A credit card is a small plastic card with a magnetic strip that is issued by a bank or other financial institution. It authorises card holders to purchase services and goods on credit.
2.What kinds of credit cards are available?
There are many kinds of credit cards available, but they break down into two different main kinds. Charge cards allow you to charge items to your account but expect that you will pay off your full balance each month, Credit cards also allow you to charge items to your account, but let you pay for your purchases over time and charge you interest on the outstanding balance.
3.What's the best kind of credit card?
There's no single answer to that question, because it depends entirely on your circumstances. Only you can decide whether you're better off with a low interest card, one that offers cashback or rewards, or some combination of those. In general, most people prefer a credit card that offers a low APR - but that may not be the best choice for someone who pays their balance in full each month.
4.What is an APR?
APR stands for annual percentage rate. Credit card companies make their money in many different ways. One of those ways is by charging you interest on the money that you borrow to buy things. The annual percentage rate is the percentage of your outstanding balance that you'll be charged in interest charges. If your APR is 12%, for instance, you'll pay 12% interest per year on ?100.
5.How do I get a lower APR?
The APR that you're offered is completely dependent on your credit score, the higher your credit score, the lower rate of interest you'll be offered. If you have a record of paying your bills on time, you'll be offered a credit card with a low APR. If you pay you bills on time and keep your accounts up to date, you'll qualify for a lower APR in time.
6.What's a secured credit card?
If you can't qualify for a regular credit card because of low or no credit, a secured credit card may be the solution that you need. You simply deposit a sum of money into a bank account with the bank that issues your card. Your spending limit will be a portion of that deposit. That money will remain in the account as security in case you don't pay your account. If you make regular payments when they're due, the issuing company will eventually approve a regular credit card for you.
7.How do I compare credit cards to decide which one is best for me?
There are many different standards of comparison when you're choosing a credit card - interest rates, annual fees, finance charges, penalties and late fees - even how your interest charge is determined. You can compare credit cards against each another at comparison websites where you'll find all the information you need to compare credit offers from dozens of UK companies.
8.How do I apply for a credit card?
Applying for a credit card online is easy, too. From the comparison websites you can just click on the offer that you've chosen to fill out a short application. In many cases, you can have an answer within minutes.
Most Accepted Credit Card
1. Get the most out of the 0% interest pree period on balance transfers as this will not last forever.
The norm is somewhere between six months to a year. A large number of people hop to new lenders each time their interest free period comes to and end.
This is fine in theory, but continuous swapping of cards in this way can damage your credit rating, so try to limit your manoeuvring as much as possible and stay with the card for at least a period equal to the interest-free offer AND pay off above the minimum payment every month before you change; this will bolster your credit rating.
2. Take advantage of cash-back offers on your credit cards
This is an easy way to pay for items on sale in shops without online services. As there is typically a limit to how much cash you can draw from and ATM, cash-back can provide you with a more convenient means to access your credit. It is also worth comparing the cost of cash-back vs cash-point usage as the former may be surprisingly cheaper.
3. Understand your rights within any credit contract
It is a little known fact that all credit cards come with consumer protection. Referred to as ?Section 75? of the credit card agreement, this covers you in the event of a range of problems with your purchase, under the provision that the item has been purchased, at least in part using the card.
Section 75 is of greatest benefit to the consumer when using a credit card to buy high value goods such as holidays!
4. Use loyalty points to your advantage
Look around to see what offers are attached to each card and think about how you spend your money: what to you predominantly use your credit card for? Which retailers is your card affiliated to? Check before signing up and get bonuses from your purchases.
5. Take not of any 0% for new purchases offers your card has to offer and exploit these as often as possible
Check first to see if the offer has a time limit and note the expiration date - if you can save the equivalent value of the item in the time given, then your using your credit card wisely.
6. Only sign up for a credit card that does not charge an annual fee.
Many credit providers charge you a fee each year to use their cards, these are usually hidden in the small print, but since so many cards do not charge for the privilege of using them, why should you pay?
7. Instead of leaving your card inactive, spend a very small amount regularly.
To get a great credit rating, you need to manipulate your credit report to look like you pay on time every month to as many lenders as possible.
Peter Spyr has sinced written about articles on various topics from Leadership, Insurance and Poor Credit. The new Natwest Credit Card gives you 0% on balance transfers for 13 months. Visit Natwest for more details.. Peter Spyr's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
