Points, Perks & Fees: How to Know When a Credit Card Isn’t Pulling Its Weight with Vivian Tu
Fri Feb 06 2026
How many credit cards is too many? Are premium travel cards actually worth those eye-popping annual fees? And what should you do when a card in your wallet stops pulling its weight?
This week, Jean Chatzky is joined once again by money expert Vivian Tu for a listener mailbag all about credit cards, points, and smart strategies for getting real value, without paying unnecessary fees or interest.
Together, they break down:
How to decide if high-end travel cards like Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve are actually worth the cost
The smartest way to evaluate card perks — from lounge access to travel protections — in real dollar terms
When it makes sense to downgrade a credit card
How to use points efficiently without spending hours comparison shopping
What to say if you call your credit card company to ask for a lower interest rate
How to switch cards while protecting your credit score and account history
📈 Join our InvestingFixx club, your first month is free!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How many credit cards is too many? Are premium travel cards actually worth those eye-popping annual fees? And what should you do when a card in your wallet stops pulling its weight? This week, Jean Chatzky is joined once again by money expert Vivian Tu for a listener mailbag all about credit cards, points, and smart strategies for getting real value, without paying unnecessary fees or interest. Together, they break down: How to decide if high-end travel cards like Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve are actually worth the cost The smartest way to evaluate card perks — from lounge access to travel protections — in real dollar terms When it makes sense to downgrade a credit card How to use points efficiently without spending hours comparison shopping What to say if you call your credit card company to ask for a lower interest rate How to switch cards while protecting your credit score and account history 📈 Join our InvestingFixx club, your first month is free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices