What is a Credit Card?

Put simply, a credit card is just a small piece of plastic that easily fits in
your wallet. Well, it's not 'just a piece of plastic'; it's a very powerful
piece of plastic which can be regarded as a compressed form of cash. We can
define credit cards as a credit system that allows the consumer to borrow money
on the fly from a bank or a financial institution and use it to make payments to
the merchants.

In order to obtain a credit card, the consumer needs to fill-in an application
form that is actually like an agreement between the credit card supplier and
the credit card consumer. The credit card supplier approves the application
form and provides the consumer with a small piece of plastic (i.e. the credit
card). This plastic (or credit card) contains electronically encoded security
information in the form of a magnetic strip (which is generally located at the
back of the credit card). This information is used for authorising payments
whenever the consumer uses the credit card. The consumer can use the credit
card for shopping at merchant outlets or on the internet etc. Of course, this
is subject to merchant's capability to accept credit card payments. Accepting
the credit cards is, however, not enough. The merchant should be able to accept
payments made through the credit card provided by that credit card organization
(of which you hold the credit card) i.e. VISA, MasterCard etc. You can also use
credit card to withdraw cash from ATMs (automatic cash machines) -- also known
as cash machines or Day/Night machines.

There are eight main credit card organisations and most of them operate in a
lot of countries world wide. These are American Express, Citi, Diners Club,
Discover, JCB, MasterCard and VISA. Master card and VISA are probably the most
popular ones. Then there are credit card suppliers or issuers who have tie-ups
with these organisations and issue credit cards on their behalf e.g. you have
various banks that issue VISA cards (like HSBC VISA card)

To make a payment using a credit card, the credit card has to be either swiped
into special credit card processing machine (when shopping in person at shops)
or the details of the credit card have to be entered on the merchant's website
(when shopping online). The credit card supplier sends across the bill for
these transactions to the consumer who is then required to pay either the full
amount or a partial (minimum) amount. If you pay in full, the credit card
supplier doesn't charge any interest on the amount you owe, otherwise the
pre-agreed interest rate is charged. If you don't pay even the minimum, you
might land up with a late fee too. Moreover, the credit card supplier generally
puts a limit on the maximum amount you can spend per month using your credit
card.

Ideal Offers For Credit Cards

With many people, looking for the best credit is a very tough task. Even though
there really is no "best" credit card, there are credit cards out there that are
the best for you. There are many different types of credit cards available, some
that may be for you and some that won't. With so many to choose from, it can be
tough finding your ideal credit card.

No matter type of lifestyle you have, how much money you are looking to spend,
or how you plan to use your credit card, the one thing you should always pay
very close attention to when choosing your card is the APR. Most people, choose
the credit cards with the lowest APR, which gives you better interest rates. The
lower the number of APR you can get, the less you'll have to pay. Many times,
the best credit card offers are those with the lowest interest rates.

No matter what type of credit card you choose, you should always pick the one
that best fits your needs and interests. If you look at several of the
companies and compare their rates, you'll find the best possible deals. You
should always compare companies and what they offer before you make a decision,
so that you can find which company fits as your best credit card offer.

If you have never applied for a credit card before, you may find it quite
difficult to get a low interest rate. If this is the case, you'll find other
offers that will give you what you need. Those of you who have bad credit or no
credit, will obviously need to look into credit cards that will give you credit
at the best possible deal. Once you have had your credit card for period of
time and begin to establish credit, you'll be able to go back and apply for
credit cards that offer a much lower APR, or interest rate.

Although you may get an offer from a company that sounds amazing, you should
read the fine print before you sign the dotted line, then look around at other
companies. With the credit card industry being so competitive, there are
hundreds and hundreds of companies out there willing to compete for your
business. Before you rush into an agreement, you should always find out what
other companies will off you.

No matter how you go about getting your credit card, you should always look
around for your ideal credit card offer. Even though your choice may be
questioned by others, it will be the credit card that you feel most comfortable
with. If you put some time and research into looking and compare other offers --
you'll find the best credit card for you and your money.

Credit Cards With Cash Rebate

Credit cards with cash rebate incentives give you cash rewards each and every
time you make a purchase with your credit card. Although there are many types
of reward credit cards out there, more and more companies are leaning towards
cash back incentives, as most people prefer to receive cash back over any other
type of reward.

For many, getting cash back is far preferred over air miles, items, or any
other reward. If you like to use your credit card often, then you'll find that
cash rebate credit cards will give you a lot of money in return.

Normally, these types of credit cards entail higher fees and APR. You don't
want to carry a high balance on these cards at any time, as it normally ends up
very costly. If you can off your balance at the end of the month, then your APR
won't affect you. Paying off your bill will also allow you to take full
advantage of the cash rebate reward.

The percentage of cash back will vary, although most normally have 1%, with 5%
being applied with certain purchases. For every purchase you make using your
cash rebate credit card, you'll get a small amount of cash back. Using your
credit card on a frequent basis will give you a lot of cash back at the end of
the year.

If you make big purchases, you can get a lot of cash back by using your credit
card, although some may have a limit on just how much of a rebate you get back.
If you plan to purchase large items such as furniture, you should check into
your cash rebate credit card and find out what the rebate is on these types of
purchases. The better rebate cards will normally send a lot of rebate cash your
way just for purchasing some of the larger items.

Before you get a cash rebate credit card, you should always find out how much
of a reward you will be getting with each purchase, and what the limit may be.
Once you have reached the limit, some banks will either send you a check,
deposit the reward into your bank account, or simply add the reward to your
credit card. All three are wise options, although most prefer to have the money
added to their bank account -- so it can help draw some interest.

If you research the rebate card and find out what other features are included,
you'll normally come out a winner. Make sure you inquire about the credit
limit, fees, and other things that you feel you should find out. Once you have
researched and found out what you need to know -- you can get a cash rebate
credit card and begin living life knowing you will be getting cash back for
just about anything you purchase.

Maximizing the potentials of a low APR credit card

Indeed, if a credit card is used properly, it can be the most powerful
financial tool. But not everybody can afford all the expensive rates of most
credit card issuers offer. This is where the low APR credit card ushers in --
to help people who plan to maintain a balance on their account and not to pay
the full amount monthly. But, what does APR stands for in a low APR credit card?

Basically, APR is the cost of credit as a yearly interest rate. APR stands for
"Annual Percentage Rate" of charge can be used to compare different credit and
loan offers. The APR on credit cards is usually calculated monthly based on the
current amount in the card. The monthly interest is calculated as if the current
card balance would remain the same over a year; the interest on the amount over
a year (APR) is worked out and divided by 12 to give the monthly interest. It
is a must that all lenders tell the client what their APR is before signing any
agreement.

Although the arrangements and terms may vary from lender to another, it is
better for people to avail a low APR credit card because the lower the APR, the
better the deal for them to spend more money in shopping around.

Why choose a low APR credit card? Low APR credit card is a good choice for
those people who are into a tighter financial budgeting. Being the most
important attribute of a credit card, APR determines the significant balance
over a longer period of time.

In a low APR credit card, the amount of interest one must pay on his or her
credit card balance depends on its APR because the lower the APR is, the better
it is him or her because it means they have to pay less interest. APRs in a low
APR credit card can either be "fixed" or "variable."

If you are planning to have a low APR credit card, there are so many cards that
offer low APRs that can be found online. These low APR credit cards are chosen
using a factoring scheme that organized these cards by computing a number of
their attributes to place the best deals at the top.

Some of the questions one have to ask when looking for a low APR credit card
includes the charges -- if they vary or a fixed rate; and if these charges are
variable because it might affect the repayments and if these rate are fixed or
will it stay the same. Searching for a low APR credit card may also include
inquiries on the possibility of any charges that are not included in the APR
like optional payment protection insurance or an annual charge. If there are
any, make sure that you understand what they are and when do you have to pay
them. Lastly, looking for a low APR credit card should include questions on the
conditions of the credit and how would these conditions suit you.

If you are now seeking for a low Apr credit card you may begin looking for a
scheme that could help you save hundreds in interest with a low interest credit
card and low cost processing. Most low APR credit card offers 0% APR for the
first months on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. Through these,
low APR credit card can warn rebates towards any item purchased. They also offer
$0 liability on unauthorized purchases, and no annual fees.

Some low Apr Credit Card that have very good intro rate for purchases is
recommended for those who would want to avail one. They also offer good deals
if one carry high balances on other cards and need to transfer the balance.

Indeed, having a credit card can be useful and convenient, and can even help
build a strong credit history that will help you with future activities like
home-buying, paying for higher education, and even finding a job. But, before
you apply for a card, consider the advantages and disadvantages especially with
the current financial situation you are in.

Bank Secured Credit Cards

Even though there are many types of credit cards out there for consumers, there
are few for those with bad credit. Those who are looking to repair their credit
have a few options available, one of which is the bank secured credit card.
This credit card can help you to repair your credit, as it works in conjunction
with your savings or checking account.

Bank secured credit cards look and work just like traditional credit cards,
although they use your bank account as collateral. Anytime you aren't able to
pay your credit card bill at the due date, the bank will take the money out of
your account. This way, there is always money there for the bank, in the event
that you are unable to make your payment.

Bank secured credit cards are also ideal for those who have a bankruptcy or
simply don't qualify for a line of credit due to bad credit or no credit
history. These credit cards show your bank that you are able to pay your
monthly dues, and that you are taking the necessary steps in rebuilding or
building your credit. Over time, if you remain responsible and pay your bill on
time, your bank may give you an unsecured line of credit -- known as a standard
credit card with no collateral.

Due to the fact that bank secured credit cards only allow you to spend what
have in your account, you don't need to worry about debt. When you can't make a
payment, the bank simply takes the money out of your account. Although this is a
great back up plan, you should always pay your bill and never let this happen.

Just like other credit cards, bank secured credit cards do have disadvantages
that can hit you like a ton of bricks should you use the card irresponsibly.
Anytime you don't pay your bill on time, the bank can hit you with high
interest charges and late charges. These charges and fees can get higher and
higher if you don't start paying your bill, which can eventually cause you to
drain your account that you set aside. If you pay your bill on time though, you
won't have to worry about being hit with these types of charges.

For those who have bad credit or need to start building credit, a bank secured
credit card is a great place to start. These cards can lead you to an unsecured
credit card, providing you pay your bill on time. Almost all banks offer these
credit cards, all you have to do is ask. Once you have kept your credit card in
good standing for a period of time -- you'll have the satisfaction in knowing
that you are taking the right steps in rebuilding your credit.

Options For Good Credit Cards

Those of you who are looking to get the best options with your credit card,
should first look into the terms associated with that card. There are a lot of
different features that you can get with credit cards these days, including low
APR, rewards, no annual fees, and several other perks designed to keep you using
your credit card.

There are several credit cards that you can choose from as well, giving you a
slew of different options. There are credit cards with instant approval, credit
cards with low interest rates, cash back credit cards, reward credit cards, and
even prepaid credit cards. If you have good credit, you won't have a problem
getting any type of credit card you desire.

Most people think of the best options with credit cards being the rewards.
Reward credit cards are great to have, as they give you extra incentives for
the money you spend. Whether it's cash back or points to redeem towards
hundreds of items, cash back cards make it worth your time and interest to use
your credit card. These cards are becoming very popular, as they offer you
features that other types of credit cards generally don't offer.

Another great option for credit cards is low APR rates. Your APR, or annual
percentage rate, is the amount of money that you pay at the end of the year for
your credit card. If you can get a credit card with low APR and low fees, you
should hang on to that card. Credit card companies and banks are always
competing for your business, and you can normally find credit cards these days
with some truly impressive features.

To get the best possible options for your credit card, you should always shop
around and compare what each company or bank has to offer. Most options found
on credit cards will vary from company to company and bank to bank. If you have
access to the Internet, you should use it to find yourself the best possible
credit card. There are literally hundreds of credit card offers found on the
Internet, many of which offer you some truly great options with their credit
cards.

Before deciding on your credit card, you need to determine which options are
the best for you. This way, you'll know exactly what to look for. The better
credit cards will include several different options, such as low APR, low fees,
and certain rewards as well. These types of credit cards are easily the best
investment, as they give you a lot of bang for your buck. If you play your
cards right and look for the right credit card -- you'll get the options you
desire with a credit card that you'll be proud to use.

Choosing Your Reward Card

When you are in the market for a new credit card, the features you have to
choose from may draw you to the card. Low interest rates and the types of
rewards you can get, are what draw many to reward credit cards. Those of you
who have good credit, will more than likely be able to get reward cards that
boast 0% APR. This does have an introductory period, normally 1 year, that goes
along with your new reward card.

You'll also need to think about the type of card that best fits your lifestyle.
The credit card field is very competitive, meaning that you always have a lot of
offers to choose from. Reward cards and becoming very popular, with more and
more coming out all the time. If you look for your reward credit card on the
Internet, you'll be able to compare hundreds and hundreds of offers -- and
decide which one is indeed the best for you.

Those of you who travel on a frequent basis, may find frequent flyer reward
cards to be very beneficial. These credit cards will accumulate either points
or miles for every dollar that you spend. You can then use the accumulated
points or miles and redeem them for airline travel, hotel reservations, car
rentals, and even cruises. These credit cards can also help you with discounts
as well, which can make a vacation or business trip more affordable than ever.

If you like to pay your full balance at the end of every month, then you may
find a reward credit card with a cash back feature to be the most enticing.
There are some cards that offer cash rewards of up to 5%, which can equal quite
a bit at the end of the year. All you need to do with cash back reward credit
cards is make a purchase, and you'll get money back for everything you buy.

Other types of reward credit cards include discounts on gas purchases,
contributions to your savings account, and points that you can redeem for great
items and things of that nature. No matter what your lifestyle may be, you can
almost always find a reward credit card that fits your needs and interests.
Reward credit cards are great to have, as you can buy the things you need and
earn points, flyer miles, and even cash back.

If the sound of rewards with your credit card purchases sounds enticing, you
should look into getting a reward credit card. These cards are great to have,
as most include low APR with great reward incentives. They can save you money
as well, which is great for those on a budget. With a reward credit card -- no
matter what you choose you'll come out a winner.

Bad credit credit card A bad credit credit card

"Bad credit card card" is used to refer to credit cards that can be obtained
even with a bad credit rating. The bad credit card cards provide opportunity to
people (with bad credit rating) to improve their credit rating. In that sense,
bad credit credit cards act as rescuer for such people. So, bad credit credit
cards also act as necessary a training ground for people who have not been able
to control their spending urge in the past.

Bad credit card cards are commonly known as secured credit cards. The bad
credit card card (or secured credit cards) requires the individual to open up
an account with the credit card supplier and maintain some cash balance in the
account. Why is that required? Well, credit cards are a business for the credit
card suppliers; so how can they trust someone who has defaulted on his/her
payments in the past? After all, a business is about profits and such risks are
a threat to profits. The bank or the credit card supplier will generally pay
interest on the balance in your account. However, it's best to check this with
the bad credit card card supplier/bank. The credit limit on the bad credit card
card is determined by the cash balance in the account and is generally between
50-100% of the cash balance. These bad credit card cards are also referred to
as debit cards, owing to the fact that they work less in a credit-giving manner
and more in a debit-giving manner.

There are plenty of bad credit card cards available in the market. When
searching for the bad credit card card that is best suited to you, you should
consider 4 things in particular: the minimum balance that you are required to
maintain in the bank account, the credit limit that you will receive (i.e. the
percentage of your bank account balance that you are allowed to spend on your
bad credit card card), the fees/other-charges applicable to the procurement of
bad credit card card and the rate of interest that you will receive on the
balance in your bank account. An ideal bad credit card card would have no
fee/other-charges associated with it and would require zero or a very small
amount as minimum bank balance. It would also have something like 90-100% of
bank balance as its credit limit. Moreover, an ideal bad credit card card would
also offer a good interest rate on the bank balance.

Bad credit card cards are really a good concept that provides respite to people
with bad credit rating by letting them enjoy the benefits of credit cards while
they mend their credit rating.

How to deal with credit card offer

If you're a person who carries a balance, credit card offer might be the least
thing on your mind right now. Credit card offer, no matter how enticing and
convenient it might seem, may be the most expensive loans made by banks,
department stores, and gasoline companies for you.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try not to give in to the temptation the
credit card offers, material cravings can sometimes be more powerful than the
will of the mind. No matter how hard you try to resist the convenience and
leisure the credit cards offer, you cannot help but to indulge. And the moment
the credit card issuer offers you a card you can hardly wait for t to be
approved and to use it to pay for items and services you fancy. To avoid going
beyond your credit limit, by now, you should know when to resist and indulge
into the convenience the credit cards offer. Knowing how much the service
provider or the store merchant collects from what you owe to your card issuer,
you shouldn't allow yourself spend what you don't think you cannot pay. Or, by
now, you should learn how to pay off what you owe each month, as long as you
pay a minimum amount each time because this is what you get from what the
credit card offers: interest on the balance you owe at the end of each period
if do not pay the full balance every time your bill arrives.

If you are having problems saying "no" to credit card offers, the most
effective way to prevent yourself in engaging into another compromise is a
little bit of truth serum -- how much credit card issuers get from the
transaction you engage with them. Although credit card offers the almost
priceless campaign ultimate convenience, think about this: the people who offer
credit cards generate high profits from the people they have issued the card.
Basically, reciprocal to what the credit card offers, is the high rate of
interest. The convenience credit card offers sometimes no longer mounts up to
the interest on credit cards alone but also from the bulk of accounts the bank
profits for every credit card issued.

There are also those companies that charge an annual fee as part the credit
card offer. But most of these companies sometimes charge late fees,
over-the-limit fees, and other "miscellaneous" charges that the credit card
holder often mistook as part of the service charge. Now, knowing how much you
really "contribute" to the companies' profit every time you pay what the
merchant charges or every time you pay the fees to service providers -- would
you still be blinded with what the credit card offers?

