We all carry a balance on our credit cards from time to time. Unexpected expenses come up, like medical bills and car repairs. And sometimes you just can’t find another way to get that big ticket item you want. Unfortunately, this can get expensive fast because of the high interest rates on most credit cards.

Most of us have gotten a letter from one credit card issuer or another telling us that we’ve been pre-approved for a card. But do you know what that really means? We’ll give you the lowdown on pre-approval and our tips and tricks for pre-qualifying for that Capital One card you really want.

If you’re looking to earn free travel, Capital One has some of the most straightforward rewards in the industry. If you get one of their Venture cards, like the Venture or VentureOne, you’ll find the rewards are easy to use, extremely flexible and very valuable.

There are two types of travel rewards credit cards. Airline and hotel co-branded cards help you earn miles or points in one frequent flyer or hotel loyalty program. General rewards credit cards, on the other hand, let you use the points you earn on any kind of travel, be it airlines, hotels, cruises, or car rental.

Capital One Venture Rewards are ideal for people who are NOT loyal to a particular airline or hotel and don’t want to spend time sifting through award inventory or waiting for award seats to open up.