Posts filed under 'Credit Cards'
How to Find the Best Low Interest Credit Cards
Low interest credit cards are a great choice if you feel that you are paying too high interest rates on your credit cards. If you want to lower your credit card debt, then you can consider getting a credit which has a low rate of interest. Here are some of the guidelines which you can take care of while you chose the best low interest credit card:
Maintain a good credit history: It is better if you keep a clean chit as far as your credit history is concerned. You should be making your credit card payments on time and not going over the limit with the credit line. If companies view you as a valued customer who knows to spend the credit card wisely, they will like to do more business with you. You can definitely tilt the deal to your side by asking for a credit card with a low rate of interest.
Ask for balance transfer cards: When you have a credit card or more with an outstanding balance at a high rate of interest, then you can find a balance transfer credit card as one of the best ways to reduce your interest rate. A balance transfer credit card helps you to transfer the balance from the credit card with the higher rate of interest on to this card, so that you pay less as interest. However you should bear in mind that the balance transfer credit cards have an introductory rate of interest, after which the interest rate can shoot up to a regular APR. Make sure that you pay the transferred balance within the limited introductory period; otherwise it may not serve any purpose.
Read the credit card documentation: Most people think that the low rate credit card is for the keeps. You have to read the fine print and the credit card to double check on what you believe. The low rate of interest may be prevalent in the ‘promotional’ or the introductory period after which the interest rate can come to the regular APR.
Call the customer service department: If you are a good customer with the credit card company or an old customer, you can always call up the credit card customer service division and ask them to what extent they can lower your interest rate. In case the options that they give do not satisfy you, you can tell them that you wish to switch and go to another credit company. Your credit card will definitely not like to lose hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of business from you just for the sake of an interest rate. If you are paying your bills on time and keep your balance low, the credit card company will consider your demand and help you. All it takes is one phone call to lower the interest rate.
Research: You can do ample amount of research online and choose the credit card with the low rate of interest. The advantage of online research is that you can compare the benefits they offer and the rate of interest of different credit card companies and chose the one that appeal to you.
Daniel Cohen recommends Find Credit Cards for comparing the best low interest credit cards. See http://www.findcreditcards.org/type/low-interest.php for more information.
Low Interest Vs. Cash Back: Credit Card Questions Answered
Ahh, credit cards. All those offers, tons of fine print… what does it all mean? Whether you’re applying for your first credit card or are a long-time cardholder investigating alternate options, it’s wise to get the facts before moving ahead with a new plan of action. Read on for answers to commonly asked questions.
What’s a low interest credit card?
A low interest credit card offers reduced APR (annual percentage rate) for cardholders with an excellent payment history. If you consistently pay your total monthly balance, or if you at least pay the minimum payment due on time, you may be eligible for a low interest credit card. Look into money-saving options with a low interest credit card!
Exactly how low are we talking?
First-time credit card holders may be required to pay anywhere from 17.999%-23.99% interest on your balance per month. If you’ve maintained good standing with your credit card company for at least a year, you may be able to have your interest lowered to 10.99% or even 8.99%.
Are the offers for 0% APR too good to be true?
0% APR Credit Card Offers are real and legitimate promotions that can save you a ton of cash in the long run. All it takes is a balance transfer from your existing credit card. Depending on the promotional details, you can enjoy exceptionally low rates for as long as a full year. Smart consumers know that offers like these are a great way to start chipping away at that outstanding debt and get back on track toward financial freedom!
What’s a cash back credit card?
A cash back credit card affords solid value to cardholders who pay their balance every month. Interest rates are typically the highest, but that’s not a concern for a customer who incurs little or no debt. With this type of credit card, you’ll earn rebate dollars which arrive in the form of mailed checks. Free money back on purchases you’d be making anyway… now that’s a wise move.
How much money can I earn with a cash back card?
For every supermarket, gas station or drugstore purchase, a typical cash back credit card reward is 5%. For most other purchases, 1% is given. To put this in perspective: if you spend $2,000 on merchandise that yields a 5% return, you’ll earn $100 cash back.
When can I expect to be paid?
Credit card companies have now put the ownes on their customers to request payouts for cash rebates. So make that call or put in that online request during the time that the card is active, and reap the rewards of a credit card that just keeps on giving. No matter which offer you’re considering, read the Terms and Conditions and keep a copy of this information handy. This way, you can take advantage of every opportunity to save money while building your credit. Before you know it, you’ll be making informed credit card decisions with confidence!
Click here to find Low Interest Credit Cards Stephanie Andrews is a contributing editor of the website www.CreditCardCity.com , a credit card directory where you can apply for a new credit card with secure online applications. Visit now to compare all of the best online credit card offers.
3 Major Disadvantages of Owning a Bad Credit Credit Card
Having a bad credit and getting good credit card offers simply doesn’t happen. Credit card companies secure their interests and rip a bad credit person with quite unreasonable charges. When a person with bad credit goes out to get a credit card he finds the situation very uncomfortable. The credit card companies greet him with the following:
Very high APR
Bad credit usually attracts high APR on credit cards. The APR’s can be lowered if a good collateral or bank account is linked to the credit card to make it ‘secure’. Poor credit with an inability to provide sufficient collateral makes the credit card an ‘unsecured’ one and this results in high APRs and low credit limits.
Huge Annual Fees
It is rare to find a bad credit credit card with 0 Annual fees. The bad credit credit cards, are quite risky investments for credit card companies. On the contrary people with bad credit are pretty much desperate to find a credit card, which can help them improve their credit history. Call it taking advantage of this situation or whatever, credit card companies slap heavy annual fees to provide a bad credit credit card. This fees can start from 70$ and can climb into hundreds of dollars per annum, depending on how worse the credit situation is of an applicant.
Unreasonable Advance Fees
Yes, there are few credit card companies who want to exploit a bad credit people to the maximum. They want fees just to look at your application, and it has to be paid in advance. Some, don’t guarantee a bad credit credit card even if you pay them this unreasonable amount. Whether you have to pay in advance, or the credit card company charges it after issuing the credit card a bad credit has to shell out this money either ways.
There is a very little choice for those with poor credit, when it comes to getting a credit card. These fees and high interest rates are an inevitable reality, and must be endured. However, a good comparison of all the bad credit offers out there and shopping around, contacting various credit card agents can really help a bad credit person from being slaughtered.
Cynthia Stewart an expert author and credit card consultant, provides great Advanta credit cards tips. Read more credit card articles at his credit card website.
Mastercard and Visa Credit Cards: Should you Apply for Both?
MasterCard and Visa: they’re both household names in today’s credit card world. In fact, MasterCard and Visa are so common that if you’re shopping for a new card, it may be difficult to choose one over the other. Which one is more widely accepted? Which one has better benefits? Should you apply for both? Here are some points to consider while comparing MasterCard and Visa credit cards.
How MasterCard and Visa Operate
While you see their name on many cards, MasterCard and Visa do not actually issue credit cards. Rather, they function in a behind-the-scenes way. MasterCard and Visa are payment systems. They create and maintain the computer networks that process their credit card transactions. This is no small task. Literally billions of credit card transactions occur at ATMs and merchants around the world.
Other banks, such as Chase and Bank of America, issue the actual credit cards. These banks work with MasterCard or Visa. They place the brand name on their cards. If you see the Visa name on a credit card, it means that Visa is backing up the card. The same is true for cards with the MasterCard logo on them. This is why you see cards with names such as the Chase Platinum MasterCard. Note that the name of the bank and the payment system are both mentioned. When you make a payment, it goes to the bank that issued the card.
Comparing MasterCard and Visa
As far as worldwide acceptance, MasterCard and Visa are quite comparable. Both of them have an established global presence. Most retailers will take either one without hesitation. In rare occasions, a retailer may only accept one or the other. Even then, you should be able to find another store close by that does take your card.
