Credit Card Management in a Changing Economy
In today’s unpredictable economic landscape, how individuals handle their credit cards can significantly enhance or detract from their financial experience.
The latest JD Power 2025 US Credit Card Satisfaction Survey indicates a growing divide: those with solid financial footing are reporting increased satisfaction, while those facing financial difficulties continue to struggle amidst ongoing changes.
Credit cards have served as vital financial tools for many, offering convenience and flexibility in spending. However, it’s concerning to note that 53% of cardholders currently carry revolving debt, and around 56% are classified as financially unhealthy, as highlighted in a recent article from Morning Star.
Interestingly, John Cabell, JD Power Payments Intelligence’s managing director, has noted a remarkable rise in satisfaction levels among both financially stable and unstable cardholders.
Best Credit Cards in the US
The JD Power study sheds light on the hurdles credit card issuers face when trying to match the right card options with the right customers during these uncertain times.
Financially Stable Cardholders
On a scale of 1,000, the overall satisfaction rate for credit card users stands at 611, which marks an improvement from last year.
This uptick in happiness among financially secure users appears to stem from strong credit profiles, steady incomes, and a lack of revolving debt. Those making good use of rewards and points systems, such as airline miles or annual fees, are finding the most benefit from their cards.
Financially healthy cardholders saw a 9-point surge in service satisfaction, with those avoiding revolving debt experiencing a 4-point improvement.
Financially Vulnerable Cardholders
According to a recent JD Power survey, nearly 56% of cardholders have reported facing financial strains, with 53% dealing with revolving debt.
The average monthly credit card expenditure has dropped by $68, falling from $1,126 in 2024 to $1,058 in 2025. Factors such as income instability and rising financial volatility are likely contributing to this decline in financially healthy customers.
There’s also been a noticeable shift towards “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services. Almost 20% of credit card users resorted to their cards for BNPL options over the past year, and those considering BNPL offerings from other lenders have risen from 34% to 37% in just one year.
Factors Affecting Credit Card Health
High Annual Fees
Annual fees are what credit card companies charge to maintain various card benefits.
Interestingly, cardholders paying annual fees of $500 or more report lower satisfaction than those with fees under $500. Yet, overall satisfaction remains high among users of cards with any annual fees, as long as they maximize rewards, cashback, travel perks, and special offers.
Increased Merchant Surcharges
Typically, merchants bear the cost of credit card processing fees but often pass these charges onto customers, which can vary from 2-3% of the transaction total.
Research indicates that 65% of customers end up paying higher prices because they used credit cards. Among these, 81% have switched to other payment methods occasionally to avoid these extra fees, which diminishes customer satisfaction by an average of 39 points.
AI-Driven Security
Artificial intelligence is already prevalent in multiple sectors, yet its application for customer recognition at credit card issuers remains limited, despite a generally optimistic outlook.
Only 11% of cardholders fully grasp how their issuers utilize AI, and just 13% feel that issuers effectively communicate this. Still, a third of users believe AI can enhance fraud prevention and security, which is considered a key advantage.
Top-Ranked Credit Cards
JD Power’s 2025 survey highlights credit cards that have garnered customer loyalty this year.
No Annual Fees
Among bank reward cards, the Capital One Savor Reward card ranks third with a score of 662. The Citi Double Cash card follows closely with a score of 642.
Annual Fees
For annual fee reward cards, the American Express Platinum card ranks highest with 683 points. Following that is Bank of America’s American Express Gold Card with 674 points.
No Rewards, No Fees
Credit card users expressed the highest satisfaction with the Capital One Platinum card, scoring 620, consistent for the second year. The BankAmericard follows with a score of 610.
Co-Branded Cards
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard tops the airline co-branded category with a score of 625. Following closely is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card with a score of 607, while the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card comes in at 602.
Among co-branded cards without an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card leads at 641, with the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi at 629, and Goldman Sachs’ Apple Card at 624.
Overall Top Issuers
Across all credit card issuers, American Express maintains its top spot in customer satisfaction with 643 points, followed by Bank of America at 622 and Capital One at 621.
Conclusion
The US Credit Card Satisfaction Survey, now in its 19th year, evaluates customer satisfaction by examining several factors, from account management to customer service.
This just emphasizes that a cardholder’s financial health plays a vital role in shaping their credit card experience. Credit cards can be either a valuable financial tool or a source of stress—it all depends on how they’re managed.
