Find The Best Low APR Credit Card

By Robert Alan

There are many different kinds of credit cards on the market today and the most sought after is the low APR credit card and with good reason. Low APR credit cards will give you the lowest interest rates throughout the year, saving you money.

In the process of finding the best low APR credit card, be sure to look for one that is suitable for you. Take a look at some of the credit cards that are on offer, so you know which ones are available to you. The low APR credit cards offer a wide range of extras including reward schemes where you get a percentage of cash back on purchases at grocery stores, bookstores and in some cases even on gasoline. You will find the cash back offers normally range between one percent and five percent.

The APR is the Annual Percentage Rate. This rate takes into account set up fees, interest rate and other factors included in the lenders agreement. It is the rate charged that you would be obliged to pay over a one year period on your low interest credit cards. It is good for the borrower as you can calculate just how much you are going to pay and if the rate offered is within your budget. The APR will vary between lenders, depending on how competitive the lender is. Lenders looking to attract new customers for their low APR credit cards may offer the best introductory rates. If you are taking out a secured loan against your property, then the APR is normally calculated in relation to the sum you are borrowing in comparison to your property's value. This means you may not qualify to get the lower rates on offer. Also if you have had difficulty obtaining credit, or a poor credit rating in the past, then it is unlikely you will be offered the low interest credit cards.

Some low interest credit cards offer a permanent low rate. Other low APR credit cards give you an introductory offer where you get a lower rate for a fixed period of time, maybe six to nine months. As an example you may get a card with a six months 5% APR, then a 12% APR thereafter. This means for the first six months you will only be charged an annual interest rate of 5% on your balance, or purchases. However any purchases or balances that are outstanding after six months will be charged at a rate of 12%.

A low APR credit card is used by many people to make large purchases. They take advantage of the low rate offered, so they can have a few months to pay off the balance. Using your low interest credit cards this way can save you quite a lot of money. It is important however to fully read and understand the terms of the introductory rate offered. You don't want to end up by paying interest or fees you don't need to.

The best offer that a lender will give you is of course 0% APR rather than just the low interest credit cards. Many offer this for an introductory period only. Don't just jump in and sign an agreement with a company because they offer 0% APR. Always take into consideration what their normal rate is going to be. It is this rate you are going to pay interest on, so you don't want the permanent APR to be too high.

If you already have credit cards it may still be well worth looking at changing to another low APR credit card. Many lenders will let you transfer the balance from your current low APR credit cards to a new card. You may be able to save a lot of money by doing this, if the rates are lower than you are currently paying. There is nothing to stop you changing every time your low interest credit cards introductory rate is about to finish, and is well worth considering.

For more on low APR credit card offers, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

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Instant Credit Card Approval - Is It Truly Instant?

By Robert Alan

The reality of instant credit card approval is somewhat different from what most people truly think. However, this does not mean that it is not the right decision for many people out there looking for a new credit card.

You see the ads all the time in newspapers, magazines, TV and on the Internet. "Instant Credit Card Approval - Apply Today!" Now you think to yourself, I could do with a new credit card, especially some instant approval credit cards. I'll apply now and have my application sitting on their desk tomorrow, and have a new card by the end of the week. You might even use the Internet and get your instant approval credit card online. All you need to do is fill in an online form and you'll get your card by mail in a day or two. It's that simple! Isn't it?

Well the reality of actually receiving instant approval credit cards this way may be a little different. When companies advertise instant credit card approval, their definition of instant and your definition may be somewhat different. Now, to you or me applying for instant approval credit cards means you get your card back instantly – right away. Now for most of the credit card company's the meaning of instant approval should read -we will start processing your application immediately.

The credit company will check your credit using the information available from credit bureaus. They normally search for information regarding your past credit history and your current status. It's normal for a bank or credit card lender to get three or more of these reports and analyze them to make sure they make the right decision whether to give you credit or not. Unless you have an exceptionally good credit rating, sometimes as high as the top 4% in the country, then there's no way you will get instant credit card approval. This type of search and analysis will take up to three days maybe longer. Yes-even if you have applied for an instant approval credit card online. They will still perform the same searches. It's going to be at least four to five days but usually longer (a week or two) before your card will reach you.

