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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.

Tags: Advertisement, Annual Percentage Rates, Best Credit Card Offer, Cardholders, Consequence, Credit Card Companies, Credit Card Company, Credit Card Offer, Email Account, Financial Setbacks, First Mail, Hunting, Interest Rate, Interest Rates, Pay Bills, Rate Credit Card, Rewards, Zero Interest

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Over the past two years, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates substantially. Consequently, credit card annual percentage rates have followed suit. Nearly all credit cards tie their interest rates to the prime rate, which has doubled to 8% from 4% during the string of rate hikes that began in 2004. This has led to interest rates on credit cards rising by 30% or more. Since August of 2006, the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates steady, and many economists believe the next move may be a reduction in rates. However, the rate reductions have yet to begin, and credit card interest rates remain relatively high.

For those who carry balances on their credit cards, high interest rates have resulted in higher monthly bills, with many seeing their minimum payment increase substantially. Fortunately, now, more than in recent years, 0% credit cards offer a safe harbor from high rates. There are two basic types of 0% credit cards: those that offer a 0% rate on balance transfers, and those that offer a 0% on purchases. The best credit cards offer 0% interest on both. How much savings can these credit cards provide? Lets take a look at the math.

Lets assume youre carrying a balance of $10,000. If you simply pay the minimum each month, you will accrue close to $2000 in interest over the course of a year, thanks to daily compounding balances (too bad savings accounts dont pay that type of interest). With a 0% balance transfer, you can expect to save all of that money, plus, youll be given time to pay down that debt. When the 0% period expires, not only is there a chance your interest rate will be lower, but, if rates do not go down, you can always transfer the balance to another 0% credit card. Plus, if you make a minimum payment of $150 a month, your balance at the end of the year will be closer to $8200, rather than $12,000. Thats quite a difference.

Now, if youre fortunate enough to have no credit card debt, a 0% interest rate can be handy tool to avoid interest expenses on new purchases and free up some cash in the short term. Need a new fridge? Have to fix your car? Want granite counters for the kitchen? With a 0% credit card, you can defer the cost of these expenses for a year while taking advantage of high interest rates. How? By placing the cash that would have left your bank account into a high-yield savings account and taking advantage of rewards credit cards.

Lets assume you will make $10,000 of purchases over the next few months. Using a credit card with a 0% interest rate and 1% cashback rewards, coupled with a high-yield savings account with a 4% interest rate can put about $500 extra in your pocket over the course of the year.

Of course, not everyone pays their balance in full each month. With average credit card interest rates in the 12% to 15% range, carrying a monthly balance of only $1000 can cost close to $150 a year. Saving $150 in interest charges may not be a fortune, but its surely enough to buy a nice dinner with a good bottle of wine.

No matter how you use your credit card, a 0% interest credit card can have a positive effect on both short and long term cash flows. Given that the alternative is paying more than 12% in interest, choosing a 0% credit card in this atmosphere of high interest rates is a no-brainer.

Tags: 0 Apr Credit Cards, 0 Credit Cards, 0 On Purchases, Annual Percentage Rates, Apr Credit Cards, Balance Transfer, Balance Transfers, Best Credit Cards, Credit Card Debt, Credit Card Interest, Credit Card Interest Rates, Federal Reserve, High Interest Rate, High Interest Rates, Minimum Payment, Prime Rate, Rate Hikes, Rate Reductions, Safe Harbor, Savings Accounts

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