Friday, August 10, 2007

Credit Card Offers ! Comparing Credit Card Offers

Credit Card Offers ! Comparing Credit Card Offers


Before applying for a credit card and comparing offers it is essential to know generally how credit cards work. Credit cards are a tool to defer payment for goods and services a consumer wants and needs today. Credit cards do not remove money from an already existing account like a debit card, but instead the issuer of the card is lending money to the credit card holder. Each time a transaction is made on a credit card, the lender is loaning that amount of money to the user, but expects monthly payments to be made in order for the loan to be paid off. Issuers of credit cards will charge an interest rate in order to make money off of the loan, but these interest rates and other rates will differ among the many credit cards offers available.
When looking to apply for a credit card, there are many different factors that need to be considered first. The interest rate for a credit card plays a huge roll in the overall cost of the loan, so it should definitely be looked at before applying for any card. Some credit card offers will have an introductory interest rate for a certain period of time, but then the interest rate will skyrocket. Interest rates can vary from 0% to as high as 25%, and those with lower credit scores will find that they must pay higher interest rates in order to get a credit card loan.
When comparing credit card offers, annual fees should also be considered. Some cards offer no annual fee for the first year, while others never require an annual fee. Some cards require an annual fee right from the beginning, and can be as high as $100 or more. When comparing credit card offers, make sure to determine what the annual fee will be, if any. Most cards with great interest rates and rewards programs will require a higher annual fee, but others can contain none at all. Because various credit cards are offered by a number of different lenders and banks, there are also many different fees involved, and they should be fully researched before applying for any card.
Rewards programs are another factor that should be considered when comparing credit card offers, and there are a number of different rewards programs to choose from. Some offer rewards on a point earning system, based on the number of dollars spent on the card. Points can then be redeemed for a number of different items, including plane tickets, hotel stays, or even prepaid gas or gift cards. Some credit cards also offer cash rewards, which means that cash will be refunded based on the amount spent throughout the entire year. Because the various credit card rewards programs can widely differ, it is best understand the terms for redeeming points, their associated value and limitations for use.
Like all other types of loans, credit cards must follow an application process. Each time an individual applies for a credit card, their credit is run and their score is dropped by a few points. This should really be taken into consideration when comparing credit card offers, because applying for more than one card can decrease a credit score dramatically. Make sure you research each credit card and decide which would work best for you, and apply for only a single card at any one time. If you find that you are not approved, it is because your score is lower than the card issuer's acceptance criteria, and you should consider a card that will approve applicants with credit that is less than perfect. Comparing credit card offers is very important when looking to apply for a credit card, since you want to make sure to find the best card for your individual needs the first time.
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