Students have different needs and ensuring they have sufficient funds is important so if you are a student then you'll be better off with a student card. Applications when you are a student to the bank where the account is held aren't often refused but it is always best to check in advance to save any possible problems later.

One of the most important aspects to look for when applying for a credit card or if you are thinking about a balance transfer is the annual percentage rate often referred to as the APR. The APR is the method used to calculate how much interest is being paid on outstanding monthly balances but it is quite common to find cards that give an introductory offer of zero percent for a set period of time sometimes as long as a year.

Often when you apply for a credit card there will be special offer on new purchases for a set period where the interest rate will be lower and this attracts many people looking to buy something new. This is because if you read the small print it will be a different rate than that used for a balance transfer for instance and in these circumstances you would be wise to see how long the grace period is for the credit cards you are considering.

Wherever possible it is a good idea to apply for a credit card that operates a grace period as it provides you with a specified period of time when the interest charges are not payable. Credit companies that do not operate this grace-period service start charting interest from the time of purchase which means even if you clear your balance when you receive your statement, there will still be an outstanding amount the following month.

The grace period is particularly useful to those people who regularly pay their credit card balance of in one go so without this, interest will still have accrued on the balance you have paid. Other charges to consider when you apply for a credit card are whether there is a membership fee and how much extra do you have to pay if you withdraw cash.

Whilst not an immediate concern for most people when they apply for a credit card; customer services facilities suddenly become very important when you have your card stolen or it is lost so how good is the company in these circumstances. For people who travel by plane a great deal then if your credit card supplier offers air miles then this might be a good reason to decide on their credit card.

Just like any other financial arrangement, applying for a credit card should be taken seriously and research carried out to ensure you are actually getting the best card for your circumstances.