How many “pre-approved” credit card offers do you get in the mail in the average month that seem to shout at you to accept the offer before it expires? If you’re in the market for a credit card, take some time to shop all the offers to get the best credit card available to you.
First, look into the credit card terms and conditions. These are the fees associated with making purchases on the card, transferring balances to the card, taking cash withdrawals, and late fees. You can easily compare the annual percentage rate between credit card offers. The annual percentage rate is a way to measure what the credit actually costs you. Beware of variable annual percentage rates- and if you are considering credit card offers with variable APR’s, find out how often the rate can be changed, how it effects the finance charges you are billed each month, and what the rate is based on.
Secondly, find out whether or not the cards in question charge an annual membership fee. Annual fees can be anything from $25 to $100 a year, with some platinum credit cards charging several hundred dollars. This is a fee that you are required to pay each year just for...