How to Pick the Best Credit Card?

Credit cards have become a very popular way to meet immediate financial expenses. There are many companies that offer a number of benefits with their credit cards. And even exciting credit cards are available for bad credit.
As per a data released by the American Banking Association in April 2018, there were 364 million credit card accounts in the USA by the end of 2017. 185 million accounts belong to the super-prime consumers whereas 104 million accounts belong to prime consumers and 75 million credit cards are used by sub-prime users.
Plastic money seems to be gaining popularity amongst individuals but the number of options we have in the market leaves us perplexed. To ensure that you end up finding the right and best credit cards, it is important that you must keep certain points into consideration.
Key points to consider before applying for a credit card:
To know which credit card is best for you, you must keep the following into consideration before opting for one:
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What are you expecting from your credit card- Well, credit card companies offer you cards for different purposes, for example, you have a credit card for travel, cards for entertainment, cards for dining, credit cards that have no charges on foreign transactions and much more. So, before you apply for your best credit cards, it is important that you must first check your requirement and based on it, prepare a list of credit cards that will be in your best interest.
Broadly speaking, there are three types of credit cards-
- One that helps you improve credit- Student credit cards or secured credit cards may fall in this category. These are comparatively easier to qualify for.
- One that allows you to save money on interest- A credit card with an introductory low interest offer or a 0% APR may be of good use for you if you want to save money on interest payable. Do have in mind that you may have a tough time getting these cards approved if you have a poor/average credit.
- One that provides rewards- If you intend to pay off the full balance amount every month, reward credit cards are fantastic options for you. These cards usually come with higher APRs but provide greater sign-up bonuses and you can earn cash-back, miles or points on every purchase you make.
You should opt for a card with features that meets your specific needs. For example, if you are not a frequent traveler, it does not make sense to go for a travel card.
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Do you really need a credit card- Many a time it happens that we get going with the flow and since everyone around us is buying credit cards, we also do the same. But this decision may often leave you with the burden of repayment. The credit card comes with repayment and interest rate, so you must first check whether or not you would be able to repay the same or else holding a credit card becomes a liability. This sometimes increases so much that the credit card holder has to take a loan to clear it off.
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Credit Score- Before filling out the credit card application; make sure you check your credit score. Companies issuing credit cards often consider credit score before they decide to offer you credit card. Once you know your credit score, you can apply for the credit cards which are likely to get approved.
Get to know the card offers you may be qualified for by checking the credit score with any of the major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian). As mandated by Federal Laws, you are entitled to a free credit report copy every year from each of these bureaus. If your credit score is not on the expected lines; check your credit reports to verify the root of the problem. You can then figure out means to improve it, from disputing errors on your credit reports to changing your spending habits, if required. If you become successful to lift your credit score, you stand a better chance of getting a credit card approved, with better perks.
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Benefits offered by the cards- Credit card offers are lucrative, some come with competitive interest rates, and some have no annual charges, while there are some which have an impressive reward points system. Make sure that while shortlisting the cards, you consider all these points and then come to a conclusion.
When you are weighing up your options among a few similar cards, opt for the one that offers the maximum overall value to you.
- For student/secured credit cards-
- Check if the card allows you to increase your credit limit after a series of timely payments
- Check if your secured credit card keeps your security deposit in a CD from where you can earn money as interest.
- For low-interest or 0% APR cards-
- Check if your issuer makes provisions for online creation of your debt payoff plan in its portal.
- Check if your card waives off the penalty APR/late fees on the first few instances of your late payments.
- For travel/reward/cash-back cards-
- Check how much you are required to spend before you qualify to avail a sign-up bonus. The lower is this amount, the better is for you.
- Check if any expiry date is attached with any of the reward schemes shown to you.
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The interest rate- APR or Annual Percentage Rate is the interest rate that a credit card has. It can be fixed or variable which is tied to another financial indicator, mostly prime rate. The fixed interest rate credit card is the same from month to month while with a variable interest rate, it fluctuates. Think for the one which will be helpful for you and apply for the same.
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Credit limit- If you are a person who actively uses a credit card, then the credit limit plays a key role in the same. Some cards offer a limited range while there are cards that have a higher credit limit. Remember, overspending will put you under the burden of repayment and if it is not done on time, then you may be charged penalty and it will also affect your credit score.
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Cashback- This is another lucrative deal that credit cards offer. You get the money refunded based on how much you spend. But, first, you need to check whether or not you qualify for the credit card offer or cash back. An important point to note here is that the card will have cash back only when you pay the balance in full each month.
