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Anya Kartashova

Credit Cards Writer

About

Anya is a freelance credit cards writer and adventurer based in Salt Lake City. She has written about award travel, rewards credit cards and personal finance extensively for NerdWallet, 10xTravel and Fodor’s. She firmly believes that no one should pay full price for the opportunity to see the world, which is why her goal is to travel by reaping the benefits of rewards credit cards and to help others do the same.

Anya is a credit cards and travel writer with nearly 10 years of experience contributing content to various publications, including Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, 10xTravel, Fodor’s and Reward Expert. As an award travel enthusiast, she uses credit card points and miles to fund her own adventures, and she enjoys teaching others the value of credit card rewards. Anya has traveled to nearly 90 countries, which wouldn’t have been possible without using credit card points and miles to offset the costs—and she’s only getting started. Besides travel, Anya enjoys photography, craft beers and tacos.

Expertise

  • Credit cards
  • Travel
  • Award travel
  • Personal finance

Achievements

  • Nearly 10 years of writing experience in credit cards, award travel and personal finance
  • Contributor to various publications, including Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, 10xTravel
  • Photographer

Other Publications

Education

University of Utah (B.A., Mass Communication)

  • Best Credit Cards For 500 Credit Score Of May 2024

    Whether your credit score is in the 500s because you’re building your credit from scratch or trying to rewrite credit history after an unexpected financial setback, you might want to look into a secured credit card that you can use...
    Best Credit Cards For 500 Credit Score Of May 2024

  • Chase Freedom Unlimited Vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

    If you’re seeking cash-back credit cards, we recommend considering cards that offer unlimited rewards at elevated rates (higher than a flat rate of 1% back) on all purchases. Both the and the earn rewards at a rate higher than 1%,...
    Chase Freedom Unlimited Vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash

  • Best Credit Cards For Weddings Of May 2024

    Planning a wedding can be expensive, stressful and time-consuming. As the big day on the calendar approaches, you have to answer many questions. How many guests should we invite? Should we have an open bar? Do we want to get...
    Best Credit Cards For Weddings Of May 2024

  • Fair Compensation For Bed Bugs In Hotels

    When you go on a trip, what are some of your biggest hotel deal breakers? Perhaps your room might not match the photos you’d seen online or the historic hotel in the old part of town you booked is…*ahem*…haunted. It’s...
    Fair Compensation For Bed Bugs In Hotels

  • Delta Partners: Complete List Of Airlines And Hotels

    Teamwork makes the dream work and Delta Air Lines is no stranger to the concept. With so many partners, including airlines and other well-known travel brands, such as Airbnb, Expedia, Hertz and Lyft, there are many ways to earn and...
    Delta Partners: Complete List Of Airlines And Hotels

  • Ink Business Cash Credit Card Review 2024

    Business owners can score significant rewards by using the no annual fee to pay for expenses. The card's high earn rates on typical areas of business spending can help earn cash back faster than many other small business credit cards....
    Ink Business Cash Credit Card Review 2024

  • Delta SkyMiles Dining: What To Know

    The way to free travel is through your stomach. Dining is already a popular bonus rewards category on many credit cards, but what if there was a way to earn even more miles on the same purchase? SkyMiles Dining lets...
    Delta SkyMiles Dining: What To Know

  • United Airlines Partners

    When you fly United Airlines, you can earn MileagePlus miles to redeem for reward flights. Did you know you can earn and redeem these miles on flights with partner airlines as well? United has relationships with a long list of...
    United Airlines Partners

  • How Many Amex Cards Can You Have?

    Keeping track of points and travel partners can make navigating the world of rewards credit cards a difficult task. Add in all the rules regarding application frequency, welcome bonus restrictions and the number of cards you can hold at once,...
    How Many Amex Cards Can You Have?

  • Amex Delta Gold Vs. Amex Delta Platinum

    American Express is the sole issuer of co-branded Delta Air Lines cards and offers an array of options ranging from the no-annual-fee (Terms apply. See ) to the premium -annual-fee (Terms apply. See ). The two mid-tier cards in between—the...
    Amex Delta Gold Vs. Amex Delta Platinum

  • Victoria’s Secret Credit Card Review 2024

    With the ability to earn between 5% and 22.5% cash back, the can net you some serious savings on your next in-store purchase. However, the card has limited general use. Because it’s a store card, it can be used only...
    Victoria’s Secret Credit Card Review 2024

