Credit Card Best Buys
2007-10-10
There are various advantages of credit cards as they allow easy transactions when purchasing items online and are great assets in time of cash crunch. However, because of high interest rates, many consumers avoid using credit cards. Fortunately, there are many different types of credit cards to choose from including low interest, balance transfer, instant approval, reward, airline, corporate, prepaid, and even student credit cards. Obviously, there are many factors for determining the best offer, but foremost being the different rates associated with each offer including the APR (annual percentage rate), the annual fee if there is one as well as other cardholder benefits.
The zero percent interest is a very attractive credit card feature offered by several big name credit card lenders including Citi, Discover, and American Express. A 0% credit card has many perks if you have good credit. However, the rate does not always remain at 0%, rather it is just an introductory rate. Yet zero percent interest credit cards are ideal for financing large purchases in which the holder plan to payoff in a few short months. These cards are more practical than using high interest credit cards or obtaining a personal bank loan.
There is option of balance transfer credit cards when the holder takes some or the entire amount of money that he owes to one lender and transfer that debt to another lender. The second lender pays the bill to the first lender and takes on the debt, thereby becoming the sole lender on the amount transferred. Credit card companies offer strong incentives for the balance transfer because they benefit financially from taking on the debt, since any interest paid will now be profit for them. The main reason to consider a balance transfer is to reduce the interest rates. However, the balance transfer option should not be used to avoid repayment of the credit cards, rather it should be used as a method of reducing the monthly bills in order to repay more efficiently any outstanding debt.
There are also ways to make money from credit cards, rather than having them being a drain on the finances. The cashback credit cards offer great opportunity to make some cash while spending on the credit card, although it only suits the customers who pay their bill in full at the end of each month. A cash back credit card provides the holder a chance to earn as he spends, as a percentage is returned to him on an annual basis for money that he has spent. It is a reward for spending your money! However, if one decides to balance transfer an amount from one’s existing credit card company on to a cash back credit card, then one should avoid it as any payments made to the credit card will only go on to pay the amount transferred and interest will only mount up on any purchases that have been made on the credit card. This will result in the holder paying back more than the cash back card is making for him.
Tags: credit card, balance transfer, cash back, online, compare, credit card uk, interest free, 0%, visa, low rate, mastercard
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