Apply Online For A Credit Card – How To Choose A Card?

The best type of credit card for you will be dependant on how you intend to use the credit card. Are you the type of person who pays off your card balances monthly? If you are, a card with low annual charges will probably be the best for you. If you tend to let your balances carry over then a card with the lowest interest rates will probably be best for you. If you need cash advances from time to time try to choose a card with a low interest rate and low charges on advances.

When you compare interest rates on differing cards remember that the rate is often variable rather than fixed. The banks or finance houses can often adjust these rates quarterly or by written notice.

Note that interest is charge at an APR rate. APR is the annual percentage rate chargeable. Check to clarify whether you are likely to be paying a differing rate on late payment of monthly balances. This is often called a “penalty APR”. Check whether the card has a “tiered APR”. Some cards use different rates depending on the size of outstanding balance you have at the end of each month. Many cards charge differing APR’s dependant on the type of transaction you make. An APR for a cash advance or balance transfer may be higher than the APR on purchases made using the card.

Check for further charges on any cards you may be interested in. Some companies charge a flat rate transaction fee every time you use the card. There may be a standard fee for any late payments as well as a tiered APR. Check whether the card carries an annual fee for using the card. Other fees you could encounter include set-up fees, return-item fees and credit limit increase fees all of which can increase the total costs of using the card.

Check the grace periods on any cards you are interested in. A “grace period” is the time from purchase to the time interest or fees begins to be applied on the balance for the purchase. Grace periods tend to only apply to purchases made on the card rather than cash advances or balance transfers which incur interest charges form the date of advance or transfer. Many banks and finance companies may state interest is charged 25 days from the statement date for new purchases, so if you pay the balance within 25 days no interest is chargeable. In some cases, if a previous month’s balance has not been paid, you may not be entitled to any grace period on new purchases and end up paying interest on the outstanding balance and on any new purchases until the balance is cleared.

Once you have determined which card offers the best rates and charges for you, determine the amount of money you can repay each month. Check the credit limits on the cards you have selected to ensure you can repay up to the limit if necessary. Over stepping the limit may incurr a charge so ensure the cards credit limit is within your financial budget before applying for the card.

You should also consider whether the card you choose is likely to be widely accepted for the majority of your purchases as it will be easier to manage and keep track of your credit if you have fewer cards. Many cards offer extra facilities such as warranties, rebates on purchases, flyer miles and insurances for travel or cars. Evaluate these extras aganist the real costs of these services.

Once you have evaluated how you intend to use the card and compared the charges as outlined above you should be able to confidently apply online for the best credit card for you.