Harlan Vaughn

Former Staff Editor

About

Harlan Vaughn was formerly a credit cards editor for Forbes Advisor with over a decade of experience. With a deep understanding of the credit card industry, his passion for travel strategies drives his commitment to helping others maximize their credit card rewards. Harlan's expertise has taken him around the world by redeeming millions of points and miles earned with credit cards. His favorite destinations include Iceland, Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand and Chile.

Harlan Vaughn was formerly a credit cards editor for Forbes Advisor with over a decade of experience. His deep understanding of credit cards fuels his passion for travel strategies.

With millions of points and miles redeemed for travel, Harlan has used credit card rewards to visit incredible destinations including Iceland, Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand and Chile. Now, as a dad of three, he’s committed to helping others maximize their credit card rewards and benefits, with a background in writing and editing for distinguished points and miles websites.

Harlan also is interested in personal finance, investing and financial independence. When he’s not digging into those topics or earning rewards with a portfolio of nearly 40 active credit cards, you can find him hiking, enjoying live music or traveling with his family.

Harlan is currently based in Memphis, Tennessee, and continues to empower readers to create their own memorable adventures around the round using credit cards and travel rewards.

Expertise

Credit card rewards and benefits
Travel award bookings
Stacking deals to save money
Family travel

Achievements

Over a decade covering credit cards, points, miles and travel for several esteemed publications
Presenting introductions to points and miles for beginners at conferences and special events
Hosted a series of popular points meetups in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
Dozens of incredible once-in-a-lifetime trips all over the world

Other Publications

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Studio Art, Columbia College Chicago

4 months ago

Best Business Credit Cards For Fair Credit Of 2025

The best business credit cards for fair credit (FICO Score starting at 580) are a helpful stepping stone as you work on building your profile. If you have fair credit, the options are limited, but you can still take advantage...
6 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Expats And Living Abroad Of 2025

If you’re living abroad and using a credit card for your daily expenses, foreign transaction fees can add up fast. For example, if you have a credit card that charges a typical 3% foreign transaction fee, for every $5,000 you...
6 months ago

Best Capital One Business Credit Cards Of 2025

Capital One business credit cards offer an attractive blend of rewards and benefits. Whether you’re looking to earn cash back or travel rewards miles, Capital One has terrific credit card options for companies of all sizes.
6 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Gym Membership Of 2025

Working out is a great way to stay in shape and keep your body healthy. Using the right credit card to pay for exercise equipment or gym membership fees can make exercise financially rewarding, too. The best credit cards for...
10 months ago

Best Credit Cards For A 600 Credit Score Of 2025

If your credit score is 600 or below, solid credit card options are still available. We’ve done the research, and these are some of the best credit cards in the market for someone with a 600 credit score. Using one...
11 months ago

Best Credit Cards For Paying Off Debt Of 2025

With APRs sky high, credit card debt is on the rise. Whether your goal is to lower your APR or streamline payments, transferring your balances to a 0% intro APR credit card might be the right way to go. However,...
1 year ago

The Two Best Cards To Pair With The Chase Sapphire Preferred

Many travel rewards enthusiasts will tell you that if they had to pick one card to earn travel rewards, it would be the . They’ll likely also tell you that pairing it with a complementary card or two is a...
1 year ago

Best Hotel Booking Sites To Find The Cheapest Rates

Booking a hotel can be a pain point for travelers—in part, because there are so many options. The biggest issue is pinning down the cheapest price, but there are dozens of hotel booking sites out there, each with their own...
1 year ago

5 Best Websites For Booking The Cheapest Flights Of 2025

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BECU Low Rate Credit Card Review 2025

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1 year ago

Jeep Rewards Credit Card Guide: 7 Things To Know And Alternatives

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Credit Card Usage Trends By Generation

Credit cards are ubiquitous in today’s society, with 82% of Americans owning at least one card. But that’s where the consensus ends. Forbes Advisors' latest survey uncovered distinct patterns of credit card utilization and attitudes towards debt across generations.
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Capital One Vs. Discover: How These Credit Card Issuers Compare

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1 year ago

Grow Credit Mastercard Review 2025

The helps consumers build credit by reporting subscription service payment history to all three credit bureaus. It’s a simple way to build a positive credit history—and that’s all this card does. You won’t get a physical card, and fees for...
1 year ago

