Before You Compare Credit Card Offers

Are you thinking of applying for a new credit card? If so, you may want to begin asking yourself what your personal financial goal is. After you’ve recognized your own needs, you can then pick the category of card you desire and begin your journey to compare credit card offers.

For a student who is applying for a first credit card there are a number of credit cards available that include a variety of features. The benefits of each card vary and can include 0% APR introductory, no annual fee, and rewards offered such as cash back, selected merchandise and entertainment

Quite often a student credit card has a lower credit limit which is actually a plus. It introduces the student to the world of credit, while limiting the chance of running up too large of a bill. An added bonus of a student credit card is it helps to build that needed credit rating which is important in today’s world. Of course, the student needs to maintain the credit card account in accordance to the issuing company’ terms and conditions.

There are available airline credit cards. But if you wish to travel on more than one airline, perhaps a rewards credit card that offers bonus travel points would be more suitable. The benefit to a reward card would be that the owner has a choice of how to spend those bonus points. In addition to air miles, the added choices include cash back, selected merchandise, entertainment and gift certificates.

If you already have a number of credit cards that you’re paying the minimum balance and they charge an interest rate of more than 0% APR, you might consider a balance transfer credit card. With an introductory 0% APR, you could have anywhere from six to eighteen months to pay down your debt interest free.

Even if you already have bad credit there are still credit card opportunities for you to apply and even receive instant approval. A credit card for people with bad credit, has a higher interest rate than cards for more stellar credit. However you can avoid these higher fees if you pay your balance billed each month. After you’ve been able to rebuild your credit, you can then talk to the issuer and get a lower interest rate or reapply for a lower interest credit card.

Two additional cards are available for people with bad credit or for people who don’t really want to owe on a credit card, but need a card for the convenience of ordering merchandise by telephone or on the internet. These are prepaid credit cards and debit cards.

These two types of cards can be obtained by completing an easy application and making a specified deposit. They work just like a regular credit card and are also accepted at any ATM machine, giving you total access to your available funds.

Bradley Carson is the editor and webmaster of Apply Online For a Credit Card at cards-king.com A website established to provide concise information about credit cards and credit card offers from premier financial institutions.

Top Tips for Choosing the Right Credit Card

You’ve probably received at least a couple of those pre-approved credit card offers in the mail with those fabulously low introductory interest rates. You are urged to accept before the offer expires. Here is tip #1 Make sure you really are getting the best deal.

Read all of the credit card terms. Don’t believe everything you read in the big print. You will want to read the fine print and calculate your overall costs. Compare terms and fee structures to other credit cards that need to be disclosed on the application even if it is in the really tiny print. Here are things to check

1. Annual Percentage Rate – This is also called the APR. This is a measure of the actual cost of credit which is expressed as a yearly rate in a percentage. It must be on all account statements. The card holder might also be allowed to change the rate called variable rates. Interest rates on credit cards can vary from as low as a couple percent to over twenty percent so it defiantly pays to shop around. You also have to watch for cards with variable rates which start out low and then within 90 days take a huge jump.

2. Free Period – This is also called the grace period and it is the period in which you will not be charged any finance charges if you pay the entire balance off by the due date. It is very important to know whether the card offers a grace period. If there is a free period the card issuer has to mail the statement 14 days before the due date.

3. Annual Fees – Some credit cards offer a reduced interest rate but charge an annual fee. You’ll want to do your math to make sure it’s still a deal with the yearly fee. These cards are sold like a membership. You might get special points that build towards a new car or perhaps a trip. Generally you also get a reduced interest rate. Some cards offer travel insurance as part of the. You’ll want to read the fine print to see exactly what’s being offered.

4. Transaction Fees – These charges must be included in your contract and show broken down on your statement. They can be for things such as late payment, cash advances, or when you go over your credit limit.

5. Other Costs – Terms vary among the cards so when shopping around think about how you are going to use the card then choose appropriately. That way you will get the card that best fits your needs.

It is important that make sure you understand the terms of the card. You also should hold onto all receipts for expenditures so that when your statement arrives you can reconcile to make sure the charges are correct. These days with many cards having online access it’s much quicker and you no longer have to wait for the statement to arrive.

When you are using your card make sure you are doing your part to protect the numbers. On charges where there is a line for additional charges or tips make sure you draw a line with a zero through it.

