Friday, June 29, 2007

Apply For A Credit Card Online

Credit cards can make a consumers shopping experience quite convenient and being able to apply for a credit card online could not be simpler. There are several things that you should keep in mind while finding a place to apply for a credit card online to make sure you not only get the best possible card for your spending needs.

You want to pay attention to the interest rates on the credit cards that you are looking to apply for online. A good portion of the time a credit card will offer a very nice introductory rate and unfortunately a large portion of consumers do not realize that the interest rate that they first receive is not going to be the same interest rate they will have six months down the road.

When looking to apply for a credit card online you will also want to pay attention to items like grace periods and fees applied for things like not paying off your entire monthly balance. Reading the fine print before you apply for a credit card online is a wise consumer decision. This way you know things like how long you have to pay the balance on your credit card before interest charges will apply.

Comparison shopping is never a bad thing when looking to apply for a credit card online. Consumers need to make sure that they are aware of all credit cards options that will fit their particular spending needs before choosing a credit card to apply for online. Nothing would be worse then getting your credit card and finding out you could have gotten a much better deal with another credit card company.

Being well informed is the best thing you can do for yourself when looking for a credit card. Knowing exactly what you are going to be needing a credit card for is going to help make being able to apply for a credit card online a much more successful experience.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Tips For How to Apply For a Credit Card


There are many people young and old that are in great need of a credit card. This can be for many reasons. Some people need help with bills that they don't have the cash for. Others want a credit card so they don't have to carry cash. Some people need one to go on vacation. Whatever the reason is, most people feel they need a credit card. Unfortunately, credit cards are not handed out like candy. Most people have to apply for a credit card before they can get one. If you are looking into getting a credit card, please read on to get some tips on how to apply for a credit card.

There are several ways to apply for a credit card. You can go online, call the credit card company, or fill out the application by mail. Keep in mind that when you apply for a credit card, you will have to give out your personal information. All credit card companies will need your social security number as they will use it to run a credit check on you. This is why it is best to have the best credit you can have when you apply for a credit card.

Before you apply for a credit card, you should do some research on which credit card company has the best APR rate and bonus programs. Many credit card companies have a low introductory APR rate for new credit card holders. Some credit card companies even offer no APR for 12 months! But remember, to get this kind of a deal, you probably need to have good credit. The bonus programs credit card companies' offer can vary. Some offer cash back bonus awards. Some have free airline mileage. Others give you points towards merchandise.

The last things you should look into when you apply for a credit card is if there is an annual fee to have the card and what your credit limit is. Some cards have an annual fee you must pay just for having their credit card so you may not want this type of credit card. When deciding on a credit limit, most credit card companies will base it on your income and credit score. Never get a credit limit that is too high for you to handle.

These were all of the most important tips on how to apply for a credit card. Be sure to do your research before you apply for a credit card. There are dozens of companies to choose from. Take you time and pick the best credit card that will suit your needs before you apply. This way you won't waste you time or your money!

Friday, June 8, 2007

5 Things to Know Before Applying for Your First Credit Card


A credit card is a big deal to young adults. It’s one way for them to feel like they’re part of the grownup world. But credit cards can also be a way for a youngster to get themselves into serious adult trouble before they’re ready for it. That’s why it’s important to follow a few important—but luckily simple—steps when shopping for your first credit card.

1. Shop Around

One of the first things you should know about getting your first credit card is how to shop around. Sure, you probably get a few dozen credit card offers in the mail every month. And every time you go to a ballgame, somebody offers you a free beach towel if you join their credit card. But these offers may not be the best. Try doing your own research on the Web to find the best credit cards for your situation.

2. Compare Annual Percentage Rates

Once you come up with a list of cards you may want to apply for, compare their interest rates, or the percentage fee they charge you for debt left on your card every month. It’s important to know the difference between variable rate cards, and fixed rate cards. Variable means that the interest rate can change over time, so it may start out extremely low, but in six months, it could triple, quadruple, etc.

3. Compare Fees and Grace Periods

Don’t just compare interest rates on cards either. You should know each card’s annual fee, grace period (or time they give you to pay off each month’s charges), late-payment penalty fees, over-the-limit penalty fees, and charges for cash advances. Of course, for these penalties and cash advance fees, you hopefully will never have to experience them firsthand. But it’s still important to know what they are just in case.

4. Read the Fine Print

Also read the fine print of any credit card deal. Some cards offer great interest rates, fixed or otherwise, but warn that these low rates disappear as soon as you make one late payment. Credit card companies put this and many other loopholes in their contracts to make the most money off a person with too much debt and too little responsibility. Be aware of them so you can avoid them.

5. Review the Agreement

Once you figure out which card you want and apply for it, you should get the card and the full agreement in the mail. Make sure you review this agreement completely to make sure that you’re getting everything you agreed to—the right interest rate, spending allowance, etc. These things can change during the card’s approval process.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

how to apply to...


Credit cards are irresistible it seems - the majority of Americans own at least one or two each. And it certainly doesn't hurt their appeal that they are so easy to obtain. Here is a guide on how to apply for a credit card online.

First of all, you will want to carefully compare the different credit card offers out there, as they all vary from detail to detail. You must decide what exactly you will be using the card for and how likely it will be that you will pay the balance on time every month. This information will then determine what kind of card is best for you - perhaps one with low APR or minimal extra fees or lots of benefits. Furthermore, you must find out what credit cards you even qualify for in the first place!

The better a credit report you have, the more attractive a card you can obtain. Your credit history is based upon your reputation for paying bills on time and spending money within your credit card limit. Not only will late and over-the-limit fees hurt your piggy bank, ensnaring you in credit card debt, but it will also hurt your integrity as a loan applicant. You may not even be able to buy a car or a house if your credit report is poor. So it's a good idea to order a credit report so you can then know exactly what your options are.

Now that you've done a bit of research and financial planning, you can scout out the various credit card plans available. Once you've found one that suits you, you'll find that applying for it is incredibly easy as you can apply for a credit card online and even get online credit card approval (sometimes even instantly)!

All you have to do is visit the website of the financial institution that carries your favorite card, and then proceed to its convenient, online application. Almost all the major institutions, from Mastercard to American Express, will offer this easy application process. Not to mention, each company website will provide up to date, in-depth information about the plan you are interested in.

Mastercard's website, for example, allows you to fill out a few forms defining what type of credit card you are looking for. Then it will give you a list of all the offers it has that falls in line with your desires. The Orchard Bank Silver Mastercard is built to help those who need to reestablish their credit while the Orchard Bank Gold Mastercard accomplishes the same thing but also allows a cardholder premium benefits! So there's obviously dozens of options for people of many different budgets and purposes. And shopping online is the easiest way to sort through it all.