PNC Visa Business Credit Card Review 2025: A Bare-Bones Card With A Low APR

With a lower-than-average APR for qualifying business owners, the is useful for those needing to carry a balance to manage cash flow. The card offers a . But if you want to earn rewards to have built-in protections, you’ll want...
1 year ago

United Nations FCU Elite Credit Card Review 2025

As the premier travel rewards card for UNFCU members, the stands out by offering five airport lounge passes per year and covering up to $20,000 of your credit card debt in the event of your untimely passing. The meager $100...
2 years ago

JetBlue Expands Its Reach To Europe: Welcomes Dublin And Edinburgh To Growing Network

JetBlue Airways is growing its network again. The airline’s latest announcement revealed two new European destinations in its ever-expanding portfolio: Dublin and Edinburgh. JetBlue is also set to introduce two new routes to Paris, with departures from Boston (BOS) and...
2 years ago

GO2bank Secured Visa Credit Card Review 2025

Whether you’re starting your journey into credit or repairing damaged credit, you may be familiar with secured credit cards. Secured cards like the work much like regular credit cards, except you fund your credit line with a deposit into the...
2 years ago

Chase Sapphire Reserve Purchase Protection

The features up to $300 in annual travel credits, Priority Pass Select lounge membership and industry-best travel protections. One of its underrated—and often unused—benefits is purchase protection against damage or theft for eligible items.
2 years ago

Citi Flex Pay

Citi Flex Pay makes it easy for cardholders to make large purchases more affordable and accessible. Customers can repay their purchases with equal payments and varying terms, with the flexibility to choose what fits their budgets. Citi is a Forbes...
2 years ago

Cred.ai Credit Card Review 2025

If you're looking to build your credit, doesn’t require a credit score to apply and offers services that promise to optimize your credit utilization rate. It’s intended to function more like a debit card, however, and this is where things...
2 years ago

Varo Believe Card Review 2025

There's no credit score or credit check required to open the , making it an ideal option for those with no credit or bad credit. This card can improve your credit score and encourage responsible spending habits—with no fees whatsoever....
2 years ago

Credit Card Fraud Detection Policies Of Major Issuers

Credit card fraud is a major source of financial trouble for consumers and banks. According to a 2023 Federal Trade Commission report, credit card fraud was the most common form of identity theft, with over 114,000 reports received in 2023...
2 years ago

United Airlines Partners: What You Need To Know

As one of the largest airlines in the world, United Airlines serves more than 360 destinations and its reach is even greater when you factor in its partners. United’s relationships with other carriers can help you earn or redeem miles...
2 years ago

Revvi Credit Card: 10 Things To Know And Alternatives

The is a subprime credit card that “doesn’t require perfect credit history” to apply. While its low barrier to entry may seem enticing, nothing about this card “revs” our engines. In fact, Revvi’s excessive fees and exorbitant interest rates make...
2 years ago

Transfer Southwest Points: Guide To Southwest Transfer Partners

When you think about airline transfer partners, you might think of airline alliances that allow you to use your miles from one airline to book a flight on another. The Southwest Rapid Rewards program flips the script somewhat, with no...
2 years ago

How To Use Mastercard Rental Car Insurance

No one wants to incur thousands of dollars in surprise rental car-related expenses when traveling, which makes your decision about rental car insurance an important one. While travel insurance may protect your trip costs, it often doesn’t cover rental cars....
2 years ago

Capital One Entertainment Guide

An often overlooked credit card benefit is exclusive access to concert tickets and other events and the ability to use your points to pay for them. Capital One rewards credit cards come with access to Capital One Entertainment, the issuer's...
2 years ago

Amex Travel Portal: Find The Best Deals

American Express often feels like the champagne of credit cards, with myriad card options, such as (Terms apply, see ), that offer luxury (and practical) benefits from elite status and lounge access to bonus points and statement credits. American Express...
2 years ago

Chase Freedom Flex Credit Score Requirement

The is a top choice for earning cash-back rewards with no annual fee. It earns . To be considered for the Freedom Flex, you’ll likely need a good to excellent credit score of at least 670 or higher. Credit Score...