About CardCritics™

Emily Gadd

Editor | Expert Contributor

Emily Gadd is an editor, responsible for writing about personal finance and credit cards. She got her start writing and editing at Healthline. She is passionate about creating educational content that makes complex topics accessible. Emily lives in Seattle with her husband and two cats.

Levi Leidy

Editor | Expert Contributor

Levi has worked with personal finance content since 2019. He tackles topics like banking, investing and real estate, with emphasis on how Gen Z manages their money. His work has appeared on GOBankingRates, MSN, Yahoo, Nasdaq and more.

Cory Dudak

Editor | Expert Contributor

Cory is focused on giving readers the credit card advice they need to improve their personal finances across banking, budgeting and more, all with the core goal of ensuring readers are spending smarter and saving more. He is informed by his continued work as an editor for GOBankingRates, where he has touched content ranging from the brand’s newsletter, video and social media since 2018.

Amen Oyiboke-Osifo

Editor | Expert Contributor

Amen Oyiboke-Osifo is an editor at GOBankingRates and CardCritics™, and has been in the personal finance space since 2019. She specializes in personal finance, credit cards and generational wealth money trends. Amen brings over a decade of experience in digital, broadcast and print journalism. She previously served as the executive producer of The Richer Way Podcast, presented by GOBankingRates, where she highlighted wealth-building strategies and financial insights from industry leaders. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Prairie View A&M University and her master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. Amen’s current work focuses on demystifying credit cards, rewards and debt payoff strategies.

Adam Frankel

Writer | Expert Contributor

Adam B. Frankel is a freelance personal finance writer and portfolio manager. When he’s not managing money in the stock market, he teaches financial topics and other core concepts at local schools from elementary through high school. His work has appeared in Forbes Advisor, Fortune Recommends, MarketWatch Guides, Bankrate, The Street, CardRatings.com and Quartz. He and his wife began collecting credit card points and miles when they became parents and have leveraged their knowledge to explore the world with their family.

Ana Gotter

Writer | Expert Contributor

Ana Gotter is a freelance writer with a passion for helping people learn more about complicated financial topics so they can make informed decisions with confidence, and has been writing about both personal and business finance for over a decade. She can be contacted at anagotter.com

Andrew Kunesh

Writer | Expert Contributor

Andrew Kunesh has written about award travel and credit cards for nearly 10 years. He was previously a Senior Editor at The Points Guy and CNN Underscored, and is now a freelance writer and editor who contributes to top travel publications. His work has appeared on The Points Guy, CNN, Upgraded Points, CreditKarma, Travel + Leisure, and various other publications. Andrew grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved to New York City in 2018 after graduating from DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media. His credit card portfolio spans most major transferable points currencies, but his favorite currencies to earn and redeem are American Express Membership Rewards and Bilt Rewards points. This is thanks to many ways to redeem these points for high-end travel. He estimates he’s redeemed over 2 million points and miles since he got his first travel credit card in 2014. He travels over 100,000 miles annually, primarily funded with credit card, airline, and hotel rewards. His favorite places to travel are Prague, Hong Kong, London, Penang, and Tokyo, but he’s always searching for the next hot destination. When he’s not traveling (or writing about it), you’ll find Andrew in New York City searching for the best new restaurant.

Andrew Lisa

Writer | Expert Contributor

Andrew has more than two decades of professional writing experience, including 10 years as a freelance personal finance writer, and was a nationally syndicated columnist with Gannett, America’s largest newspaper syndicate.

Angela Mae

Writer | Expert Contributor

Angela Mae is a B2B and B2C writer for top finance brands and platforms. She specializes in investing, taxes, retirement planning and consumer & commercial financing. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and 10+ years’ experience. Through a combination of extensive journalistic experience, deep-dive research, and expert interviews, she helps brands reach their audience and inspire people to achieve financial freedom.

Aja McClanahan

Writer | Expert Contributor

Aja McClanahan is a seasoned writer and passionate storyteller covering personal finance, real estate and location-independent lifestyles. Her insights have been featured in top-tier outlets like Money.com, CreditCards.com, Inc., Business Insider, and MSN Money. Aja’s inspiring personal journey of overcoming debt and building wealth through real estate has captured the attention of platforms such as NerdWallet, U.S. News & World Report, and MarketWatch, among others. She’s also the author of the impactful book How a Mother Should Talk About Money With Her Daughter. When she’s not helping readers take control of their financial futures, Aja enjoys living between Florida and Puerto Rico and exploring new travel experiences.