What you can do

Wanting to breakaway from the habitual indulgence to credit card offer? Here
are some tips that can help you veer away from the constant misleading promises
and overwhelming credit card offer. Before you give in to what a certain credit
card offers, think first what's the purpose of filling out an application for a
credit card and why do you need it and how sure are you that you can comply with
the conditions of having another card. If ever your needs really demand for a
credit card, then you must look for the most suitable type that will work best
for your specific situation. Sometimes it is not enough to shop around for
credit cards based of what they offer. More often than not, it pays to
understand the terms of what the credit card offers before you getting the
card. You must also take time to review the disclosures of terms and fees might
appear on credit card offers you receive.

If you are really a person who cannot say "no" to numerous credit card offers,
you must learn to pay bills punctually so the interest and charges are as low
as possible. It also pays to read monthly statements while keeping the copies
of sales receipts so you would compare the charges. Indeed, having a credit
card has become ingrained in the consumer's psyche. That's why it is imperative
that people understand clearly the responsibilities of being a credit card
holder and not juts base their assumptions on what the credit card offers.

"Online credit card usage" -- convenience at its best

Commerce and technology, combined as a one package -- this is what online
credit cards are. With the advent of internet, the knowledge and communication
barriers were broken. Also, with internet, came the concept of e-shops or
virtual shops that existed only on the internet. You could shop at these shops
by making use of their online credit card payment-acceptance ability. Once the
online credit card payments were verified and approved, the goods got delivered
to your door. This is what we call convenience at its best.

With more and more e-shops getting setup everyday, online credit card usage is
becoming even more popular. The possibility of receiving online credit card
payments has given a totally new dimension to shopping. Now, you can not only
shop from the comfort of your home, you can even get discounts on these
products. This is really amazing. No need to bother about the weather, no need
to worry about the traffic jams or any other thing. Just go to an e-shop,
select a product, make use of their online credit card payment-acceptance
facility to make the payment and be ready to receive the goods at your
doorstep. With online credit card processing facility, starting a business (an
online business) has become just unbelievably easy.

However, there is nothing without pitfalls. One of the pitfalls of online
credit card usage is the possibility of online credit card fraud. This online
credit card fraud can happen in two ways. The first one is related to the
company, on whose website you made online credit card payment for purchase of
goods; this company itself could be fraudulent i.e. it could take the online
credit card payment from you but not deliver the goods to you. Moreover, they
could use the details of your credit card (received through the filling up of
online credit card payment form by you) for fraudulent purposes. The second
type of fraud is committed by fraudsters who use various softwares/devices to
capture the details of online credit card payments (as you enter them on the
online credit card payment form of a website). These softwares are popularly
known as spyware and these fraudsters as online spies. The spyware works by
capturing keystrokes or taking screenshots of whatever you do on your computer
and then passes it on to the spy. However, there are anti-spyware softwares
available which can be used to counter such spyware.

So, the advent of online credit card usage facility is a boon to us. However,
you must exercise caution when making online credit card payments e.g. don't
access your bank accounts or make online credit card payments from internet
cafes (unless you are absolutely sure about the credentials of the internet
cafe).

How fast is your credit card processing?

Are you ready to swipe your credit card for the very first time? Really? Or are
you already on your way to your second credit card? By the way, do you know it
takes ages for you to get your credit card processed?

Well, for starters let's look into the credit card processing stage of your
application and why does it take you ages to have that other card.

The first thing that your bank looks into in the stage of credit card
processing is the account that you have in other credit card companies.
Normally this part of the credit card processing stage -- this is where people
in banks get down and dirties with their records and other companies' records.
This would also include how long was the credit card processing stage when you
applied for your other cards. This usually means that your bank is trying to
find out how much your worth really is. This is the part where they categorize
you in subgroups. This also usually means that it's either you're a good payer
or they would have a have time chasing after you state to state.

If this happens in the credit card processing stage, the bank would usually
require you to give them an alternate address where they send you the bill, by
the way this just means that they want to be sure that you are going to pay!
And if you get past this stage of the credit card processing with minor
injuries to your ego, the next step will be to find out if you have any unpaid
balances or other credit card processing with other banks. This just means that
they are trying to find out how cards are able to for and you'll be able to pay
for theirs once you've passed the credit card processing stage. They usually do
this to counter check if you do have the capacity of paying for a number of
credit cards so they won't get stuck a person that cant. And when you get
passed this stage, still with minimal damage to your ego, the next step in the
credit card processing stage is to verify your identity as a US citizen.

Because of the US Patriotic Act, everyone trying to get anything in the US is
required to have their identities verified because they don't want terrorist
getting anything inside US soil especially getting past credit card processing.
And the last part of getting past the credit card processing is to have all the
things they need to check in order and to meet the standards of their company,
in a nutshell, to get a credit card and to get through credit card processing,
you must have other credit cards that are active. Two, you must be a good payer
and three you must not have a last name that sounds like you are from
Afghanistan -- that is. Anyway, you might be having problems when it comes to
your credit card processing, most it the time, it's worth the wait. Credit
cards is great financial tool is used correctly and properly. It will enable
the credit card holder to manage his or her finances. Having a credit card also
ensure not only your money and your life as well because it is very convenient
compared to carrying cash or checks every time you have to buy or pay for
something.

All about College Credit Cards

College credit cards are the credit cards that have been specially designed for
college students. College credit cards are more popularly known as student
credit cards. College credit cards allow the students to experience the
benefits of credit cards much earlier in their life. Through college credit
cards, the college students are able to learn more about credit cards and their
use. In fact, for most of the students, their college credit card is their first
credit card that acts as a gateway to the world of credit cards. Some other
students might have previously used supplementary credit cards linked to their
father's credit card account; however, for such students too, their college
credit card is the first one that is truly theirs.

College credit cards are not very different from other types of credit cards in
the basic sense; they function in the same way as any credit card would.
However, there are some differences, which basically arise from the fact that
college credit cards are used by people who have no prior experience with
credit cards and who perhaps don't understand the concept of credit cards
completely. Hence, the credit card supplier is at risk with issuing credit
cards (college credit cards) to such people whom he is not sure about. Most of
the students don't have a credit history either. In such a case, the supplier
of college credit card cannot be sure of receiving the credit card bill
payments in time (and even receiving them at all). To counter such risks, the
supplier of college credit card requires the parent of the student to co-sign
the college credit card application form as a guarantee. Moreover, the credit
limit on college credit cards is generally around $500-$1000 per month, which
is lower than what it is for other credit cards (this credit limit is generally
sufficient to fulfil the typical needs of a student). Another risk mitigation
instrument used by the college credit card suppliers is the interest rate or
APR. The APR on college credit cards is generally higher than that for other
credit cards. Again, this is done to dissuade the students from overspending on
their college credit card (and finally not being able to pay their credit card
bills). However, if we were to look at these impositions in a positive sense,
we would find that these are actually in favour of the student (who is still
getting trained to take on the real world of credit cards). Moreover, college
credit cards also help the students in establishing a (good) credit history
which is another important benefit that becomes handy when the student needs
any type of loan at a later stage in his/her life.

So, college credit cards are really something that every student should
consider going for.

How To Avoid Late Fees

Although it may be overstated, there is a lot of truth to people ruining their
credit score due to missing payments and paying their credit card bills late.
The fees can pile up and the interest rates can grow before you know it, and
after a while you won't even be able to pay the minimum amount of payment. If
you don't do something fast -- it could be the beginning of the end.

To make sure this don't happen to you, you should always pay your bill on time,
and always avoid missing a payment. Sometimes, it can be hard to make your
payments on time, although you should always do everything in your power to
ensure that you stay on top of things. Below, you'll find some tips to help you
with your credit card payments.

As stated above, you should always pay your bill on time. If something comes up
and you aren't able to pay, you'll be penalized. Even though you may think what
has come up will justify a late payment, it doesn't justify the means in the
eyes of your credit card company. Inside of your bill, you'll find detailed
instructions regarding payment. You should always follow them as accurately as
possible, pay where and when you are supposed to pay -- and do it on time.

If you simply aren't able to pay your entire bill, you shouldn't worry about it
-- but instead pay the minimum amount possible. Even though you may be able to
pay more later, you should always pay at least the minimum amount. Then, when
you have more money, you can always add to your minimum payment by sending in
an additional payment.

The easiest way to do this, is to always have the minimum payment amount set
aside, so that you have it once your credit card bill arrives. Once you have
assured yourself that you won't be penalized or charged any late fees, you
should look into paying a higher amount than just the minimum balance. By
paying the minimum amount, you'll also ensure that no other fees will be added
to your next credit card bill.

Another option includes skip a payment, although you'll need to check whether
or not your credit card company offers it or not. This service will allow you
to request a waiver regarding your payment, when something comes up and you
don't have the money to pay your bill. Make sure that you use this service
wisely if you have it, as it can only be used once a year. Therefore, you
should always ensure that the situation is truly an emergency and there are no
other options available for you. This service will normally have a cost as
well, and you'll need to pay it the following month.

Although credit cards can be great for numerous reasons, you should always know
your interest rates and have a good general idea of what your bill is going to
be before you make a purchase. Many times, those who have credit cards will
make purchases, knowing they can't make the payments -- then suffer when they
get the bill and aren't able to pay it.

Anytime you have a credit card, you should always make sure that you have the
money to pay the bill, or the minimum amount, the minute it arrives. This way,
you'll remain in good standing with your company and your credit score will
continue to increase. If you simply aren't able to make your payment, you
should contact your credit card issuer immediately and see if you can work
something out.

Getting A Higher Limit On Your Credit Card

Nearly everyone who has a credit card always has the goal of a higher line of
credit. A higher credit card limit will enable you to make much higher
purchases, normally purchases that you are unable to get with your current line
of credit. There are ways that you can get a higher credit limit. Below, are
some tips that will help you raise the limit of your credit.

The most important thing to do when improving your credit limit is to improve
your overall level of credit worthiness. This tells banks and lenders that you
can be trusted with credit, and that you are little to no risk for them. When
lenders and banks look at your credit report, this is the first thing that they
look for.

You can attract a lot of positive attention with a credit card company or bank
with your finance purchases. You should pay them every once in a while,
although you shouldn't go out of your way to make a habit of it. Normally, this
should be done as a last resort when all else fails to increase your overall
chances of raising your line of credit.

Once you prove to a bank or credit card company that you can be trusted to
borrow money, they may raise your line of credit. You should be careful with
this strategy however, as this could only apply to your bank or current credit
card company. Having a higher credit line may allow you to have more purchasing
power, although it can also leave you with more fees and even an increase in
your current interest and APR charges.

Another great way to increase your credit limit is to use your credit card
every chance you get. When you have a credit card, don't use it just for
emergency purposes. If you save your credit card for emergency purposes only,
you'll rarely use it. When this happens, your company will begin to wonder
about your spending behavior and ability to pay it back, therefore they will
start to think twice about giving you a higher line of credit.

When you send in your payment, always try to pay more than just the minimum
amount. If you can afford to, you should try to pay the whole outstanding
amount. Doing so shows credit card companies and banks that you are striving
for better credit. This way, you'll show them that you deserve to have a higher
line of credit.

If you follow the above tips, you'll get your credit limit higher in no time at
all. Once you get your limit raised, you should protect it at all costs. If you
continue to strive for perfection -- you'll get a higher line of credit than
you ever thought possible.

Low interest credit cards

A lot of people just look at low interest credit cards when they are looking to
get a credit card for themselves. The credit card suppliers too advertise low
interest credit cards more that any other kind of credit cards. However, should
low interest credit cards be the only ones on your list when you are hunting for
a credit card? Probably not. For some people, interest rate or the APR is
probably the most important thing to look for when selecting a credit card.
However, that doesn't hold good for everyone. Low interest credit cards are
good and should surely be on your list, but APR is not the only thing to look
for.

Let's start with understanding what an APR (annual percentage rate) is and
where its importance lies. APR is simply the interest rate that is used to
calculate interest on the balance in your credit account with the credit card
supplier. There is no interest charge if you make the full payment of your
credit card bill (by the due date). However, in case of a partial payment, you
will need to pay an interest on whatever you owe the credit card supplier. The
APR is backward calculated to get a monthly rate and the same is applied on
your balance to calculate the interest for the applicable period.

That means, people who are not sure about being able to pay the full amount,
every time, should surely look for low interest credit cards. A low interest
credit card helps in reducing your total outgo by curtailing the interest you
pay on your balance. So, low interest credit cards help in slowing down the
rate at which your credit card debt builds up. Thus low interest credit cards
are surely important for a particular group of people, as stated above.

Besides this group, there are others who don't really need low interest credit
cards. These people are capable of (and intend to) pay off their credit card
bill in full every month. Their purpose in using a credit card is convenience
and other benefits associated with the credit cards. So, be it low interest
credit cards or high interest ones; it really doesn't matter for them.

So the need for low interest credit cards is more felt by a particular group of
people. However, even if you go for a low interest credit card, you need to pit
the various low interest credit cards against each other (vis-�-vis the other
benefits they offer) and then select the low interest credit card that is best
suited to your needs.

So, first you need to evaluate whether you need to go only for low interest
credit cards and then select the low interest credit card that fulfils your
needs. After all, you don't go hunting for a credit card everyday.

Credit card services

Credit cards have gained so much popularity amongst the masses that no business
can be termed as complete and efficient if it doesn't use credit card services.
Really, without credit card services, most of the businesses would end up
losing a significant chunk of business opportunities. Some people go to the
extent of classifying such businesses (which don't use credit card services) as
non-serious businesses.

So what are these credit card services that we are talking about?

In simple words, by credit card services we mean the ability to accept credit
cards as a mode of payment. Well, we can also term the use of credit cards as a
credit card service. However, generally, credit card services will include the
services that enable acceptance of credit card by a merchant. So, for a
shopkeeper, use of credit card processing machines to accept credit card
payments, is a credit card service that he is providing to his customers (and
he himself is receiving this credit card service from the provider of credit
card processing machine and others involved in making this process so smooth).
Since carrying cash is no more a common practice, any shop that doesn't
use/provide such credit card services would end up losing a lot of customers
because customers can't pay with anything other than a credit card. So, for
most merchants, providing credit card services (or credit card processing
services) to their customers, has become very essential part of business.

With the internet boom, came a lot of online businesses. These businesses were
in the form of virtual shops (or e-shops) that existed either only on the
internet or were a virtual extension of physical shops. All these businesses
(some selling goods, some selling services), needed a way to accept payments
from their customers. This gave birth to online credit card services. The
simplest use of these online credit card services is in the form of a simple
webpage/web-form that asks you to provide your credit card details. These
details are then verified and processed to debit the amount from your credit
card and credit it to the merchant's accounts. Since credit card details are
sensitive information, these websites started implementing mechanisms/
technology to secure it and prevent it from getting in the hands of fraudsters. 
Such sites are now called secured websites and form the backbone of
e-commerce.

Besides these basic ways of implementing credit card services, the credit card
services are provided in some other forms too e.g. over-the-phone payments
using credit cards, use of third party online credit card service providers who
provide you with an interface to accept credit card payments.

So, there are a lot of different ways in which credit card services are
implemented and as the time goes by, the expanse of these credit card services
is sure to increase.

After you pay off credit card debt

Credit card debt is a very big problem that is being faced by a lot of people
who have been irresponsible and undisciplined in the use of their credit card.
Though some might have landed up with credit card debt due to some unfortunate
event/emergency in their life, most people carry a credit card debt due to
their own wrong doings (i.e. wrong usage of their credit card debt). There are
a lot of ways to pay off credit card debt and a lot of people do achieve this
feat (i.e. are able to pay off credit card debt). Surely, to be able to pay off
credit card debt is really a great achievement in itself for not everyone is
able to pay off credit card debt. It takes a lot of discipline, restraint,
planning and perseverance to finally pay off credit card debt. However, there 
is more to paying off credit card debt then just being able to pay off credit 
card debt.

Here we are talking about the life after you pay off credit card debt
successfully. As mentioned before, of all the people that try to pay off credit
card debt not everyone is able to pay off credit card debt i.e. there are some
failures too. However, some people fail after they have succeeded in paying off
credit card debt. These are those people who let themselves loose and go on a
spending spree as soon as they pay off credit card debt. Soon, these people
again land up with a credit card debt and are again trying to pay off credit
card debt. So, it's not enough to just pay off credit card debt, it's equally
important to maintain a debt-free status even after you pay off credit card
debt; only then can you enjoy a stress-free life in the world of credit cards.
So learn your lessons well and do not let yourself loose on the path to another
credit card debt. Most of the rules that you followed when you were trying to
pay off credit card debt, will also hold good after you have paid off your
credit card debt. Here is a quick synopsis of things that you should take care
of even after you pay off credit card debt: 1)  Do not overspend. Yielding to
the sale offers for something that you don't really need, is a big mistake that
leads to overspending 2)  Always remain within 70% of your credit limit. 3) 
Make credit card bill payments in time and in full. 4)  Don't hold more than 2
credit card accounts (two are enough for anyone)

These are just very basic things; you can add more based on your own experience
and knowledge.

Should I use an agency for credit card debt settlement?

Some people like to deal with their credit card debt all by themselves.
However, some people do use credit card debt settlement agency. There can be
various reasons for going for a credit card debt settlement agency. Some people
use a credit card debt settlement agency because they are not comfortable in
dealing with credit card debt settlement by themselves. Some go for a credit
card debt settlement agency because they don't have the time to do the research
and evaluate options for credit card debt settlement. Others just want
professional advice and hence they contact credit card debt settlement agency.

