10 Mistakes Travelers Make With Travel Cards (And How to Avoid Them)

You've seen the stories: travelers flying first class to Europe for free, staying in luxury hotels using points, or taking multiple trips a year without paying for flights. What you might not see are the thousands of travelers who make costly mistakes with their travel credit cards, leaving money on the table or worse—actually losing money despite earning rewards.

Travel credit cards can be incredibly valuable tools for earning free travel, but they're not foolproof. According to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the average American household carries over $6,000 in credit card debt, with interest charges often exceeding any rewards earned [1]. This statistic highlights a critical truth: travel credit cards only work in your favor if you use them strategically and avoid common pitfalls.

This comprehensive guide explores the 10 most common mistakes travelers make with travel credit cards, why these mistakes are costly, and most importantly—how to avoid them. Whether you're new to travel rewards or have been earning points for years, understanding these mistakes can help you maximize your travel rewards and actually achieve the goal of traveling for free.

Understanding common travel credit card mistakes helps you maximize rewards and avoid costly errors that can negate the value of your points and miles.

Understanding the True Cost of Travel Credit Card Mistakes

Before diving into specific mistakes, it's important to understand the financial impact these errors can have. Travel credit card mistakes don't just reduce your rewards—they can actively cost you money. A study by the Federal Reserve found that credit card interest charges average 20.75% APR, while travel rewards typically provide 1-5% back in value [2]. This means that even small mistakes, like carrying a balance or missing a sign-up bonus, can quickly turn a valuable rewards card into a financial liability.

The good news is that these mistakes are entirely avoidable with proper planning and understanding. By learning what not to do, you can ensure your travel credit cards work for you rather than against you. The key is recognizing that travel credit cards are tools that require strategy, not just spending.

Mistake #1: Carrying a Balance and Paying Interest

This is perhaps the most fundamental mistake travelers make with credit cards, and it's also the most costly. Carrying a balance on a travel credit card defeats the entire purpose of earning rewards, as interest charges almost always exceed the value of rewards earned.

Why This Mistake Is So Costly

Credit card interest rates currently average between 18-28% APR, according to data from the Federal Reserve [2]. When you carry a balance, you're paying interest on every purchase, which quickly erodes any rewards value you've earned. The math is simple: if you're earning 2% back in rewards but paying 24% in interest, you're losing money on every dollar you spend.

Consider a real-world example: You have a $5,000 balance on a travel credit card with a 24% APR. Your monthly interest charge would be approximately $100. During that same month, you might earn 2,500 points (worth $25-50) from your spending. The result? You're losing $50-75 per month, even though you're earning rewards.

The problem compounds over time. That $5,000 balance doesn't just cost you $100 in interest this month—it continues to accrue interest month after month, making it increasingly difficult to pay off. Meanwhile, your rewards are worth a fraction of what you're paying in interest.

How to Avoid This Critical Mistake

The solution is straightforward but requires discipline: always pay your balance in full each month. This means only spending what you can afford to pay off immediately. Set up automatic payments for the full statement balance to ensure you never accidentally carry a balance. If you find yourself unable to pay in full, stop using the card for rewards until you've paid off the balance.

Many travelers make the mistake of thinking they can "float" a balance while earning rewards, but the math never works in your favor. The interest charges will always exceed the rewards value, making this approach a guaranteed way to lose money.

The Golden Rule: If you can't pay your balance in full each month, don't use a travel credit card for rewards. The interest will always cost more than the rewards are worth. Focus on paying off debt first, then use credit cards strategically once you're debt-free.

Mistake #2: Not Meeting Sign-Up Bonus Requirements

Sign-up bonuses are the most valuable aspect of travel credit cards, often worth $500-$1,500 or more in travel value. Yet many travelers apply for cards with attractive bonuses and fail to meet the spending requirements, losing out on this valuable benefit entirely.

The True Value of Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses typically require spending $3,000-$6,000 within the first 3-6 months of account opening. In return, you receive a large points bonus—often 50,000-100,000 points or more. These bonuses can be worth $750-$1,500 or more when redeemed for travel, making them significantly more valuable than the ongoing rewards you'll earn from regular spending.

The problem is that these bonuses are time-limited and non-negotiable. If you don't meet the spending requirement within the specified timeframe, you lose the bonus entirely. There are no second chances, no extensions, and no partial bonuses. You simply miss out on what could be the most valuable part of the card.

Real-World Impact of Missing Bonuses

Imagine you apply for a card offering 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in three months. Those points could be worth $750-$1,200 in travel value. You spend $3,500 during the three-month period, thinking you're close enough. The result? You receive zero bonus points, losing $750-$1,200 in travel value while still paying the annual fee (if applicable).

This mistake is particularly costly because sign-up bonuses are one-time opportunities. Once you've missed the bonus window, you can't earn it later through regular spending. You're left with a card that may not provide value without that initial bonus.

Strategies to Ensure You Meet Requirements

The key to avoiding this mistake is planning. Only apply for cards when you're confident you can meet the spending requirement through your normal spending patterns. Track your spending progress regularly using the card issuer's online portal or mobile app. Set calendar reminders for the deadline to ensure you don't forget.

If you're close to the deadline and haven't met the requirement, consider timing large purchases—like insurance premiums, annual subscriptions, or planned expenses—to fall within the bonus period. However, never spend money you wouldn't otherwise spend just to meet a bonus requirement, as this defeats the purpose of earning free travel.

The Rule: Don't apply for a card unless you're confident you can meet the spending requirement through your normal spending. Sign-up bonuses are too valuable to miss, and they're non-negotiable once the deadline passes.

Mistake #3: Redeeming Points at Poor Value

Earning points is only half the battle—redeeming them wisely is equally important. Many travelers redeem their hard-earned points for cash back, gift cards, or statement credits, missing out on significantly better value available through travel redemptions and transfer partners.

Understanding Redemption Value Differences

The value you get from your points varies dramatically depending on how you redeem them. Cash back redemptions typically provide 1 cent per point, meaning 100,000 points equals $1,000. Gift cards often provide even less value, sometimes as low as 0.5 cents per point. Statement credits usually match cash back at 1 cent per point.

Travel redemptions through the card issuer's travel portal typically provide 1.5-2 cents per point, representing a 50-100% improvement over cash back. However, the real value lies in transferring points to airline and hotel partners, where you can often achieve 2-5+ cents per point, especially for premium cabin redemptions.

The Cost of Poor Redemptions

Consider this example: You've accumulated 60,000 points through your travel credit card. If you redeem for cash back, you receive $600. However, if you transfer those points to United Airlines, you could book a round-trip flight worth $800-$1,200. For premium redemptions like business class, those same points could be worth $2,000-$3,000. By choosing cash back, you're leaving $200-$2,400 in value on the table.

The difference becomes even more pronounced with larger point balances. 100,000 points redeemed for cash back equals $1,000, but transferred to the right partner at the right time could be worth $2,000-$5,000 in travel value. That's the difference between a domestic economy flight and an international business class experience.

How to Maximize Redemption Value

The key to avoiding this mistake is education. Before earning points, research your card's transfer partners and understand how to use them effectively. Learn about award charts, sweet spots, and redemption strategies. Join online communities where experienced travelers share redemption tips and strategies.

Always compare redemption options before cashing in your points. Check both the card issuer's travel portal and transfer partner availability. While transfer partners often provide better value, the travel portal can be convenient and still offer better value than cash back. The goal is to maximize value while maintaining flexibility.

The Rule: Always compare redemption values. Travel redemptions are almost always better than cash back, and transfer partners often provide the best value of all. Don't cash out your points until you've explored all redemption options.

Mistake #4: Not Using Bonus Categories Effectively

Most travel credit cards offer bonus categories that earn 3x-5x points on specific types of purchases, such as dining, travel, or groceries. However, many travelers use the wrong card for purchases, missing out on these valuable bonus earnings.

The Value of Bonus Categories

Bonus categories can significantly increase your points earning. While regular spending typically earns 1x points, bonus categories earn 3x-5x points, representing a 200-400% increase in earning rate. Over the course of a year, using the right card for bonus categories can mean the difference between earning 50,000 points and 150,000 points from the same spending.

The challenge is that different cards offer different bonus categories, and it's easy to forget which card to use for which purchase. This is particularly true when you have multiple travel credit cards, each optimized for different spending categories.