Ashley Parks

Writer | Expert Contributor

Ashley Parks is a writer and editor with expertise in credit cards, credit building, banking, loans and consumer financial literacy. With over five years of professional experience, Ashley is passionate about helping people make the most informed decisions and providing guidance that is concise and accessible for all. She is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where she earned a B.A. in Theatre and Writing. While at Bankrate, Ashley worked primarily on best of pages and reviews, helping to match people with the best credit card products for their individual needs. Her subject matter niches include student credit and subprime credit. In her time at Newsweek, Ashley expanded her expertise to cover broader personal finance topics, chiefly student loans, small business and deposits content. She’s also covered an array of personal finance news as a reporter. Ashley is also a champion for video content and strategy, serving as a pioneer for using video to offer consumers a new way to engage with important topics. Beyond her workload, you’ll find Ashley wordsmithing original poetry, reading the latest hot book release, watching YouTube videos, and traveling when she can with her tiny poodle, Pepper, in tow. You can learn more about Ashley, her work and her artistic pursuits at her personal website, ashleynparks.co.

Bob Haegele

Writer | Expert Contributor

Bob Haegele is a freelance personal finance writer with expertise writing about credit cards, banking, investing, insurance and loans. He has been freelancing since 2018 and a full-time freelancer since 2020. Bob has written for several well-known publications, such as Yahoo Finance, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek. He specializes in several types of content, including educational articles, reviews, and “best of” lists. Haegele studied information technology at Marquette University and worked in IT for nine years before transitioning to freelance writing. Attending a private university left him with a large amount of student debt, which he managed to pay off in its entirety by cutting back on spending and paying as much as he could each month. However, he realized he hadn’t saved as much as he would have liked, and that made him determined to educate others on personal finance and make better financial decisions. That led him to freelance writing, and he has written hundreds of articles since transitioning to his new career.

Ben Luthi

Writer | Expert Contributor

Ben Luthi is an award-winning writer with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance. Before becoming a freelance writer, he worked in financial planning, auto finance and banking. Ben has a finance degree from Brigham Young University. Ben’s expertise extends to a wide range of financial topics, including credit cards, budgeting, consumer credit, loans, investing, cryptocurrency and more. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, U.S. News & World Report, Time and many other major publications. When he’s not writing, Ben enjoys spending time with his two kids, relaxing with his cats, cooking and traveling. He lives near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ben Nickel-D’Andrea

Writer | Expert Contributor

Ben Nickel-D’Andrea is a freelance writer and credit card rewards expert who contributes regularly to multiple publications, offering insights on credit card strategies and maximizing rewards. Since moving to the United States in 2013, Ben has developed a passion for understanding the complexities of credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, helping readers make informed decisions about how to leverage the ins-and-outs of these programs to maximize value. In his articles, Ben covers a range of topics, from choosing the best credit cards for earning points, miles or cash back to guides on how to access premium credit card perks and protections. He emphasizes practical ways to optimize credit card rewards for personal and business use. Ben’s analytical approach and extensive travel experience make him a trusted voice for those looking to maximize the benefits of credit card reward programs. Through his unique and informative writing style, Ben helps his readers to navigate the complex world of finance with confidence.

Claire Dickey

Writer | Expert Contributor

Claire is a freelance writer and editor with seven years of journalism experience in the financial services industry. She previously served as a senior editor at Newsweek, where she covered credit cards and banking, oversaw content development and collaborated with experts on breaking financial news. Before that, she spent five years at Bankrate as a lead credit cards editor. Claire is passionate about demystifying personal finance and helping readers make smart decisions about their money, whether it’s helping readers choose the right rewards credit card for their spending habits and goals or breaking down debt management strategies. Her editorial approach blends personal experience with practical guidance. She’s also collaborated with fintech brands on content initiatives that help small businesses understand and choose the right financial automation tools for their organizations. Claire is a graduate of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia and currently resides in Florida. Her work can be found on Newsweek, Bankrate and CreditCards.com.