Whatever be the reason for employing a credit card debt settlement agency, a
good credit card debt settlement agency would surely be of help. However, it's
important that you select a good credit card debt settlement agency. Do not
fall for ads of credit card debt settlement agencies that promise to wipe off
your debt overnight. No credit card debt settlement agency or anyone else can
do that. You should select a credit card debt settlement agency which has
verifiable credentials or a credit card debt settlement agency that you know
has a good reputation. If some friend has been through this process previously,
they might be able to recommend a credit card debt settlement agency to you.
Sometimes you will find ads that promise impossible things and ask you to call
a telephone number that's a premium line. So beware, or else you might end up
paying heavy phone bills that would just add to your debt. Some credit card
debt settlement agencies might be having a very low fee but no reputation.
These are again the credit card debt settlement agencies that you should avoid.
However, once you find a reputable credit card debt settlement agency, do not
try to hide debt related information from them, no matter how bad your debt it.
That is another reason for looking for a reputable credit card debt settlement
agency. If the credit card debt settlement agency is not a reputable one, you
would not be able to trust them; and trust is very important here otherwise you
will neither be able to tell them the full story and nor follow their advice.
That said, it's important to note that no credit card debt settlement agency
will be able to help you if you are not ready to help yourself. So, follow the
advice given by credit card debt settlement agency and practice good spending
habits.

Rejection of your credit card application

As time progresses, more and more people are joining the revolution called
'Credit card'. Yes, it's really a revolution. Now you don't need to worry about
how much cash you have in your pocket when you go shopping, just carrying this
small piece of plastic (credit card) is enough to assure you of a good shopping
treat. You can use your credit card to order things from the comfort of your
home (on the internet). So the number of credit card applications seems to be
on the rise. However, not every credit card application turns into a physical
credit card. Some credit card applications get rejected too. Let's check why a
credit card supplier would reject a credit card application when he has spent
so much time and energy (and money) on wooing new customers.

One obvious reason for rejection of credit card application is human error i.e.
the error committed by you in filling up the credit card application. These can
be small mistakes like a wrong telephone number or wrong name or the postal
code might be wrong. It's normal to make mistakes, after all we are human being
and no human being can be termed as perfect. Another strong reason for rejection
of a credit card application could be missing mandatory information i.e. when
you forgot to fill-in some mandatory information in the credit card application
form. Sometimes, the credit card application could be rejected because the
credit card application form has been filled-in in a handwriting that is
illegible to the people processing your credit card application. At other
times, the sales representative (of the credit card supplier) could have made a
mistake in either depositing the form correctly or in guiding you in the filling
of the credit card application form (newly hired sales representatives can make
such mistakes).

However, these human errors are just minor errors that can be corrected later
on and hence the only impact would be in terms of the delay in receiving your
credit card. The main and the most important cause for rejection of credit card
applications is bad credit ratings i.e. a negative credit history. If you have
been using other credit cards or if you have taken bank loans/mortgages in the
past, you would have already build your credit rating. If you have been making
your bill/instalment payments in time (and in the correct amount), you would
have already acquired a good credit rating. However, if you have been irregular
or if you have been defaulting on your payment dues, you would have developed a
bad credit rating. This credit rating is calculated by credit bureaus who
receive feeds from various credit suppliers. All credit card applications are
checked for the credit rating of the requestor and if it comes up as negative,
the application is rejected outrightly.

So, these are the 2 most important reasons for rejection of credit card
application and you must pay heed to them (especially the credit rating).

Protecting Your Personal Information

We all know that criminals are out there, waiting to steal our credit card
information. These very criminals want credit card information so they can run
up the charges then leave you holding the bags -- with nothing to show for it.
Even though some are local, most credit card criminals are in far away lands.
Worse than that, they like to hide or go by other names so it's virtually
impossible to track them down.

The most common way for criminals to get credit card information is through
phishing, which involves a fake email that appears to be sent from your credit
card company. Normally, this fake email states that there was an error with
your account, or that it was accessed by unauthorized personnel and needs your
attention.

Spotting fake emails isn't hard to do -- as long as you know what to look for.
The most obvious hint for most, is the fact that they don't even have a credit
card from the company that has sent the email. For others, the link
is what gives the fake email away. Anytime you get an email from a credit card
that you believe to be fake, you should always hover your mouse over the link,
then "right click" the link with the mouse and select "view source". If the
link is indeed fake, the website address that comes up will be something other
than that of a credit card company.

The criminals don't want you to look at the source for their website, as they
simply want you to click on the link before you look at anything else. Once you
have clicked on the link, you'll arrive at a website that is usually an exact
copy of a credit card website. Fake sites normally include everything that the
actual site does, including the logos and banners. Even for the most amateur of
credit card criminals, web pages like this are very easy to create.

Those of you who have fell victim to this scam, probably realized what you have
done little too late. Once you have entered in your credit card information, you
have done exactly what the criminals wanted and put yourself in violation of
credit card fraud and identity theft. Once the criminal has your social
security number and credit card information, he is more than likely to use that
information to go on a shopping spree -- stealing your money and running up your
account.

If you receive an email such as this, you should always delete it. Even if you
just click on the fake website to investigate, you may do more harm than good.
Even though you may not enter any information at all, your computer may get
infected with viruses or spyware simply because you clicked on the link. To
avoid this altogether, you should never click on a link that you believe to be
a fake credit card company website.

If you do your part and protect your credit card information, you won't have
anything at all to worry about. Your personal information is very important, as
you never want it to fall in the wrong hands. As long as you protect it, you
won't have anything to worry about. There are always criminals out there, which
is why you should always be on guard. Criminals want your personal information
and your credit card numbers -- it's up to you to ensure that they don't get
it. A criminal will do anything to get what they want, which is why protecting
yourself is so very important these days.

Getting Approved Instantly Online

If you've surfed around on the Internet, you've no doubt ran across many
different credit card companies, offering you cards at what they claim are the
best in terms of interest rates and fees. Credit card companies operate both
offline and online, and you can even apply for your card directly through their
website. Even though many people understand how this process works, there are
some who don't.

There are a lot of credit card companies who can process your application
online instantly, or within a few minutes. Keep in mind that it doesn't mean
you can shop instantly, simply because you can't print out your new credit card
and take it out to the store. You can still shop, although you won't be able to
use your new credit card -- you have to wait until it is mailed out to you.

Although your application will only take you a few minutes, you'll still have
to wait for your new credit card. It will be sent to you via mail, so you'll
need to a wait a few short days before it arrives. Online credit cards are a
smart choice, as most will tell you instantly whether or not you've been
approved. Even though you'll have to wait on the card, it doesn't take near as
long as applying the old fashioned way.

When you compare the old fashioned method of getting credit cards to the online
method, you'll see some major differences. The first difference is the time, as
it can take a long time to return the credit card offer to the company and
receive a response. Snail mail can take forever when you are waiting on a
response, especially if there are problems with processing your application.

The traditional method of getting a credit card won't allow you to compare what
other companies have to offer. If you choose to apply for your credit card
online, you'll have the option of looking at several different companies. This
way, you can find the best deal for your money and know without a doubt that
you found the best deal. There are literally hundreds of credit cards online,
all you have to do is find one that interests you and apply for it.

Keep in mind that even though applying online is a great way to get credit
cards, there are limitations on instant approval. As you may already know,
online credit cards with instant approval are meant for those who already have
good credit. Even though you may not have good or perfect credit, there are
ways that you can get approved online. With the market being very competitive
these days, there are some companies that will approve you regardless, just for
the simple fact that it gives them business. A lot of online companies are
looking to get more business, so they will let the line slide quite a bit, and
approve almost anyone now days.

If you are looking for a credit card, all you have to do is look online. You'll
find many to choose from, giving you plenty of available options. Credit card
companies are easy to find online, with there being more online than offline.
Getting approved online for your credit card is easier than ever, as all you
need to do is apply and wait for a response. With a little luck, you may end up
getting approved. Once your application is approved, all you do is sit back and
wait for your credit card to arrive -- it's as easy as that.

Credit card debt consolidation

Credit card debt is a nightmare of a problem and unfortunately there a lot of
people who face this today (and if others don't pay heed, they might get
trapped into credit card debt too). Credit card debt consolidation is generally
regarded as the most important step in credit card debt reduction and
elimination.

So what is 'Credit card debt consolidation'?

Credit card debt consolidation is the process/strategy to consolidate debt from
multiple credit cards into lesser number of credit cards (ideally one or two
credit cards). Credit card debt consolidation is sometimes also referred as a
balance transfer where you transfer your balance on one credit card to another
credit card. Generally, the balance transfer (or credit card debt
consolidation) is done from credit cards with higher APR to credit cards with
lower APR. Credit card debt consolidation can also be achieved by going for a
bank loan (at a lower interest rate) and using that towards paying the debt on
the higher APR credit cards. This loan is then paid-back to the bank in the
form of monthly instalments.

As you would have noticed, a lot of credit card suppliers and banks keep coming
out with attractive offers for Credit card debt consolidation (or balance
transfers). There is no dearth of 0% APR offers for credit card debt
consolidation. However, credit card debt consolidation is a serious exercise
and you must exercise caution so that you don't get into deeper trouble. When
going for credit card debt consolidation, you must properly analyze the offers
from various banks and credit card suppliers. Check the time period for which
0% APR is being offered and also the APR that would be applicable after the
lapse of that period. Generally, 0%APR is valid for a 6-12 month period only.
So, if you are confident of paying back a considerable amount of debt in that
period, this kind of credit card debt consolidation will work for you even if
the APR (post 0% period) is a bit higher. However, if that is not the case, the
long term APR is going to be the most important thing for you. If the long term
APR is more than the APR for your current credit card, this kind of Credit card
debt consolidation will be futile for you. Also, check processing charges etc
before you actually go for balance transfer or credit card debt consolidation
with another supplier/bank. Another good idea is to check with your current
credit card supplier and see if they can offer a lower APR to you in order to
help you in clearing off your debt (you would be surprised that they do oblige
at times and hence eliminate the need for credit card debt consolidation).

It's important that, with credit card debt consolidation, you also inculcate
good spending habits; otherwise credit card debt consolidation would really be
of no use to you.

Chase credit cards

Credit cards have become almost a necessity in today's world. There are hordes
of credit card suppliers who issue thousands of credits cards every day. Chase
(of the JPMorgan group) are a well known credit card supplier. Chase credit
cards are pretty popular among the masses.

Chase credit cards come with various different benefits and accordingly chase
credit cards are classified into various categories. There are general purpose
chase credit cards which promise great rates and excellent service. Then there
are chase credit cards for people who shop regularly with some retailers. These
are termed as rebate cards since they offer rebates on shopping when you shop
with certain retailers. These also offer cash rewards. There are entertainment
credit cards for people who wish to get VIP access to some concerts, events etc.

Another category of chase credit cards is the travel cards where the credit
card holders get travel related discounts and rewards. This category of chase
credit cards is very suitable for people who travel a lot. Yet another set of
chase credit cards is grouped as auto and gas cards which offer rebates and
rewards on everyday purchases. Retail cards are another kind of chase credit
cards where you receive points on purchases made using this chase credit card.
These points can then be redeemed for shopping certificates, entertainment etc.
For students, there is a separate breed of chase credit cards which is called
student cards. These student cards help the students in building a (good)
credit history and also offer some special benefits for students. Similarly
there are college & university alumni cards for supporting your alma mater.
There is another set of chase credit cards that operate on similar lines. These
chase credit cards are called 'cards to support organizations'. The organization
can be something like a charity or any other organization that you want to
support. Then there are military cards that are meant for the members of
military (both past and present). You can support your favourite teams or
sporting organizations by getting a sports card. Finally, there are business
cards which can be used by businesses for organizing their expenses, availing
low interest rates and getting other benefits related to business.

Thus chase offers a lot of different credit cards which cater to the different
needs of various people. By comparing the features of these chase credit cards
and by understanding the main objective behind them, one can easily zero-in on
the chase credit card that is best suited to ones needs.

Note: The information given in this article was correct at the time it was
written. However, the author does not guarantee the correctness and
completeness of this information at any time.

Learning About Cash Back Credit Cards: Good or Bad Idea?

Getting a credit card that offers cash back always sounds like a good idea.
What could be better than getting cash back on all the purchases that you make
with your credit card? It sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

Well, there are cards that give you free cash, but it is usually only around 1%
cash back. However, free money is free money, right? Well, sometimes.

If you like to buy a lot of things in one month, this kind of credit card
probably sounds great to you. However, you need to keep in mind that they are
not going to give you cash back on every purchase that you make. Even if they
claim to give you cash back on every purchase, they will only give you up to a
certain amount per transaction. The company also has a strict limit on the
amount that they will give back to their customers. If you read the little,
bitty print on the form that you signed, you will see a paragraph with their
limits in the terms and agreements.

This is another way to try to draw in new customers for these companies. It is
a good credit card to have and sounds great in theory, but they will have to
check your credit rating before they will give you their card.

Research different credit card companies to see what they are offering. You may
be surprised to find a cash back credit card that offers you just what you need
and want with a high cash back percentage, few limits on the amount they will
give you back, and instant cash deposits when you make each purchase with their
card.

Although these credit cards seem like a great thing to have, some companies
will need your credit rating to be great too. However, there are credit card
companies that offer these cards to people with a low credit rating to help
them rebuild their credit. Research all of your options.

What should your decision be? If you have a good credit rating, then this card
is a great option for you. Research different card companies -- there are cards
out there that offer you up to 3% cash back and impose very few limits. If,
however, you have a bad credit rating, you may want to find a credit card that
will help you rebuild your credit.

Credit Cards For High School Students

Students in high school that are looking to start building their credit early
can get high school student credit cards. These credits cards can help teach
high school students responsibility, and how to manage their credit at an early
age. These types of credit cards are issued to high school students, with a
parent or guardian co-signing with the student. Students who have these credit
cards also have a sense of responsibility as well.

Before applying for a high school student credit card, both students and
co-signers should always look at their available options. There are a lot of
banks and credit card companies to choose from, which makes it in your best
interest to look around. Some cards will come with high APR and a high annual
fee, while some are more reasonable. With high school students not having any
credit, some banks and companies will try to charge unreasonable rates -- which
is reason enough to do your research and know the best deal.

Co-signers can normally help students to make the best decision. The co-signer
will be going on the application with the student, and will be the individual
that the bank or company will come to when the student is unable to pay the
bill. Parents and co-signers will know the best deals for credit cards, which
is students should always ask them for help when picking out the ideal credit
card.

For some students, prepaid credit cards can be an ideal investment. These cards
hold absolutely no risk for students, while they help to teach financial
management as well. With these high school student credit cards, the prepaid
amount you have put on the card is your spending limit. To ensure that the
application for is filled out correctly, students should always have a parent
or guardian assist them with filling the information out.

When a student gets their credit card, they should be instructed on how to
properly use the credit card. Although some students will be tempted to run up
their high school student credit card, they should save it for emergency
situations. At the end of the month, they should try to pay their whole bill,
to avoid getting into debt. If a student can pay the bill -- it will also help
boost their credit.

If you are interested in a high school student credit card, you can always
apply for one online. The applications are processed in a timely manner,
normally giving you a response in a matter of minutes. Although credit cards
are great to have, prepaid credit cards are sometimes the way to go with
students. If you are unsure -- make sure you look into all options available to
you and compare what you find out.

The Cost Of Credit Cards

Although some choose to rush into getting a credit card, they normally do so
without being aware of the costs. A lot of credit cards out there come with
hidden costs and charges, and you should always be aware of this before you
apply. In most cases, these fees and charges won't get noticed by the user
until it is too late.

Credit card holders who aren't aware of any hidden costs could easily end up
paying possibly thousands of dollars at the end of the year -- and not even
realize it. If you have a reward credit card, your rewards could easily be
destroyed by these hidden costs. Although some credit card users may realize
it, there are many out there who aren't aware of these costs at all.

The first factor for hidden costs is found in the grace period. The grace
period is the extra time you have to pay your bill without having extra fees
added to your bill. Even though this can be great for paying your bill, it can
quickly lead to a pitfall if you let it. To avoid any type of costs or hidden
fees, you should pay your bill as soon as it arrives. This way, you won't have
to worry about your grace period or the interest that can accrue from letting
your bill get later and later.

The late fee is another factor with credit cards that is often overlooked by
credit card users. Late fees are common with credit cards, although their
potential for costs is often overlooked. Some people choose to pay it and be
done with it, unaware of the fact that these costs can indeed add up in no time
at all. To be on the safe side, you should always know what the late charges are
and how fast they can add up.

The easiest way to avoid any type of hidden fees or costs is to pay your bill
on time -- as soon as you receive your bill. You should also pay more than the
minimum, as this helps to pay your bill off faster and ensure that you pay the
bill and not just the interest. Paying your bill late is never a good thing, as
it can easily destroy your credit report. If you continue to make late payments,
your company or bank can increase your interest rates.

No matter what you do, you should always pay your credit card bill on time.
Hidden fees and costs are out there -- it's up to you to avoid them. Credit
card companies and banks won't tell you what the hidden fees are, unless you
ask them. To protect yourself and your credit -- you should always be aware of
the costs -- and how to prevent them from happening to you.

The Air Mile Credit Card

Air mile credit cards give you points or miles with every purchase you make,
which you can redeem for traveling related expenses. In most cases, you can use
your points or miles to get a free airline ticket to travel to a destination of
your choice. Frequent flyers can use those very miles or points to redeem your
reward faster.

There are a lot of companies out there that offer air mile cards. You can
choose to get one online, through a bank, or even a credit card company. Each
one is unique, and offers it's own unique set of features. Before you select
your card, you should always look at different companies and compare them as
well. Normally, you will get a point or mile for every dollar you spend. You'll
also want to look at blackout dates as well, as many companies have decided to
drop them and their expiration dates completely.

You will also want to find out what type of purchases you make with your card
give you reward miles. Some purchases that you make may not be included in your
reward incentives, which is why you'll want to find out what purchases are and
aren't included. The bigger purchase items, such as televisions and furniture
may have more miles included, which is why you'll want to inquire.

