None.
Access to funds: You can deposit and withdraw funds in a number of ways, through direct deposit, an electronic transfer, paper check and more.
Mobile app: Yes, but the Barclays US Online Savings mobile app is not the most user-friendly based on its ratings: a 3.7 on the App Store and a 2.4 on Google Play.
Details: Barclays Online Savings account
Learn more: Barclay’s Bank review
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8. American Express Personal Savings Account
You might rely on American Express for your credit card, but the bank offers an online savings account worth your consideration as well.
APY: 0.40%.
Minimum balance requirement: $1.
Additional fee for withdrawals: Hard limit on nine withdrawals, though this is more than most of its competitors.
ATM card: A major drawback of the American Express account is the lack of ATM card.
Access to funds: Electronic transfer, wire transfer and paper check are the only ways to access your money.
Mobile app: It currently has a 4.9 rating on the App Store and a 4.2 rating on Google Play.
Details: American Express Personal savings account
9. Marcus Online Savings Account by Goldman Sachs Account
Our final online savings account is by Goldman Sachs. It offers a competitive APY and fairly new mobile app.
APY: 0.50%.
Minimum balance requirement: None.
Additional fee for withdrawals: Due to a change in federal law, Goldman Sachs currently doesn’t impose a limit on withdrawals.
ATM card: None.
Access to funds: Withdrawals are limited to electronic transfer and wire transfer (you also cannot deposit checks via the app).
Mobile app: Yes. It has a 4.9 rating on the App Store and a 3.9 rating on Google Play.
Details: Marcus Online Savings Account
6 Tips for Choosing a Savings Account
You should be aware that banks can change interest rates, develop better apps and update their bonuses, so it is important to understand how to determine the best savings account for yourself.
Here are a few tips:
1. Consider Your Needs
We prioritized high savings rates, ease of funds transfer and mobile apps in our rankings, but maybe for you, two-factor authentication and customer service are top considerations.
Build your own ranking system based on your top two or three criteria. You won’t find a perfect bank that offers everything, but at the very least, you’ll find banks that can meet all of your top needs.
2. Stick With Online
Put your money in an online savings account, unless you have a good reason not to, such as a high interest savings account at a brick-and-mortar credit union or a regular need to get in-person help.
3. Save Only With Insured Banks
Do not put your money into any bank that is not insured by the FDIC. Or, if you go the credit union route, make sure it is insured by the NCUA. We did not include any banks on our list that were not insured.
4. Don’t Be Tempted by Sign-on Bonuses Alone
Earning cash for starting an account with a bank feels awesome, but don’t let the appeal of $100 now prevent you from putting your savings into an account that will earn you $500 over a couple years.
5. Find a No-fee Account
Be wary of accounts with monthly maintenance fees, statement fees or any other miscellaneous charges. You’re more likely to find these fees with a brick-and-mortar bank.
Ideally, find a bank that has an associated free checking account for easy and fast funds transfers.
6. Read the Fine Print
Know what you are signing before you sign it.
If an APY sounds too good to be true, it’s possible there are strings attached — or that the rate is only temporary.
Ask questions and do research when you are confused by any of the terms and conditions, and don’t deposit your savings until you are satisfied with the agreement.
Update 4/29/21: These are available again. New link here and here. Go incognito if it doesn’t work in your regular browser. Hat tip to reader Julian
(Update: previously this was only available via referral, it’s now available directly on the AmEx site as well. Updated below.)
The Offer
Consumer Cards | Business version
There are now increased signup bonus offers showing on American Express Hilton cards, available both at the public link above and when applying via referral link:
Hilton Honors no fee card: Get $100 Statement Credit after first purchase and 100,000 Hilton Honors points after $1,000 spend in 3 months.
Hilton Honors Surpass with $95 annual fee: Get $150 Statement Credit after first purchase and 150,000 Hilton Honors points after $2,000 spend in 3 months.
Hilton Honors Business with $95 annual fee: Get $150 Statement Credit and 150,000 Hilton Honors points after $2,000 spend in 3 months.
The Hilton Honors Aspire is still at the 150,000 with $4,000 spend, as before.
Our Verdict
These are all terrific offers, coupled with the fact that the referrer also can get a nice bonus. On the no-fee consumer card we’ve never seen above 100k or 75k+$100; this referral offer is giving 100k+$100. On the Surpass we’ve seen targeted offers of 150k or even 175k; this referral offer is giving 150k+$150 with lower spend requirement. On the business card we’ve never seen above 125k+$100; this referral offer is giving 150k+$150. No new offer for the Hilton Aspire is showing via referral link.