Real-World Impact of Category Mistakes

Consider a traveler who spends $500 per month on dining. If they use a card that earns 1x points on all purchases, they earn 500 points per month, worth $5-10. However, if they use a card that earns 4x points on dining, they earn 2,000 points per month, worth $20-40. Over a year, this difference amounts to $180-$360 in lost value—simply from using the wrong card.

The impact multiplies when you consider multiple spending categories. If you're missing bonus categories on dining, travel, groceries, and gas, you could be losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars in rewards value annually.

Strategies for Maximizing Bonus Categories

The solution requires organization and planning. Create a simple system to remember which card to use for which category. Some travelers use card selector apps, while others keep a note on their phone. The key is having a system that's easy to reference when making purchases.

Review your card benefits regularly to ensure you're aware of all bonus categories. Card issuers sometimes change bonus categories or add new ones, so staying informed helps you maximize your earnings. Consider your spending patterns when choosing which cards to carry, ensuring you have cards that match your highest spending categories.

The Rule: Always use the card that offers the highest earning rate for each purchase type. Bonus categories can triple or quadruple your points earning, making them essential for maximizing travel rewards.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Annual Fees Without Calculating Value

Annual fees on travel credit cards range from $95 to $695 or more, and many travelers pay these fees without calculating whether they're getting sufficient value in return. This mistake can turn a valuable rewards card into a financial burden.

Understanding Annual Fee Value

Annual fees are only worth paying if the value you receive exceeds the fee cost. This value can come from sign-up bonuses, ongoing rewards, travel credits, lounge access, travel insurance, and other benefits. The key is calculating the total value you'll receive and comparing it to the annual fee.

Many travelers make the mistake of focusing only on rewards earning, ignoring other valuable benefits like travel credits, lounge access, or travel insurance. These benefits can significantly offset annual fees, making premium cards valuable even if you don't travel frequently.

When Annual Fees Don't Make Sense

Consider a card with a $250 annual fee. If you only earn $200 in rewards value during the year, you're losing $50. Even if you earn $250 in rewards, you're breaking even—not getting value. The card only makes sense if you're earning significantly more than $250 in value, either through rewards or other benefits.

This calculation becomes more complex with premium cards that offer travel credits. A card with a $550 annual fee and a $300 travel credit effectively costs $250 if you use the credit. However, if you don't use the travel credit, you're paying the full $550. Understanding and using all benefits is essential for annual fee cards to make sense.

How to Evaluate Annual Fee Value

Before applying for a card with an annual fee, calculate your expected value. Estimate your spending and the rewards you'll earn. Add the value of travel credits, lounge access, and other benefits you'll actually use. Compare this total value to the annual fee. If the value exceeds the fee, the card makes sense. If not, consider a no-fee alternative.

Track your actual value received throughout the year. If you're not getting sufficient value, consider downgrading to a no-fee version of the card (if available) or canceling before the next annual fee posts. Don't continue paying annual fees for cards that don't provide value.

The Rule: Annual fees are only worth it if you get more value than the fee costs. Calculate expected value before applying, and track actual value received. Don't be afraid to downgrade or cancel if a card isn't providing value.

Mistake #6: Not Using Travel Credits

Many premium travel credit cards include annual travel credits worth $200-$400 or more. These credits are designed to offset annual fees, but many travelers fail to use them, essentially paying for benefits they never receive.

The Value of Travel Credits

Travel credits are part of the card's value proposition. A card with a $550 annual fee and a $300 travel credit effectively costs $250 if you use the credit. However, if you don't use the credit, you're paying the full $550. This makes travel credits essential for premium cards to provide value.

The challenge is that travel credits often have specific terms and restrictions. Some credits apply automatically to travel purchases, while others require activation or have specific categories they apply to. Understanding these terms is essential for actually using the credits.

Common Reasons Travel Credits Go Unused

Many travelers don't understand how their travel credits work. They may not realize the credit exists, or they may not understand what purchases qualify. Some credits have specific categories—like airline incidentals or general travel—and purchases outside these categories don't trigger the credit.

Other travelers simply forget to use their credits. Without tracking or reminders, it's easy to let a credit expire unused, especially if you don't travel frequently. This is particularly problematic because travel credits typically reset annually and don't roll over.