Another area of importance is the interest rate. You should look deeper into
the air mile credit card that you are interested in and find out how much the
interest rates are and if there are any annual fees to using the card. Although
your rewards may sound great, you don't want to pay too much in fees or an
annual rate just to reap the benefits.

Even though they have been around for many years, air mile credit cards are
very popular for those like to travel. These cards can also help you with
rental cars and hotel expenses as well, as long as you use the points you have
accumulated by using your card. The get the most out of an air mile credit
card, you should use your card on a frequent basis. You can really rack up the
points if you purchase everything with your credit card -- instead of using
cash.

Air mile credit cards are great to have, as long as you don't end up paying an
arm and a leg in fees, and the annual rate isn't that high. If you check into
what each manufacturer offers, you can normally get a great deal. Also, make
sure that find out what other rewards are included with the air mile credit
card you get as well -- as this can help you to make your decision when you
finally decide to get the card.

Southwest airline credit card Southwest airline credit card

Southwest airline credit cards are a good example of co-branded credit cards.
Southwest airlines and Chase have teamed up to bring the southwest airline
credit cards to you. At the time of writing this article, there are two popular
southwest airline cards which are also collectively called as southwest airlines
rapid rewards Visa cards. One of these southwest airline credit cards is for
personal use (this is called Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature
Card) and the other southwest airline credit card is for business use. Both
these southwest airline credit cards are aimed at getting you a roundtrip award
faster.

There are a number of ways in which you can earn reward points using Southwest
airline credit cards. Southwest airline credit cards have two kinds of reward
points i.e. there are two denominations in which you can earn reward points --
rapid reward credits and rapid reward dollars. The rapid reward credits are a
much higher reward denomination as compared to the reward dollars (e.g. at the
time of writing this article, 1200 reward dollars is equal to 1 rapid reward
credit).

So how do you earn and redeem the reward points on your southwest airline
credit card?

You get bonus reward credits after your first purchase on your southwest
airline credit card. These purchases needn't be on southwest airlines
products/services, these can be just any purchases made using the southwest
airline credit card. You earn reward dollars for any expenditures you make
using your southwest airline credit card. There are additional reward dollars,
when you use your southwest airline credit card on southwest airlines (i.e.
when you use your southwest airline credit card to spend on southwest airlines
products/services). By additional we mean, the reward dollars are more as
compared to those earned on other, non-southwest airline, purchases. As you
keep collecting reward dollars, you keep moving closer to getting a round trip
award. Generally, the roundtrip awards are based on rapid reward credits. So,
you can convert the reward dollars, earned on your southwest airline credit
card, into rapid reward credits; and convert rapid reward credits into your
roundtrip award. Another way of earning rapid rewards credit on southwest
airline credit cards is through balance transfers.

Southwest airline credit cards are surely a good option for people who travel
frequently by air using southwest airlines. Since the network of southwest
airlines is pretty widespread, you will find that you are able to get southwest
airlines flight to most places you want to travel to and hence get an
opportunity to use your south west airline credit card to earn reward points
(or reward dollars, as they call them).

Credit card offer

So many credit card offers, what to do?

Just browse through the daily newspaper and you will be overwhelmed by the
number of credit card offers advertised. Move around the town and you will find
credit card offers being advertised everywhere. Same is the case is with
television which seems to host a number of credit card offers too. So, the
credit card offers are there everywhere. Why are there so many credit card
offers? Well, quite simply because credit card business is a highly profitable
business for the credit card suppliers.

In this situation, when there is no dearth of credit card offers, which is the
best credit card offer?

There is nothing like a best credit card offer, really. A better question to
ask would be -- 'Which credit card offer is the best for me?' The spending
habits of one person are different from that of another person. Their living
styles vary and hence their needs vary too. So for deciding on which credit
card offer is best for you, you need to evaluate your needs vis-�-vis your
lifestyle and your spending habits (and not go just by the recommendation of
someone). For example, if you frequently travel by air, a co-branded airline
credit card might be more suited to you than the general purpose one. These
airline credit cards offer discounts, rebates and other kind of rewards when
the credit card is used for making payments (the rewards are even higher when
these credit cards are used for paying for the airline tickets or other airline
products). Similarly, if you have a favourite retail store where you do a lot of
your shopping, it would be beneficial to check if the retailer is a credit card
supplier too and if there is a credit card offer that suits you. A lot of big
retail chains do offer co-branded credit cards to their customers and these
credit cards offer rebates/discounts etc when they are used for making payments
at the retail store. As such, you get reward points for making payments at any
place but the rewards are higher on the payments made at retail store. On
similar lines, we have credit cards for gas stations and grocery stores too,
which you can opt for if you have a favourite gas station or a favourite
grocery store where you shop a lot.

So, if you look around, you will find a lot of lucrative credit card offers.
However, this doesn't mean that you enrol for all the credit card offers. You
need to first evaluate your needs and rank them. Then you need to evaluate what
all credit card offers suit your needs. And finally you can make your choice and
go for a credit card offer that covers most of your needs and gives maximum
benefits.

Getting Out and Staying Out of Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt is a major cause of over one million bankruptcies each year.
The reason is that many people get a credit card without researching and
reading the fine print. By the time annual fees are added on, along with
spending indiscriminately, payments are missed, which causes their balance to
skyrocket.

Although we all like to place the blame on the credit cards and the credit card
companies, you need to keep in mind that the real cause of your financial mess
is you.

One shopping spree does not usually cause high debt. It is usually a pattern
that consists of gradually increasing purchases that add up to a large debt.
The great thing is that it can be very easy to get out of debt. The key is to
start spending less than you make. This is a long-term solution that can help
you to whittle your debt down.

Although it may sound simple, it can be very difficult if you have a problem
with willpower. It is important to stick with spending less than you make or
you will find yourself in exactly the same place as you were before. Overcoming
your debt will take willpower and a great deal of time.

It may be difficult to stick with your debt repayment program, but keep
yourself strong and you will find yourself out of debt before you know it.

It is important to learn how to get out of debt and then stay out of debt. If
you can summon enough willpower and strength towards your finances and
spending, then you will find yourself the winner in the game of debt. It may be
easy to get into debt, but getting out of debt is much more difficult, but worth
it.

One simple phrase can sum up the solution to your financial problems. If you
don't have the money to spend, then don't spend it!

Credit Card Debt

In the world of credit cards, credit debt is all too common. Debt from credit
cards can be very stressful, and lead to a very crippling situation. No one is
immune to credit card debt, as even students can experience debt with their
credit cards as well. With people using their credit cards more these days,
more and more people continue to take the plunge into debt. Debt is never good,
as it leads to bankruptcy and the destruction of your credit report.

Even though getting in credit card debt is simple to do, getting out of it is
something that takes a lot of work. Even if you go to an agency or company that
specializes in helping people out of debt, it won't happen overnight. To get out
of debt, it will take you quite a bit of time and effort as you get the debt
under control and begin the long process of rebuilding your credit.

To properly defend yourself from credit card debt, you'll need to know quite a
bit about credit, managing your money, and finances in general. Normally, you
can stay out of debt by creating an ideal budget and saving money whenever you
can. If you stick to this plan and avoid steering away from it, you'll normally
have no problems staying out of debt.

If you have other credit cards that you don't use, such as store credit cards
that are known for high interest rates, you should dispose of them. If you have
a lot of open accounts, you should look into debt consolidation, which will
combine all of your debts into one payment so you can get them out of the way
quicker. By using debt consolidation services, you will only have one bill to
pay.

When you receive your credit card bill, you should always strive to pay more
than just the minimum. If you only pay the minimum amount, you could very well
end up being in debt the rest of your life -- as you could be paying nothing
but the interest. Every month, you should strive to pay the minimum amount and
then some. Paying more than the minimum amount will also help to pay offer your
credit card bill faster as well.

No matter how much credit card debt you are in, you can always find debt
management services and agencies that will help you fight back. Credit card
debt is very common these days, something many of us have experienced. Although
there are ways out of credit card debt, the best way to get out of it is to
avoid it all together. If you pay your bills on time and never miss a payment
-- you'll always live a debt free lifestyle.

Is a business credit card helpful?

'Yes' -- is the answer that's comes out almost immediately. That is true at
least for most businesses (especially small businesses). Before we delve deeper
into how business credit cards are helpful, let's try and understand what a
business credit card is.

Put simply, a business credit card is a credit card that is owned by a business
and not an individual. To understand this better, you can simply draw an analogy
between the business credit cards and business bank accounts, which are in the
name of the business as well. Other than that, business credit cards work in
pretty much the same fashion as the personal credit cards; with a few
exceptions. These exceptions are in the form of flexibility in credit limit,
low APRs and some other additional benefits that are available to business
credit cards only.

Even from just that, business credit cards seem a good proposition. However,
business credit cards would be attractive even without those benefits because
the main benefit lies elsewhere. The big-big benefit from a business credit
card is realised in terms of business expense accounting. For most small
businesses, business expense accounting is a big overhead. With business credit
cards, this is handled very easily -- you just have to ensure that you make all
your business expenses on your business credit card and let the personal
expenses be on the personal credit card i.e. segregation of business and
personal expenses is all you need to do. So the bill for your business credit
card will have all the business expenses on it and you wouldn't need to collate
all the various bills or sort out the items from your personal credit card bill.
The key here is to make sure that you use your business credit card for all your
business expenses (or as much as you can). Moreover, a lot of business credit
card suppliers realise this need of small business and even organise the
business credit card bills in a way that meets the accounting requirements of
these businesses. So mostly, they will appropriately group the expenses on the
business credit card bill so as to facilitate business expense accounting. In
fact, some of the business credit card suppliers go to an extent of providing
the bills in a format that can be downloaded and exported to an accounting
system i.e. you don't need to enter the data manually in your accounting
system. In case the format is not suitable for your accounting system, you can
hire a software professional to write a small quick program to convert it into
a suitable format.

Thus just one reason -- 'facilitation of business expense accounting', is
enough to support the case of small business credit cards.

American Express Credit Cards

Also known as AMEX, American Express is easily one of the most recognized names
in the world of credit cards. Even though many people have Visa or MasterCard
credit cards, they are still interested in AMEX. With Visa, MasterCard, and
AMEX being the most popular and preferred types of credit cards, they are all
great although there are also differences between them as well.

Both Visa and MasterCard are methods of payment. Both will allow different
businesses to accept credit card payments using their systems. Neither of the
two issue credit cards on their own behalf, instead they rely on banks
throughout the world to issue the credit cards for them, provide the credit,
and then charge the interest. Your credit card bill goes to the bank, as Visa
or MasterCard doesn't see any of it.

AMEX on the other hand, is very different. American Express has their own
payment system, and they also issue their credit cards directly to consumers.
Unlike Visa and MasterCard, AMEX runs the entire show. Therefore, when a credit
card says American Express on it, you instantly know who has issued the card,
what payment system it has, and everything else you would need to know.

Even though MasterCard and Visa are used more throughout the world, American
Express is always expanding their networks. Visa and MasterCard are used in
over twenty five million locations over the world, including third world
countries, which makes them global credit card payments. AMEX on the other
hand, doesn't quite reach this degree. It is a great credit card, although it
isn't used around the world in areas where the other 2 dominant credit cards
are.

You can get AMEX credit cards with rewards, although you'll need to be careful
where you look and what you select. Normally, with Visa and MasterCard, you'll
have to look at hundreds of banks before you can find the best choice. With
AMEX, you can look at their website and find out what they offer and what type
of APR you'll have to pay. Most of the time, you can find a credit card with
low interest and a great spending limit -- providing you have good credit.

AMEX also has several advantages that it offers customers in North America and
Europe. The credit card is accepted widely in both areas, offering you credit
cards with great features and very attractive looks. AMEX offers you great
rates, good rewards, and excellent customer service as well.

American Express also offers you Blue, which is a newly introduced credit card
that offers you increased security, no annual fee, and 0% APR for the first
year or so. Depending on your credit, you may be able to get an extended period
with no interest. After that time has expired, you pay low fees, which makes it
a great credit card for anyone looking for a deal. Blue is the newest card from
AMEX, and will rapidly become one of the best -- due to it's amazing features.

In the world of credit cards, American Express is one of the best. They offer
you a variety of different credit cards, designed to meet just about everyone's
needs. You find them online or through a local provider, although online is the
preferred way to go. Simply fill out your application, and if you have good
credit, you'll be approved. Before you know it, you'll have a credit card from
AMEX -- and be ready to experience life in the fast lane.

Chasing a Chase Credit Card?

Credit cards indeed have become one of most indispensable tools in managing
finances nowadays. Aside from being an effective way of obtaining credit,
credit cards also make it easier for people to spend their money the right way.
That is why making the crucial decision of choosing the right credit card should
be paid more attention.

One of the most popular brand names of credit cards in the market today is the
Chase credit card. Like any other credit cards, Chase credit card is a brand
name of credit card like MasterCard or Visa that is accepted worlwide. Aside
from Chase credit card, the company also offers travel cards, Auto & Gas cards
and student cards. Indeed, there are a number of ways in which Chase credit
card can be advantageous and beneficial. Probably, the best feature Chase
credit card has is the convenience it offers to busy and working people. A
Chase credit card is also perfect for customers who are comfortable online.
Aside from making it easy for the customer to maintain their account online,
Chase credit card lets you check your balance and pay your bills through a
secured web site.

Having a chase credit card is quite convenient for the customer because it lets
the credit card holder purchase goods easily and quickly whether they buy it
directly, over the phone, or even on-line. Since Chase Credit cards are
international cards, it is beneficial for people who travel a lot because they
can use it all over the world wherever they see the Chase credit card logo.

More and more people are choosing a Chase credit card because it offers a lot
of credit card processing alternatives. Because Chase credit cards offers a
wide array of processing options, many people appreciate it compared to other
brands. One of the most enticing offer Chase credit cards has is that it is
available in numerous places. Chade credit cards also offer many deals and
promotions like lower introductory APRs and waived membership fees that allow
the holder to save more money.

There are also many types of Chase credit card that offer reward programs for
every purchase the holder makes. For instance, one type of Chase credit card
allows you to earn travel miles for every dollar spent using your your Chase
credit card. Another type of Chase credit card also allows you to earn reward
points for every dollar you spend. These points will then enable you to
purchase from a Chase credit card catalogue and they will have your chosen item
shipped to right next to your doorstep! These reward options you get from using
a Chase credit card are great because it will give your tangible gifts and
rewards, free trips and wonderful merchandise without spending a single cent. A
Chase credit card is handpicked by many people because its company makes sure
that they give good customer service to its customers. Aside from getting all
the great deals the card offers, having a Chase credit card can also give the
holder instant access to customer support around 24/7. This will enable the
customer to contact someone if his or her Chase credit card is stolen. Apart
from this round-the-clock feature, Chase credit card also protects its
customers from identity of thieves.

When you apply for Chase credit card, some of the benefits include 0% intro APR
on all purchases and balance transfers you make for up to six months. Chase
credit card does not charge any annual fee so it will fit your budget and, a
Chase credit card have interest-free grace period as long as you pay your bill
in full each month. Having a Chase credit card also allows the holder to earn
cash rewards on purchases and cash rewards. Apart from these, chase credit card
has no balance transfer fee for balances transferred during the introductory
period and you have the privilege to apply online over a secure server.

Although it offers a lot of advantages, bear in mind that a chase credit card
it is still a credit card. And like any other credit cards, there are also a
number of ways in which chase credit card usage can be less positive.

Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt

Consolidating your credit card debt is actually one of the smartest decision
you could ever make. Credit card consolidation is ideal for anyone who is
looking to have better credit now, and in the future. Consolidation is very
common these days, and it is actually a sure way to combine your debt and make
sure that you never get yourself too far in credit card debt.

Even though there are many reasons why to consolidate your debt, one of the
better reasons is to get a better rate. If there is a way to get lower rates on
a current consolidation, then you'll have no reason to consolidate your debt.
Anytime you are able to consolidate your debt and save yourself a bit of money
-- you should never hesitate to do so.

Consolidating your credit card debt will also save you a lot of money as well.
If you have managed to get yourself in debt, chances are that you owe a lot of
money on your credit card, or possibly several different credit cards.
Consolidation will put everything into one bill, making it easier for you to
pay. Paying just one bill can help you save a lot of time, as well as prevent
stress.

Although consolidation will put your credit card payments into one bill, you
should never do it for that reason alone. The last thing you want, is to pay
more money to avoid getting more than one bill a month. Credit card debt
consolidation is a wise investment though, as it may give you lower monthly
payments over an extended period of time. It will also close out other accounts
as well, which could help you to improve your credit.

If you are looking to consolidate your credit card debt, you shouldn't hesitate
to let the professionals help you. There are a lot of companies and banks that
specialize in consolidation, and would be more than willing to help you. Before
you make your decision though, you should always research your options available
and find the best one for your needs. You should also make sure that there are
no hidden fees or other problems as well. If you take the time to research,
you'll save a lot of money in the future.

A lot of people who turn to credit card debt consolidation, let their credit
cards get the best of them. A credit card can be great to have, although it can
be easy to abuse as well. If you aren't careful in your spending, you can rack
up debt before you know it. Once you get yourself in credit card debt, it can
be really hard and very stressful to get out of it. Normally, it will take you
months and possibly even years to get out of debt.

If you've made the decision to turn to credit card debt consolidation, the
first thing to do is to look at your debt, and see exactly how much you owe. If
you know what you owe and who all you owe it to, it will be much easier to
contact the professionals and get them to help you. When you contact them to
help you, you shouldn't be afraid to ask them any questions, as you should
always be looking for the best deal possible. Although credit card debt
consolidation is a great thing, you should always do yourself a favor and wait
until you find the best deal possible.

