The truth is, credit card companies are facing serious competition these days, and this is turning out to be a great thing for consumers. With so many different cards competing on interest rates, rewards points and other perks, the introduction of the 0% APR “trial period” has helped some companies stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market.

What this amounts to for me and you is, potentially, a much better deal on our next credit card. But before signing on the dotted line to receive your new 0% APR credit card, it is critical to understand the fine print of these offers, and the potential downsides of these cards. In this article we’ll review the details of zero APR credit card promotions, and outline some of the most important points to consider before accepting a credit card deal.

First, consider what the standard APR is for the card. I’m not talking about the introductory APR, which is obviously 0%, but the standard APR that will kick in as in as the initial 0% period has ended. This should be your first consideration when looking at a zero APR credit card deal, otherwise you could wind up stuck with an extremely high annual percentage rate when the zero APR trial period is over.

Credit card annual interest rates can vary from about 6% to well over 30%. In addition there are both fixed and variable interest rates. Most consumer cards these days use a fixed interest rate, and this is overall a very good thing for consumers. Variable interest rates have a bad habit of varying to the high side, increasing the amount of interest you are paying on your credit card debt just when you least expect it. Staying with a fixed rate card will ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises in the future.

Finally, it is very important to shop around and do considerable research before signing any new credit card deal. APR’s and 0% promotions vary greatly among the various credit card companies. For example, many companies are now offering a six-month zero APR period, but if you search thoroughly, you can find credit cards offering as much as 24 months with 0% interest. I don’t have to tell you that paying no interest or fees on your card for two years is a significantly better deal than for six months!

These 24 month, 0% interest deals are not commonly advertised; however, if you call a few of the credit card companies, or even visit a few local banks and inquire, you might be surprised at how competitive the individual companies are, and the great lengths they will go to in order to secure you as a customer.

By doing your homework and shopping around thoroughly, you will find that the high competition among credit card companies means much greater choice and flexibility to you as a consumer. With a little leg-work, or by searching online, you can easily find a Zero APR credit card deal that benefits you both in the short term, and the long run.

These credit card offers are all great — at first glance. The more discerning ones can see right through the tactics and ploys of many credit card companies. Still, many are lured by the promises in large print; once the deed is done and they are the proud owner of a new credit card, they soon realize the error of their ways.

The problem boils down to the small print, which many fail to pay attention to. In their excitement to get the credit card that is just perfect for them, they neglect to read the more important things associated with the credit card, which are usually specified in fine print.

You can avoid getting into this kind of problem if you do your assignment whenever a credit card offer comes your way. You need to know and understand the different features that come with a particular credit card being offered to you. Usually, this involves having to read the fine or small print. If you are aware of these credit card features, you will know what to look for in a credit card.

* Fees

There are many fees involved in having credit cards. These fees vary from one credit card to another, so before you send in your credit card application, make sure you know all the fees involved with owning and using the credit card you are applying for.

* Annual Fee

There are banks and credit card companies that charge an annual fee for the use of their credit card. However, this fee is usually negotiable if you talk with a credit card company representative. Often times, some companies will waive the annual fee for the first year or reduce it in order to gain new business.

* Cash Advance Fee

If you are planning to use your credit card to make cash advances, keep in mind that there are fees for doing this. The fee for cash advances vary from one credit card company to the next, but the fees are usually high. You will be charged a one-time fee for every cash advance you make. In addition, the interest rate on your cash advance will be considerably higher. Unlike regular credit card purchases where the interest starts to accrue after a grace period, cash advances begin to accrue interest from the moment you take out the cash.

* Transfer Fee

Because of the stiff competition among credit card companies, many offer introductory cash advance and balance transfer rates for a period of time. They usually offer a lower interest rate in order to get you to transfer your balance on your existing credit card to their credit card. This may all sound good, but beware of the fees these companies will charge you for transferring your balance to their card. Before transferring any balances to a new card, find out exactly how much the transfer fee is and if it is reasonable.

* Miscellaneous Fees

Before signing up for a credit card offer, identify the other miscellaneous fees: fees for late payment, fees if you go over your credit limit, set up fees and return-item fees. Make sure that you know all the other miscellaneous fees associated with the credit card so you can decide if you should go ahead and get the credit card or move on to another credit card offer.