Strategies for Using Travel Credits

The key to using travel credits is understanding their terms and planning ahead. Read your card's benefits guide to understand exactly what purchases qualify for the credit. Set reminders to check your credit usage throughout the year, ensuring you use it before it resets.

Plan your travel and travel-related purchases around credit usage. If your credit applies to airline incidentals, consider using it for checked bags, seat selection, or in-flight purchases. If it applies to general travel, use it for flights, hotels, or other travel expenses. The goal is to ensure you receive the full value of the credit.

The Rule: Travel credits are part of the card's value. If you won't use them, the card may not be worth the annual fee. Understand credit terms, set reminders, and plan purchases to ensure you use the full credit value.

Mistake #7: Applying for Too Many Cards at Once

The desire to maximize sign-up bonuses can lead travelers to apply for multiple cards simultaneously. However, this approach often backfires, making it impossible to meet spending requirements and potentially harming your credit score.

Why Multiple Applications Are Problematic

Each credit card application results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score. Multiple applications in a short period can compound this effect, potentially dropping your score by 20-40 points or more. This can make it harder to get approved for future cards and may affect other credit applications.

More importantly, applying for multiple cards simultaneously makes it difficult or impossible to meet spending requirements. If you apply for three cards, each requiring $4,000 in spending over three months, you need to spend $12,000 in three months—a challenging feat for most travelers. The result is often missing multiple sign-up bonuses, losing thousands of dollars in value.

The Chase 5/24 Rule and Other Limitations

Some card issuers have rules that limit how many cards you can get approved for. Chase's 5/24 rule, for example, means you won't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more credit cards (from any issuer) in the past 24 months. Applying for too many cards can lock you out of valuable Chase cards for two years.

Other issuers may have similar rules or may simply deny applications if you have too many recent accounts. Understanding these limitations helps you plan applications strategically rather than applying for everything at once.

Strategic Application Timing

The solution is to space out applications strategically. Wait 3-6 months between applications, ensuring you can meet each card's spending requirement before applying for the next. This approach allows you to maximize sign-up bonuses while protecting your credit score and maintaining eligibility for future cards.

Plan your applications around your spending patterns and travel goals. Apply for cards when you have large planned expenses that can help meet spending requirements. Consider which cards provide the most value for your specific travel patterns and prioritize those.

The Rule: Only apply for cards you can actually meet the requirements for. Quality over quantity. Space out applications to protect your credit score and maximize sign-up bonus success rates.

Mistake #8: Closing Cards Too Quickly

Many travelers close credit cards immediately after earning the sign-up bonus or cancel them right before the annual fee posts. While this might seem like a smart way to avoid fees, it can actually harm your credit score and cost you in the long run.

How Closing Cards Affects Your Credit

Closing a credit card can negatively impact your credit score in several ways. First, it reduces your total available credit, which can increase your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you're using). Higher utilization ratios can lower your credit score.

Second, closing a card can shorten your average account age, another factor in credit scoring. Older accounts generally help your credit score, so closing them can have a negative impact. This is particularly true if the card you're closing is one of your oldest accounts.

Finally, some card issuers may claw back sign-up bonuses if you close the card too quickly—often within 6-12 months of account opening. This means you could lose the bonus you worked to earn, negating the value of the card entirely.

When Closing Cards Makes Sense

There are situations where closing a card is the right decision. If a card has a high annual fee and isn't providing value, closing it before the next annual fee posts can save money. However, this should be a last resort after exploring other options.

Before closing a card, consider whether you can downgrade it to a no-fee version. Many card issuers allow you to product change to a card with no annual fee, preserving your credit history and available credit while eliminating the fee. This is often the best solution for cards that no longer provide value.

Best Practices for Card Management

Keep cards open for at least 12 months to avoid clawbacks and minimize credit score impact. For cards with annual fees, evaluate value before each annual fee posts. If the card isn't providing value, consider downgrading to a no-fee version rather than closing it entirely.

For no-fee cards, consider keeping them open long-term to maintain credit history and available credit. Use them occasionally to keep them active, preventing the issuer from closing them due to inactivity. This approach helps maintain a healthy credit profile while avoiding fees.