  • Ulta Credit Card: Things To Know And Alternatives

    The is a store card whose perks are easy to predict. It earns rewards on Ulta Beauty purchases at Ulta Beauty stores and ulta.com. Since it’s a store card, you won’t be able to use this card at other retailers....
    Ulta Credit Card: Things To Know And Alternatives

  • How To Maximize The Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit

    (terms apply, see rates & fees) is a premium card with premium perks and a premium annual fee. When you look at the fee, you might think, “Wow, no way would I pay that much for a card membership.” However,...
    How To Maximize The Amex Platinum Airline Fee Credit

  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: The Complete Guide

    In August 2022, Cathay Pacific (CX), the flag carrier of Hong Kong, relaunched its loyalty program. Instead of Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles, the programs were combined into a single entity called Cathay. According to Cathay Pacific, this revamped...
    Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: The Complete Guide

  • Is A Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Worth It?

    If you’re a Delta Air Lines flyer, you’ve likely considered one of the co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit cards issued by American Express. These travel rewards cards earn SkyMiles on all purchases—some even earn double or triple miles in select categories—and...
    Is A Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Worth It?

  • How Long Does It Take For A Sign-Up Bonus To Post To Your Account?

    Earning a welcome bonus on a new credit card account is a money move no one should overlook. To attract new cardholders, banks will frequently offer a bounty of cash back or points (depending on the type of rewards the...
    How Long Does It Take For A Sign-Up Bonus To Post To Your Account?

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express Vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    (terms apply, see ) is an ultra-premium rewards card known for its customer service, lounge access benefits and flexible rewards. For those with a small business, Amex also offers a business version of this card: (terms apply, see ). You...
    The Platinum Card® from American Express Vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

  • How To Book A Round-The-World Trip With Miles

    We’ve all heard of those magical round-the-world (RTW) trips with stops on every continent. Today you’re visiting museums in Europe. Next week you’re going on an African safari. And a month from now, you’re sipping wine in Australia. As fun...
    How To Book A Round-The-World Trip With Miles

  • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card 2024 Review

    The (terms apply, see ) is a premium co-branded Delta Air Lines credit card. It’s useful to flyers who can benefit from the complimentary lounge access including: Delta Sky Club (when flying with the airline) and American Express Centurion Lounges. But...
    Delta SkyMiles Reserve Credit Card 2024 Review

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review 2024

    The is a middle-of-the-road co-branded Delta Air Lines credit card (terms apply, see ). If you fly Delta and prefer to check bags but don’t have elite status, you can easily make up for the annual fee after a few...
    Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Review 2024

  • Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card Review 2024

    The (terms apply, see ) is a starter Delta Air Lines card for small businesses. If you sporadically fly the Atlanta-based carrier but not enough to earn Medallion status, the Delta Business Gold can provide a shortcut to some elite-level...
    Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card Review 2024

  • Wells Fargo Rewards: How To Earn And Redeem Them

    In the world of credit card rewards, there’s one program that’s rarely talked about: Wells Fargo Rewards. Even though it’s not popular among points programs, it still offers value. Wells Fargo Rewards can be earned and redeemed in various ways,...
    Wells Fargo Rewards: How To Earn And Redeem Them

  • Chase Disney Visa Review 2024

    Earning , the offers the bare necessities. The no-annual-fee might seem like an obvious choice for a Disney/Marvel/Star Wars fan, but it might not be the best choice for a rewards card.
    Chase Disney Visa Review 2024

  • How Much It Costs To Rent An RV (And How To Pay With Points)

    Do you want to experience a change of scenery every week or even every day? Are you a digital nomad who would like to wake up to unique office views? RVs, or recreational vehicles, grew in popularity in the era...
    How Much It Costs To Rent An RV (And How To Pay With Points)

  • Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review 2024

    The most perk-packed of the Southwest consumer cards, the is well worth the annual fee for those who want to fly off into the sunset (or any other time of day) primarily on Southwest Airlines.
    Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review 2024

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Credit Card Review 2024

    The (terms apply, see ) is a solid choice for frequent Delta travelers who don’t need a card with Delta Sky Club access. Delta and American Express recently announced upgraded perks to several SkyMiles credit cards along with higher annual...
    Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Credit Card Review 2024
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Top Picks From Anya Kartashova

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About

Anya is a freelance credit cards writer and adventurer based in Salt Lake City. She has written about award travel, rewards credit cards and personal finance extensively for NerdWallet, 10xTravel and Fodor’s. She firmly believes that no one should pay full price for the opportunity to see the world, which is why her goal is to travel by reaping the benefits of rewards credit cards and to help others do the same.