Always keep your records stored safely away. It should include information such as account number, when the card expires and the telephone number of the card issuer. Take the cards with you only when you are planning to use them. Otherwise store safely at home.

It is always best if you use your cards and pay them off at the end of the month. Letting charges build is when users run into trouble as the interest builds.

Now that you’ve got some great tips for choosing the right credit cards the next time you get one of those too good to be true offers you’ll be better prepared to decide if it really is such a great deal।

Andy Gorton is the founder of Debt Advice Online, who provide Debt Management and IVAs to UK Residents

How to Find the Right Credit Card for You

Credit cards are a great way to manage your spending and to buy the things you want, without having to wait. But it’s important to find the right card so that it works for you.

There are a number of things to consider when looking for the right credit card:


Your Status
How much do you earn currently? Do you own your own home? Do you have any bad debt? Are you a student or self-employed? Some credit card lenders have special card deals for people earning over certain limits. Some credit card companies will offer cards even though you have bad debt. So, first think about the key features of your status and see if that helps you narrow down your search.


How Much Can You Afford to Repay?
People often think first about how much they want to borrow on a credit card. But it’s better to come at it from the other way. How much can you afford to repay each month? Most credit cards ask for a minimum repayment, which is usually set around a few dollars or a percentage of the total amount you owe. But they ask you to pay the larger amount of the two; so if you’re planning on a huge purchase, think about what your minimum repayments are going to be.


How Much do You Want to Borrow?
How much money you want to borrow on a credit card is key, so you need to find out early when you are looking at credit card deals, what limits the credit card company sets on the offer. Limits are usually automatically set, but can sometimes be upgraded by making a telephone call once your application has been accepted. However it’s more normal to have to wait for a trial period before being considered for extra money.


What’s the Deal?
Almost every card today comes with a special deal or is aimed at a special group of people. The market is competitive, so check around. But don’t go for a deal just because it sounds great – after all it might be cool to have a few thousand air miles, but would cash-back or a lower interest rate be better for you right now?


Searching for Cards
The Internet is the place to look for credit card deals and a great, easy to use site is The American Credit Cards Guide (see below). It’s a hassle-free site with great features to make your search easy and quick. Check out the left-hand panel to search for credit cards by type or check the main panel for featured credit cards.

Craig Brown - http://www।americancreditcardsguide.com

Bad Credit? No Problems - Have These Credit Cards

People with bad credit or poor credit are often face difficulties in obtaining a credit card for bad credit. The fact is indeed true that their choices are limited when it comes to credit cards but, credit card issuers are increasingly offering financial products that specially cater to bad credit people.

Bad credit problem can be caused due to a number of situations. The credit card choices available to bad credit people allow them to rebuild their credit history. Financial products that help bad credit people are prepaid credit cards or debit cards, secured bad credit cards, unsecured bad credit cards. In this article we take a look at each one of them.

Prepaid or debit cards:

These are the easiest option available for bad credit people. There are no verifications, no credit checks, no employment requirements, and the approval is instant. All they have to do is to deposit a money and a prepaid card is issued. This card has the borrowing or buying capacity equivalent to the funds deposited. The good thing with prepaid credit card is that it promotes financial discipline. Some prepaid card issuers report to various credit rating agencies, thus it helps in rebuilding your credit history.

Secured bad credit credit cards

These credit cards are issued to bad credit people who can offer a collateral. Generally, offered to homeowners, secured bad credit cards help one rebuild his credit history. The interest rates and borrowing limits on these credit cards are good and favorable for bad credit people. Secured credit cards can also be linked to a savings account in which case it will have a credit limit of some percentage of your savings or money in your account. As the credit card issuer gains confidence with you it can increase your credit limit. Again, if you control your finances and spending, repay on time and do not default your credit history will improve.

Unsecured bad credit credit cards

These credit cards have high fees, which makes them a costly proposition to own. But, the bad credit people have limited choices. If a person with bad credit doesn't have anything to offer as collateral or is unable to buy a prepaid or debit card. This is the only option that remains. However, on a positive note, this unsecured bad credit credit card offers the person a chance to rebuild his credit history.

So, the options are there for bad credit people to have a credit card। But if they don't learn lessons from their existing situation and do not improve things will get worse with time and become uncontrollable.


Duran Mueller an expert author and credit card consultant, provides great American express credit card tips. Read more credit card articles at his credit card website.