Cynthia Measom

Writer | Expert Contributor

Cynthia Measom helps readers find credit cards that match their financial goals — whether they’re building credit, earning travel rewards or comparing offers. She explains features, fees and fine print in plain language, so readers know exactly what they’re signing up for. Her work has appeared on CNN Underscored, Insider, GOBankingRates, Yahoo Finance, MSN and The Motley Fool. She’s been writing about personal finance for over 17 years.

Caitlyn Moorhead

Writer | Expert Contributor

Caitlyn Moorhead has written content for a variety of businesses and publications. She joined GOBankingRates in 2022 and specializes in SEO content writing with a focus in finance. Her pieces cover everything from bank reviews to saving money tips. Caitlyn graduated from Central Michigan University cum laude with a BA in public relations and political science, with concentrations in journalism, communication and broadcasting.

Dia Adams

Writer | Expert Contributor

Dia Adams has been featured on national television, radio, print and online media as an expert in the realm of credit cards, travel rewards, and family travel. She has acted as a senior staff editor on the personal finance team at Fortune and as a managing editor at Forbes Advisor. Dia has been writing about credit cards and travel rewards for over a decade, and has also written a best-selling guidebook on Disney World. She created, organized, and hosted Family Travel for Real Life (FT4RL), a successful travel rewards-focused conference that ran for six years. Outside of work, Dia is a mom of two residing in the DC Metro area. Between growing up in foreign service and working in consulting, she built up a serious love of travel that includes visiting over 50 countries and living in Thailand, China, and Ireland, where her son was born.

Dawn Allcot

Writer | Expert Contributor

Dawn Allcot has been a steady contributor to GOBankingRates for nearly 10 years and is excited to join the team at CardCritics™, sharing her best tips for managing credit and saving money. Dawn has 20+ years of experience writing about personal finance and travel, with thousands of stories published on prestigious sites like Chase, CNET, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Bankrate, The Points Guy, and others. A former magazine editor, she loves taking complex topics and making them easy for today’s audiences to understand, whether that means breaking down the basics of Bitcoin or comparing travel rewards programs for top-tier credit cards. With a passion for family travel and saving money, Dawn spends every spare minute she can taking road trips and riding roller coasters. You can read about her travel adventures at GeekTravelGuide.net and in the bestselling travel anthology Outside the Box: Traveling Families that Work, Educate, and Live on their Own Terms. Dawn lives on Long Island, NY, with her husband, their two teens, and five rescued cats.

David McMillin

Writer | Expert Contributor

David McMillin graduated from DePauw University and has covered credit cards and personal finance for more than 10 years. In a maze of point valuations, rewards structures and sign-up bonuses, he aims to help readers sift through the fine print to find the cards that are truly worth adding to their wallets. His point redemptions have helped him sit in the front of the bus on many long-haul flights. In addition to writing about credit cards, McMillin has a deep grasp on mortgages and the housing market. His work has appeared in various outlets including the Washington Post, Chicago Magazine, Slate, Bankrate, CNET, The Points Guy, Fox Business and Business Insider.

Erin Gobler

Writer | Expert Contributor

Erin Gobler is a personal finance expert with more than a decade of experience writing online. She covers credit cards, as well as other financial topics like banking, investing, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has appeared in major publications like Newsweek, Business Insider, USA Today, Forbes, and more. Through her work as a writer, Erin tries to make the financial industry more accessible by breaking down complex financial topics. Before her time as a finance writer, Erin worked in state government. When she’s not writing, you can find her with her husband, her two daughters, and their dog Phoebe where they live in Madison, Wisconsin.

Emily Sherman

Writer | Expert Contributor

Emily Sherman is a seasoned personal finance journalist with seven years of experience. Her work has been featured in publications including U.S. News & World Report, Buy Side from The Wall Street Journal and Bankrate. Her work spans all areas of personal finance, including credit cards, consumer banking, mortgages, investing and more. She has also written about higher education and technology topics for sites including OnlineU.com and Shopify. Across topics, Emily is passionate about writing stories that break down complex topics and make them more accessible for the average reader. Emily has a bachelor’s degree in English Writing and Rhetoric from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. When Emily is not writing, you can find her planning her next big vacation using points and miles or curled up with a good book. She currently lives in Worcester, MA.

