Looking for a Credit Card for Christmas Shopping?
Before you submit a credit card application, first review the main points which will help you choose the right credit card for your needs.
What Charges You'll Make - If you're going to use the credit card mainly for booking airline reservations and hotels, it might be best for you to get a travel credit card that offers sky miles and hotel points or cashback. If this will be an emergency credit card only, then your main concern may be for a low interest rate credit card with low fees.
When You'll Repay Charges - Will you pay off credit card charges in full every month, or will you carry a balance month to month? If you're going to carry a balance, you want the lowest possible interest rate as well as a low introductory rate. But if you'll payoff balances in full every month, then interest rate really doesn't matter so no annual fee and/or a long grace period would be a bigger concern. If you're going to carry a balance, be concerned about how the finance charge is calculated. The most common method is the Average Daily Balance, which means that the daily balances are added together and then divided by the number of days in the billing cycle. Stay away from credit cards that compute the balance using two billing cycles, as this method costs more money in financing fees.
What Amount You'll Charge - If you're going to use the credit card for all your monthly expenses, then you need a card that has a high credit limit and a high cashback percentage.
More info about Interest Rates, Credit Limits, Incentives, Fees and Penalties
Interest Rates - The interest rate (Annual Percentage Rate) APR can either be a fixed rate or a variable rate that is tied to another financial indicator, most commonly the prime rate. With a fixed rate credit card you know what the interest rate will be every month, whereas a card with a variable rate can fluctuate. Of course, even the interest of a fixed rate card can change based on certain events, such as paying your credit card bill late, exceeding your limit, or simply because the credit card issuer decides to change it after providing you ample advance notice.
Credit Limit - This is the amount of money the credit card company will let you charge to the card. This amount varies depending upon the card offer and your credit history. Be sure to get a credit card with an ample limit, because getting close to your max can hurt your credit score. Just remember that you don't have to max out your limit just because it's available.
Incentives - To compete for and to gain customers, many credit card companies offer rewards. Even if you normally use cash, why not use your credit card and then use the cash to make the payment during the grace period? You still won't pay interest and meanwhile you'll rack-up rewards. A credit card with 5% cashback will earn you $5 for every $100 charged. If your total bills come to $2,000 per month, you'll earn a free $100 every month. Look for a rewards program that you'll use and which offers flexibility, such as cashback or travel.
Fees and Penalties - Compare common charges such as late fees, overlimit fees, balance transfers, cash advances, and for making payments by telephone. Regarding balance transfers, look for credit card offers with no transaction fees and zero percent interest for at least 12 months.
Credit Card Secrets: Hidden facts you probably didn't know. Submit an online credit card application for any credit rating.
Call To Activate: You've seen those little peel off warning labes that come stuck onto your new credit card, that tell you to call a toll-free number in order to activate your card. Some even proclaim it's for your personal protection. The fact is, that credit card is ready for charges even without first calling to activate it.
Photo ID For Verification: How many times have you been asked by a cashier to hand over your photo ID card for verification that you are the person who's name is on your credit card? If you are a Visa or MasterCard credit card holder, you don't have to show a photo ID, or any ID whatsoever. Although retailers are simply trying to help protect against identity theft and fraud, they also have an Agreement with both Visa and MasterCard to not demand a photo ID from their card holders.
Preapproved Credit Card Offers: Want to stop credit card offers in the mail? Go to optoutprescreen.com. Although it won't ocmpletely rid you of preapproved card offers, it will limit the volume. The reason why you should do this is to help protect you against identity theft. One of the easiest ways to steal someone's identity is to go dumpster-diving (digging through people's trash). An identity thief could take one of those preapproved offers from your mailbox; or trash, fill it out using your name but submit a change of address request.
Browse our library for more credit card facts and issuer information.
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Credit Tip: Need a high limit for Christmas credit card charges? If you have bad credit, consider a personal loan by refinancing your mortgage. Even if you have cash to buy Christmas presents, we recommend using a prepaid card to make purchases because it's safer than carrying cash.
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