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Fees and penalties- One of the most important factors that you must consider before choosing a credit card is to see the fees and penalties. Some of the common charges that you must look at include fees for transactions, cash advances, balance transfers, overseas transaction cost, fees for duplicate statement, card replacement fees, cash withdrawal on credit card, card replacement fee, etc. Most of the credit card companies lure you with their offerings and in a hurry to get the card, we tend to ignore these charges. So, don’t make haste while choosing the card, ask the company about the same. Moreover, ask the credit card company about the penalties in case there is a delay in payment. Find out the card which offers no transaction fees and zero per cent interest for at least 12 months. Don't go for the credit cards that ask for extra payment for reward points.
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Advanced Features- See if the credit card company you are choosing is ready to provide you with the advanced feature for card protection like electronic chip protection, bio-metric cards, no duplicate holograms, anti-phishing and online fraud system.
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Balance Transfer- While choosing credit, apart from the above-mentioned factors, you need to also consider the balance transfer feature offered by the card. Some of the key factors that you must consider include:
- The current rate of payment
- Ask the credit card company provider if they have an introductory APR offer
- What would be the rate you need to pay after introductory APR offer expires.
- Is there any fee that you need to pay when you transfer all or a part of your balance to the new card. This is also known as balance transfer fee.
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Don’t get swayed away by the advertisement- Most of the time it happens that while buying credit cards, we get swayed away by the advertisement and pleasing offers that the credit card companies offer. But, when it comes to buying the credit card, the scenario gets topsy-turvy. There are many hidden points between the lines and conditions apply which we cannot understand, and thus, it becomes necessary that while choosing the credit card we must thoroughly understand the offers by the credit card company. A good way to understand this is by comparing the cards online. Afinoz helps you to do the comparative analysis based on the APR, fees, penalties, rewards, balance transfer and other features.
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Trip cancellation insurance- If you love to travel then this feature offered by some credit cards will lure you. For example, the booking has been done and for some reasons, you could not travel then all you are left with is a big bill. With the trip cancellation insurance, you can easily save on this. Ask your credit card provider if they have a card that comes with this feature.
Most Popular Credit Cards for 2019
S.No. |
Name of the Card |
Annual Fee |
APR |
Key Feature |
1
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
There is no annual fee for the first year, and then the user has to pay $95 per year. |
17.99%–24.99% (variable rate) |
|
2 |
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
|
There is no annual fee for the first year, and then the user has to pay $95 per year.
|
14.24%, 22.74% or 26.24%, the interest rate depends on the credit score of the user. |
|
3 |
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card |
$89 |
17.99% - 24.99% (Variable rate) |
|
4 |
Citi® / Advantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® |
The user needs to pay $99 for the first year. |
18.24% to 26.24% based on your creditworthiness |
|
5 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card |
$149 |
17.99% - 24.99% (Variable rate) |
|
6 |
Discover it® Cash Back |
No Annual Fee |
13.99% - 24.99% (Variable rate) |
|
7 |
Chase Slate® |
No Annual Fee |
16.74% - 25.49% (Variable rate) |
|
8 |
Discover it® Student Cash Back |
14.99% - 23.99% Variable |
No Annual Fee |
|
9 |
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card |
14.74% - 27.24% variable |
No Annual Fees |
|
10 |
Citi Simplicity® Card |
16.24% - 26.24% variable |
No Annual Fees |
|
11 |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
16.99% - 25.74% variable |
No Annual Fee |
|
12 |
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card |
16.74% - 25.74% variable |
$95, waived first year |
|
13 |
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express |
15.24% - 26.24% variable |
No Annual Fee |
|
14 |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card |
No Annual Fee |
16.99% - 24.99% (Variable rate) |
|
15 |
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card |
No Annual Fee |
15.24% - 21.24% (Variable rate) |
|
16 |
Credit One Bank® Visa® Credit Card |
$0 - $99 |
19.99% - 25.99% (Variable rate) |
|
17 |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express |
No Annual Fee |
14.49% - 21.49% (Variable rate) |
|
18 |
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® |
No Annual Fee |
26.96% (Variable rate) |
|
19 |
Capital One® Secured Mastercard® |
No Annual Fee |
26.99% (Variable rate) |
|
20 |
Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card |
$95, waived first year |
16.74% - 25.74% variable |
|
Conclusion- There are other factors like credit score and incentives that you should consider while figuring out the right credit card for yourself. Credit cards are a great source of financial assistance especially in times of emergency but you must know that it comes with a liability of repayment and delay in this can adversely affect your credit score. This analysis becomes an important parameter while you consider buying a credit card. Remember, credit cards look lucrative but at the same time you need to make the payments on time, a delay in the same may adversely impact your credit history. So, make your decision wisely.
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