If you have poor credit rating it's probably not worth your while applying for an instant approval credit card online. When you get to the website of the majority of lenders, you'll find it says these instant credit card approval offers are normally only available to people who have a good credit rating. It's important you look closely at the terms and conditions stated by the card issuer or bank. Although most of them will state clearly that to be considered for these kind of instant approval credit cards you must have a good credit rating, it's still worth applying. The companies aren't going to break the rules, but they may bend them slightly if your credit rating is near to their qualifying standard. Don't forget card companies and banks need customers, the person that's dealing with your application may well take a chance and approve your application.

You may be lucky and receive notification quickly that you have been approved for an instant approval credit card online. The card will be mailed to you, you receive it and you can then go and buy whatever you want. That is quite a common misconception for people who apply for instant approval credit cards. They think they have instant access to the credit that's been approved. A lot of banks and credit card companies will have a process where you have to validate the card, normally by phone.

As you can see, although instant credit card approval isn't quite as instant as you might expect, it's still a lot quicker than the old way of sending an application by snail mail, and waiting weeks for approval, so why not take look at the options available and apply today? An instant approval credit card online might just be what you have been waiting for.

For more on instant credit card approval offers, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

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Credit Card Rebates – How They Wor

By Robert Alan

Simply put, a credit card rebate is a cash reward a credit card company gives you for using their card. In terms of how the card actually works, the company that issues the rebate credit card charges the vendor from whom you make the purchase. You make the purchase from that vendor because you are getting cash back through your rebate credit card. The credit card company shares its earnings from vendor tie-ups with you, and thus attracts more customers. So everyone benefits.

Types of Rebate Credit Cards

There are a number of different rebate credit cards that cater to different types of people. The credit card rebate that works for Jack may not work for Jill. Or in starker terms, one mans meat is another mans poison. Some rebate credit cards are tailored for businessmen. Some credit cards give very high rebates up to 5% through certain programs. If you find that you fit into that program, and the purchases you normally make are in line with those offered by that program, you stand to save a lot of money

Again if you are a doting mother who just can’t get enough toys for her kids, you can find a credit card that gives you rebates every time you do that. A certain rebate credit card would be perfect for someone who couriers frequently. Such a person should find a credit card that gives him rebates on payments to a courier company.

Some rebate credit cards can give you up to 10% in credit card rebates on certain purchases for a specified period. If you fit in there, you stand to save a bundle!

But how do you find the card that fits in with your needs? The Internet is a good place to start with some of the best rebate credit cards available with a few clicks of the mouse. A little homework can save you money where you never imagined it could.

Credit card rebates offer an advantage to frequent flier miles. You can use the rebates as you want. The rebate credit card can also be an important money management tool which will benefit you for years to come. To benefit the most, take your long term needs into account when choosing your rebate credit card. Be specific to your financial needs. If necessary you can even use two rebate credit cards to take advantage of two bundles of offerings.

Check the Details

Always remember to check for the APR offered by the credit card, as well as the annual fee. There are numerous offers available for rebate credit cards at 0% APR for 12 months and no annual fee for clients with very good credit. Also read the fine print, including the method of calculation. Some methods of calculation prove more expensive at the same interest rate. Remember, your rebate credit card is a tool to use your money wisely. By first choosing the correct tool and then using it well, you can save hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in credit card rebates.

For more information on credit card rebates, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

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Your First Credit Card

By Peter Kenny

If you have never been in debt before or you are young, then getting a credit card can be hard. Strangely, lenders trust people who have been in debt and paid it back more than people who have never had any debt. Although it may seem hard to get a card if you have not gotten one before, there are some ways to get a credit card. If you are unsure about how to go about getting your first credit card, then this article might be able to help you.

Check your credit report

The first thing you need to do is to check a copy of your credit report. This will tell you if you have any problems with credit, and if there are any errors you can clear them up. If your credit rating is good then you should have no problem getting a card.

Apply to your bank

Once you have established that your credit rating is good, then you should apply for your card. The first place you should start is with your bank. If you have a full-time job and have had no credit problems, then you bank is likely to give you a card with a low limit of probably a few hundred pounds. Now that you have a card you can use it and if you pay your bills on time then slowly your credit limit will get better.

