To find the best deal for a credit card, one of the best things you can do is do an online search and comparison. The web has made it very easy for you to do quick searches so that you don’t have to go to multiple sources. Even if you don’t do a direct comparison, you can gather the information and compare them on your own.
This page will help you research credit cards just by using the easy and FREE credit card chaser tool!
Once you have a number of credit card offers to compare, whether it is online or from mailings you have received, it is time to compare all of the features. When it comes to choosing the right credit card, there are many things to consider.
Interest Rate
The interest rate is one of the main things people look at when they are looking for a credit card. Although this is a smart thing to do there are a few things to be aware of in regards to a card’s interest rate.
Although a card company may advertise a particular rate for a credit card, your actual rate may differ from what you see. Your credit history and score are big factors in what your rate will be. In fact, if you want to narrow down which cards you will be eligible for, you can get a copy of your score as well as get more information from MyFico.com.
Usually to be eligible for a credit card that earns rewards and/or has a low APR you need to have a score that is considered to be great or excellent.
Many card offers will tell you what the minimum credit category you should be in is before you apply.
If you have a low credit score, there are few cards that you will actually be eligible for and if you are accepted you will end up paying a high interest rate. You may even find that it is difficult to find any credit card, in which you may want to explore secured credit cards.
Teaser Credit Cards
In regards to low interest rates, there are many cards available that offer a 0% introductory interest rate. These can be good and bad at the same time. They can be great if you want to transfer a balance from a higher interest card and plan on paying the balance off before the promotion is over.
The problem with the no interest cards is that once the promotion is over they become high interest cards, which is why they are sometimes referred to as teaser offers. If you are unable to pay off the balance it will come back to get you. These offers can be for six, nine, 12, 15, or 18 months long. To get the best deal, go with a longer term.
Fees
Looking at the fees of each credit card can help determine the best one. Annual fees are a big one. Many cards do not have fees for annual membership while others do. They can average from $35 to $50, while some have fees in the $100s.
Other fees to be aware of include late fees, cash advance fees, over the limit fees, balance transfer fees, and application fees. To help protect consumers, the Federal Reserve put regulations into place in February 2010 that put a percentage cap on the amount of fees that your card company can charge.
Benefits
Another thing to compare among credit cards is the kinds of benefits they offer. Reward and cash back programs are just a couple of benefits offered by card companies. Many now offer other things as well.
Look for travel insurance, insurance coverage for car rentals, roadside assistance, concierge service, exclusive comps, luggage protection, emergency assistance, and more. Most cards also include zero liability against fraudulent charges made with your credit card. This means that if your card gets into the wrong hands, you are not responsible for any of the charges made during that time.
Many of these benefits are included on your account for no charge, while others have a charge associated with them. Read the fine print to know for sure.
It is a good idea to compare around six to ten different credit cards. Doing so will give you a very good idea of what each is offering and you can choose which one suits you the best.
Use the FREE card finder tool to begin your search for credit cards to compare!
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