Credit Information

Credit Cards and How To Choose Them:





It may seem like a simple question but its important to take into account a few factors when choosing your credit card. If you are in the enviable position of being able to pay off your card every month then you are amongst the few. If like most you don't then we can offer you some guidance.

1.Interest rates: This is the most important factor to consider when managing your credit card debt. Every day we are offered 0% introductory rates for 6 to 9 months. These are usually for balance transfers and are a great way to transfer high interest loans or credit card balances to a 0% interest rate. Watch out for statements, which only refer to the monthly interest rates as well. Something like 'rates of 1.5% per month' on your statement may not sound like much but this is equivalent to 19.6% per year!

2. Annual fee: Most cards now do not charge an annual fee. Make sure you get a card that does not charge these fees.

3. Cash advances or withdrawals: This usually represents very poor value for money. Credit Card companies will charge in the region of 2% per month. If you can avoid it do not use this facility.

4. Reward points or Loyalty Schemes: These kinds of cards are gaining in popularity. Air miles and cash back rewards are being used to entice customers. Many people base their credit card choices on these kinds of benefits. If you read the fine print you will find that you have to spend are large amount to qualify for the points. Saying this if you are a frequent traveller paying for your air ticket with your credit card will help you build up substantial air miles.

5. Insurance: All credit cards should come with insurance, which covers you for fraud or theft that results in your card being used before you can cancel it. With the rise in the number of people buying on the Internet nowadays this is a vital requirement. The consumer credit card act outlines what the credit card company should be liable for. Some credit cards also offer free travel insurance, again a handy benefit if you are a frequent traveller.

6. Gold and Platinum cards: These may look good in your wallet or purse but they usually not the most competitive cards on the market. Firstly you have to earn a certain salary to qualify, although surprisingly these salary levels are set pretty low. There is also an annual fee for the use of the card, which in today's market is a cost you shouldn't have to pay. Don't be blinded by the image there are many cards out there that offer far more.

Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.only-credit-cards.co.uk where you will find advice and more articles on Low interest Credit Cards and advice on 0% Credit Cards


MORE RESOURCES:

Bloomberg

U.S. Consumer Credit Climbed by $19.3B in Dec.
Bloomberg
Enlarge image Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in December Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in December Daniel Acker/Bloomberg College graduation in New York. Play Video Enlarge image Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 ...
Consumer Credit in US Climbed by $19.3 Billion in DecemberBusinessWeek
Credit-Card Borrowing Surged Over Holiday PeriodWall Street Journal (blog)
Consumer credit surges in DecemberMarketWatch
Huffington Post -Reuters
all 238 news articles »


Business Recorder

CREDIT MARKETS: Treasurys Auction Dim; Ford ABS Doubled
Wall Street Journal
The new senior secured notes are being sold in a private placement scheduled to wrap up Wednesday via lead banks JP Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Against Risk Parity, ReduxSeeking Alpha
Corporate Bonds Continue Their March HigherMorningstar.com

all 219 news articles »


AFP

China Credit Cards, Danish Loans, Mortgage Deal: Compliance
BusinessWeek
7 (Bloomberg) -- China's decision to allow Citigroup Inc. to issue credit cards in its own name may signal a step toward the government in Beijing opening its banking industry. New York-based Citigroup is the second foreign bank, and the first Western ...
Citigroup Gets Approval for China Credit CardsWall Street Journal
China c.bank says to ensure credit for first-home buyersReuters
China Nod for Citibank Credit Cards May Show Market OpeningSan Francisco Chronicle
AFP -Minyanville.com
all 207 news articles »


THL Credit Schedules Fourth Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call
MarketWatch (press release)
BOSTON, Feb 7, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- THL Credit, Inc. /quotes/zigman/117928/quotes/nls/tcrd TCRD 0.00% ("THL Credit"), a middle market capital specialist, today announced that it will report its financial results for its fiscal fourth ...

and more »


Wink News

LA Mayor Villaraigosa Launches 2012 Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Program ...
California Newswire
/California Newswire/ — LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and community partners today launched the Greater Los Angeles Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign Partnership, an annual effort to help qualified low and moderate-income families claim the tax ...
Barry Dolowich: Earned income tax creditMonterey County Herald
Don't overlook a federal tax creditDelmarva Now
2011 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Benefits Working Families With Up to ...MarketWatch (press release)
Los Angeles Daily News
all 281 news articles »


CBS Local

Tax credit expiration could slow wind's rise in Ill., but still plenty to export
McDonough Voice
By Anthony Brino The federal tax credit that has supported wind energy for almost 20 years is set to expire at the end of 2012. With this expiration looming, the future of the industry in Illinois — one of the top producers of wind energy in the ...
Colorado congressional delegation pushes for wind energy tax creditDenver Post
Production Tax Credit Impact on Wind Farm AftercareRenewableEnergyWorld.com
Colo. lawmakers urge extension of wind-energy creditNorthern Colorado Business Report
CBS Local -Quincy Journal
all 155 news articles »


Tax credit to speed Senator Theatre renovations, owner says
Baltimore Sun (blog)
Martin O'Malley Tuesday announced they would receive $300000 in a 2012 Sustainable Communities Tax Credit — administered by the Maryland Historical Trust and known previously as the Historic Tax Credit — to rehabilitate the movie house that has been ...

and more »


Telegraph.co.uk

Why Credit Card Rates Remain So High
Smartmoney.com (blog)
But new data shows borrowers still pay double-digit rates on one consumer staple — credit cards. The average interest rate credit card holders paid during the fourth quarter 2011 was 12.78%, according to Federal Reserve data released today.
DailyMarkets.com Announces Winners of Best Credit Cards 2012 GuideSan Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Give your card some creditTelegraph.co.uk
8 Tips for Picking the Right Rewards CardCredit Card Guide News
Forbes -Globe and Mail -TCU 360
all 27 news articles »


Missouri Credit Union Association Adopts Viewpointe's Pointe2Pointe with ...
MarketWatch (press release)
NEW YORK, Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Viewpointe(R) today announced that iVia Exchange Services, a division of the Missouri Credit Union Association (MCUA) has become the latest Pointe2Pointe(R) with Internet connectivity customer.

and more »


CoVantage Credit Union Deploys Tyfone Mobile Wallet Services to Its Members
MarketWatch (press release)
ANTIGO, Wisc., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CoVantage Credit Union (CVCU), serving 17 counties in Wisconsin and Michigan, today announced the availability of Tyfone mobile wallet services to its members. CVCU teamed with Tyfone to bring mobile ...

and more »

Google News

Home | Site Map |
© 2007