Saturday, November 29, 2008

Which Credit Card is the Best Credit Card For You?


"I pay with plastic these days. I don't carry around much cash anymore."

Credit card companies love people who use their cards for most of their financial needs and they're usually willing to "up the ante" as the expression goes, if they see that individuals use their credit wisely. Besides, by paying with plastic, individuals benefit from purchase protection as provided for under section 75 of the Consumer Protection Act.

Card holders who meet minimum payments or pay the full amount each month usually receive offers from their card companies for a higher credit limit. In many cases, they even receive cheques from these companies encouraging card holders to use them for practically any purchase they need to make.

For credit card holders, these questions must be addressed:


  • Is it the best card for you?

  • Is the minimum payment or the full balance paid every month?

  • Does it offer cash back or rewards that can be used to advantage?

With the proliferation of credit cards and the various ways in which they are structured, it certainly pays to shop around for the best one that serves the person's needs in both the short and long term.

The card industry has become creative and flexible and companies offer a huge range of cards including cashback, no-fee, and will even offer zero percent interest on balance transfers for a fixed period, usually from 12 to 14 months to promote their introductory offer.

The general rule of thumb is that if credit card users pay off the full balance every month, a cashback option would probably be the best deal. Purchases are discounted and at the end of 12 months, the card holder receives a sum that can be used in any number of different ways.

If card holders are unable to pay off the balance each month, leaving an existing balance on their cards, the best deal would most likely be an option with a low interest rate averaging between 10% and 12%.

Card holders should know that a credit card can have three separate types of interest rate associated with it and diligence dictates that users should be familiar with what these rates signify because when the monthly statement arrives, the amounts can be confusing. Below you will find a clear breakdown of these rates which serves as a guideline for individuals about to fill in an application. You can also find many online guides for individuals who are not yet familiar with the dynamics of cards and their use.

The three different credit card rates one is likely to encounter are:

  • PIR - purchase interest rate: this rate applies to purchases of both goods and services
  • BTIR - balance transfer interest rate: this rate is applied to balances transferred from one card to another. Individuals usually take advantage of this facility especially when the existing rate they are paying is too high
  • SVR - standard variable rate: this is the rate that is charged on all unpaid balances on the card, except that of the balance transferred from another card

If in doubt, there are a number of very good online services to compare credit cards which provide individuals with key information. This in turn enables them to make an informed decision as to the best card to suit their present circumstances and spending patterns.

Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of credit cards and now helps others get the best from a credit card For more information visit "http://www.airaid.co.uk"

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Friday, August 15, 2008

Why Should People Have Different Kinds of Credit Card


Credit Card Offers - Credit Card Application - Why Should People Have Different Kinds of Credit Card


There are some credit cards that people apply for just for the sake of getting a credit card. The more credit cards they have the more they can spend. But some people actually apply for certain cards in order to get the most out of them. For example, the credit cards that offer airline miles. The people that travel a lot and spend a lot this credit card goes hand in hand. The more money you spend the more airline miles you can earn. But comes the good comes the bad, with some of those airline miles you can really accumulate them but at the same time some cards have blocked dates. In the summer it is pretty hard to travel because that is when airline fares are at the highest. So airlines don’t want to give away free trips when the price of a ticket is so high.

Then there are the cards that are called Rewards cards. These are cards that offer free gas or free Amazon.com gift certificate when you earn enough point. Unlike airline miles these points are a bit harder to get ,so the more you spend the more points but it seems like forever to get to the points. For example, if you have a Chase credit card, they offer a reward that if you accumulate 2500 points then you get an Amazon.com $ 25 gift certificate. The same premise with gas cards, you need a lot of points that may take months to get just to get the rewards. But some people like that. They like working towards something. The key is to spend the credit to get the points but you have to pay the balance down as well.

There are credit cards that offer a low interest rate when you transfer the balance. These are great if you have a high balance on a high interest card. But make sure that the low balance stays a low balance and that after 6 months the rate goes up. Read the fine print because all offers so say something about the interest rate, But if you can pay down what you can from a low interest site then by all means switch. They will save you money no matter how long there is an interest rate that is low.

Students perhaps get the best deals on credit cards. The credit card companies know that no student in the world is going to turn down a credit card. So what they do is they offer students low apr’s and then the students sign the application and they spoon have their first credit card . Often student credit cards will offer cash back or money towards their tuition. But you should look into how many credit card companies offer which types of rewards and which ones have the best interest rate.

The best thing about credit is that even though you have bad credit and you may still apply for credit cards. These cards start out with a low balance and as you pay more and more of the balance they will increase your credit . It is a great way to do credit repair and reestablish your credit at the same time. There are so many different credit cards that you can choose from but be smart and only choose what cards can make a difference to you. Choose a card with low interest and great rewards. Always remember that in some instances you have to spend more to get more then you have to pay more in order to keep up with the balance so you don’t fall into trouble.
Be sure to chose the right one that best fit your needs from select various credit card offers......

Sam Lin is the owner of Credit Card Application - Credit Card Offers It is a premier credit card resource site,this site helps people get free credit report, PayDay Loans and more...