Once the movers bring all of your belongings to your new apartment, you still have some important details to sort through before you can truly feel at home.
Here’s a motivating thought: when the work is done, you can really enjoy your new home!
Follow this post-move checklist for tips on how to settle in to your space. We’ve also created a downloadable checklist that you can print and reference as you go.
Move-in day
Check to make sure all your utilities are turned on:
Water
Power
Gas
Cable
Inspect your furniture to make sure that nothing has been damaged during the move.
Count your boxes to make sure none of your inventory has been lost.
If you have used professional movers and anything has been lost or damaged during the move, report it right away.
Inspect your apartment to see if there are any marks or broken items that were there before you moved in. Report these to your apartment management team so you are not on the hook for the damages when you move out.
Unpack your priority box or any box with items you will need right away.
If you have children, let them pick one box of theirs to open so they can have a favorite toy or security item to help them transition to their new apartment.
Unpack linens and towels so you can make beds and shower.
Unpack enough clothes to get you through the next few days.
The first week: Inside your apartment
Check the level of cleanliness in your apartment. It was likely cleaned thoroughly before you moved in, but if not, you might want to give the space a once-over before you unpack.
File all your moving paper work, including your bill of lading and any receipts.
Arrange your furniture to maximize the flow of your apartment.
Begin unpacking in earnest. Decide on a manageable amount to unpack each day so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
As you unpack, you can set up certain rooms in your apartment. The living room, your bedroom and the kitchen all have their own sets of stuff.
Remove boxes and trash from your apartment as you unpack so you don’t end up with a mass of clutter!
The first week: Outside your apartment
Check your mail to make sure that it is being forwarded correctly.
Visit the DMV to update your license or apply for a new one.
Register to vote with your new address.
Change your address/contact information with your bank.
Map out the best commute to work. Test out a few routes against morning traffic.
If you have not already, register your children at their new school.
Begin your search for a new primary care doctor (and a veterinarian, if you have pets.)
The first month in your new home
If at all possible, finish unpacking within the first month. You don’t want to be stuck a year later with a box you still haven’t opened!
Check in with your friends online and let them know about your move.
Moving into an apartment is a great time to think “new” and “different.” Decorate not only with items you have brought with you, but also new items you buy for your space. Here’s a chance to try a new decorating theme, for instance.
Celebrate your move with an apartment-warming party. You have done a lot of work, you deserve to have some fun! A get-together is a great way to get to know your new neighbors, as well.
Authorized users are secondary account holders on another’s credit account. It usually benefits those that have little credit history and are looking to build it.
Being an authorized user means the account is yours to use, but you won’t be listed as the primary account holder. And therefore, you’re not responsible for bill payments. However, you get all credit benefits of the account, which, if done right, can help boost your credit score and credit in general.
Let’s delve into the world of authorized users to learn how and when it’s done.
How Does an Authorized User Work?
It denotes having someone share their account with you. So, you can get the credit benefits of the account.
Why would you need someone else’s credit benefits? The reason people do this is when they need their credit score boosted, or raised, in a way they’re unable to do on their own.
For example, Danny needs a high credit score within the month to be approved for a mortgage loan. Danny has zero credit cards open so his credit score is very low, in the 500’s.
Here’s where Danny would be added onto his brother Leo’s credit. Leo, who has a Capital One credit card open for the past 12 years and pays it on time every month, is going to ask Capital One to add Danny as an authorized user to this card. Within the next few days or couple of weeks at most, Danny will see the Capital One card on his own report, with himself reported as an authorized user of the account.
Danny will notice his score shoot up. How? Because Leo’s card has been open for 12 years and is in good status, which are excellent factors for a credit score. Because Danny was added as an AU to this card, his credit report now boasts a 12 year old account. FICO sees that and calculates it into his score, bringing Danny’s score up.
Danny is now eligible to apply for a loan because his score is high enough.
Those are the major benefits of being an authorized user.
How Is It Done?
Whoever is adding you to their account, be it a relative, friend, or acquaintance, will call up his/her bank with your personal information on hand. This includes your legal name, home address, date of birth, social security number. And they’ll ask the bank to add your name to his/her credit card.
Once the request has been processed and the info is reported to the credit bureaus, which can take up to 30 days, the credit card account will show up on your credit report. You’ll be labeled an authorized user of the account.
