Credit Card Comparisons Guide

Shopping around for a credit card can save you money on interest and fees. You’ll want to find one with features that match your needs. This information can help you

  • Understand the features of credit cards
  • Compare credit card features and costs
  • Know your rights when using your credit card
  • File a complaint if you have a problem with your credit card

    How will you use your card?

    The first step in choosing a credit card is thinking about how you will use it.
  • If you expect to always pay your monthly bill in full--and other features such as frequent flyer miles don’t interest you--your best choice may be a card that has no annual fee and offers a longer grace period.
  • If you sometimes carry over a balance from month to month, you may be more interested in a card that carries a lower interest rate (stated as an annual percentage rate, or APR).
  • If you expect to use your card to get cash advances, you’ll want to look for a card that carries a lower APR and lower fees on cash advances. Some cards charge a higher APR for cash advances than for purchases.

    What’s the APR?

    The annual percentage rate--APR--is the way of stating the interest rate you will pay if you carry over a balance, take out a cash advance, or transfer a balance from another card. The APR states the interest rate as a yearly rate.

    How long is the Grace Period?

    The grace period is the number of days you have to pay your bill in full without triggering a finance charge. For example, the credit card company may say that you have “25 days from the statement date, provided you paid your previous balance in full by the due date.” The statement date is given on the bill.
    The grace period usually applies only to new purchases. Most credit cards do not give a grace period for cash advances and balance transfers. Instead, interest charges start right away.

    If you carried over any part of your balance from the preceding month, you may not have a grace period for new purchases. Instead, you may be charged interest as soon as you make a purchase (in addition to being charged interest on the earlier balance you have not paid off). Look on the credit card application for information about the “method of computing the balance for purchases” to see if new purchases are included or excluded. Information on methods of computing the balance is in the section “How is the finance charge calculated?”

    These are just some of the considerations you will have to be aware of when choosing a credit card. The bottom line is that you should always read the small print and think about what it is you are agreeing to and whether or not this is what you need.

     

  •  
    Translate Page Into German Translate Page Into French Translate Page Into Italian Translate Page Into Portuguese Translate Page Into Spanish Translate Page Into Japanese Translate Page Into Korean

    More Credit Card Articles

     

     

    Search This Site

     

    Related Products And FREE Videos





     

    More Credit Card Articles


    Credit Card Debt Some Remedies

    ... have. If you do have savings, then perhaps it is time for you to use them. It makes little sense to be saving money and earning four per cent, while at the same time you are paying out twenty per cent on your debts. You should classify your debts according to priority with the debts baring the highest ... 

    Read Full Article  


    Credit Card Debt Consolidation 101

    ... credit card and need a change in your budget planning in order to straighten up your financial condition. The low interest that free credit card debt consolidation services require is the first factor that helps you with your monthly payments. Furthermore, by merging your debts and dealing with only one ... 

    Read Full Article  


    About 0% APR Credit Cards

    ... You start off with a very low interest rate then after a certain period of time, it would change to a higher rate. However, what you should try to look for are 0% APR credit cards. With 0% APR credit cards, you do not have to worry about an interest rate at all for a defined period of time. In fact, the ... 

    Read Full Article  


    Is Your Airline Credit Card Right For You

    ... class ticket. If you are looking for an airline rewards credit card, you'll find that many of the best offers are available online. Since these cards earn points instead of frequent flyer miles, the rewards are not subject to the same restrictions as frequent flyer miles. Today, airline credit cards are ... 

    Read Full Article  


    Cash It Back With Credit Cards

    ... charged to the credit card in a year. Usually, rebates are between 1-2%. Some can even go as high as 3%. Are rebates always in the form of cash? Strictly speaking, cash rebates should be in the form of cash. But now that card companies are diversifying, rebates may now come in the form of gift certificates ... 

    Read Full Article