How to choose the right credit card for you

Posted by admin

July 3, 2009

Your credit score may just be a little number, but it packs a big punch. A poor credit score can keep you from getting a mortgage or a car loan. In addition, your credit score may haunt you for a long time if it suddenly drops. If you have good credit scores, defintely it opens more doors for you. This is just one reason why it is important to think about which credit card you apply for before you do.

Every time you apply for a credit card, the company has to check your credit score. this is not a good thing. Several inquiries from your credit card companies look bad on your credit reprt because it looks as though you are rushing to open a credit line, which can be a sign that you are struggling financially. Of course, this may not be the case. However, credit scoring companies all look at it the same way.

You can avoid scarring your credit score with credit card applications by choosing your card wisely. Choose a card that suits your lifestyle and works for you instead of against you. If you plan to pay off your balance each month, you might want a charge card instead of a credit card. American Express offers a number of charge cards with flexible spending programs that are perfect for people who plan to pay off their balance each month. Some also offer flexibility so that if you have an emergency you can use the card and pay off big charges over time. Most credit cards offer reward points everytime you use the card. On the contrary, American Express charges an annual membership fee for having the card.

If you seldom use the card but with plans to make big purchases, which requires you to pay off overtime you rather get another card which allows you to carry big balance overtime. Of course there cards require you to pay interest on everything you buy. Interest rate can get very high.

Other kinds of cards include:

1) A check guarantee card, issued by your bank, that you can use to ensure that your cheque will be honoured up to a certain limit.

2) A debit card, issued by your bank, where whatever you spend is immediately deducted from your bank account

Do you need a credit card?

a) A credit card means you don't need to carry huge amounts of cash around and risk losing it.

b) A credit card means you can purchase items over the internet.

c) A credit card means you can make purchases abroad without having to worry about local currency.

d) A credit card gives the opportunity to spread the cost of a large payment over several months.

e) A credit card is useful in an emergency. An example of these is unexpected car repair or house repair.

What You Need To Consider:

1) APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

This is the interest rate that you will pay on any outstanding balance.

2) Special Introductory Rates

You may be offered a low or 0% rate of interest for a limited time (Up to 6 months) when you sign up for a new card. A higher rate of interest may be charged for cash withdrawals.

3)Transfer Balance Rate

Card issuers may offer you a lower rate of interest if your swap your balance from another credit card to theirs.

4) Free Interest period

Remember to check when interest payments will begin. Will you pay interest from the day of the purchase? Or will you have interest free days befroe you begin to pay? There is usually no interest free period for cash withdrawals.

5) Cashback and Rewards

Everytime you spent pound on your credit card you earn points or rewards. Make sure that these are relevant to you. For example, there&'s no use collecting airmiles if you never fly.

6) Minimum Repayment

Remember to check what the minimum monthly repayment will be. If you borrow £1000 on your credit card the monthly minimum repayment will probably be around £25. Paying only the minumum amount due will take more time to pay the total balance and it will cost you more considering ther interest.

7) Annual Fees

This is the fee that the issuer will charge you every year for using their credit card. Some of the credit cards do not have annual fee, so always consider this when choosing which is best for you.

Delayed Payments

There will be an extra charge, as well as the interest owed, if your payment is late. This charge may even be more than the amount you owe so be very careful to check what the charge is, and to ensure that all your payments are made on time. One of the good way is to set up a direct debit from your current account.

9) Exceed Your Limit

You may also be charged a fee if you exceed your credit limit.