The responsibility of the account is not yours, only the primary account holder’s. Moreover, the actual credit card will be delivered to the primary account holder’s house, and not to yours. Your relationship to the account is really just that your name is being labeled on the account as an authorized user. That’s enough for you to get the account details onto your own report.
Your credit history will automatically update according to the account. If the account’s been open for 10 years, your credit history will now include a 10 year old account. Even if the account has been added to your report just a few days earlier, you still get the full credit history of the account.
To get maximum benefit, the card you’re being added to should be open for at least 2 years and have absolutely no delinquency or late payment marks. Otherwise, that would just pull your credit down.
Why Is This Really Done?
Authorized users were created to offer a parent, spouse or child a chance to start building credit. By adding a parent, spouse or child to your credit card, you give them a head start on their credit. That’s because they get your credit card reported to their credit report, adding that credit history to be considered in their score.
When Is the Appropriate TIme to Add a Child to a Credit Account?
Some banks have a minimum age from when you can add your child to your account.
Minimum Age
Amex
13 years old
Barclay
13 years old
Bank of America
No minimum age
Chase
No minimum age
Citi
No minimum age
Capital One
No minimum age
Discover
15 years old
US Bank
16 years old
Authorized User Services
When this idea was popular, way back then, it was making waves for consumers in the credit world. People were adding authorized users not just for a spouse, parent or child, but also for acquaintances who needed their scores boosted. It got so popular that some companies even started making money. They would charge a fee to officially match up individuals to account holders of good status and credit, and have them added to the third party’s card. These companies’ clients would see instant score boosts of 100 plus points.
What’s about Authorized Users Now?
FICO were feeling that any consumer was able to boost his or her credit, regardless of their creditworthiness. FICO decided to therefore stop including authorized user accounts as part of a borrower’s credit file. The change was implemented as of the FICO 8 model.
But, the Equal Lending Act (12 CFR § 1002.6 (b) (6)) states: “In evaluating the creditworthiness of an applicant, a creditor shall consider the history, when available of accounts designated as accounts that the applicant and the applicant’s spouse are permitted to use or for which both are contractually liable.”
What that means, scoring models must include authorized user accounts as part of the account history if they’re the primary account holder’s spouse.
To this, FICO claims they can differentiate a legitimate authorized user account from a random party, and are allowed to decide per account.
Still, that cuts down on borrowers’ chances to boost their credit through authorized use.
When Is It Still In Use?
Now that authorized users were no longer an option for many, it slowed down, almost stopping completely. The only time it’s still being used is when applying for mortgages. Mortgage loans use FICO scoring models older than FICO 8. That means authorized user accounts all still get included, just like the older models always were. So, if you’re applying for a mortgage loan and you need a score boost, you may be able to be on someone’s credit and potentially boost your score, saving yourself lots of dollars in interest once the mortgage goes through.
Does Every Bank Allow Authorized Users?
As exciting as it’s made to be, for home buyers going for mortgages, even so, not every bank accepts authorized user accounts as if the account belongs to you. And they don’t count authorized user accounts as yours. Therefore, they often don’t report it to the credit bureaus. In addition, not all banks will report the complete account history. They will report the account history as of when it’s been added to your report, and not the back dated history.
Back to Danny, knowing this, he would have to make sure that the credit card Leo is adding him to, is issued by a bank that reports authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus, with the accounts complete history. Otherwise, if it was a bank that wouldn’t count authorized user accounts into the borrowers report, Danny would get nothing out of being added to the card. The bank would not report it to the credit bureaus, FICO would never see such an account on his report, and they would not include it when calculating his credit score.
It’s therefore important to know which banks report authorized user accounts to the credit bureaus. Here’s a list of those that do:
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law’s editorial disclosure for more information.
Improving your home might be a goal for many reasons. It can increase the value of the property for more profit when you’re selling or renting it out. Improvements can also make life more enjoyable for you and your family. But they can be expensive—the average cost of a small kitchen renovation is between about $13,000 and $37,500 according to HomeAdvisor, for example.
Homeowners who want to update their homes often turn to financing as a way to pay for improvements. Find out about home improvement loans and whether they might be an option for you below.
How Do Home Improvement Loans Work?
The specific terms of home improvement loans depend on which type you apply for, but the general concept is that a lender agrees to give you a certain amount of money and you agree to pay it back with interest. In some cases, the lender might require that you use the money for a specific purpose that you stated beforehand. In other cases, the funds are provided as a personal loan for you to use as you see fit.
