Choosing the right credit card
Posted at by ifydcat on category CreditYour credit score may just be a little number, but it packs a big punch. A low credit score can keep you from getting a car loan or mortgage. In addition, your credit score may haunt you for a long time if it suddenly drops. Of course, if you have a good credit score it opens a lot of 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 a bad 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. Certainly, this may not be the case. However, credit scoring companies all look at it the same way.
To avoid scarring you credt score with credit card applications by chooisng the right card. 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 do not plan to use the card often, but plan to make large purchases on the card, which you will pay off over time you should get a revolving credit card, which allows you to carry a large balance over time. Definitely these cards requires you to pay interest each time you purchase. 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 buy 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. For example, an unexpected repair to your house or car.
What You Need To Consider:
1) APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
This is the interest rate that you will pay on any outstanding balance.
2) Low introductory Rates
You may be offered 0% interest rate for a limited time (Up to 6 months) or low when you agree to sign up for a new card. A higher rate of interest may be charged for cash withdrawals.
3) Balance Transfer Rate
Card companies sometimes offer a lower interest if you swap your balance from another credit card to theirs.
4) Free Interest period
Do not forget 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 appropriate for you. For example, there&’s no use collecting airmiles if you never fly.
6) Minimum Repayment
Always 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.
8) Delayed Payments
There will be an extra charge, as well as the interest owed, if your payment is late. Charges may even be more than the amount you owe so be extra careful to check waht the charge is, and to ensure that all your payments are made on time. A good way of doing this is to set up a direct debit from your current account.
9) Exceed Your Limit
You get also additional charge if you exceed your credit limit.