Credit card offers seem to be everywhere, on TV, radio, online and in your mail. With so many cards on the market, how do you compare credit card offers properly and find the best credit card available?
In order to compare credit cards you should understand the main features found in many credit cards.
Balance Transfer APR: APR stands for annualised percentage rate and is the equivalent annual interest rate. In this case it represents the rate you will pay on balances transferred from other credit or store cards for the duration of an introductory period such as six or twelve months. Watch out for transfer fees which are normally charged as a percentage of any balances transferred.
Introductory Purchase APR: This is the interest rate that you will pay on purchases for a promotional period once you take out the card. Not all cards offer an introductory rate but if they do, just make sure you know what the interest will revert to at the end of the term and read the terms to ensure you’re not caught out with a big interest charge once the offer expires.
Purchase APR: This is the standard credit card APR charged on purchases. If you don’t think you will pay your bills off in full each month then a low interest credit card rate will be important while if you will pay your bill in full each month then you may not pay any interest so the rate is less of an issue.
Interest free days / grace period: You may see statements such as ‘up to 55 days interest free’ advertised. This is the time period from making a payment until the bill is due. Look for cards with a long grace period as this will give you a longer period between making a purchase and the due date each month to avoid any interest charges. If there is no grace period the you’ll be paying interest from the day or purchase and you’ll be hit even if you pay your bill in full and on time each month.
Annual Fee: most cards have now dropped their annual fees but you may find that some premium cards do still charge an annual fee in exchange for extra features. Alwats ensure that the value to you of extra features such as insurances are greater than the annual card costs.
Rewards scheme: Rewards schemes come in all different shapes and sizes such as cash back, shopping rebates, points, airline rewards and much more. There is no point in applying for a credit card that will cost you more than it earns so work out of any rewards will earn you above and beyond what you pay the bank in interest and fees. If you want a card with rewards then make sure the rewards on offer are for things that you really want, ideally things that you would have had to pay for otherwise. The value of the rewards for each dollar you spend if normally very low, around one percent so never spend extra money on things you don’t need just to boost your points balance.
Now when you come to look for a new credit card you can cut straight through all that marketing hype appliead to card offers and pick a card that is right for your needs. There is no card that is the best for everyone; you just need to pick a card that will work for you.
Article by R Greenwood from The Click 4 Group – www.compareyourbank.com.au