You can get money for home improvement from a variety of lenders, including banks, personal loan companies, mortgage companies and government agencies. You could also tap your credit lines or credit cards.
How much you can borrow and the rates you’ll pay on the debt depend on a variety of factors. Those include your credit history and whether or not you’re putting up collateral such as home equity.
Types of Loans You Can Use for Home Improvements
Personal Loans
Personal loans are unsecured signature loans. That means you don’t typically put up collateral, and with some exceptions, you can generally do what you want with the loan funds. You make monthly payments as agreed upon, usually for a period of a few years.
Pros: You may be able to get a personal loan that doesn’t require collateral such as home equity. That means you don’t put your homeownership on the line with the loan.
Cons: The lack of collateral makes the loan riskier for the lender, which usually means a higher interest rate and overall loan cost for you.
Credit score requirements: You may be able to find personal loan lenders willing to work with someone with little credit history or only fair credit. However, to get decent rates on a large loan, you may need a good or excellent credit score.
Government Loans
You might be eligible for government loans and assistance programs to modify or repair your home. For example, HUD offers information about home equity conversion mortgages for seniors as well as the Title I Property Improvement Loan Program. Some homeowners may be able to borrow up to $35,000 via the 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program, and the VA offers some home refinance options for eligible veterans.
Pros: The credit requirements for government programs and government-backed loans tend to be a bit laxer than when you’re dealing with banks.
Cons: These programs might have very specific eligibility requirements and terms that you have to follow closely. For example, you may be required to use the funds for specific purposes.
Credit score requirements: This varies according to program, but you may be able to access some options with less-than-stellar credit.
Home Equity Loans
A home equity loan (“HEL”) draws on the amount of equity in your home. For example, if your home is worth $100,000 and you only owe $70,000, you may be able to get a loan for close to $30,000 based on the equity.
Pros: Home equity loans are secured by the value in your home, which makes them a less risky investment for lenders than personal loans and credit cards. That helps you get a lower interest rate, making HELs typically less expensive than other home improvement loans.
Cons: The loan is tied to your home ownership. If you default on the loan, the lender can force the sale of your home to recoup its losses.
Credit score requirements: You don’t need a stellar score to refinance your mortgage, so you might not need a great score to take out a home equity loan.
Home Equity Lines of Credit (“HELOC”)
A home equity line of credit is a revolving line of credit based on the equity in your home. The terms work a bit more like a credit card than the terms of a home equity loan do. That means you draw on the credit line as needed to cover repairs and pay it back over time. You can draw again on the funds as you pay them back.
Pros: HELOCs can be a flexible source of income, making it easy to manage costs for renovations without running up excess debt. And because they’re secured by the value in your home, they may come with more favorable terms than credit card debt.
Cons: Again, the debt is tied to your home. If you default on the line of credit, the lender can force the sale of your home to get its money back.
Credit score requirements: Credit score requirements for HELOCs are similar to those for home equity loans.
Other Ways to Pay for Home Improvements
Credit Cards
If you have a credit card with a high enough balance, you can put goods and services on it. The downside is that you might pay high interest on that debt. Alternatively, if you have a strong credit score, you might be able to get approved for a new card with a zero percent introductory APR offer. That might let you pay off your home improvement expenses over a year or two without added interest expense.
Cash-Out Refinancing
If your home has equity, you can also consider a cash-out refinance. If you owe $70,000 and your home is worth $100,000, you may be able to refinance and borrow $95,000. (The other $5,000 If your credit is better than when you bought the home or conditions are more favorable, you might even get better rates.
The $70,000 you owe is paid to the bank holding the original mortgage. You cash out the roughly $25,000 left and can use it as you see fit, including repairing your home.
Tips for Getting a Home Improvement Loan
If you’ve decided to pursue a home improvement loan, use these tips to increase your odds of getting the deal that you want.
Have Specific Terms in Mind
Plan ahead rather than reaching for the loan and then deciding what you’ll do. Define your home improvement plan and budget, and consider whether you can get funding for that much money.
Get a Cosigner If Necessary
Consider whether you might need a cosigner. Depending on what type of loan you want to apply for, a cosigner might help if you don’t have great credit or if your income doesn’t meet the requirements of the lender. Keep in mind that the cosigner will also be taking on all the obligations of the debt.