Credit Cards And Credit Reports

Over the years, credit cards have become very popular. When they were first
introduced, they were popular, although these days millions of people use them.
There are many types of credit cards available, including those that help people
who have bad credit. You should always keep in mind that even though credit
cards are great to have, they will also have quite an impact on your credit
report.

The credit report is extremely important, especially when it comes to credit
cards. Banks and lenders use your credit report to determine if you meet their
criteria for a credit card or a loan. Your credit report is the determining
factor for your credit, which is why you should never let your credit cards do
any type of damage to your report. To avoid this, simply pay your bill on time.

Most people will use their credit cards responsibly and won't damage their
credit report. Doing this will show lenders that you are responsible, and that
they can trust you with loans and credit -- which in turn will raise your
credit score. Keep in mind however; if you have a lot of open accounts, it may
tell lenders that you have a lot open and that you won't be able to pay them
back. Although this may count as good credit, lenders look at several open
accounts as being potentially damaging to your credit report.

Although you may be tempted to have more than one credit card, it can actually
be a downfall in the eyes of the lender. Most lenders will see this as you
having a way to spend all of your limit, and will fear that you may do so. Even
though you may not have this intention, credit card lenders will almost always
fear the worst case scenario, and it eventually lead to you damaging your
credit score -- simply because a lender will turn you down for a future offer
you apply for.

Something else you need to keep in mind is the fact that it can be really easy
to miss a payment on your credit cards. Although this doesn't sound bad, it can
have a very negative look on your credit report. If you start missing payments
or paying them late, the lender will eventually enter it in your credit report.
This can have a negative impact, lowering your beacon score and eventually
bringing down your overall credit rating.

If you play it safe and only get one or two credit cards and keep a track of
how you use them, you won't need to worry. Your credit report should always be
a primary concern, and you should always do your best to ensure that it stays
free of negative ratings. If you keep up things up to date -- you'll enjoy the
benefit of a positive credit report.

Tips To Apply For A Credit Card

Filling out a credit card application is just like filling out a job
application-everyone needs some tips to use so that they get approved.

If your credit is bad, then it may be a little more difficult to get a credit
card than if you have good credit. Do not give up, because there are hundreds
of companies out there that offer credit cards for people with bad credit and
if you shop around, you will find the credit card that is just right for you.

If you are researching credit cards, the first place that you can get
information is the Internet. The Internet has a lot of information about many
different credit cards, including their rates, fees, and incentives, so that
you can find the best credit card for you.

There are some credit card companies that say that they will give you a credit
card with no credit check. However, keep in mind that having a credit card
almost always means that you are going to go into debt. Be cautious when
choosing the credit card for you. Read the fine print of their terms and
agreements to make sure that there are not going to be any surprises.

Analyze your financial situation to make sure that you can handle a credit card
and its payments. Even the most cautious of us go on a little shopping excursion
every now and then and you do not want to be thrown into a financial tailspin
when your bill comes in.

Cautiousness is very important in using your credit card. If you are not sure
that you can handle a credit card, then rethink applying. You need to be sure
that when the bill comes in that you can make the payments. If you are not
completely sure, then don't get a credit card until you are ready.

Should I apply for a credit card and how?

Are you pondering on whether you should apply for a credit card? Well, the
answer quite simply is -- 'Yes' -- you should apply for a credit card (this is
true for most people). The credit cards seem to have transformed our lives. In
fact, one can term credit cards as a revolution. Today, you find ads in
TV/newspapers/website/shops and almost anywhere and everywhere; all asking you
to apply for a credit card. When you look around, you see that most people have
credit cards. In fact, most people have multiple credit cards. Everyone seems to
apply for a credit card. So, why should you apply for a credit card?

There are a lot of benefits associated with credit cards; however, the most
important benefit is the convenience that they offer. For most people, this is
the prime and the sole reason that instigates them to apply for a credit card.
This wouldn't have been the case a few years ago, when not many merchants
accepted credit cards. However, today, most merchants do accept credit cards.
So, instead of carrying a lot of cash on you (which is both inconvenient and
unsafe), you can just carry a small piece of plastic with you. Moreover, you
get interest free credit i.e. you don't have to pay the bills till the next
monthly billing cycle. So, you can buy now and pay later (when your salary
arrives) -- a great reason to apply for a credit card. To add to that, there
are certain merchants that offer interest-free instalment payment plan i.e. you
can make a big purchase today and pay for it in instalments on your credit card.
So credit cards works as instant long term loan too (not just a monthly loan).
Yet another reason to apply for a credit card is the discounts on shopping.
This is made possible by the tie-ups between credit card companies and the
merchants. So credit cards offer many benefits.

There are various ways in which you can apply for a credit card -- you can
apply for a credit card in person, you can apply for a credit card on the
internet and you can apply for a credit card on phone too (by asking the
representative to meet you). You will as such be approached by a lot of sales
representatives, all asking you to apply for a credit card with their company.
To apply for a credit card, you will need to fill-in a credit card application
form (which is easy to fill and the representatives of the credit card company
will assist you in that). When you apply for a credit card, you basically enter
into an agreement with the credit card supplier (the form that you fill when you
apply for a credit card is actually an agreement). After you have submitted your
application, the credit card company conducts certain checks to determine your
credibility; and if everything is fine, you receive the credit card.

So, applying for a credit card is easy and to apply for a credit card or not to
apply for a credit card is a matter of personal choice. However, for most people
who don't have any credit card, the recommendation is "Apply for a credit card".

Credit Card Debt as a silent financial killer

Technology spoils people's whims. It tends to cater to every human's caprices.
It feeds on the people's undying thirst for easy, instant, and convenient. More
often than not, it also causes them a lot of trouble -- financial trouble
through credit card debt -- that is.

Credit Card convenience vs. Credit Card debt

We often see people pull out "plastic" to pay for everything they need. Why
not? When all it takes is a quick swipe of the card through a little electronic
box and a signature then, everything's okay. You go home happy, content, and
almost worry-free. On the other hand, not every one of these people realize
that the convenience of using credit cards can lead to a false feeling of
financial security. And this realization will strike them as soon as the bills
arrive.

In fact, studies show that credit card debt and personal bankruptcies have
increases bank profits to the highest level in the last five years. It only
shows that more and more credit card holders were unable to manage their
finances that lead to credit card debt. If you are a cardholder and having some
credit card debt troubles at this early stage, it' now time to think over the
possible outcomes of this minor glitch so that a more serious problem with
credit card debt would cease to arise. Credit card gives people the feeling of
invincibility. And it also gives them tons of uncertainty about their financial
management capability when they encounter problems with their credit card debt.
Although it is true that that credit cards solve financial matters especially
when it comes to safety and convenience, credit cards also creates hassle
especially when the person using it doesn't know what you he or she's getting
into.

Indeed, paying off credit card debt may take a long time especially if the
person has high interest rates. But, it doesn't mean that you can do nothing
about efficient management of credit card debt. When you find yourself
overwhelmed with credit card debt, don't fall into a pit of depression. You can
get through it with discipline and a change in spending patterns. Start
eliminating problems with credit card debt by getting tips and techniques on
how to pay off your balances easier, how to consolidate of frequently
encountered problems, look for free debt consultation agencies that can help
you, and try -- inch by inch -- to rediscover ways on how you can regain your
financial freedom by reducing you credit card debt.

The power to eliminate credit card debt

People who are having problems managing their credit card debt or those who are
near in bankruptcy often don't realize that the power to eliminate their credit
card debt troubles totally is in their hands. Today, more and more Americans
need credit card debt help badly. The main problem is that these families are
having difficult times paying high interest for credit card debt. And instead
of lifting the burden of credit card debt, more people are paying much in
interest every month than that of the actual expenditure.

There are actually more lawful and moral ways to zero-out thousands of dollars
in credit card debts. And if you only take the time to research and know your
rights and how bankruptcy laws have changed, you will discover that there are
valuable facts to eliminate credit card debt. Actually, the possibility of
reducing or eliminating the high interest credit card debt is now more possible
when a person takes action to get his or her finances back on track.

Apart from knowing your weapon in terminating credit card debt, it is very
important that you develop a sense of control and perseverance first. Since
credit card debt elimination process requires organization, clarity, and
commitment to your own growth, it is a must that you are ready for the
responsibility and to stand free and independent.

For those people who consider having a credit card indispensable but afraid of
getting one because of the possibility of credit card debt nightmare, you must
remember that credit card can be a powerful tool in managing your finances but
there will always be glitches when not used properly. Of course, there are
countless reasons why you should and shouldn't get one depending on your needs.
Whether you decide to get one or not, managing finances it still takes a sense
of good budgeting, willingness to change spending habits, and the humility to
avail low interest consolidation loans when you are already burdened by too
much credit card debt.

Credit card application for starters

"Plastic money" is a term dubbed by the people of the world in reference to the
wondrous item called the "credit card." And at the rate the economy is going and
with the pace of life that we have right now we want everything done the express
way. That's why a lot of businessmen, young professionals, big bankers and even
well-off students are lining up inside their trusted banks, credit card
application in one hand and the need to have instant credit on the other.

Of credit, cards and credit card application Credit card applications have
taken over the need to have cold cash and a lot of people are trading in their
hard-earned green bucks for a shot of having the charge-it-card. But along with
your credit card application is the responsibility that we are mainly unaware
of. So when you are thinking about falling in line to get started with your
credit card account and before you start filling up the fields necessary to get
up and running with your credit card application know all the precautions and
the counter measures for you to be protected by the federal law. Credit card
application, as we all know takes a lot of time with regards to the
verification of the identity of the person on top of the credit card
application. Because of the US Patriotic Act that requires further verification
of anyone applying for anything on the United States, that includes credit card
application, getting anything in the US has become quite a chore. But since the
importance of having a credit card is top priority in the US many are still
willing to go to immense amount of trouble that is coupled with it.

The importance of having a credit card is very imminent; take for example the
average American. An average American from the middle class bracket owns about
eight to ten different credit cards and uses all of them at an average if once
a day. With this number it's not surprising that there are about a hundred
thousand credit card applications being processed in a single day. And the rate
if credit card applications are still expected to rise within the next quarter.
The need for credit cards and debit cards is for real and the market should be
open for more credit card applications that is expectedly going to flood their
way. There will be a great need for more people to look into the responsibility
of educating other people on how and when to use their credit cards, because
it's hard earned greenbacks that we are throwing away when we buy online porno
and junk like that only profit a few people. So whenever you're ready grab a
pen and paper and get ready to fill up that credit card application form and
take one step in the express charging the way you buy.

Most of the time, although your credit card application is mailed to that
states that you have been pre-approved, you will still be asked to fill out a
credit card application or the 'acceptance form'. The reason behind this is the
need of the bank or the company to verify the identification of the person they
have sent the card to. Since most companies offer online credit card
application, you may go online to fill out the form so the processing will be
convenient and easier.

When filling out your credit card application, there are some important details
that should be considered aside from your name and contact information like the
query should you accept every offer or not, the possibility of hidden fees that
can be quite expensive and the like.

Comparing Credit Cards

All across the United States, there are hundreds and hundreds of banks and
credit card companies looking for your business. This day and age, banks and
credit card companies are in competition with each other, trying all they can
to get your business. To try and get your business, they offer different credit
cards with various incentives, rebates, and other perks.

Before you make your decision and choose a credit card, you should always
compare what each company or bank has to offer you. If you get an offer in the
mail for a credit card, you should go on the Internet and look into it more.
You should also make sure that you read the fine print as well, to see if there
are any type of hidden fees or other costs associated with that card. Many
times, with offers in the mail, credit card companies or banks will try to
sneak hidden fees and costs in there.

When you start to compare offers, you should make sure that you look at the APR
and the fees. The APR is very important, as this will tell you your interest
rate. You want to get the lowest APR possible with your credit card. If you
look at a credit card that has an unusually high APR, you should immediately
rule it out. Credit cards that come with high APR rates can easily lead you on
a roller coaster towards credit card debt. No matter how good your credit may
be, high APR rates can leave you with charges that are really difficult to pay.

Among the many options available to you, you'll have three primary choices for
your credit card -- Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. These three giants
are the leaders in credit cards. Visa and MasterCard don't issue the cards
themselves, they have banks and other companies issue on their behalf. American
Express, or AMEX, is the only one that does everything themselves. AMEX issues
their credit cards, maintains their own networks, and doesn't use any type of
third party.

If you like to travel, you will probably want to choose either Visa or
MasterCard, as they are accepted all over the world. American Express is the
least accepted of the three, although the company is upgrading their networks
every chance they get. Before too long, AMEX will be accepted virtually
everywhere. Right now though, AMEX isn't accepted in all areas of the world.

Discover is another type of credit card, although it isn't near as popular as
the three above. Discover does have some great benefits to offer you, although
it isn't accepted in other parts of the world. Most people who have Discover
credit cards stay local and use their cards in the event of an emergency. If
you don't have a credit card and have been thinking about getting a Discover
card, you should really think about that decision and choose either Visa or
MasterCard instead.

All in all, there are a lot of credit cards to choose from. That final decision
though, is entirely up to you. There are a lot of great companies and banks out
there, although it's up to you to find the best credit card for your needs. You
can choose to go with a company or bank that's local to you, or get online and
look for your credit card. The Internet can be a great resource for credit
cards, as long as you know what you want. If you know what you want before you
go online -- you'll save yourself a lot of time and money.

What do you mean by a 'secured credit card'?

Secured credit cards are another very popular breed of credit cards. Secured
credit cards, as their name suggests, are secured. Well, they are secured for
the credit card supplier, really. Secured credit cards require you to open an
account with the credit card supplier and maintain some cash balance in that
account. This cash balance acts as a security for the supplier of secured
credit card. Your credit limit is dependent on the amount you hold in the
account that you have started with the supplier of secured credit card. This is
generally between 50 to 100% of your account balance. So in that sense, secured
credit cards are not really credit cards (since they don't offer you any credit
really). For this reason, the secured credit cards are sometimes also referred
as debit cards.

Why is the concept of secured credit cards so important?

As we know, credit card debt is a raging problem which is caused by improper
usage of credit cards. Such people end up spoiling their credit
rating to an extent where they cannot get another unsecured credit card (that
is what we call the commonly used credit cards). Even after they have paid off
their dues and cleared their debt, their credit rating still haunts them. For
such people, secured credit cards are a boon. Secured credit cards present them
with an opportunity to not only get a credit card in the first place but also to
improve their credit rating by using the secured credit card in a disciplined
way (paying their dues in time, controlled spending, utilizing a maximum of 70%
credit limit etc etc). As they continue with these good habits, their credit
rating gradually improves over a period of time. Hence secured credit cards
provide them with the means of rectifying their mistakes (credit rating).

It's not just the people with bad credit rating who go for secured credit
cards. Some people go for secured credit cards because they don't want to
bother themselves with the bills etc for credit cards. They don't like to even
fill-up application forms for unsecured credit cards.

Then there are some who just don't like to borrow money (even if it means
borrowing from a credit card supplier by using their credit card). However,
such people are very rare to find.

Some people just go for secured credit cards because they have heard a lot of
horrifying stories on credit card debt -- maybe someone from their family or
one of their friends was devastated by credit card debt and they don't want to
repeat the mistake. So they decide to go for a secured credit card.

Whatever be the reason for going for it, the secured credit cards are surely
popular too.

Choosing Your Credit Card

As you probably already know, there are many credit cards out there. The one
you choose however, should reflect your lifestyle and your ideal spending
amounts. If you are looking for the best possible deal and the best company for
your credit card, you'll obviously need to look around at what you have to
choose from and what works best for you.

The first thing you'll need to decide when choosing your credit card, is why
you need one in the first place. Some people choose to get a credit card for
cash flow purposes. With a credit card, you can make purchases and buy things,
leaving your paycheck or other source of income in your bank account to draw
interest. This way, your money will continue to grow while you continue to buy
the things you need. Then at the end of the month, simply pay your bill.

Others will choose to get a credit card and use it for instant cash purposes.
This way, they can use their credit card at an ATM and get instant cash, which
is great for travel or going on a long and extended vacation. If this is why
you want a credit card, you should look for one that has the lowest rate
possible for instant cash transactions.

With a credit card, you'll also need to think about the payments. You'll need
to decide if you want to pay the balance in full each month, or only the
required amount. When you select your credit card, you should look at the
introductory rates, balance transfer rates, and other offers that may apply to
new credit cards and new holders. Some will offer you truly amazing deals,
especially if you have good credit.

Another important area to look at when choosing your credit card is the
incentives. There are several cards out there that will give you incentives,
such as reward points and even cash back with purchases that you can use
towards paying back what you owe. There are several incentives out there with
credit cards, all you have to do is look around and compare.

The key area you'll need to look at and compare is the APR (Annual Percentage
Rate). The APR is what you will pay on what you purchase when the incentive
period runs out. APR rates will vary among credit cards, so it is always in
your best interest to compare and shop around. The lower APR rate you get, the
better off you'll be.

Another concern with choosing your credit card is the minimum payment amount.
Most minimum payment balances will start around 3%, although some can be lower
while others tend to be quite a bit higher. The interest free period is a
concern as well, as you will obviously want to choose the longest period that
you can keep the payments down.

When you make that final decision and choose your credit card, you should
always make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. Credit cards are
great to have, although they can lead to a downfall if you don't choose them
carefully. If you put some time and research into choosing your credit card,
you'll find the best one for you. As long as you take care of your credit card
and pay the bill on time, you'll help raise your credit and eventually be able
to purchase even bigger things -- such as a car or even a house.

Credit Card Reward Cards

No matter where you look, there is always a credit card company that is
offering reward programs with their credit cards. New ones pop up all the time,
making it sound too good to turn down. Even though they may sound great, you may
wonder if the rewards are truly worth it. In some cases they are, although in
others they may not be quite as good as you would like.

Although having more than one reward card is something many people instantly
think about, you should always keep in mind that not all of them are worth
having. Even though using your credit card is always good, you can sometimes
end up paying quite a bit if you don't pay attention to what you are buying.
When it comes down to credit card reward cards, you should use caution -- with
a dash of common sense.

