America runs on credit. Those plastic cards we carry around can get us into big trouble — or score us free vacations.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Avishay Artsy and Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices