Credit Card Guide » Interest Free Credit Cards

APR Credit Card Zero

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:55:46 +0000

You may be wondering why you owe so much with your credit cards. Could it be that you are shopping way too much? Or you just tend to overspend? Well, aside from those two reasons alone, there is one culprit that you may just be overlooking. This is what is known as the interest rate. Credit cards are nice to have and convenient to use on certain purchases but interest rates can actually make it even tougher for you to pay those bills. This is where you can probably get some help out of using zero APR credit cards.

These credit cards are actually quite famous because they allow people to spend without the added interest. Of course, before you get too excited, be aware that these APR credit card zero offers are limited. This means that the APR zero interest offers are actually only good for a few months. Credit card companies like to offer this so that people can learn of the benefits of credit card use. But after the offer is over, the zero APR offers revert back to their 9 to 11 percent interest rates.

Still, zero APR offers can actually help you get out of debt. This is because you can use the offer for such things like transferring old balances from high interest cards to the lower interest or zero interest cards. What this means is that you can start paying your debt without the interest if you transfer the balance from the 18% to 24% interest rate credit card to the zero percent card.

Another thing you can do with your zero APR credit cards is save money by moving high balances to them. You can save up to $100 a month just by doing so. Think about saving $100 a month. That’s a lot of money because even if the zero percent interest is temporary, in the end you will have $600. You can now use that money to pay off the principal debt instead of paying off just the interest.

Using a zero APR credit card also means that you can probably stop using your high interest credit card altogether. By transferring the debt and then erasing it completely because of easier payments, you can then make the decision to stop using that last credit card that you had. This will definitely help you with your financial problems. All you need is to be smart and patient.

Airline Mile Credit Card

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:53:36 +0000

One of the best incentives that you can get as a traveler with a credit card is one that offers some kind of frequent flyer miles program. Collecting miles as you travel is a great way to enjoy the rewards that you get from them. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. Firstly, using your credit card to buy airline tickets to get you miles; and, secondly, buying all sorts of other things while at the same time still collecting the miles so that you can benefit from the rewards.

Now, before you actually try and figure out what the best airline mile credit card is for you, you must first research which credit cards out there actually offer such a program. Once you single them out, you can then proceed to see if their benefits are real and that they are attainable according to your spending habits. In a nutshell, you should know of two things:

• The points that you make by spending using a credit card (or points per dollar)
• The expiry date of these points if in fact they really do expire.

Those two factors are probably the most important things that you should find out before getting a credit card that has support for flyer miles. There are also two types of cards that you should keep your eye on. The first kind of card is the airline sponsored credit card. These are usually sponsored by an airline that is most prominent in your locale. This is good for you if you use that particular airline and the benefits are tremendous as you use the credit card. However, you might live in a place that is not really monopolized by a certain airline. Now, this is where a bank sponsored credit card can come in handy. Some bank sponsored credit cards will actually help you get points for any airline and not just one. This means that you can collect miles and use them on any airline when you want to take advantage of the benefit. This is really important to keep in mind when you are shopping around for a credit card you want to double as a frequent flyer mile card.

Think about these things carefully before jumping into any snazzy offers being made to you. In the end, you should make a good decision and end up with the right card that will help you not only spend well, but travel well too.

Secured Business Credit Card

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:52:28 +0000

Many companies nowadays are obtaining business credit cards for their employees to use whenever they go out and purchase supplies. Usually a bank will look at the credit history and rating of the company before it issues a credit card to them, meaning that their credit ratings should be outstanding if they hope to be approved. However, there are also other ways that businesses go about getting credit cards, and one way is through getting a secured business credit card.

This kind of credit card may require the company to open a savings account and deposit money which can be taken by the bank in any event that the company cannot pay off its debts. In other words, the company is putting up a deposit as a security so that it can borrow money from the bank. The main drawback of having a secured business credit card is that services and fees may cost a little more than a regular credit card. However, it ensures the managers of the business that the card expenses are taken care of in the event that bills cannot be paid, which reflects better on the company’s image.

The main reason businesses get these secured credit cards is also for good recording and accounting purposes. By using the cards, the employees are discouraged from handling company cash and whenever a purchase is made on the business credit card, it is recorded accordingly and everything is reflected for good bookkeeping. Here are some ways businesses can prepare to apply for a secured business credit card:

• Your business should have something of value to put up as collateral, such as real estate or even shares of the business. This is the security that you will be putting up when applying for a business credit card.

• Always compare the fees and interest rates on the credit card and make sure that your company can afford such rates and fees.

• It would also be a good idea to find out what rewards programs your company can avail of while they have this secured credit card. This kind of program may allow you to take part in discounted rates whenever you purchase supplies or equipment.

• Always get some kind of insurance on your business credit card to protect your business from theft and fraud.

• Always make payments on the card on time in the appropriate amounts. This action alone can save you hundreds of dollars in late charges, fees and interest.

Lowest Rate Credit Cards

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:50:21 +0000

When you are applying for a credit card or shopping around to get the best one, the first thing you should do is look at the interest rates that some of these companies are offering. It is very important that you get the lowest rates that you possibly can in your area because the interest rates are usually the problem behind people falling into debt. This is really easy to think about and easy to plan out but you really should do the right research and make all the right moves so that you can get a credit card that will not end up being your crutch in the future.

The thing about credit cards is that credit card companies are always competing to get you as one of their customers. This means that you will have a lot of lowest rate credit card offers from all sorts of institutions. Here are some things that you should keep in mind.

• Zero percent APR credit cards don’t last – This simply means that when a credit card offers zero percent on interest when you make purchases, the longest that you can actually enjoy zero percent is probably 6 months. After 6 months you might not know but your interest rates can shoot up anywhere from 18 to 24 percent! What you need to do is find a credit card that will be less than 10% interest after the introductory zero percent APR.
• The APR – This is something you really need to understand. An APR stands for annual percentage rate. This is basically the basic cost of using a credit card and APR’s can be really high after the zero percent promotions. This is the rate that you need to keep your eyes on as a smart consumer.
• Know your credit score – The next thing to do to get a low rate credit card is to make sure that you know your credit score. Financial institutions will be able to provide you with your score which can be anywhere between 300 and 850. This will help you find out what kind of credit card you should be applying for.
• Browse the credit card market – There are all sorts of credit cards out there, not just one or two. Make sure that you know of all the credit cards that you can and also of their offers. Of course, you can’t take too much time making a decision because you may need a credit card already. But the point is that you should always make a safe decision.

Best Airline Miles Credit Cards

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:48:09 +0000

Do you travel a lot by air? If you do, then availing of the best airline miles credit cards can save you a bundle in the long run. Being a frequent flyer of an airline definitely has its perks. By signing up onto their frequent flyer program, you can be assured of great deals and discounts whenever you travel. So why not get an airline miles credit card? This nifty card serves a double purpose. You can charge your ticket fares on it and avail of frequent flyer points when you do so.

The advantages of getting a credit card that also serves as an airline miles card is that you can accumulate points whenever you travel which are redeemable on several major airlines. Not only this, you can apply your travel rewards and points in other places aside from air tickets, but in hotel accommodations, car rentals, and other services as well.

Here are some ways that you can get a really good deal when using your airline miles credit card:

• If you are a frequent air traveler, then you should definitely get a credit card to get airline miles. By traveling more you can avail of more rewards and discounts.

• Many frequent mile credit cards may require you to make at least one purchase on your airline miles credit card first before it activates for bonus miles. A good idea would be to charge your trip onto your card so that your miles can be recorded and possibly be applied retroactively.

• There are two kinds of airline miles credit cards, one that serves to cover only a specific airline and the other to cover several major airlines. If you travel several airlines whenever you take your business trips, then it is better to get the general airline miles credit card. But if you are a more discerning passenger who likes to travel only using one carrier, then it is best to get and airline specific credit card.

• Always check the fees and charges made on your airline miles credit card. Every program has its service fee, so make sure you know exactly what the annual fee on your card is along with other extra charges whenever you make a purchase using your card.

• If you are a good payer of bills and are organized enough to always be on top of your expenses, then definitely use your card as much as you can and pay it off accordingly. Being a responsible card holder will help you get the miles and points that you need without the extra interest charges since you have good control over your budget.

New Business Credit Card

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:30:00 +0000

Have you started a new business and are you wondering about how you can monitor spending? Then maybe your organization can start thinking of getting a new business credit card for company use. It is a useful tool for specified employees because it can be used to purchase items through a cashless transaction.

When attaining a business credit card, the same precautions and prudent management of the card is still required. By assigning trustworthy employees in handling the business credit card, you will find that your business can still run smoothly without the hassles of doing transactions on a cash basis. Credit is a new way that businesses manage purchases effectively and efficiently.

Here are some advantages in obtaining a new business credit card for your business needs:

• Itemization is done in a more organized and easy manner. In small business, tracking business expenditures and purchases can be a headache, especially in terms of categorizing items. By having a business credit card, you can get a good summary of all the transactions that you have made which will properly itemize each purchase. This way the bookkeeping process is made easier.
• Prevents the mixing of personal and business transactions. When you have a small business, there is a tendency for the employer to mix up expenses. With a credit card assigned especially for business, this can be remedied. By tax time, you can be sure that you will have your company and personal expenses properly separated and itemized.
• This is a great way to manage the spending of your employees. Instead of worrying about cash transactions, all they need to do is to bring the card with them, swipe, and all their purchases are recorded by a third party. This is a great tool to monitor company spending and having a good organized record in the end.
• By getting a credit card for your business, you are building your business’s credit. If you maintain a good account, pay it on time, and monitor its use properly, then you can be sure that your business will have the good credit history that it deserves. This opens up more opportunities in the future for you business to make business loans.
• Many banks have great rewards programs for credit cards specifically being used by businesses. Since businesses tend to spend more on supplies and other materials, great discounts and rebates await businesses that use their cards to purchase office supplies.

Lowest Credit Card Rates

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:28:57 +0000

With the problems many are facing nowadays in terms of high interest in credit card debts, it is not unusual to find many who are looking for the lowest credit card rates. Interest rates on credit cards usually range between 3 to 21 percent on average for different credit cards. Depending on your credit history and credit score, this interest rate will vary. The better your credit history, the better the interest rate you will get, and vice versa.

However, there are still ways to find the lowest interest rates that you can avail of on your next credit card. Here are some tips on fining the lowest credit card rates:

• Every credit card company has a customer service, so it is best to find out as much as you can about their credit cards through this service. Find out what the different standard interest rates are if you make an application. Since the credit card business is a very competitive one, chances are you will find a pretty good rate that will suit your needs.
• Do some thorough research on the internet, by phone, and by any other means possible. The internet is already a pretty good source of information, now that banks are feeling the competition and are trying to make information more readily available to consumers. Ask other people about the banks and credit cards that they use. Get brochures from banks whenever you visit. This way, you will be able to find out what low interest rates will suit you.
• If you already own a credit card, then most probably you are on a list that banks will target when they offer low interest rates to transfer your credit card debts to their bank. If you are looking for low interest rates for this purpose, then you can be sure that banks will be sending you great offers on low interest rates that you can avail of.
• If you find a credit card that offers little or no interest, don’t be pulled in too easily. Find out more about the kind of credit card that is being offered. Usually such low rates will last only a couple of months to a year then they transfer back to regular rates. Or sometimes the interest rates are low, but the monthly fees are very high. Be wary of seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers.
• Always read the fine print when you find a special offer. The fine print will usually provide you with more exact information on the charges and fees that will be charged to the credit card monthly.
• You can join a credit union to avail of special rates. Since unions exist to get the best possible deals for their members, then this is a sure-fire way of availing of the low interest rates that you seek.

No Interest Credit Card

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:54:53 +0000

It may seem like it is too good to be true, but several credit card companies do offer no interest credit cards. By availing of such a credit card, you can be assured of paying for things that you purchase at their exact purchasing price and without added costs.

When credit card companies offer you a credit card in your name, they are basically giving you an opportunity to use the card to a certain monetary limit, which is almost like a loan. However, these money limits come with strings attached, and these are the interest rates. So, the longer you take to pay off the amount that you borrowed on the credit card, the more interest accumulates on your borrowed amount. But if you pay off the amount immediately, there is a good chance you will pay a very minimal interest or no interest at all.

So, when getting a credit card from a company, an individual is usually mindful of what the interest charges are monthly and annually on the available credit line. By checking out the interest rate on the credit card, you can usually figure out if the card is worth getting or not.

But believe it or not, some banks do offer 0% interest on credit cards, and usually these offers are given to customers with outstanding payment histories on other credit cards. When a bank offers you a no interest credit card, it is probably because you pay your bills on time and are a responsible cardholder. So if you get such an offer from a bank, then this is good news for you!

The next question is should you accept a credit card that gives no interest charges? This is entirely up to you. If you have an excellent credit history, whether you take the card or not will not make a difference for you. However, there are some great advantages of accepting the card.

Most importantly, you can pay off the amounts that you use on the card over longer periods of time because there is no accumulated interest! If you have a regular credit card, and you buy something today and pay it off tomorrow it makes a big difference compared to if you pay it over 6 months. But with the credit card without interest charges, there is no difference at all! In fact, it will really help your cash flow if that is something that matters to you.

Credit Card Prepaid

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:54:00 +0000

With prepaid credit cards, people with bad credit can actually breathe a sigh of relief because they can take advantage of a card service that is equal to major credit cards. It’s convenient to use, available, and there is always a guaranteed approval when you apply for one. Here are the advantages of the credit card prepaid system that you can enjoy today.

• Prepaid cards are based on the money that you deposit in an account. This means that even if you have a bad credit, you can get this card because you have to open an account to get a prepaid card. You can get one without having your credit background checked, you don’t need employment verification and you will undoubtedly be approved for one.
• You can get them online. Additionally, if you make your deposits online, you will enjoy the card without the monthly, annual and miscellaneous fees! Prepaid cards use the deposited money so there are no repayments that you need to make and you will never have to worry about late payments and penalties.
• They are accepted as major credit cards. In fact, you might be surprised that they are accepted more than major credit cards are. This is because it’s as good as cash. You can use the prepaid credit cards on the Internet, over the phone and other vending areas.
• Overspending is not an option. Again, you can only spend as much as you have in the account so you can really help yourself control your spending.
• You can easily add money to your prepaid credit card so that you can use it again. This is especially important because there are some major hotels, motels, airlines, and other places that will only take major credit cards and prepaid cards instead of cash. Simply deposit online or directly through your bank.
• Prepaid cards can be used to get cash so they can be used just like regular ATM cards. They can even be used on the same machines, depending on the card that you get. Transactions are really safe and you have a pin number to make things more secure.
• There are some prepaid credit card services that will report directly to major credit bureaus. This means that you can really improve your credit standing just by using these cards and your history will be much better than it was before.

Credit Card Balance Transfer

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:52:45 +0000

Many banks today, in an effort to get more customers, will offer credit card balance transfers to customers using credit cards of other banks. They offer very low interest rates when making these offers, but consumers must keep in mind that these are usually introductory offers that may only last for a few months to a year at best, and then the rates go back to being the same as what the previous bank was charging.

A credit card balance transfer is perfect for those who have the diligence and control to pay off the amounts they owe within the specified introductory periods to save some money, but for those without the diligence may come across a bigger problem than they bargained for. If you are considering making a balance transfer to another bank, here are some things that you may want to consider:

• Check out how long the low interest periods last. If they last between 6 to 12 months and you are confident that you can take care of your full debt before that period expires, then you should definitely make the transfer. But if you are still not sure that you will even be able to handle the amount after you transfer it, then you may just have to stick it out with your current bank.
• Find out all the different deals that are available. The low interest rates are not standard. Some banks may even offer a 0% interest rate for a few months which is very good especially if the amount you owe is not so high.
• Find out how the whole balance transfer process works. You might be stuck with extra charges that you don’t want. Do you research and find out as much as you can about what will happen if you sign up and get approved. You can sit down with a representative to help you calculate the different amounts that you can save if you make a balance transfer.
• Don’t make assumptions about your balance transfer and that there are no strings attached. Your balance transfer may involve you making higher minimum monthly payments once you make the transfer, so make sure that you can meet these requirements before signing up.
• Don’t forget about your old card once your balance transfer is made. Chances are your last credit card will still be active even if there is a zero balance on it, and pretty soon they will charge an annual membership fee on it and send you the bill. Decide whether or not you will close out your old card or continue it. Just make sure you go through all the processes of closing out your old credit card before focusing on your new account.