Does it seem as though the best credit card offers are as elusive as the famous lost ark? You're not alone. Many consumers don't have the first idea where to go to find the great credit card offers that others have been able to find. Is it a luck of the draw situation? Absolutely not. It's just a matter of knowing where to look and what to look for.

If the world's best credit cards are the destination, then there are just three short steps between you and your goal. These three stops will have you on your way to the best credit card offers in no time.

First Stop -- The Mirror

What does looking in the mirror have to do with finding the best credit card offers? Quite a lot, actually.

Just as all credit cards aren't created equal, neither are all applicants. What's your credit like? What are your monthly spending habits? Do you carry a balance on your credit card or do you pay it off each month? The answers to each of these questions will determine the best credit cards for your specific situation.

Want a credit card with a low interest rate and great rewards? So does everyone else. Unless you have stellar credit, it's not going to happen.

Like the idea of cash back bonuses? Who doesn't? Unless you pay your credit cards in full each month, however, the higher interest rate associated with cash-back credit cards isn't going to be for you.

As you can see, your personal situation does indeed affect which credit card offers are actually the best for you. This means the first step towards finding the best credit cards involves a bit of self-evaluation.

Second Stop -- The Internet

Now that you've visited the mirror and you understand exactly what type of credit cards are best for you, it's time to visit the Web to locate the best credit card offers.

Gone are the days when you had to rely on junk mail for finding the best credit card offers and welcome to the Age of the Internet. Now the best credit card offers are just a mouse click away and making apples to apples comparisons is just a matter of knowing where to go.

Of course, you can't always trust the websites of the actual credit card companies. They're just promoting their own cards with carefully-worded marketing material. What you need to do is hit a website that has a rundown of all of the best credit card offers on the Web.

By using the Internet to research the best credit card offers, you'll be able to match your needs to the credit card offer that meets them.

Third Stop -- Your Mailbox

Once you find the best credit card offers and you apply for the credit cards that have exactly what you need, the last stop on your journey is your mailbox -- where your new credit cards will be arriving. While many credit cards arrive just a few short days after your approval, remember that some credit cards can take up to a few weeks to arrive.

When your credit cards do arrive, remember to compare the terms and conditions in the literature with the terms and conditions outlined in the offer you applied for. The best credit card offers in the world won't do you any good if the offer you applied for isn't the card you actually get.