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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Credit Card Offers - Finding The Best Credit Card


Creditors are providing many different credit card offers to consumers today. There hasn't always been the variety of offers that there is now. But with more companies offering credit cards, creditors are discovering that they need to provide more benefits and services to stand apart from the competition.

History

Credit card use has grown at astounding rates since the early 1950s. The first credit card in the United States was called the Diners Club and was invented by Diners' Club found Frank McNamara.

After the birth of the Diners Club card, the concept of credit cards gained popularity. In 1958 American Express issued their first credit card. Later that same year the Bank of America issued BankAmericard (now Visa). In 1967 the card we now know as MasterCard was born.

During the 1960s they were promoted as a time saving device. Today they're almost a necessity to modern living. Car rental agencies won't let you rent a car without one. Hotels require one. Even tool rental places will rarely let you rent a tool without one, even if you pay the entire rental cost up front.

Since its birth in 1958 American Express has grown to be one of the most popular cards in the United States, according to the inaugural J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Credit Card Satisfaction Study. Only seven points behind on a 1,000-point scale is the Discover card, a relative newbie in the field. The Discover card wasn't established until 1985.

This study on its use was done using a comparison of 10 issuers and 7,812 consumers. The consumers rated benefits and features as most important while rewards were rated as second most important. Of least importance was problem resolution at a paltry 4%.

Not only has the use increased since the 1960s, but debt has also gone up substantially. According to the Federal Reserve Bank, consumers' total credit card debt in America during 1968 was equivalent to $8 billion of today's dollars. Now the nation's total such debt exceeds $880 billion.

Types of Credit Card Offers

Some of the offers available today are those that provide a lower interest rate to help people reduce or eliminate their debt. Some cards also offer a zero-interest introductory period on balances transferred from other cards.

An example of a low interest card is the Discover More Card. It has a regular interest rate of 10.99% and a 12-month zero-interest introductory period. This card will also earn you cash back rewards.

Rewards are another popular type of offer. There are several different types of rewards cards available that provide gas rebates, cash back, hotel rewards, and/or airline miles.

According to the J.D. Power and Associates Satisfaction Study, rewards are one of the main offers an issuer can provide to entice customers. The study says that rewards are key in selection and 80% of cardholders get some sort of reward with their usage.

An example of a rewards card is the Chase Free Cash Rewards Visa Card. It provides one point for every eligible dollar charged and 1,000 bonus points after your first purchase.

There are also credit card offers targeted at those with no credit history or bad or damaged credit history. Some issuers offer special cards for businesses and students.

Analyzing Credit Card Offers

The number of offers available today can be mind-boggling. Picking a card with the offers you want can be a challenging process.

So what should you look for in a credit card offer? It depends on your spending patterns. If you carry a balance, you will want to find a credit card with a low interest rate. Often you can find offers that let you transfer your balance to the new card and pay no interest for a year or longer. If on the other hand you pay off your credit card every month but you use it to make lost of purchases, you will want to take a look at cash back or rewards. These cards give you cash or various rewards (air miles, hotel discounts, and so on) just for using your card. And if you own a small business or home business, there are some terrific deals out there to help save you money and put cash into your business.

So how do you find these deals? The best thing to do is to look online for websites offering great credit card deals. This process has become much less painful in recent years, and the time and effort you spend on doing your research will pay big dividends in the long run.

You can find the best instant credit card offers on the web at Credit-Card-Apply-Online-Here.com. This website, developed by Internet technology expert Marc Ilgen, identifies top credit card offers for consumers and small businesses, including cash back, low APR, rewards, and more.

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Monday, December 25, 2006

Guide To Credit Cards: What Every Credit Card Holder Can Do To Raise Credit Card Scoring


What is a credit score? A credit score is a credit evaluation system done by credit card companies and credit lenders to determine your financial ability to pay back any credits made with them. Credit scores should not be estimated or taken lightly. Credit scores are looked into by credit companies and lending agencies to see whether you are fit to be given credit to or not.

Credit Scoring is done and based on the Fair Isaac and Company credit scoring model. This credit scoring uses information from your credit reports, payment history, length of credit history, the amount owed to creditors, new credits, loans and mortgages, to determine your ability to pay future debts and to gauge the credit companies’ level of risk when extending credit to you in the future.

For any credit card holder planning to maintain good scoring with credit companies and lending agencies, improving one’s credit score should be of a major concern.

1. One way of improving your credit standing with credit companies and lending agencies is to pay your bills on time. A punctual credit payer tells the creditor that you are able and willing to pay debts.

2. Pay old debts before acquiring new ones. The more your debts compound and accumulate, the harder it is for you to pay both old and new debts at the same time.

3. Manage your money wisely. Debts are hard to pay if you are not financially liquid. Doing the grocery with a list allows you to focus on things that you need around the house and skip those that you can do without. Plan your trips to save on gas. These are just some of the things you can try to save money on because the bottom line about credit is that the more financially-sound you are, the more chances you have at raising your credit score. Ironic but true.

4. Monitor your credit reports. Check for inaccuracies in your credit purchases report immediately any errors in your credit report.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.guide-to-credit-cards.com. To apply for your instant approval credit card, to compare credit card offers, to read more articles and guides to credit card, debt management and your credit scoring, simply log on to http://www.guide-to-credit-cards.com.

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