Store cards

If your bank will not give you a credit card, you can improve your credit by getting a store card. Although these cards have very high rates, if you spend a little on them and pay it back then you credit will quickly improve.

Don’t over apply

One thing that you should avoid is applying for lots of cards at once. If you do this then the credit process will be started for each and your credit rating will be further weakened. Applying for lots of cards makes you look financially unstable and will harm your chances of getting one good card.

Beware of ‘unbeatable’ offers

If you are applying for a card you might feel the best option is to take one of the ‘amazing’ deals you get in the post every day. These deals offer you really low interest rates and tell you that you have been pre-approved already. All they mean by this is that you are pre-approved to apply, but you can still be turned down and even if you aren’t you are unlikely to get the rates they quote. If you are going to pay your balance each month then the interest rates at first do not matter. Apply to a company you know and trust and that will be fair when you want to renegotiate terms.

Secured cards

One of the best ways to get your first card is to get a secured credit card. This involves you paying a money deposit that is frozen whilst you have the card. This reduces the risk for the lender, and if you show that you can pay your bills then you can get upgraded to an unsecured card quickly.

Never pay fees

One thing you should avoid when getting your first card is to actually pay for it. Although secured cards require a deposit, there are other companies that charge myriad fees before you get hold of the card. If this is the case you may find just the fees eat half of your balance up, which almost defeats the point of getting the card. Even if you are getting a card for the first time you should not have to pay for the privilege.

Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb

For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about credit cards, please visit us at Credit Card and 0% Balance Transfers
http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk

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Obtaining a Credit Card with Bad Credit

By Al Falaq Arsendatama

Credit card companies offer credit cards for people with bad or no credit. Obtaining a credit card with bad credit has become easy. Those companies provide these types of cards to give people with bad credit another chance to improve their individual’s credibility. The limits also vary from one company to another. In this type of card, companies do not verify the credit background of an individual. The individuals however can select a company on the basis of parameters like credit limit, APR, enrolment fee, extended warranty protection, emergency cash transfer and other extra benefits.

Benefits Of Credit Cards For Bad Credit

The credit card company providing credit cards make monthly reports of every individual credit history to major credit bureaus. The firms have an integrated system that makes it well connected with the credit bureaus. The networking provides information of individuals applying for credit cards with bad debts. This ensures individuals to make regular payments on the credit card to improve ones credit history. Once you get a good credit rating, you can even apply for normal credit cards.

How to obtain a Credit Card with Bad Credit

Before applying for a credit card with bad credits, it is essential to evaluate the purpose of such requirement. Along side, one must also verify and compare cards of different companies. The terms and conditions, fees, hidden costs all should be clearly understood before one actually starts using it. Once you have finalized the card, all that is required is to fill in an application. Online applications do not generally take time to answer the request. If an individual had turned down a credit card earlier, then this is one way of getting a credit card.

Prepaid Visa Card

This is a type of pre-paid guaranteed approval credit card. This card requires no upfront payment. One receives the card within three days of submitting an application. This card provides an advance of $1500 directly to the card. They have reward programs too. For every dollar spent, one earns a dollar, which can later be redeemed for gifts or can be adjusted towards the annual fees. In addition to this, they have integrated bill pay service. They also have a number of retail locations nationwide that enables to deposit cash.

Finding a credit card with bad credit can be cumbersome and confusing task. One solution to this problem is to consider a secured credit card. However, this is a right step for getting the full benefits of a credit card, while building ones credit rating.

Applying for credit card for bad credit is very easy. Click here for guaranteed approval credit cards for bad credit. Read and compare bad credit credit card special offers from various companies. Need a quick cash for emergency? Check out instant approval cash advance and get approved within hours.

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Credit Card Charge-Off - What Does It Mean and What Should You Do About It?

By Charles Phelan

Have you been told by a creditor that your debt is about to "charge-off"? Did the bill collector make it sound like you will be ruined financially if you allow this catastrophe to happen? If you're behind on your bills, unable to keep up with payments on your credit cards and other debts, sooner or later you will hear a creditor representative threaten you with the dreaded "charge-off." So what is a charge-off anyway? Should you be worried? What are the consequences of this mysterious event?

I'll start by explaining what a charge-off is NOT. Because the term includes the word "charge," many people mistakenly think it has to do with cancellation of the account by the creditor. In other words, you can't "charge" anything on your credit card anymore. But it's not the same thing at all, and most banks will revoke charging privileges around 2-3 months before the deadline we're talking about here.

What banks and bill collectors call a "charge-off" is the point at which the creditor writes off the account balance as a "bad debt." It usually happens after six months of non-payment. After that, they no longer count it on their books as an asset. You still owe the money, of course. And they will certainly make continued attempts to collect it from you. But the creditor has been forced by the rules of accounting to zero out the debt on their financial ledgers. For causing this loss, they will punish you by placing a derogatory mark on your credit report. A "charge-off" is a serious negative mark, to be sure, but it is not the financial ruination that debt collectors would like to have you believe it is.

Should charge-offs be avoided if possible? Certainly. Does the prospect of a charge-off mean you should panic if you have no way to pay the bill? No! Is it the end of the world if the account has already charged off? No! Too often, bill collectors make a charge-off sound so bad, and they apply so much pressure, that people cave in and make payment commitments they cannot keep. Collectors usually demand payment via post-dated checks, and this frequently leads to bounced checks and even worse financial problems. Most of us are brainwashed by the banks and media on the subject of credit. Sure, good credit is important. But committing to payments you really can't afford just to preserve your credit is like watering the lawn while your house is burning down.

Here are a few simple rules to follow when trying to avoid a charge-off that hasn't happened yet:

* Don’t be intimidated or threatened by pre-charge-off collection tactics. Keep a cool head and don't take it personally when collectors try to get under your skin.

* Call your creditor to find out the minimum payment necessary to avoid the charge-off, and subsequent payments to keep the account current going forward. Don't commit to this payment (or series of payments) unless you're sure you can follow through.

* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement at 50% or less if you have the resources, or a workout plan for monthly payments that you can live with.

* Do not allow bill collectors to talk you into using post-dated checks, or providing your checking account details over the telephone. Instead, make payments via cashier's check or money order.

* Do not make payments based on a verbal arrangement. Get the deal in writing and signed by a creditor representative who has authority to approve the workout plan.

What should you do if you simply don't have the money to rescue the account from charge-off, or if the account has already been charged off by the creditor?

* Take a deep breath and relax; the sky won't fall on your head just because you had a charge-off.

* Realize that you still have an opportunity to resolve the matter by dealing with the original creditor or the collection agency assigned to the account.

* Negotiate a lump-sum settlement with the creditor or collection agency. Again, aim for 50% or less, and ask for the charge-off to be deleted from your credit report as a condition of the settlement. (Most creditors will not agree to this, but it's worth asking anyway. Do be sure that they will update your credit report to show that the matter has been resolved and the account has been satisfied.)

* If you can't work out a deal with the collection agency assigned to your account, then wait until it goes to another agency! Eventually, it will either be assigned or sold to an outfit that you can deal with to get the matter cleared up.

To sum up, a charge-off is not the end of the world. It should certainly be avoided if possible, but not at the risk of making things worse by committing to payments you're not sure you can keep up with. Just remember that the creditor doesn't want to see a charge-off any more than you do, so use that knowledge to your advantage in working out a mutually acceptable arrangement. Get everything in writing, don't disclose your checking account details, and follow up to make sure the creditor reports the matter correctly on your credit report. You'll find that it's easier than you think to resolve a charge-off situation before it happens, or clean it up if it's already taken place.

Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former senior executive with one of the nation's largest debt settlement firms, he is the author of the Debt Elimination Success Seminar™, a five-hour audio-CD course that teaches consumers how to choose between debt program options based on their financial situation. The course focuses on comprehensive instruction in do-it-yourself debt negotiation & settlement designed to save $1,000s. Personal coaching and follow-up support is included. Achieves the same results as professional firms for a tiny fraction of the cost. http://www.zipdebt.com

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