Any reward cards that come with high interest rates should always be avoided.
With most reward cards, you'll find that they include higher rates of interest
than standard cards. This higher interest rate can quickly and easily offset
any type of reward. To be on the safe side, you should always look at the
interest rates and determine if the reward is indeed worth it. If you pay off
your entire balance at the end of every month -- then this won't be a concern
at all for you.

You should also keep your eyes peeled for reward cards that offer a high annual
fee. These cards can be very tough to keep a grasp of, and they can also
interfere with any type of reward you may think your getting. If you look at
the fine print before you get choose your reward credit card, you can help to
eliminate problems.
Cash back is a type of reward card that is becoming very popular. A lot of the
top credit card companies and banks offer cash back programs that are normally
around 1% for every purchase that you make. Before you rush out and get a
reward card, you should always make sure that you read the fine print and see
if there is a maximum limit on the card.

Another type of popular reward credit card is the type that give you points for
every purchase you make using that card. Once you have accumulated enough
points, you can redeem them for items and other cool things. Some cards will
have limits as to how many points you can receive, which again makes it your
best interest to shop around.

There are also credit cards with frequent flyer miles, which have been around
the longest. Some cards will base their rewards on points, while some choose to
use actual miles. For every dollar you spend using your frequent flyer credit
card, you'll receive either a point or a mile. Once you get enough accumulated,
you can redeem them. Most frequent flyer rewards take about 25,000 points or
miles in order to redeem them, which can make it nearly impossible for some to
reap the benefits of using the card.

No matter where you look, finding the right credit card reward card can take
some time and effort. You may have no problems finding the card to fit your
needs, and if you do, you should consider yourself lucky. Before you choose
your card however -- you should always take the necessary time to read the fine
print and compare what each unique company has to offer you.

Credit Card Fraud

This day and age, credit card fraud is very common. Victims of credit card
fraud often experience a lot of hassle and stress.
If you have a credit card, you should always be aware of the security features
that is included with the card. If you are looking to get a credit card, you
should always make sure that it offers plenty of security.

With credit card companies all over the United States, credit card fraud is
becoming more and more common. Consumers are becoming more and more aware of
the situation, and always look for ways to protect themselves. Many companies
that offer credit cards are looking into other methods of security, to prevent
credit card fraud from happening.

The best way to protect yourself against fraud is to check the monthly credit
card statements you receive. By looking at your statements, you'll easily be
able to tell if your account has suffered any type of fraud. If you notice any
type of fraudulent charges, you should instantly contact your credit card
company and inform them. This way, they look into it and try to retrieve the
money that was illegally stolen from you.

Another way that you protect yourself from fraud is to never reply to emails
that may appear to be sent by your bank or credit card company. There are a lot
of fake emails going around, that will steal your information should you enter
it in. You should always use caution with emails, and reply only if you know
that the email was indeed sent from your bank or credit card provider.

You can also protect yourself from fraud by keeping your credit card around you
at all times. When you hand it to someone to make a payment, ensure that it is
given back to you promptly. You should also keep it safe from others so they
can't view your information. When you carry your credit card with you, you
should always keep it in a safe place, such as your wallet. This way, you don't
have to worry about it falling out.

There are always steps that you can take, to avoid falling into the trap of
thieves and criminals. Criminals are always out there, looking for ways that
they can steal your credit card information. Therefore, it's up to you to
protect yourself. Credit card fraud happens quite frequently these days,
normally as a result of credit card holders not being aware of how to protect
themselves. Anytime you suspect credit card fraud, you should contact your bank
or company. This way, you can let them know what happened -- and take the
necessary steps in stopping fraud before it goes on any farther.

Consolidate credit card debt

People who are in debt (credit card debt) often get to hear this advice
'Consolidate credit card debt'. So, what does that 'Consolidate credit card
debt' mean? Well, pretty simply, 'Consolidate credit card debt' means
consolidating the debt on various credit cards into one (or two) credit card.
This consolidation can be done either through a low interest bank loan or by
transferring balance to a new credit card (i.e. transferring the amount you
owe, on one or more credit card, to a new credit card(s)).

So what should you do when you are looking to consolidate credit cards? Well,
the key thing to look for is the APR or the annual percentage rate. Whatever
method you adopt to consolidate credit cards, APR will always be the key; in
fact, you could say that it is the sole criteria to look for. So, if you use a
bank loan to consolidate credit card debt, the interest rate on the bank loan
should be lower than the APR of the credit cards whose debt you are
consolidating. Similarly, if you are moving to another credit card, you must
make sure that the APR of the new credit card is lesser than the credit cards
whose debt you are consolidating. However, there is a catch that you must be
aware of when laying a plan to consolidate credit card debt. The APR rates
advertised by most credit card suppliers are the short term APR rates which are
meant to lure you to consolidate credit card debt with them. By short term we
mean APR rates that will applicable only for an initial period of less than 12
months or some other period after which the APR rates increase. When you go on
to consolidate credit card debt with these credit card suppliers, they will
offer you a lower (even 0%) APR for the first 6-12 months; and a much higher
APR after that. You should check what this higher APR rate is. Your decision to
consolidate credit card debt will be fruitful only if the new APR rate is lower
than or equal to the APR on your current credit card. You might check with your
current credit card supplier to see if he is able to lower your APR (if that
works, it will make things really easy for you).

Before you move on to consolidate credit card debt you should understand that
consolidating credit card debt will be beneficial only if you pledge to adopt
and follow disciplined approach to credit card usage i.e. controlled spending
and regular/timely payment of credit card dues.

Credit card deal What is a 'good credit card deal?'

You must have heard people say -- 'I got a good credit card deal'. So if you
happen to be looking for a credit card at that moment, do you just go with what
your friend has told you as a good credit card deal?

Let's check what one can term as a good credit card deal. A credit card deal is
good if it works for you. So, if the credit card fits into your lifestyle in a
way that rakes in maximum benefits for you, that is a good credit card deal.
The most important thing to realize here is the word 'your' as in 'your
lifestyle'. So logically speaking there is nothing like a good credit card
deal. What it is -- is good credit card deal for 'you' i.e. the individual who
is going to use that credit card. This is because the lifestyle and the needs
differ from person to person (and that is precisely the reason why every credit
card supplier offers so many different kinds of credit cards). It might be true
in some cases (where the lifestyle of two individuals/friends is similar) that
the credit card deal which is good for one be good for the other too, however,
this is just in a few cases.

You can always check with your friend who has recently got a credit card deal,
since that might cut down the time needed for researching/hunting-for a good
credit card deal. However, it's really a matter of evaluating your own needs.
If you travel a lot and to far off places by air, a card that offers you good
rewards/rebates/benefits on travel would comprise a good credit card deal.
Sometimes the airlines themselves have their own credit card issuing/supplying
company from where you can get a good credit card deal. For people shopping at
a particular retail store or a shop, a good credit card deal would be a card
that offers discounts, rebates and rewards on shopping. Again, the retail
stores themselves might have credit cards on offer that could be beneficial to
you. Then there are credit card deals that are linked to gasoline stores or big
grocery chains. If you don't have any specific needs, you might use a general
purpose credit card that gives reward points on every purchase you make on your
credit card. These points can then be redeemed for cash/rewards. Hence, this
card could become a good credit card deal for you.

Good, for credit card deals, is really a relative term and there is no credit
card deal which is equally good for all.

Credit card debt

'Credit card debt' is a much discussed topic in the commercial and social
circles. A big section of the population has been bit by this bug called
'credit card debt'. Can't blame them much; as such, it's pretty easy to fall
prey to this bug.

The main reason behind so many credit card casualties (rather credit card debt
related casualties) is that many people don't understand the concept of credit
cards properly. They treat credit card as free money that is never to be
returned. Thus all the discipline, which would otherwise have been exercised
with spending hard-earned money, goes for a toss. That means people overspend
and get into credit card debt. They keep spending till they reach the credit
limit on their credit card. Some people go to the extent of treating that like
a game and consider it a defeat (or consider their credit card under utilised)
if they don't hit the credit limit quick enough. These unnecessary spends
result in a situation where they are not able to payback their credit card
bills and end up paying interest on the amount they owe. This keeps building up
their credit card debt and they soon find that the interest component has become
a regular feature in their monthly expenses and it is there even if they spend
nothing on their credit card. That is credit card debt on the prowl. Soon they
find that their current credit card can no longer handle their needs and start
looking to get another credit card. With the new power of credit, they let
themselves loose again and follow a 'shop till you drop' routine. Soon the
credit limit of the new credit card is reached too and they again default on
payments. This is how credit card debt builds. Soon they learn about credit
card debt consolidation and other credit card debt elimination techniques. They
are quick to grab such credit card debt reduction techniques, but that's not
because they are serious about reducing their credit card debt but because of
the attractive low APR offers. As if it were booty, they again get back to
building up their credit card debt. All the while they are spoiling their
credit card rating and they soon realise that no one is ready to lend them
money because of their credit history. They can only get a secured credit card
now (where you first deposit money into your credit account and then only you
get the privilege of spending it (50-100% of it) using their credit card.
Credit card debt collection agencies, auction of their goods and bankruptcy is
the next thing that hits them and their dream run is blown away in a moment.

The moral of the story -- "Understand the concept of credit cards and treat
credit card debt with all seriousness".

A problem called 'Credit Card Debt '

Credit cards are no more a luxury, they are almost a necessity. So, you would
imagine a lot of people going for credit cards. In fact, a lot of people posses
more than one credit cards. So, the credit card industry is growing by leaps and
bounds. However, the credit card industry and credit card holders are posed with
a big problem called 'Credit Card Debt'. In order to understand what 'credit
card debt' actually means, we need to understand the workflow associated with
the use of credit cards as such.

Credit cards, as the name suggests, are cards on which you can get credit i.e.
make borrowings (your credit card debt). Your credit card is a representative
of the credit account that you hold with the credit card supplier. Whatever
payments you make using your credit card are actually your borrowings that
contribute towards your credit card debt. Your total credit card debt is the
total amount you owe credit card supplier. You must settle your credit card
debt on a monthly basis. So, you receive a monthly statement or your credit
card bill which shows your total credit card debt. You must pay off your credit
card debt by the payment due date failing which you will incur late fee and
interest charges. However, you have the option of making a partial (minimum)
payment too, in which case you don't incur late fee but just the interest
charges on your credit card debt. If you don't pay off your credit card debt in
full, the interest charges too get added to it. So your credit card debt keeps
on increasing, more so because the interest rates on credit card debt are
generally higher than the interest rates on other kind of loans/borrowings.
Further, the interest charges add on to your credit card debt each month to
form the new balance or the new credit card debt amount. If you continue making
partial payments (or no payments) the interest charges are calculated afresh on
the new credit card debt. So you end up paying interest on the last month's
interest too. Thus your credit card debt accumulates rapidly and soon you find
that what was once a relatively small credit card debt has ballooned into a big
amount which you find almost impossible to pay. Moreover, if you don't still
control your spending habits, your credit card debt rises even faster. This is
how the vicious circle of credit card debt works.

Eliminate credit card debt

How to eliminate credit card debt? -- A questions that is asked by a number of
individuals around the globe. These are the individuals who somehow (mostly due
to uncontrolled spending) landed into the mouth of this monster called 'Credit
card debt'. So what are the ways to eliminate credit card debt?

If you are looking to eliminate credit card debt, you have already reached 50%
of your goal because your decision to eliminate credit card debt is the first
and the most important step towards you being able to eliminate credit debt.
Having said that, it is important to mention that you also need to be firm on
this decision and stick to it with complete sincerity and seriousness, till you
finally eliminate credit card debt (and even after that).

To eliminate credit card debt, you need planning. This starts with analysis of
current situation in terms of your debt and your finances (current and as
expected in near future). So to eliminate credit card debt, you need to first
check the amount you owe on various credit cards. Just use a notebook to note
down the amount you owe on each credit card and the corresponding APR
associated with them. Once you have this information handy, you can total up
the various amounts to get the total amount of your credit card debt. After
all, you can't eliminate credit card debt if you don't know how much it is
actually. The next thing is to see if you have enough cash handy e.g. in your
various bank accounts, which you can put to use to eliminate credit card debt
(of course, you will need to take a view on how much cash you will need to
fulfil your day to day and specific future needs). If you find that you have
enough to eliminate credit card debt completely, just go ahead and eliminate
credit card debt and earn your peace of mind. However, if you can't eliminate
credit card debt completely, check the amount that you can use to eliminate
credit card debt partially. Next step, as you must have guessed, is to check
how best you can use this amount to eliminate credit card debt (even if
partially) i.e. which portion of credit card debt should you eliminate first.
So, first eliminate credit card debt on the credit card which has the highest
APR and which is hitting you the most. Then eliminate credit card debt on the
credit card which has the next highest APR and so on and so forth. If you are
incurring additional late fees etc on some of your credit cards, you might
decide to reserve some amount to make minimum payments on those credit cards
(before you finally eliminate credit card debt on them).

What we have seen is just some basic analysis and first steps on how to
eliminate credit card debt. You might need to take some other steps to
eliminate credit card debt e.g. consolidation of credit card debt is one good
option. However, it's imperative to understand that any and all methods to
eliminate credit card debt will fail if you don't inculcate controlled spending
habits.

Small Business Credit Cards

In today's economy, small businesses play an important role. These days, it is
easier than it ever has been to start a new small business. There are all kinds
of new businesses popping up all over the United States, from department stores
to gas stations. With new businesses on the rise, the owners should be looking
into small business credit cards -- for numerous reasons.

The best reason to get a small business credit card is for separating your
personal finances from any business related finances. Once you have a small
business credit card, you can start making all of your purchases via Internet,
phone, or in person. Business credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere,
which is great for those who need equipment or supplies in a hurry.

If you own a small business, you've probably experimented with using your
personal cash for company purposes. This can get ugly in a hurry, which is why
you should invest in a credit card for your small business. You can make
purchases without having to worry about cash, then pay it back later. You won't
need to keep track of everything either -- as you statement will be mailed to
you at the end of the month, letting you know exactly how much you spent.

A small business credit card is also a great way to establish some credibility
with your business as well. When you pay with your credit card, it looks a lot
more professional than using cash to make your purchases. It will gain the
respect of financial companies, and help your business build some credit as
well. After you have had a credit card in good standing for a few months,
you'll be able to apply for a small business loan and get the best rates --
along with the higher amounts.

Even though your business may not have a 6 figure income or budget, small
business credit cards can still help your business grow and prosper. Credit
cards are always great to have, simply for the fact that you never know when
you need money. Your office equipment may crash and need replacing, or another
emergency may come up. If you don't have a credit card for your business, the
financing alone could shatter your daily operations.

Small business credit cards will also give you plenty of rewards as well. Most
cards will give you cash aback and certain rewards on just about anything you
purchase. From gas to equipment, you can get rewards simply for using your
credit card. You can increase your profit margin as well, which is always a
great thing. If you have other workers who are authorized to use your credit
card, you'll get more rewards -- and much faster as well. This is also easier
on your business, as your workers will be able to get what they need, when they
need it.

All in all, small business credit cards are always great to have around. They
will provide your business with rewards and convenience, eliminating the need
to use cash with each purchase you make. These cards will also protect the
future of your business, and allow it to grow. If you own a small business, you
shouldn't hesitate to look into these credit cards. Once you have found the best
credit card for your company, you shouldn't hesitate to apply. Credit cards are
always great to have around -- even if your business is just getting started.
Before you know it, your small business credit cards will more than pay for
themselves.

Credit Cards Without A Bank Account

Having a credit card is a great thing indeed, although most are hard to obtain
for those who have a less than perfect credit history. The restrictions for
getting most credit cards are so tough that those who have bad credit may find
it nearly impossible to get a credit card, or they find themselves hit with
extremely high APR rates, and find it hard to compete with the interest.

For those who have less than perfect credit or no bank account, there is hope.
There are credit cards known as no bank account cards, that can help those with
bad credit. These types of credit cards are quite easy to obtain, and they can
actually help you to get your credit back and track and live the life you've
always dreamed of.

Credit cards of this type are pre-loaded, meaning that the credit limit you
have it what you load onto the card, by pre payment. If you want to control
your spending and know how much you have, this credit card is what you need.
They are also great for those who want to learn about managing money as well.
Another great thing about these cards is the fact that they will give you power
and convenience of a credit card -- yet they will allow you to live within the
means of your income as well.

Before you rush and get one of these credit cards, you should first look around
and find the best deal possible. Most no bank account credit cards offer you
same rewards and incentives of traditional credit cards, along with online
access to your account. The best cards are accepted across the world, and offer
you ATM access for instant cash. If a card doesn't offer you these types of
features, you should pass it by and look for one that does.

Other things to look for with no bank account credit cards include low APR
rates, no annual fees, and excellent customer support. Customer support is very
important with these types of credit cards, as you don't want a card that
doesn't offer you great customer support. If you encounter a problem, you want
a company that is going to be there when it matters the most.

If you take your time and research no bank account credit cards, you'll find
one that you can't refuse. There are many to choose from, especially if you
look online. You should always compare features and rates, and look for
companies that offer you cards with excellent features and low rates. This way,
you can get everything you love from traditional credit cards -- without having
to worry about your credit or needing to have a bank account.

"We accept credit cards"

"We accept credit cards" is a statement that you must have come across multiple
times at various shops, grocery stores and other merchant outlets. This
statement is generally accompanied by a few stickers (Visa/Master card etc).
Credit cards have transformed the businesses and our lives to a great extent. A
few years back there were just a handful of shops that would accept credit cards
but today you will find that most of the shops accept credit cards. In fact,
some shops (like those belonging to a big retail chain) not only accept credit
cards but also supply credit cards. These credit cards entitle you for rebates
when you use them at any of the stores of that retail chain.