Ethan Steinberg

Writer | Expert Contributor

Ethan Steinberg is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience covering credit cards, airline loyalty programs, and award travel strategy. He previously served as a senior writer for The Points Guy and has also contributed extensively to Business Insider, Forbes and CNN, where he broke down complex topics in personal finance, miles and points, and international travel. Ethan’s passion for award travel was sparked during his time living in China after college, where navigating foreign loyalty programs and long-haul flights on a student budget taught him the real-world value of points and miles. Since then, he has flown hundreds of thousands of miles using rewards points and built travel itineraries that maximize both luxury and value. He specializes in translating the fine print of credit card benefits into actionable advice and has a particular love for obscure redemption sweet spots. He is currently pursuing a dual MD/MPH degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, where he continues to draw on his experiences living and traveling abroad to explore the intersection of global health, policy, and accessibility.

Gabrielle Olya

Writer | Expert Contributor

Gabrielle Olya is a seasoned journalist and Lead Writer at GOBankingRates and CardCritics™, where she specializes in topics that include personal finance, real estate and economic trends. With over a decade of experience, Gabrielle aims to deliver insightful, data-driven reporting that empowers readers to make smarter financial decisions. Her work has been featured across major outlets including Yahoo Finance, MSN, AOL and People Magazine, where she previously served as a Staff Writer-Reporter. Gabrielle holds an M.A. in Print Journalism from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania. Her editorial voice is especially attuned to women’s financial empowerment, and she frequently contributes to GOBankingRates’ Financially Savvy Female series.

Harrison Pierce

Writer | Expert Contributor

Harrison Pierce is a digital nomad and writer specializing in travel, credit cards, and points and miles. His byline has appeared in Forbes Advisor, Fortune Recommends, USA Today Blueprint, CNN Travel, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. For more than three years, he has covered everything from the best places to visit in South America to the best credit cards to use to get there. He brings his cat, Isabelle, with him wherever he goes. Whether he’s relaxing at a luxury resort in the Maldives or a hostel in the mountains of Colombia, he knows that you can get inspiration from anywhere. Ultimately, Harrison’s passion for credit cards and travel shines through to help make unforgettable travel experiences accessible to everyone. He currently enjoys a year-round summer by bouncing between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Joseph Hostetler

Writer | Expert Contributor

Joseph Hostetler is a credit card rewards expert who has covered travel and loyalty programs professionally since 2016. He has authored and edited for prominent travel rewards sites such as Million Mile Secrets, The Points Guy, and point.me. He has also written for dozens of national publications, including Business Insider, Newsweek, CNN, TIME and AP News, and more.

Josephine Nesbit

Writer | Expert Contributor

Josephine (Josie) Nesbit has been a full-time freelance writer for over five years, covering real estate, credit cards and other personal finance topics. She has written extensively on credit card rewards, debt management, budgeting, and saving strategies, breaking down complex financial topics into actionable advice. Her bylines have appeared in top publications, and she regularly interviews industry experts to provide readers with trustworthy insights and up-to-date information. Through her work, she aims to simplify money matters and help readers make smarter, more confident financial decisions. When she’s not writing or working on her business, she enjoys spending time outdoors adventuring with her three children.

Jon Nickel-D’Andrea

Writer | Expert Contributor

As a trusted travel writer for more than a decade, Jon Nickel-D’Andrea’s shares his deep expertise in travel rewards, credit cards, and smart financial planning for travelers. In his work, Jon provides thorough analysis on various credit card offerings, focusing on how readers can maximize the benefits from rewards programs, travel perks, and elite statuses. Whether he’s breaking down sign-up bonuses, recommending cards with extensive perks and benefits, or reviewing premium cabins and luxury hotels, Jon’s insights help readers understand the complex landscape of travel rewards. His work as a travel advisor complements his broader expertise, allowing readers to navigate the realm of points, miles, and credit cards to make high-end travel more attainable. He travels extensively not only in the United States but around the world, and always in premium cabins and luxury hotels. This kind of travel is thanks to the world of points and miles, where he hopes that his readers will be able to have those “”once in a lifetime”” trips over and over again. Jon lives in Seattle with his husband Ben and his 5 year old dog. When not traveling you might still find him at the airport, where he volunteers his time weekly helping to guide travelers through the airport towards their next destination.