The Rule: Keep cards open at least 12 months, and consider downgrading instead of closing. Closing cards can harm your credit score and may result in bonus clawbacks. Only close cards as a last resort when downgrading isn't possible.

Mistake #9: Not Understanding Transfer Partners

Transfer partners are where the real value in travel credit cards lies, yet many travelers never learn how to use them effectively. This mistake can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost redemption value.

The Value of Transfer Partners

Transfer partners—airlines and hotels that accept point transfers from credit card programs—often provide the best redemption values. While fixed-value redemptions through card issuer portals typically provide 1-1.5 cents per point, transfer partners can provide 2-5+ cents per point, especially for premium cabin redemptions.

The difference becomes dramatic with larger point balances. 100,000 points might be worth $1,000-$1,500 as cash back or through a travel portal, but transferred to the right partner at the right time could be worth $2,000-$5,000 in travel value. That's the difference between a domestic economy flight and an international business class experience.

Why Transfer Partners Are Intimidating

Many travelers avoid transfer partners because they seem complicated. Award charts, availability searches, transfer times, and partner-specific rules can feel overwhelming. However, the learning curve is manageable, and the value is significant enough to make the effort worthwhile.

The key is starting with simple redemptions and gradually learning more advanced strategies. You don't need to become an expert overnight—even basic understanding of transfer partners can significantly improve your redemption values.

Learning Transfer Partner Strategies

Start by identifying your card's transfer partners and learning about a few key programs. Focus on airlines and hotels you actually use or want to use. Learn about award charts, sweet spots, and basic availability searching. Online communities and resources provide extensive guides and strategies for maximizing transfer partner value.

Practice searching for award availability before you need to book. This helps you understand how award space works and what to expect when you're ready to redeem. Don't transfer points until you've confirmed award availability, as transfers are typically one-way and non-refundable.

The Rule: Transfer partners almost always offer better value than fixed redemptions. Learn them gradually, starting with programs you'll actually use. The value difference is significant enough to make the learning curve worthwhile.

Mistake #10: Not Tracking Points and Expiration Dates

Points and miles are valuable assets, but many travelers lose track of their balances across multiple cards and programs. This can lead to expired points, missed redemption opportunities, and an inability to maximize value because you don't know what you have.

The Risk of Point Expiration

Many loyalty programs have expiration policies. Points may expire after a period of account inactivity—often 12-24 months without earning or redeeming points. Some programs are more lenient, while others are strict. Losing points to expiration is like throwing away cash, yet it happens to thousands of travelers every year.

The challenge is compounded when you have points across multiple cards and programs. Tracking balances, expiration dates, and activity requirements for each program requires organization and regular attention.

The Cost of Poor Tracking

Consider a traveler with points across three different credit card programs. Without tracking, they might not realize that 25,000 points in one program are about to expire. Those points could be worth $250-$500 in travel value, representing a significant loss. Even if points don't expire, not knowing your balances makes it impossible to plan redemptions effectively.

Poor tracking also makes it difficult to maximize value. If you don't know you have 50,000 points in one program and 30,000 in another, you can't strategically combine or transfer points to maximize redemption value. You might redeem points at poor value when better options were available with proper planning.

Systems for Effective Point Tracking

The solution is creating a simple tracking system. Use a spreadsheet to track all your cards and programs, including point balances, expiration dates, and activity requirements. Set calendar reminders for expiration dates and activity requirements. Check accounts regularly—at least monthly—to ensure you're aware of balances and any changes.

Consider consolidating points when possible. Some programs allow you to combine points from multiple sources or transfer between programs. This can simplify tracking and help you accumulate larger balances for better redemptions.

The Rule: Track your points like money. They have real value and can expire. Use a simple system to track balances and expiration dates across all your cards and programs. Regular attention prevents costly losses.

Bonus Mistake: Not Reading Terms and Conditions

This mistake underlies many of the others. Failing to understand card terms, restrictions, and policies can lead to unexpected fees, missed benefits, and poor redemption decisions.

Why Terms Matter

Credit card terms and conditions contain critical information about earning rates, redemption rules, restrictions, and fees. Not understanding these terms can lead to costly mistakes. You might miss bonus categories, misunderstand redemption values, or be surprised by fees or restrictions.

