Topic

US credit cards

Every article and term on this topic, grouped by subtopic. Full glossary.

Applications

US credit cards · Applications11 minutes

What is the 5/24 rule for credit card applications?

Why some US card issuers decline an application regardless of the score once too many accounts were opened recently, what counts towards that limit, and how the order of applications follows from it.

Reviewed 13 October 2026Read

Billing cycle

US credit cards · Billing cycle10 minutes

What is the difference between statement date and due date?

Which date decides the balance that gets reported, which one decides whether interest is charged, where the grace period comes from, and why a minimum payment is the most expensive way to pay.

Reviewed 28 September 2026Read

Terms on this topic

Application rule: An application rule is an internal issuer policy that rejects an application regardless of creditworthiness, for example because too many accounts were opened recently.
Payment due date: The due date is the day by which payment on a card statement must arrive so that no interest accrues on purchases made during the cycle.
Statement date: The statement date is the day a card issuer closes the billing cycle, produces the statement and reports that day's balance to the credit bureaus.