With credit cards around, a lot of people have stopped carrying any cash with
them or just carry a very small amount of cash with them. That means that any
shop that doesn't accept credit cards is potentially losing customers. In fact,
this is one reason why almost every merchant accepts credit cards.

With the evolution of internet, credit card industry too took a new turn and up
came ecommerce and e-shops. So, those stickers of "We accept credit cards",
moved on to the doors of internet shops. Thus came the era where almost every
online-shop would accept credit cards (directly or indirectly). In fact, this
was the premise on which the complete online-business industry was based. This
is convenience at its best.

Fraud is associated with almost every financial instrument. So there came
fraudsters too, who too said that "We accept credit cards". These fraudsters
use a lot of techniques to commit credit card related fraud. Some of them
disguise themselves as online merchants who accept credit cards as mode of
payment (the actual motive being extraction of critical credit card details).
Others are people who work at merchant shops that accept credit cards. These
fraudsters either clone the credit cards or just note critical information from
them (and use that for online-shopping). Some other fraudsters lure innocent
people into revealing credit card details in chat rooms. And then there are
tech-savvy fraudsters who use computer programs/softwares/devices (called
spyware) to spy on the people who use their credit cards for online payments.
The spyware capture their credit card information and get it transmitted to the
spy using internet.

So a lot of merchants and service providers do accept credit cards but keep in
mind that the fraudsters too welcome/accept credit cards. This is something you
surely need to be careful about.

Vacation And Credit Cards

Each and every year, many of us go on vacations. Vacations are a great way to
relax, and get away from the everyday pressure of life. Over half of all
American families take their vacation between April and September, meaning that
they spend a lot of money on travel. Whether it's international or domestic
travel, you can spend a fortune before you actually realize it.

As we all know, traveling with cash or checks isn't always a wise decision.
Renting cars, flying in airplanes, or checking into hotels is a much easier
task if you have a credit card. Even though you may decide to use your credit
cards for big purchases only, you'll find that the traveling experience will be
a much smoother process.

Unlike cash or checks, credit cards make handling your documents and receipts
much easier. If you purchase something, records from that purchase will be made
with your credit card manufacturer, which you can always fall back on if
something happens. Things can go wrong without notice, so you'll always want a
backup plan or something to have as proof in the event of a disaster. With a
credit card, all you need to do is look back at your statement and you'll find
everything that you purchased in one easy to find location.

Credit cards are also much easier to handle and keep track of than cash. If you
decide to go to a theme park or a resort, you'll find that cash can be a bit
bulky to handle. Carrying a large amount of cash can be hard to keep track of,
even though it isn't recommended. Credit cards use up less space, and you can
keep them in your pocket. When you need to pay for something, you don't need to
count through your cash, simply hand over your credit card and sign your receipt.

If you don't have any credit cards, you can always get them for vacation
purposes only. There are many benefits to having credit cards, besides the fact
of them being easier to keep track of. There are many different credit cards out
there to choose from, including those that will give you cash back or rewards
when you make a purchase. Cash back is normally a small percentage of what you
spend, and is given to you at the end of the month.

Some credit cards will give you reward points for every dollar you spend, which
can be redeemed with several merchants offering a variety of products. Although
cash back is always a great thing, many people find reward cards to be just as
good. You can enjoy your vacation, buy just about anything you want, and know
that the money you spend will help you to buy other things that you may need
when your vacation is over. Actually, can you think of this as having your cake
and eating it to.

All in all, credit cards can make your vacation easier than ever before. You
can earn rewards and cash back with purchases you make using your card.
Although you may think cash is the preferred way to go, there are several
merchants who actually prefer credit cards. They are more professional, and
easier for you to handle than cash or checks. They are easy to obtain as well,
providing you have good credit. If you don't have a credit card, you should
look into getting one before you take your next vacation. All you need to do is
look for your favorite company online and apply through their website -- you'll
normally receive a response in a matter of minutes.

The worth of a business credit card

Among the so many varieties of credit cards, one of the most underestimated is
the value of a business credit card. Many people do not choose to apply for a
business credit card because aside from having a definite target market -- the
business owners or business executives -- it seems to be complicated to use.
Although a business credit card has more requirements and has higher interests
compared to other types of credit cards there is, contrary to the common
conception, t can be very helpful if used properly.

What is a business credit card? Basically, business credit card is for the
business people's consumption. Compared to the regular credit card, a business
credit card has a high limit plus low interest rates. Depending on the manner
of choosing, a business credit card may also bring a lot of automatic benefits.

Since it is targeted towards businessmen or those people who are heading
towards building a business, a business credit card can definitely benefit
these small businesses. A business credit card helps the budding business by
extending payments while improving the cash flow. Aside from bearing the image
of a dependable credit card, business credit card boasts of having detailed
reports and giving quality customer service as its major trademarks.

Aside from having limits and low interest rates, a business credit card
provides many alternatives and numerous credit options for small businesses. A
business credit card also caters to large corporations that are crafted to aid
those people who are starting with their own business to grow while closely
monitoring the baseline of credit.

Simplifying business credit cards It really pays to go to the bank when one
applies for a credit card to get the chance to answer all immediate inquiries.
But since business credit card is for business people who are always on the go,
many business credit card issuers offers online applications for business credit
cards. When one applies for a business credit card, there is no need to visit
the bank. There is also no need to wait in the queue just to talk to a bank
representative. When you apply business credit card online, all you have to do
is to select the business credit card option that would perfectly suit your
small business or corporate credit requirements right from the comforts of your
home or office. Aside from offering safe, secured, and simple processes that are
designed help you take care of your starting business, most business credit
cards online offer accessible features for the convenience of the business
credit card holder like the online payment and reporting. Customized company
logos and access to instant cash are also available on line. Other business
credit card online offers detailed reporting features for easy monitoring and
access.

Most business credit card applications offer free fee for the first year and no
pre-set spending limit or finance charges. Other business credit card offers
viable membership rewards program that enables the member to earn points
towards travel, merchandise and other rewards for his or her business. Some of
these business credit cards offer small businesses a line of credit up to
$100,000 at a competitive APR as low as prime + 1.99% for both cash and check
purchases; 100% of the line is available as cash and no collateral is required.
The business credit card holder or customer might receive fee-free checks as
well as a card to access the account. Everyday savings or exclusive savings,
express approvals, no annual fee, up to 5 percent rebates on all qualified
purchases, and 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases during
first half of the year of card membership are some of the great offers of most
business credit cards.

Although majority of the business credit card issuers offer great value deals,
it is very important to research first what does your business needs. Whether
your business credit card is meant for investing in inventory or just for
payroll, it is significant to look for a flexible business credit card that can
handle almost anything. Whether you opt to go directly to the bank or apply for
a business credit card online, a number of premier business credit card
suppliers are there to help you find the right credit card product as easy and
convenient as possible.

Credit Card Company That You Can Trust: Chase

If you are looking for a credit card company to give your business to, but are
unsure of which one to choose, then you may want to consider Chase. They are
known for being one of the best credit cards around. They make applying for one
of their cards very simple and there are no hidden charges.

When you sign up, they will give you all of the information about any charges
that they may charge you. They do not have annual fees and offer a 0% interest
introductory rate. Also, Chase offers fraud protection, which is a very
important thing to have these days.

It is so easy to apply for a Chase credit card. Applying on their website is
simple, too. Their website is also a great place to learn more about their
credit cards including the interest rates and pictures of each kind of card.

You can also pay your credit card bill online. This is a fast and secure way
for you to pay your credit card bill. If you do not have a Chase credit card,
but have heard great things about the company, you can sign-up on their
website. If you fill out the form correctly, then you could be a Chase member
in just a few days.

Chase offers individual accounts and small business accounts. This is great for
those of you who are looking for a credit card to start your small business.

Chase credit cards are accepted all over the world, so you do not have to worry
about being able to use it on a trip abroad. Chase also gives their customers
air miles for every dollar, so you may be able to take a vacation much cheaper
than you think.

Recently, Chase has went through some bad press -- mainly aimed at their
customer service practices, but they have made strides to make their customer
service better and to lower their interest rates. If you are looking for a
credit card with a proven track record, then you will want to consider Chase.

Credit card processing

It comes as a surprise how credit cards have found their way into our lives
(and out wallet). Credit cards have gradually turned into becoming a necessity
(rather than luxury). You can find credit card processing machines in almost
all the shops today. With the advent of internet, online credit card processing
has become popular too. 'Credit card processing' as such is a really interesting
topic. This article tries to put into perspective the people, systems and the
equipment that go into credit card processing.

First, let's check the equipments used for credit card processing. So, there
are credit card processing softwares for online credit card processing, there
are credit card processing machines (i.e. the credit card reading machines at
shops), there are data verification/validation devices/softwares that verify
the security information on credit cards, there are communication
devices/systems that enable safe transfer of credit card information from one
point to another, and then there are other credit card processing equipments
like the credit card processing equipment that is used for the preparation of
the actual plastic (credit card).

Then there are various service providers that provide services related to
credit card processing. There are suppliers
for credit card processing equipment and suppliers for online credit card
processing services. Then there are postal and courier service that help
deliver credit card bills in time. There are merchants/petrol-bunks etc which
provide facility of payment collection boxes at their premises (another
important aspect of credit card processing).

Besides that there are complete systems for processing credit card
applications, there are systems for credit card bill processing/generation,
there are people at call centres who help in addressing the queries from credit
card holders and, very importantly, there are people (sales representatives) who
help you in filling the credit card application forms. Another important entity
with regards to 'credit card processing' process is the credit rating bureaus.
Credit card bureaus maintain a database of credit ratings for individuals and
businesses. This rating is based on the data received from various credit
providers over a period of time. This rating is the most important part of
credit card application processing and a bad rating can lead to rejection of
the credit card application altogether.

Thus, credit card processing involves a coordinated effort from a lot of
professionals and service providers. In that sense, we can also say that credit
card processing is an industry in itself that has generated a lot of employment.

All about credit card rate

What's the thing that is most prominent on any credit card ad? Well, it's the
credit card rate (or the APR, as we know it). The credit card rate is the most
publicized thing in the world of credit cards. A lot of people just compare the
credit card rate of various credit cards and just go for the one that is
offering the lowest credit card rate (or APR). Credit card rates are, in fact,
one of the most important factors in the selection of a credit card (though not
the only factor). Therefore, a proper understanding of Credit card rates is even
more necessary.

So, what is a credit card rate or APR? Very simply, credit card rate is the
rate of interest that the credit card supplier will charge you with on the
amount you owe them. The credit card supplier will charge you an interest only
if you don't make full payments in time. When you receive your credit card
bill, it specifies the full amount you owe the credit card supplier. It also
specifies the minimum payment that you must make (by a particular date), in
order to avoid incurring a late fee and other inconvenience. You have the
option of making either a full payment or just the minimum payment. If you make
a full payment (by the due date), you are not charged any interest. However, if
you decide to go with the minimum payment or some amount that is lesser than
the full amount, the credit card supplier will charge interest based on the
credit card rate and the balance amount. This credit card rate is the interest
rate that you agreed with them at the time of applying for the credit card. The
credit card rate or the annual percentage rate, as is obvious, is an annual
interest rate. The credit card suppliers use this annual credit card rate to
calculate the monthly credit card rate and then they calculate the interest on
the balance amount that you owe them. The balance amount here is simply = Full
amount -- (payment made by you). This interest is added to your balance for the
next month (at the time of next billing cycle). If you again make a partial
payment, the new balance is calculated again and the credit card rate (monthly
one) applied to it for calculation of new interest; and it keeps going on and
on until you make the full payment.

That's how credit card rate acts in this vicious circle. Hence, credit card
rate is termed as the most important consideration in choosing a credit card.

Getting Your Credit Card Online

We all get credit card offers through traditional snail mail, and we all know
how they work. Although many credit card offers in the mail claim that you are
already pre approved, you still have to wait weeks and weeks before you hear
anything back once you apply. These days are long gone though, as the Internet
has made everything easier. With the Internet, you can apply for a credit card
online and receive a response if minutes -- instead of waiting weeks and weeks.

If you have good credit, you'll have no problems at all being approved online
for a credit card. Those cards that have the best terms and rates are always
available for those who have good credit. Therefore, before you apply online,
you should know how good your credit is. You can always get a free credit
report online, and check your credit yourself. If you do this at least twice a
year, you'll always know where you stand with your credit.

If you don't know your credit score of if you haven't looked at your credit
report in a long time, now would be the time to do so. Look over your credit
report, and fix anything that doesn't add a positive to your report. Always
keep in mind that even being turned down for a credit card online can affect
your credit score as well, and play a major role with future credit offers.

Once you have looked at your credit report and determined how good your credit
is, you can apply online for an immediate answer. No matter which credit card
company you visit online, they will all ask for your personal information, such
as your name, phone number, social security number, age, employer, income, and
things of that nature.

Before you fill out the application online for your new card, you should always
go over the terms and conditions very carefully. You should look at the APR, and
ensure that there are no surprises. Once you have applied, the company will use
your social security number to pull your credit report and use it to determine
your credibility and whether or not they can be approved for a credit card.

When you begin filling out the application, you should make sure that the
website you are using is encrypted. The standard encryption these days is SSL
128-bit, which ensure that the information you are sending is protected. If the
website has less than 128-bit encryption, it may be possible for someone else to
steal your information -- which could result in identity theft.

Once you have finished filling out the application and send it on, you'll have
the final decision in a matter of minutes. If you are using a credit card
company with the right technology, the decision will be shown on the screen. If
the decision isn't shown on the screen, it will be mailed to you via traditional
snail mail. In the event that you don't get approved, you'll be mailed the
reason why.

If you've been approved, you can expect to receive your credit card in the mail
within a few days. Applying for a credit card online is always the preferred way
to receive a credit card, as things will work much faster. No more waiting for
weeks at a time to receive a response, as you'll know instantly. There are
hundreds of online credit card companies looking for your business -- which
gives you plenty of choices when choosing the credit card -- and company that
is best for you.

What You Need To Know to Apply for a Credit Card

One of the disadvantages of modern times is that people tend to acquire so many
things they don't really need. Numerous gadgets and services occurred targeting
a vast market of consumers and this emergence of various inventions somehow
blinded people.

Since finances -- especially money -- is one of the major concerns of many
people, a wide array of financial management services and financial options
emerged. One of the most visible among the unending line of financial
management services there are is the credit card.

Although many people testify for the financial convenience you get when you
apply for a credit card, it doesn't mean that every financing convenience
applies for you or for everybody in that matter.

When people apply for a credit card, there is always a reason. It can be for
managing their finances, needing extra money or in preparation to a big
expenditure. But, no matter what the reason is, people apply for a credit card
because of the ultimate convenience it brings. By now, you may have had your
share of 'pre-approved' credit card offers in your virtual and physical mail.
Since people are quite vulnerable when they apply for a credit card, some
credit card issuers lure these people by giving low introductory APR, no annual
fee offers among numerous perks. The tendency of this so many alternatives and
"value" deals is to sway the person who wants to apply for a credit card.

There are undeniably endless lists of pros and cons when you apply for a credit
card, but if you really have decided to apply for a credit card, these are some
of the helpful tips that can guide you on your credit card shopping journey.

Actually, there are three easy steps you should follow if you have decided to
apply for a credit card. First, surf the net and do some research on credit
cards. By doing this, you can familiarize yourself with different credit card
terms and types. Second, you can compare numerous credit cards that would best
serve your needs and lastly, you may now apply for the credit card of your
choice by filling out a credit card application by visiting a bank
representative or through online.

In order to find the right credit card fast and easy, first, before you apply
for a credit card, make sure you mastered the credit card terms. When you apply
for a credit card you must know what a "credit card" really is. Being a form of
borrowing that involves charges, credit cards usually have underlying credit
terms and conditions affect your overall cost. So, it's best to compare terms
and fees before you apply for a credit card and agree to open an account. Some
of the important terms to be understood well include the annual percentage rate
or the APR.

When you apply for a credit card, you must know how the APR affects your credit
account. Being a measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate, the
APR should be disclosed before you apply for a credit card so that you would
not be obligated on the account and on your account statements later on. Aside
from APR, the periodic rate must be disclosed to the card holder before they
completely apply for a credit card so they would have an idea of their
outstanding balance and finance charge for each billing period. Other important
terms to know before you apply for a credit card are free period or "grace
period," annual fees, transaction fees and other charges, other costs and
feature, and balance computation method for the finance charge like average
daily balance, adjusted balance, previous balance, and two-cycle balances. If
you're not that type of person who is patient enough to research on all these
terms, make sure that before you apply for a credit card, the issuer will give
an explanation how the balance is computed and it must appear on your monthly
billing statements.

Credit card anyone?

The emergence of electronic age made almost everything possible to people.
Determining and curing terminal diseases made convenient, reaching uncharted
territories became a possibility, and most of all; everyday life of people is
made easy by the technology. We now have more convenient stores, easier means
of transportation and a variety of gadgets that makes work and pleasure almost
effortless.

When it comes to finances, technology -- through efficient banking system and
services -- has given people better alternatives and options how to manage
their finances. Among the so many financial management schemes that emerged,
one alternative stands out among the rest -- the credit card.

Credit card, especially to working people and those who live very busy lives,
has become an ultimate financial "savior." More than just being a status symbol
or an add-on to expensive purses and wallets, credit card has revolutionized the
way people spend their money.

But, more than the glamour and the convenience credit card brings, there is
much more to this card than most people could ever imagine.

Credit Card 101 Before indulging much into the never-ending list of the
advantages and disadvantages of having a credit card, it is very important for
people to first have a brief realization of what credit card really is in order
for them to maximize its potentials.