If you’re searching for a credit card, you are probably comparing interest rates, reward programs, fees, and included benefits. Keep in mind that the issuing banks determine these factors. They are not decided by MasterCard or Visa.
Reasons to Get Both
If you are applying for your first card, remember that MasterCard and Visa are quite similar. You will want to look at the various benefits offered by the banks that issue the cards. If you are planning to keep a balance from month to month, you may want to consider a card with a low interest rate. If you are looking for rewards and are able to pay off the balance in full each month, a card with a good reward program may better fit you.
If you have a Visa and want another credit card, it may be wise to get a MasterCard (and vice versa). The same is true for banks. If you have a card from Chase, try looking into a different card issuer. Having variety will aid you should anything happen to one of the institutions. Also, since the different lenders are in competition, you may receive offers for better credit card deals in the future.
MasterCard and Visa are both solid credit card choices. Having a card from each company will give you more credit options. And having cards from different banks will get you access to the best reward programs, interest rates, and other benefits. Start looking online today. Then pick out the credit cards that work best for you.
To View Visa Card Offers click the following link: http://www.credit-card-surplus.com/visa-credit-card-applications.php . For MasterCard Offers click http://www.credit-card-surplus.com/mastercard-applications.php . Ed Vegliante runs http://www.credit-card-surplus.com , a directory helping consumers to compare and apply for credit cards.
Apply For Credit Card-Getting Approved For A Credit Card Can Be Difficult
Getting approved for a credit card can be difficult without a positive credit history working in your favor. It’s a Catch-22: To obtain a credit card, you need a good credit history. But to have a good credit history, you need to establish good credit!
This no-win cycle can keep people with a non-existent, limited or negative credit history from getting approved for a credit card. But it doesn’t have to if you understand the type of credit cards available and how to build a good credit history.
When it comes to credit cards, the type of card you apply for will depend on your situation. If you’re a student, you’ll, naturally, sign up for a student card. But if you’re a non-student with a non-existent or bad credit history, a card that is secured or obtained with a co-signer may be your best option. With co-signed credit cards, the co-signer guarantees and is responsible for the debt. This means that the co-signing person is responsible for paying the full amount of the debt if the card holder doesn’t pay. In fact, when co-signed debt goes into default, three out of four times co-signers are normally asked to repay what is owed, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Furthermore, the issuing bank can attempt to settle the debt without first trying to collect from the card holder. The bank can also use the same collection methods against the co-signing individual, including suing and garnishing wages. If the debt is not paid, it can leave a negative mark on the credit history of the co-signer, as well as the card holder.
Despite the risks, a co-signed credit card can be great tool for helping a friend or relative build their credit history so they can one day obtain a card on their own. Secured, co-signed and pre-paid credit cards offer viable options. But you should start building a strong credit history, so you can obtain a regular credit card on your own in the future.
First, you need to understand how credit card issuers determine credit worthiness. The approval criteria varies from among issuing banks, but generally relates to what’s often called the three C’s of credit: capacity, character and collateral. Capacity refers to your ability to pay based on your income and existing debt. Collateral refers to any assets you have that can secure payment, such as bank accounts or home ownership. Character refers to factors like your payment history, length of employment, etc.
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To get a good idea about how your application will fare with credit card companies, check your credit history with one of the major credit reporting agencies: Experian (www.experian.com), Equifax (www.equifax.com) and TransUnion (www.tuc.com). These agencies access your payment information directly from the companies you have credit with, as well as from government agencies such as the legal court system.
Credit reporting agencies use the information in your credit history to determine your credit rating or credit score. Credit scores, also known as FICA or Beacon scores depending on the CRA, generally range from 350 to 850. Most banks will approve you for credit if your score is at least 620. If your rating is 720 or higher, banks will offer you their lowest interest rate.
Generally, y our credit score is determined by your payment history for the last two years. T echnically, CRAs calculate your score using a closely-guarded formula. TransUnion, for example, determines credit scores using a variety of factors, including: how you pay your accounts, how much you owe and how often you’ve applied for credit.
http://www.credit-cards-rates.co.cc/




