Credit card offers come in two most popular ways: whether by letter mails or by e-mails, so this does not surprise you when after logging onto your email account, you get this stream of credit card offers promising you this better feature than the other, giving you lower rates than the most, featuring more rewards, and so on and so forth. If you are someone who is easily smitten by these juicy offers, you could easily give in and apply to the first mail that caught your fancy.
How can you decide which company has the best credit card offer? While you may not believe it, it would all start with you. You have to think if you can handle a credit card wisely such that it would not let you leave in financial setbacks because of inability to pay for the bills in the end. This is typically the consequence of most cardholders who does not pay attention to how he is using the credit card. It usually ends up leaving them without enough funds when the bill arrived because of the substantial amount of purchases.
Before deciding to apply for a credit card, make sure you know how you can use it in the wisest manner. Otherwise, you can stick with your cash on hands; though that could be most inconvenient. If you have decided you can handle it, then, by all means, you can start hunting for the best credit card company.
First, know the annual percentage rates of the credit card companies. Do not be fooled on the advertisement of some companies which tells an obviously lower rate, but in fact has hidden charges. A zero-interest rate is even more doubtful, so take time to research how a zero-interest rate credit card would apply. Zero-interest rate feature could happen, but that could only be the introductory offer. What happens is it skyrockets without you properly informed and is already reflected on the bills after several months, so be cautious.
Second, learn of all the kinds of interest rates that the credit card company offers. There are credit card companies which offer fixed rate, wherein you will pay for a rate that will be charged the same rate all year round. Other company could charge variable rates, which keeps fluctuating, depending on the outside financial gauges.
Learn how credit card companies notify their customers regarding changes of balances. While others keep their clients updated with their accounts by sending monthly letter mails, others send through text messages or e-mails. This is a very important factor as you may expect another kind of notification from what the company is really providing; thus, may allow you to overlook some discrepancies with the statements.
It is also important to learn of the annual fees. Again, do not get fooled by some companies which offer free annual fee as this could only be part of introductory offer to the clients. The waived annual fee could only be on the first year after the membership, and may start reflecting on the succeeding years after the bills of the first year.
Make sure you know how the credit card company takes charge of the lost credit cards. This should be stipulated as fraud program of the company, and review this portion to avoid hassles in the end. You can ask the company questions about this aspect for make things clearer.