Know Your Credit Score
Finally, check your credit score and credit reports before you apply. Understanding where you stand helps you choose the financial products you’re more likely to qualify for and avoid unpleasant surprises during the application process. Getting a good look at your credit reports also helps you understand whether there are inaccurate negative items bringing your score down. If that’s the case, consider working with Lexington Law to repair your credit and potentially open more home improvement loan doors in the future.
Reviewed by Cynthia Thaxton, Lexington Law Firm Attorney. Written by Lexington Law.
Cynthia Thaxton has been with Lexington Law Firm since 2014. She attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Arabic. Cynthia then attended law school at George Mason University School of Law, where she served as Senior Articles Editor of the George Mason Law Review and graduated cum laude. Cynthia is licensed to practice law in Utah and North Carolina.
Note: Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.
(Update 5/1/21: The extension is now showing in the Chase login)
Chase has announced that the Pay Yourself Back feature that was originally slated to end on April 30, 2021 will be extended until September 30, 2021. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get 1.5¢ in value and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders get 1.25¢ in value when redeeming points against the following charges: grocery and home improvement stores, dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery services and contributions to eligible charitable organizations.
A big expense comes up, and you want to charge it on a credit card…but you haven’t applied for the card yet. Which credit card issuers will instantly issue the card number upon approval so that it can be used immediately for online purchases or at a vendor who is willing to accept the card number without a physical card?
Before breaking this issue down by card issuer, it’s important to bear in mind that getting the card number instantly will only happen if you get an automatic approval; if the application goes into pending and gets approved later, it’s unlikely that an agent will give you the card number over the phone.
Also, remember that many card issuers will expedite a new credit card, and it’s often possible to have the physical card at your doorstep in less than 48-hours, see Which Credit Card Issuers Offer Expedited Shipping? for more information.
Alliant
Alliant does not currently offer instant credit card numbers, it’s something they are currently looking into.
American Express
Any Amex card can get an instant card number immediately upon approval. They even email you a link where you can continuously view your instant card number if you request one (1). You can also login and go to this link to get the instant card number after the fact (1).
Business cards more often don’t get the instant card number. (1, 2) Personal cards usually do.
Some co-branded Amex cards will get the card number only to be used at the co-brand location.
The account number given out right away is the same number you’ll get in the mail, but the 4-digit code (and possibly expiration) is different. The system will ask you if you want a temporary number and will e-mail it to you on request (it e-mails a secure link where the card number can be viewed). American Express won’t give you the temporary card number over the phone.
Amex is the best about giving out card numbers instantly. In fact, they’ve even been known, occasionally, to give out hefty bonuses (automatically) if the system fails to offer the instant card number. However, not everyone always sees the instant card number option, likely based on various security factors.
Another trick for using an Amex card before receiving the physical card is this: if the card shows up in your Amex app, you can try adding it to Apple Pay without even knowing the card number. (Seems they rolled out a feature specifically to allow the card to be added to Apple Pay immediately – I assume it’s found at the time of card approval an option to add to Apple Pay.) Additionally, you can use Amex Checkout online at merchants who accept that form of payment.
Apple – Goldman Sachs
The Apple credit card issued by Goldman Sachs gives you instant ability to use the card for purchases from within Apple Pay.
Bank of America
Alaska Airlines card often gives an instant card number.
The only BofA card that’s commonly reported to get an instant card number is the Alaska Airlines card. Many have gotten an instant card number for Alaska while some have not. (One reader was told that the card can only be used on Alaska Airlines purchases. I haven’t heard others mention that.)
All other cards typically do not get access to an instant card number. Occasionally it might be possible to add the card to your mobile wallet from within the Bank of America mobile app; this works specifically when applying for a targeted promotion from within the Bank of America app (1).
Barclaycard
Barclaycard does not offer instant card numbers.
I’ve never seen a report for Barclaycard to offer an instant number and it probably does not exist. The only exception is the Barclaycard Uber card: when you get instantly approved with an in-app application, the card will immediately show up for use in the Uber app (it still won’t be usable elsewhere since you’ll only see the last 4 digits).
Also, Barclay airline cards offer an instant card number only for use within that airline.
BBVA
BBVA does not offer their card number instantly. However, I was told by a BBVA rep that it’s possible to get the card number by going into a physical branch and verifying your identity. In practice, it’s reported that the folks at the branch won’t necessarily be willing to give out the card number.
