Sunday, October 11, 2009

Credit Cards and Choosing One

By Bob Jones

Almost everyone over the age of 18 (or 21) has or wants a credit card these days and they are taken in almost every establishment. There are three major sorts of credit card common in America. The first main sort of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full at the end of the month and are liberal on spending limits.

The second major kind of credit card is the bank card such as Visa, Master Cards, GM, and Ford cards distributed mainly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limit, which in bank speak, is known as the credit line and each bank offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a choice of payment means: you may either repay the balance in full with no interest charges or pay the minimum (or some part of the balance) with a finance charge.

The other major type of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and those from gas companies, widely known as fuel cards, are only accepted in specific countries. They usually do not carry annual charges. There is a wide variance in the terms and conditions for these cards.

Different types of credit cards offer different options. Some are designed for individual consumers, while others are designed in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what type of credit card fits your needs, you should review a few options.

How to Choose your Credit Card.

Credit cards have become a part of life for most people living in the western countries. It's becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if this is the first time you are seeking to enter into the world of plastic money, here are some of the basic things you should look out for.

First, compare the interest chargeable on all the credit cards for which you are eligible. While the rate may not remain fixed indefinitely, it's always advisable for first timers to go for the one charging the lowest rates.

Make sure you study the fine print carefully, especially on the other charges that can be applied, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period, which is normally given before the finance charges are applied.

Decide which spending limit is most appropriate for a person of your income. Furthermore, the fewer credit cards you have, the better placed you will be to understand your spending pattern.

Compare the services and other features such as the cash back incentives, or warranties, rebates and such like. Check whether the card is widely enough accepted to cater for your needs.

You should acquaint yourself with the following terms: 1] Annual Percentage Rate: this is the yearly cost of the credit. 2] Finance Charges: these are the total charges of the transaction. 3] Period of Grace: This is the length of time the card issuer allows you before they commence charging you interest on your purchases. (Not all credit card issuers give a grace period). - 29904

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