Terms also change over time. Card issuers can modify benefits, earning rates, or redemption options with notice. Staying informed about these changes helps you adapt your strategy and avoid being caught off guard.

Key Terms to Understand

Focus on understanding earning rates and bonus categories, redemption options and values, annual fees and when they post, travel credit terms and restrictions, transfer partner lists and transfer times, and any spending requirements or limitations. These are the terms that most directly affect your ability to maximize value.

Don't try to read every word of the terms and conditions, but do understand the key aspects that affect your usage. Card benefit guides and online resources can help explain terms in plain language.

The Rule: Understand key card terms before applying and using cards. Focus on earning rates, redemption options, fees, and restrictions. Stay informed about changes that could affect your strategy.

Creating a System to Avoid These Mistakes

Avoiding these mistakes requires organization and planning. Creating a simple system helps you stay on top of your travel credit cards and maximize their value.

Tracking Your Cards and Points

Maintain a spreadsheet or document tracking all your credit cards, including account details, point balances, annual fees and dates, benefits and credits, spending requirements and deadlines, and expiration dates. This central tracking system makes it easy to see your entire credit card portfolio at a glance and identify any issues before they become costly mistakes.

Update this tracking regularly—at least monthly—to ensure information stays current. Set aside time each month to review accounts, check balances, and verify that you're on track to meet any requirements or deadlines.

Setting Up Reminders

Use calendar reminders for important dates, including annual fee posting dates, spending requirement deadlines, credit expiration dates, and point expiration dates. These reminders help ensure you don't miss critical deadlines that could cost you money or points.

Set reminders well in advance of deadlines to give yourself time to take action. For example, set a reminder 30 days before an annual fee posts so you have time to evaluate whether to keep, downgrade, or cancel the card.

Continuous Education

The travel credit card landscape changes constantly. New cards are introduced, benefits are modified, and redemption strategies evolve. Staying educated helps you adapt your strategy and continue maximizing value.

Follow reputable travel rewards blogs and communities, read card benefit updates, learn about new transfer partner opportunities, and stay informed about industry changes. The more you understand about travel credit cards, the better you can avoid mistakes and maximize value.

The Bottom Line: Maximizing Travel Credit Card Value

Travel credit cards can provide incredible value, but only if you avoid common mistakes and use them strategically. The biggest mistakes—paying interest, missing sign-up bonuses, poor redemptions, and not using benefits—can quickly turn valuable rewards cards into financial liabilities.

The key principles for success are straightforward: always pay balances in full, meet sign-up bonus requirements, maximize category bonuses, calculate annual fee value, use all credits and benefits, learn transfer partners, and track everything systematically. By following these principles and avoiding the 10 mistakes outlined in this guide, you can maximize your travel rewards and actually achieve the goal of traveling for free.

Remember that travel credit cards are tools that require strategy and discipline. They're not magic solutions that automatically provide free travel—they require understanding, planning, and responsible usage. However, when used correctly, they can provide significant value and help you travel more while spending less.

Start with the basics: pay in full, meet bonuses, and redeem wisely. Then build from there, learning more advanced strategies as you gain experience. The journey to maximizing travel rewards is ongoing, but avoiding these common mistakes puts you on the right path from the start.

Ready to maximize your travel rewards? Avoid these mistakes, follow best practices, and start earning free travel the right way. For more guidance, check out our comprehensive guides on maximizing sign-up bonuses, choosing the right travel credit card, and best travel credit cards for beginners. Learn more about transferring credit card points to airline partners and strategies for earning points without flying.

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Last Verified: November 15, 2025
Last Updated: March 1, 2025

References:

[1] Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). "Consumer Credit Card Market Report 2025." Published October 2025. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/consumer-credit-card-market-report/

[2] Federal Reserve Bank of New York. "Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit Q3 2025." Published November 2025. https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc

[3] Federal Reserve. "Consumer Credit - G.19." Published November 2025. https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g19/current/

[4] J.D. Power. "2025 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study." Published September 2025. https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-credit-card-satisfaction-study

[5] Experian. "State of Credit 2025." Published October 2025. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/state-of-credit/