Capital One
After being approved you can see all of the card details in-app. However, some readers report only being able to see the last 4-digits which isn’t very too useful. Others are able to see the entire number and use the card immediately.
More recently, Capital One began displaying your card number permanently on the web and in the app (1), so it should now be available for everyone immediately. You can also connect your Capital One card to PayPal via the login and use it that way (1).
Chase
Chase generally does not offer instant card numbers.
You can add any Chase card to your mobile wallet like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay and use it instantly. (our original post on this)
A few specific cards:
The Chase Starbucks card instantly makes the new card available virtually, but only to load your Starbucks app, not for use elsewhere.
The Chase Amazon card becomes available instantly for use on Amazon only (1). Again, you should be able to add it to your mobile wallet for use outside Amazon as well (1).
Other cobrands such as Southwest, Marriott, United, British, Disney might work for that specific partner.
Citi
Based on my conversation with a Citi rep, they’ll sometimes offer an instant card number for two cards:
American Airlines
AT&T
Regarding the latter, I assume the logic is due to the fact that the AT&T card is especially aimed at online shoppers, making the card number more important than the physical card. (See also this comment.)
The Costco card can also get an instant card number, see Costco (below).
Costco Credit Card
The Costco credit card does get an instant card issued, only when you apply in a Costco store. They’ll print out a temporary card number/bar code right at the desk and you’ll be able to use that at checkout. (1)
Discover
Discover does not offer instant card numbers.
I’ve never seen a report for Discover to offer an instant number and it probably does not exist.
Final
Final is a company that specializes in offering unique card numbers under one account. They also issue a card number instantly upon approval so you don’t need to wait for the physical card to come in the mail to start using it.
FNBO
A report that the MGM Resorts M life MasterCard gets printed out and issued instantly upon approval when you apply inside an MGM resort at the M life counter.
HSBC
HSBC will give you a credit card number after approval, unfortunately they don’t give you a CVV2 number or the expiry date so it’s largely useless.
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU)
Reader Jason reports getting a virtual credit card number via email around 24 hours after approval from NFCU. Not sure if they always send this or it’s YMMV.
SoFi
SoFi offers an instant credit card number upon approval. (1)
Synchrony
Ebates credit card
Paypal/eBay 3/2/1 credit card will give a small credit line of $250, which can be used for Paypal purchases only (IIRC)
Paypal 2% cash back credit card will give an instant line or credit (probably a smaller one)
These two cards are known to give an instant number, probably because both are meant especially for online purchases.
USAA
USAA gives you an instant card number to use (card number, expiration, and 3-digit code). This has a maximum credit limit of $1,000 (increased when physical card arrives).
US Bank
U.S. Bank does not typically offer instant card numbers; see this post for specific instances where they do.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo does not offer the card number instantly.
How it Works with Store Cards
Many stores offer their own branded credit card; either as a Visa/MC/Amex-issued card which can be used anywhere and more often they are for in-store use only. When applying for a store credit card in-store or online, you’ll often be able to use them immediately upon approval for that day’s purchases.
For future purchases as well it may be possible to use, even before getting the physical card:
Some stores may offer you a temporary card number to use. Dick Sporting does this (heard from PF Digest), and I’ve heard Target does this with their REDcard.
Some stores may allow you to use the card whenever you wish by verifying your personal info at the POS. Best Buy does this – if you don’t have your Best Buy store card handy, you input your info into the POS and make the purchase that way. Same with Kohl’s.
Cabela’s issues instantly a physical card when getting approved for their credit card in store (1).
Walmart Capital One card is available instantly for use (1)
Also, check out this list from ProudMoney for a list of many store cards and whether they offer the ability to use instantly.
Conclusion
If you want to get a credit card number instantly, prominent options would be: any Amex card, Alaska from BofA, American or AT&T from Citi.
As with everything else in life, YMMV, you may not always have success getting the number instantly. As noted above, you’re only likely to get the card number right away when getting an instant approval. Also, a Citi rep told me, that there may be other security factors, such as IP address, which determine whether the system will offer the instant card number.
It’s worth noting that with the emergence of mobile wallets, once you have the card number, you can add it to your mobile wallet and use it in stores as well. Please let us know if you’ve had other experiences in this realm and we’ll add it to the post.
Renting an apartment doesn’t have to mean settling for bland decor. Our apartment decorating tips will help you update and improve both the interior and exterior of your apartment. From small space furniture layouts to balcony-friendly gardens, our team of experts can help you make your apartment feel like home.
