Choosing Credit Card Offers Tips
Read these 5 Choosing Credit Card Offers Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Credit-Cards tips and hundreds of other topics.
Avoid credit card offers that charge fees upfront
Unless you are trying to rebuild a poor credit score, there's no reason to accept a credit card offer that requires you to pay an upfront fee. Watch out for credit cards that ask you for a deposit fee or a security fee. Although these fees have their place, the best credit card deals will allow you to open an account for free.
How to get a credit card if you're unemployed or receive irregular income
If you are unemployed or receive income sporadically for whatever reason, you may want to look into a secured credit card offer. To qualify for a secured credit card you won't need to go through an emplyment check or reach an income minimum. Instead, these credit card offers require you to set aside a sum of money in an interest bearing bank account that is then tied to the credit card. The bank deposit "secures" the credit card credit limit. If you have problems paying your credit card bills, the company is able to take money out of your account to cover the cost. While you are using a secured credit card, you can build a better credit score that will enable you to obtain an unsecured line of credit in the future.
Use an online credit card matching service
Use an online credit card matching service to quickly find the best credit card deals for you. These services require you to plug your relevant information into a search engine which then sifts through hundreds of credit card deals and presents the best of them for your review. Once you choose one of the credit card offers, the information you provided previously is used to fill out the applicatin for you. You can be confident that you're getting a great credit card deal without having to do any of the legwork yourself.
Compare credit card offers online
If you're looking for a new credit card, don't just look through the credit card offers you receive in the mail. Shop around for your new credit card online. By shopping for credit card deals online, you can find a low interest rate card that best fits your needs and lifestyle.
Pay attention to interest rates that apply after the introductory rate expires
Look beyond the introductory interest rates in credit card offers to make sure you're getting the best credit card deals for the long run. A 0% interest rate that last for several months or a year can give you a much needed break from interest payments and help you get back on track. But if you still have some principal left in your account when the 0% introductory offer expires, you can quickly rack up a lot of interest if the interest rate is high. The best credit card deals will offer a low introductory rate, and then give you a reasonable interest rate after that. The rate you get will be contingent on your current credit score, so be sure to charge responsibly for the best rates.
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