... the ABA keeps every bank informed of what the other banks are doing, which is tantamount to price-fixing, but banking was always a price-fixing operation led by the greatest price-fixer of all, the Federal Reserve System.

Most banks violate most state usuary laws, but they claim exemption because they are federally-chartered banks, and the spineless State AGs are too lazy or corrupt to take them to task, plus the credit card companies will threaten to discontinue doing business in states which attempt to curb their criminal activity.

If you are forced to carry a card balance and incur interest, but have a good credit rating, shop around for these 0% interest for 6/9/12/15 months "balance transfer" deals on a new credit card, and keep churning the balance into a new deal when the old deal runs out. You may have to pay a 3-5% one time fee on the balance transferred, but that beats the hell out of the regular interest most of these crooks are charging. IOW, play the game by their rules ... and win.

Your best bet is to not use your credit card except when required ... like making a hotel reservation or renting a car ... you can always settle your bill with cash when checking out or returning a rental car ... but the assholes in airport security may give you a hard time if you carry too much cash.