Jordan Rosenfeld

Writer | Expert Contributor

Jordan Rosenfeld is a Senior Writer with GOBankingRates and the author of 10 books. She covers credit, debt and personal finance topics with the goal of making money matters more accessible and empowering for everyday readers. Her articles and essays have appeared widely in outlets including CardCritics™, CareCredit, Nasdaq, The Atlantic, Medical Economics, The New York Times, and for business clients such as PayPal. With years of experience as both a journalist and author, Jordan is passionate about helping people make smarter financial and credit decisions that can lay strong foundations for long-term stability and confidence.

Jeanine Skowronski

Writer | Expert Contributor

Jeanine Skowronski is an editor, writer and veteran personal finance journalist with over 15 years of industry experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and professional writing from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Jeanine has served as the Editor-in-Chief of Publisher Partnerships at Natural Intelligence, Head of Content at Forage, Managing Editor at Red Ventures (Bankrate and CreditCards.com), Head of Content at Policygenius, Executive Editor of Credit.com, and a columnist for Inc. Magazine. Her work has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, American Banker, Newsweek, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, MSN, CNBC, and various other top financial publications. She has appeared as a credit card analyst and pundit on Vox, Slate, Good Morning America, The Willis Report, ABC World News with David Muir, NPR’s Marketplace, USA Today, CNN Money, and other local radio and television stations. Jeanine has authored several top studies on personal finance, including widely circulated research on how millennials were eschewing plastic back in 2014 and a white paper on parents and money in 2021. She is the founder and author of Money As If, a weekly personal finance newsletter. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, two cats, and two dogs.

Jason Steele

Writer | Expert Contributor

Jason Steele has been writing about credit cards, travel rewards and other areas of personal finance since 2008, and is known as one the nation’s leading experts in these fields. He has contributed to over 100 outlets including The Points Guy, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Newsweek, US News, Nerdwallet, CNN and USA Today. He has been widely quoted in mainstream media and has appeared on numerous television broadcasts, radio programs and podcasts. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, an annual event which is known as The Conference for Credit Card Media. In addition to being a freelance writer and a conference producer, Jason is the owner of The Steele Team, which provides consulting services for businesses in the credit card industry, as well as with individuals who are seeking to optimize their use of credit cards. Jason is also a commercially rated pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor. He lives in Denver Colorado with his wife and three children and he enjoys snowboarding, wilderness camping and endurance road cycling.

Karen Doyle

Writer | Expert Contributor

Karen Doyle is a personal finance writer with over 20 years of specialized experience writing about banking, securities, investing and retirement planning. Her work has appeared on websites and in publications such as MSN.com, Yahoo.com, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and AOL.com. Karen is passionate about helping people make the best decisions in every aspect of their financial lives. She lives on the beautiful south shore of Massachusetts.

Katherine Fan

Writer | Expert Contributor

Katherine Fan is an industry expert on personal finance topics including credit cards, investing, mortgages, insurance, award travel and loyalty programs. She previously worked full time for The Points Guy, NerdWallet, and Business Insider and holds a Bachelor’s of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. In her free time, you can find her unfiltered thoughts on points and miles, personal finance, and mental health at Points for Therapy on Substack.

Katie Oelker

Writer | Expert Contributor

Katie Oelker is a personal finance writer specializing in credit cards, insurance, travel rewards, investing and retirement planning. Upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire with a degree in Economics and Management, Katie attended graduate school to obtain her 5th – 12th grade Business Education teaching license. After teaching business courses at the high school level for five years, Katie became a financial advisor, helping others reach their financial goals. Katie then turned her passion for personal finance and teaching others into writing educational and engaging content for readers, helping to reach a larger audience. When not writing, Katie enjoys planning trips, being active outside, cooking, reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.

Laura Beck

Writer | Expert Contributor

Laura Beck is a writer with over a decade of experience in financial writer. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Esquire and GOBankingRates.

Laura Bogart

Writer | Expert Contributor

Laura Bogart is a senior writer with GOBankingRates, where she’s covered everything from real estate to retirement and smart spending habits.