In layman's terms, credit card is a card that allows a person to make purchases
up to the limit set by the card issuer. One must then pay off the balance in
installments with interest payments. Usually, credit card payment per month
ranges from the minimum amount set by the bank to entire outstanding balance.
And since it is a form of business, the longer the credit card holder wait to
pay off his or her entire amount, the more interest pile up.

Since having a credit card is a responsibility, only those people who are of
legal age and have the capability to pay off the amount they are going to spend
through their credit card, is allowed to have one. Actually, most of the adults
in the U.S. use credit card because this is very convenient compared to
carrying cash or checks every time they have to purchase something.

It is also equally important to be familiar with the different types of credit
cards before you begin to build up credit card balances and to avoid having a
nightmare of debt. Since credit cards are indispensable to most consumers, it
is a must that they understand the types of card that include charge cards,
bankcards, retail cards, gold cards and secured cards. All of these types come
in one of two interest rate options -- the fixed and variable. Actually, it
doesn't really matter if you decide to have a fixed-rate credit card because
the interest rate remains the same. Compared to variable rate cards where rate
may be subject to change depends upon the credit card issuer's discretion,
fixed-rate carry higher interest rates. Basically, credit card grantors issue
three types of accounts with basic account agreements like the "revolving
agreement" a.k.a. Typical Credit Card Account which allows the payer to pay in
full monthly or prefer to have partial payments based on outstanding balance.
While the Charge Agreement requires the payer to pay the full balance monthly
so they won't have to pay the interest charges, the Installment Agreement, on
the other hand, asks the payer to sign a contract to repay a fixed amount of
credit in equal payments in definite period of time. Another category of credit
card accounts includes the individual and joint accounts where the former asks
the individual alone to repay the debt while the latter requires the partners
responsible to pay. The common types of credit cards available through banks
and other financial institutions also include Standard Credit Cards like
Balance Transfer Credit Cards and Low Interest Credit Cards; Credit Cards with
Rewards Programs like Airline Miles Credit Cards, Cash Back Credit Cards and
Rewards Credit Cards; Credit Cards for Bad Credit like Secured Credit Cards and
Prepaid Debit Cards; and Specialty Credit Cards like Business Credit Cards and
Student Credit Cards.

Now that you have an idea how many types of credit card there is, it is now
time to review your goals before applying for one. Some of the things you
should consider is how will you spend with the credit card monthly, if you plan
to carry a balance at the end of the month, how much are you willing to pay in
annual fees, if you have a strong credit history and is does your credit in
need of rehabilitation. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for
choose the right credit card for you by researching the information you need
that will fit your basic needs. You may also review the credit cards you've
research and compare them.

Shopping for a credit card? Regardless of the type of credit card you choose,
be sure to discuss your specific financial needs with your financial advisor or
accountant before applying for any credit card. It is a must that you understand
the benefits of having a credit card like safety, valuable consumer protections
under the law, and the accessibility and availability of services. The most
popular credit cards include Chase Manhattan Bank, Citibank, Bank of America,
BankOne, American Express, Discover� Card, First
Premier Bank, Advanta, HSBC Bank, and MasterCard Credit Cards.

Although having a credit card is synonymous to invincibility, this may also
trigger a person's thirst for material things and may lead into the temptation
of buying something they don't really need. A credit card bearer should always
have in min that having a credit card is a big responsibility. If they don't
use it carefully, these may owe more than they can repay. It can also damage
their credit report, and create credit problems that are quite difficult to
repair.

Chase.com credit card offers

Online credit card applications seem to be the in thing and Chase too offers
online credit card application facility. Here, 'Chase.com credit cards' refers
to the chase credit cards that can be applied for online. Just for those who
don't know, 'Chase' is a brand that is owned by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (a leading
global financial services firm).

By 'Chase.com credit card offers', I mean the credit card offers that are
available at chase.com. Obviously, 'Chase.com credit cards' would be regulated
by chase. Again, as with any other credit card supplier, 'Chase.com credit
cards' on offer would be changing too.

Anyways; one night, before going to bed, I thought of just checking the
chase.com credit cards section. Here is what I found:

There is a separate Chase.com credit cards section. As I browsed through the
Chase.com credit cards section (the online application ones), the first one I
encountered was called 'Chase Cash Plus' or the 'Chase Cash Plus Rewards'.
These promise faster rewards and offer 5% earnings on gas and on purchases made
at grocery-stores/drug-stores. For other shopping venues, it offers 1% earnings.
These earnings can be in the form of gift certificates or cash.

The next on the Chase.com credit cards section was the 'Flexible rewards Visa
signature card'. Here you earn a point for every purchase of $1. You can keep
collecting these points and then finally redeem them for your choice of things
(like cash, travel, gift certificates or some kind of merchandise). The
redemption can start at 2500 points (and you get a bonus of 1000 points once
you make the first purchase). Moreover, this one doesn't have any annual fee
either. So that was the second one in the Chase.com credit cards section.

Moving on in the Chase.com credit cards section, I found 'Free Cash Rewards
Platinum Visa card'. This one, as the name goes, offers cash rewards. You can
get a $25 check or a gift certificate on redemption of 2500 points. Since there
is one point earned for every $1 spend, this mean that you effectively get 1%
cash back on these cards.

I had started loving browsing through the Chase.com credit cards section. So I
moved on to the next one in the Chase.com credit cards section. The next one on
the Chase.com credit cards section was 'Chase Perfect Platinum MasterCard' which
doesn't limit you to getting rebates only on a particular brand of gasoline;
instead, you get rebates everywhere. '

Chase Platinum MasterCard' was the next one in the Chase.com credit cards
section. This one offers online account management i.e. monthly statements,
bill payments etc can all be done online (also you don't have any annual fee on
this one).

There were few more cards on Chase.com credit cards section and one especially
caught my attention. This one was at the bottom of Chase.com credit cards
section and was called 'Check Gallery Platinum Visa Card'. Here you could
choose the design of your card from those available e.g. cowboys, smileys etc.

By now, I was so sleepy that I really had to shut down my computer and go off
to sleep.

Note: The information given in this article was correct at the time it was
written. However, the author does not guarantee the correctness and
completeness of this information at any time.

Student Credit Cards

In today's world, having a credit card is a luxury. Credit cards are a great
convenience, meaning that you don't need to worry about cash when making a
purchase. Although some credit cards have strict requirements, there are a lot
of manufacturers that are giving both high school and college students the
chance to get their own credit cards. Student credit cards can be used the same
way as a traditional credit card, although they do come with certain
restrictions and limitations that other credit cards don't normally have.

A lot of companies and banks that offer student credit cards will normally need
a co-signer as a form of insurance or collateral. This person will sign on the
loan with the student, and will be the person the company falls back on if the
student is unable to pay the bill. Normally a parent or guardian, the co-signer
is considered to be back up and a peace of mind for the issuer of the student
credit card, as they can always count on the co-signer with good credit to pay
if the student can't.

Normally, the APR or interest rate is higher with student credit cards, which
helps to minimize the risk for the company. The spending limit is also
different with these credit cards, as most are between 250 -- 800 dollars. The
reason for this, is because most students have established any credit, and
therefore won't have a great credit rating. Although the spending limit is
obviously lower with these cards than other credit cards, they will still help
students establish credit.

Students who plan to make a large purchase, can greatly benefit from using
student credit cards. To make large purchases, you'll need good credit -- which
is where a student credit card can really help out. You can use these credit
cards as a stepping stone to building credit, and establishing a good credit
rating. If you can get your credit rating high with your credit card, you'll
then be able to be approved for much higher loans in the future.

Student credit cards can also help students gain a sense of responsibility. The
card works just like any other credit card, although the spending limit is much
lower. Once the student has mastered usage of the card, he or she can manage
money much better later on in life. These cards are great for students to have,
and can teach them money skills that will last a lifetime.

Just like traditional credit cards, students should also know that student
credits cards can be dangerous. Although they are great to have, there are
pitfalls such as overspending. If students spend more money than they having
coming in, they will be unable to pay their credit card bill, which will then
affect their credit. If the company goes after the co-signer to pay the bill,
it could also affect their credit as well. Therefore, students should always
have a budget in mind before they start using their credit cards.

All in all, student credit cards are great to have. For high school students or
college students, these credit cards are a means of freedom, and a way to teach
responsibility. They can come in handy during emergencies, which is reason
enough to invest in them. If your son or daughter is in school right now, you
should look into student credit cards. They can help your child to establish
credit -- which will take them farther wherever they go in life.

Student credit cards

For students, the student credit cards are the best way to enter the
fascinating world of credit cards. Student credit cards help the students in
taking advantage of the various benefits associated with credit cards in
general e.g. convenience, safety, rebates etc., much earlier in their life.
Moreover, student credit cards act as training ground for students, most of
whom haven't had any experience with credit cards. The student credit cards
help the students in gaining hands-on knowledge about the various aspects of
credit cards and their use. Most credit card suppliers also include a small
guide that helps the students in gaining a good understanding of credit cards,
upfront. The students learn more and more with every transaction on their
student credit card and as they experiment with the various benefits associated
with the student credit cards using their student credit cards in various ways.

Another important benefit is in terms of the time that student credit cards save 
for the students. As we know, time is very valuable for students and by using 
their student credit card to order things online, they can actually save a lot 
of time too. Moreover, the students might require short term loans (in case there 
is a delay in the arrival of funds in their account, for whatever reason); and
student credit cards facilitate this very easily taking the burden off from the
student (so students can use their student credit cards like a loan for making
payments in the meantime). As such, money is the other critical thing for
students. Student credit cards again become handy here by saving them some
money in terms of rebates from retail stores, grocery shops etc. Moreover, the
students also receive additional rewards/benefits from the members reward
programmes that come with all credit cards (including student credit cards).

As students use their student credit cards, they keep building their knowledge
database. This knowledge becomes handy when they are out of college and into
their job and looking for a full-fledged credit card (i.e. credit cards which
have lesser restrictions, more credit limit etc as compared to a student credit
card). Hence the student credit cards help the students in making a
knowledge-based decision rather than a fancy-based one. Such decisions and the
knowledge about using the credit cards in a disciplined manner, acts as a
deterrent to one of the most serious problems being faced by credit card
industry i.e. the problem of credit card debt.

With so many advantages on the plate, the student credit cards are really an
essential for every student.

Is it ok to apply online for credit card?

With the fast pace of our everyday lives, we don't have time for anything
really. This is where the combined power of commerce and technology comes in.
The capability to apply online for a credit card is one such example. Yes, you
can apply online for a credit card. The revolution behind providing you with
the ability to 'apply online for credit card' is called 'internet'. You can not
only apply online for credit card but also use your credit card to do online
shopping (and get the goods delivered to your door at no extra cost compared to
the local store).

So, it is possible to apply online for a credit card. To apply online for
credit card, you just have to fill-in an application form that is presented to
you on the website of the credit card supplier (who provides the capability to
apply online for credit card). This application form is very similar to the one
you would have filled-in in person -- the details asked are same and the
processing of the application is same too. You will find that a lot credit card
companies encourage you to apply online for credit card. This is because they
save on the costs related to salary of representatives, paper, etc. Moreover,
when you apply online for credit card, your details can smoothly flow into the
database of the credit card supplier i.e. the manual intervention is minimal
when you apply online for credit card. This will in turn lead to faster
processing of your application. Though it is not necessarily true, if you apply
online for credit card, your credit card might reach you much faster. Moreover,
if you apply online for credit card, you save on all the time and hassle
associated with approaching a credit card company etc etc. You can compare the
credit cards (again online) before you apply online for credit card.

Some people don't like to apply online for credit card. The main reason is
their discomfort in giving out the personal information online. One quick
check, before you apply online for credit card, is to see if the website
address of the page (where you are required to enter your details) starts with
'https'. 'Https' indicates that it's a secure website (you might also check if
the security certificate is provided by a reputed organisation e.g. Verisign).
If you don't see an https, you should not apply online for credit card of that
company. Besides that, some people don't apply online for credit card because
they are not comfortable in filling up the form all by themselves. In such a
case, you might either not apply online for credit card (and apply in person
instead); or you might just go through the form, note down your
questions/problems and seek the answers by calling the customer service centre
of the credit card company.

So, applying online for credit card is surely a good option.

Guide to Acquiring UK Credit Cards

All credit cards come in many shapes, colors and sizes. They come in different
types and brands with their own list of great deals to offer. UK credit cards
are not different from these. When you apply for a UK credit card online, there
are three easy steps you can follow. First, you can search through the list of
UK credit cards you might find while surfing the net. Then, you can compare the
rates and the fees of these UK credit cards side by side and prepare for the
process of elimination. After you have weighed the pros and cons and the
advantage and disadvantages of your top choices, you can now make the final
decision, which among the UK credit cards offered would best suit your needs.
Then, you may proceed with your UK credit card application by filling out the
form online.

Things you should know before getting UK credit cards Indeed, "plastic" has
tremendously redefined the way people spend their money. In the US alone, more
and more Americans are using credit cards because of the financial convenience
it brings. When it comes to the UK, studies show that the Britons owe hundreds
of millions in credit card debts. Being a flexible and accessible method of
acquiring credit, various UK credit cards are being offered by major lenders to
provide ultimate convenience to the consumers.

Applying for UK credit card can be both easy and difficult at the same time.
Well, it can be surprisingly easy compared to spending the money itself.
Getting a UK credit card is quite as easy like splurging your bucks on shopping
spree. But, the difficult part when you have a UK credit card or any other
credit card for that matter, is when the monthly bill arrives. Before getting a
UK credit card, make sure to visit some guide and glossary so you will have all
the information you need. Searching for important tips before you choose your
UK credit card will help you become educated in your purchasing decision. Being
informed before filling out for a UK credit card application will also help you
reduce the possibility of getting stuck up in a credit card debt trap.

Reading some tips will also help you decide for yourself which among the list
of UK credit cards would best suit your financing needs. You can choose the
right UK credit card by comparing their features, interest rates, and benefits.
Among the UK credit cards available, you should find the credit card with 0%,
has the best rates and APR for balance transfers or purchases. Most
importantly, never forget to look for the UK credit card with lowest rates by
reading the descriptions carefully before you apply for a credit card online.

Top UK Credit Cards Since more than half a million pounds are spent on UK
credit cards every minute-amounting to tens of billions spent each year-it is
very important to choose the best credit card for you. Here are some of the top
UK credit cards available. With their own sets of great deals to offer, it's up
to you, which among these UK credit cards is best for you. First among the list
is Marbles. It offers up to 52 days' interest free credit, 0% balance transfers
for the 1st 6 months, and 14.9 % APR. If you're the type of person who wants
almost everything customized, this UK credit card lets you choose what your
card will look like. It also lets you manage your account online. This UK
credit card is designed in one of the safest and secure credit card systems
around.

If you are looking for a UK credit card that offers from 0% APR on balance
transfers, from 15.9% APR on card purchases, no annual fees, and a free 24-hour
help line, then you might want to try Virgin Card. This UK credit card can
actually be your exclusive pass to an exclusive online membership online
stuffed with great money-off deals. Another is the Egg Card that automatically
gives you free purchase in transit protection for items. You can actually pay
for all or part of your fare using this UK credit card plus the benefit of free
personal travel accident insurance. Apart from that, the customers also get a
10% discount on home and travel insurance policies when they use this UK credit
card. The GM platinum card, on the other hand, offers 14.9 % APR, 0% per annum
on balance transfers and purchases for 5 months, and online account management.
The best thing about this UK credit card is that the holder will receive a 100
free Rebate Points the first time you use it. This unique reward scheme makes
this UK credit card more fun compared to others.

After weighing all the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, you may now
choose the best UK credit card for you.

UK credit card UK credit cards and balance transfers Credit cards are pretty
popular and in widespread use in UK. Credit cards are accepted at most shops
and other merchant stores/outlets. As in the US, UK credit cards too are on
offer from various banks and financial institutions. Again, UK credit cards too
offer a number of benefits which vary from one UK credit card to another (though
there are a lot of common benefits too which are same across various UK credit
cards).

Due to the fierce competition in the UK credit card market, various UK credit
card suppliers offer attractive balance transfer schemes too. There are some UK
credit cards that offer 0% balance transfer for 9 months and there are others
that offer 0% for 6 months. However, the catch here is that these UK card
credit suppliers differ on their standard APR rate i.e. the APR rate which
comes into effect after the expiry of the introductory 0% balance transfer
offer. Further there are some UK credit cards that do not offer a 0% balance
transfer but instead offer a better standard rate (APR) throughout. Some UK
credit card suppliers combine 0% offers with accrual of points on a rewards
programme. Another popular thing among UK credit cards is to combine cash back
offers with balance transfers. Then there are some very attractive offers which
give 0% not only on balance transfers but also on Purchases (for a short period
like 5 month or so). You also have a few UK credit cards that can be procured
by people with bad credit history too (of course, the decision on approval of
such a credit card application will lie with the credit card supplier).

So what does one do if one wants to transfer balance to another UK credit card.
Well, it's quite simple. You need to take stock of your current financial
situation and determine if a period of 6 months or 9 months (or maybe even 12
months) would be sufficient for you to fully payback the dues on your UK credit
card. If the answer is in the affirmative, just go ahead for the UK credit card
that offers 0% balance transfer for this period (even if the standard APR rate
is a bit higher). However, the assumption here is that once you payback the
debt on your UK credit card, you will stick to controlled spending and will pay
your credit card bills in full amount by the due date for payment; otherwise,
the choice of a higher standard APR will hit you very hard and you will be in
deeper trouble. However, if you think that 9 months is not sufficient to pay
back the debt on your UK credit card, then you should look to strike a balance
between the zero APR period and the standard APR rate, and choose a UK credit
card which leads to the least total outgo (you will need to sit with a
calculator and calculate the total outgo on various UK credit card offers).

This is the most basic aspect that you need to consider before you decide on
which UK credit card is the best for transferring balance. Other things like 0%
on purchases, reward programmer points etc are secondary things.

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