Lee Huffman

Writer | Expert Contributor

Lee Huffman spent 18 years as a financial planner and corporate finance manager before quitting his corporate job to write full-time. During his professional career, he held Series 6, 63, and Life & Disability insurance licenses. He also worked in sales and corporate finance for regional banks based in Southern California. As a full-time freelance writer and travel blogger, Lee has expert-level knowledge in a range of topics, including early retirement, credit cards, travel, real estate, investing, insurance, banking, FinTech and other personal finance topics. He has been writing online at BaldThoughts.com since 2012, and he became a full-time freelance writer in 2018. He enjoys showing people how to travel more, spend less, and live better by taking control of their finances. Lee’s work has appeared on popular websites like The Points Guy, U.S. News, Investopedia, Forbes, Fortune, USA Today, and NerdWallet. You can view his portfolio and see samples of his work at LeeHuffman.com/portfolio. When Lee is not getting his passport stamped around the world, he’s researching methods to earn more miles and points toward his next vacation. You can connect with him at BaldThoughts.com.

Michelle Lambright Black

Writer | Expert Contributor

Michelle Lambright Black is a nationally recognized credit expert, credit and travel journalist, and the founder of CreditWriter.com. With more than 20 years of experience writing and speaking about credit, personal finance, and travel, she’s passionate about helping families and small business owners make confident, informed decisions about their money. Michelle’s work has appeared in dozens of top-tier outlets, including The Points Guy, Business Insider, Reader’s Digest, Forbes Advisor, USA Today, Parents, Money, FICO, Bankrate, Newsweek, Experian, Seattle Times, MarketWatch, and Buy Side from The Wall Street Journal. She specializes in topics like credit reporting, credit scoring, travel rewards, and family-friendly financial strategies. As a three-time finalist for the Best Personal Finance Freelancer award from the Plutus Foundation, Michelle is known for breaking down complex financial topics into relatable, easy-to-understand advice. She also works directly with major brands and destinations to develop editorial travel content, especially focused on multigenerational trips, family travel hacks, and maximizing rewards. When she’s not writing or interviewing experts, you’ll likely find Michelle traveling with her husband and three kids, curled up with a good book, or planning her next credit card points-fueled family adventure. You can connect with Michelle on Instagram (@CreditWriter) and X (@MichelleLBlack).

Meghan Hunter

Writer | Expert Contributor

Meghan Hunter is a personal finance and travel expert with over a decade of experience. She specializes in credit cards, travel rewards, insurance and real estate investing. She is also deeply committed to promoting women’s financial independence. You can find Meghan’s work in major media publications, including The Points Guy, Forbes Advisor, Million Mile Secrets, and Business Insider.

Melanie Pincus

Writer | Expert Contributor

Melanie Pincus has worked in consumer advice journalism since 2021. She was the deputy editor covering credit cards for CNN Underscored Money from September 2023 to November 2024. Before that, Melanie was an editor on the Credit Cards, Loans and Banking team at U.S. News & World Report. Melanie holds a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing, and prioritizes making complex topics accessible to readers. Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Brown University in 2021.

Paige Cerulli

Writer | Expert Contributor

Paige Cerulli is a full-time freelance writer specializing in personal finance topics. She has more than a decade of experience as a writer and enjoys helping others improve their understanding of finances and credit cards and their confidence in navigating finance. Paige has a Bachelor of Arts in English and music performance from Westfield State University, and she is also a certified equine massage therapist. She has contributed to publications including Kiplinger, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, GOBankingRates, Business Insider, and more. In addition to her freelance work, Paige enjoys writing creative nonfiction, poetry, and novels.

Peter Rothbart

Writer | Expert Contributor

Peter Rothbart is a Seattle-based award travel and personal finance guru with over a decade of experience and expertise in loyalty programs, credit cards and travel hacking. His work has been featured at outlets such as Business Insider, CNN, Yahoo, NerdWallet and The Points Guy. A former aerospace engineer and long-time touring musician, he also covers a wide range of topics from business to art, sports, and human interest stories. When he’s not writing, Peter can often be found planning his next adventure, raking in poker chips at Las Vegas casinos, or crushing the dodgeball courts of the Pacific Northwest.

Rafaela Stålbalk Klose

Writer | Expert Contributor

Rafaela Stalbalk Klose is a versatile communications professional and writer with over 14 years of experience in copywriting, editing and content strategy. With a strong foundation in journalism and marketing, she creates clear, engaging content that makes complex topics easy to understand and connects with audiences across digital platforms. Born in Brazil, raised in Sweden and now based in Los Angeles, Rafaela brings a multicultural, global perspective to her work. She explores generational differences, financial habits and the evolving costs of the American Dream, helping individuals and families take control of their finances, make confident decisions and navigate their digital and financial lives with ease. Adaptable and creative, she thrives at the intersection of content, marketing and storytelling, delivering work that builds trust, drives engagement and supports Gen Digital’s mission to empower people to manage and protect their digital and financial well-being.

Rebecca Lake

Writer | Expert Contributor

Rebecca Lake is a certified educator in personal finance (CEPF) and a freelance writer with over a decade of experience. Her interest in finance began when she found herself with nearly $100,000 in credit cards and student loans to repay on a minimum-wage income. While she initially began her writing career covering credit cards and debt, her expertise has expanded to include mortgages, investing, college planning, insurance, banking, small business, and entrepreneurship. She also writes about marketing, practice management, and business development for growth-focused financial advisors and financial planners. Her work has appeared online at SmartAsset, SoFi, LendEDU, Investopedia, Time, MyBankTracker, MoneyRates, CreditCards.com, Bankrate, NerdWallet, Forbes, and The Balance. She’s also collaborated with major banking brands, including Citibank, Discover Bank, and First Horizon Bank, to create credit card and loan-focused content. In addition to freelance writing, she operates a personal finance blog for single parents and a successful Etsy shop that she runs with her teenage daughter. When she isn’t writing about finance, Rebecca is busy homeschooling her two children, taking care of the family’s five pets, and working on various creative side projects. She also enjoys reading history books and biographies, experimenting with new recipes, and traveling.

Rudri Patel

Writer | Expert Contributor

Rudri Patel began her career working as a bankruptcy attorney. For the last 20 years, she has worked as a freelance writer on personal finance and legal issues. Over the past five years, she has taken on roles as a senior staff writer for a corporation and is currently the senior SEO financial writer at GOBankingRates. She’s written for Forbes, LegalZoom, Bankrate, The Washington Post, CreditCards.com, and more.

Stacy Sare Cohen

Writer | Expert Contributor

Stacy Sare Cohen has been writing digital content for more than 10 years, helping her readers make the best financial decisions for the products they are considering buying based on their credit scores, budget and lifestyle. At the top of her list is credit cards. Stacy helps readers navigate the confusing and complex world of credit cards, breaking down the particulars and fine print for the benefit of her readers. Her favorite thing to do is help Card Critics visitors find the best signup bonuses and rewards, recommending the right cards based on reader credit scores and interests, such as travel. Stacy informs when a high annual fee makes sense and when it doesn’t. Stacy graduated with a BA in English from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Monmouth University. You can read her stories and articles in CardCritics™, GoBankingRates, Forbes and elsewhere.

Sarah Hostetler

Writer | Expert Contributor

Sarah Hostetler is a freelance writer focusing on credit cards and travel rewards. For five years, she has written and edited for travel websites such as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, and Dollar Flight Club. She has also frequently contributed to prominent sites such as AP News and TIME. Sarah has redeemed millions of miles and points to book her family on trips to luxury resorts in lie-flat plane seats. She routinely gets tens of thousands of dollars in travel each year from her credit card rewards. Still, her favorite rewards trips are for simple domestic travel to see family.

Sarah Sharkey

Writer | Expert Contributor

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make optimal financial decisions for their situation. She loves digging into the nitty-gritty details of financial products and money management strategies to root out the good, the bad, and the ugly. Her goal is to help readers find the best course of action for their needs. She covers credit cards, mortgages, student loans, and more. She has written for numerous finance publications, including Newsweek, Business Insider, and Credible. When not writing about money, Sarah can be found exploring the waters near her coastal home with her husband and dogs. Boating with a book is her favorite combination! You can connect with her on her blog, The Wildlife Quest, or on LinkedIn.

Sarah Silbert

Writer | Expert Contributor

Sarah Silbert is a writer, editor, and credit card expert who has covered personal finance and travel for various publications. Most recently, she was the deputy editor of personal finance coverage at Business Insider, and she previously contributed to Forbes, Fortune, The Points Guy, and the MIT Technology Review, among others. She loves using credit card rewards to fund trips to her favorite destinations, including Japan, Europe, and Hawaii.

Victoria M. Walker

Writer | Expert Contributor

Victoria M. Walker received a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at New York University. She is an award-winning travel reporter who has written for The New York Times, Washington Post, Travel+Leisure, and others.