* Incentives

Thanks to the stiff competition among credit card companies, we have more credit card options. Every day, credit card companies are trying to come up with the best incentives in order to get new business. Incentives come in the form of rebates, frequent flyer miles, points that can be redeemed for items, and extended warranties on purchases.

So if you frequently travel, for instance, a credit card that lets you accumulate frequent flyer miles and exchange the miles for free travel, travel insurance, car rental insurance or even hotel accommodations is the ideal card for you. If you often use a credit card to purchase grocery, dine out or shop, a credit card that offers cash back for your purchases is a good one to have.

* Rewards

In addition to trying to attract new businesses, credit card companies also work hard at trying to keep their current credit card users. This is the reason they constantly try to come up with ways to have you using your credit card. One way they do this is through rewards. Each time you use the credit card they issued you, you rack up points, which you can later redeem. However, beware of this type of credit card as you will have to use your card many, many times and accumulate a minimum number of points before you can redeem them.

So when you are considering getting a credit card and you are looking over the various credit card offers presented to you, know the different fees associated with each credit card. Know what credit card features you need and don’t need.

If you are interested in taking out a new smart credit card then you should take a look at what banks and other financial institutions offer. Take time looking on the Internet at the different rates on offer so that you are getting the best deal possible. There are a number of websites devoted to finding the best value credit card for you. This will make sure that you save as much money as you can when buying items on credit.

A smart credit card is much cleverer than a standard card; it offers much higher levels of security compared to traditional credit cards. The smart credit card was used way back in 1984, so it’s nothing new. These cards were used to protect people from credit card fraud. These credit cards have a small computer chip on their surface.

Whenever a customer uses the smart card, the identity code is contained in the chip. The card and card reader both link together in order to authenticate the card. All of the information transmitted is encrypted which prevents anyone from viewing the information, which makes it much more difficult for anyone to tamper with the information. These cards have memory, which enables them to record many different details of the customer; they can also be loaded with a number of applications onto one card. A smart card credit card can actually protect you from fraud!

Smart credit cards are revolutionizing the credit card industry and are making it more and more secure. Until these cards were introduced, credit card fraud was more of a problem. Although credit card fraud is still an issue it has been improved by the use of such cards. Credit card security has come a long way, and can only continue to get even better! The security of our money is extremely important.

Whatever the financial institutions can do to make credit cards more secure is welcome. The credit card companies are investing huge amounts of money to make the whole system more secure. Smart card technology is also available on debit. Securing the use of credit cards is a great way to protect people’s money and look after people.

The world has gone credit card mad. At least it seems that way these days, and it is getting more and more difficult to do even basic things without having a decent credit history and at least one major credit card. For example, these days you can’t even check into a hotel without a valid credit card, or rent a car, or lease an apartment, and the list just goes on and on…

But it is possible to quickly and easily establish good credit and obtain a major credit card by taking advantage of credit-building programs like those offered by Orchard Bank. These programs are tailor-made for consumers with little or no credit history, and can even help re-establish good credit for those who have poor credit histories or even bankruptcies in their past.

Before applying for any credit card however, it is advisable that you obtain a copy of your credit report and know your exact credit score. It is easy to get a copy of your credit report free from web sites such as annualcreditreport.com.

Once you are sure of your current credit score, you will have a better idea if an Orchard Bank credit card is right for you. If you have medium credit already, you will probably not need a credit building program at this time. But if your credit score is low or even nonexistent, because of a lack of prior credit history, a program such as that offered by Orchard Bank can
help you secure your very own major credit card, while building a positive credit history.

Before opting for an Orchard credit card however, it is important to understand the terms of the credit building program, and the fees associated with obtaining the card. Normally there is a monthly or annual fee for all credit building programs. Orchard Bank charges a $48 annual fee, which is significantly less than some other lenders. While recently searching online, I found several comparable programs charging as much as $150 annually, plus extra fees for cash advances and other credit card services.

So when you consider the alternatives, an Orchard Bank credit card begins to look like a reasonable solution to building a positive credit history. It is important to understand however, that these types of credit building programs all require you to deposit several hundred dollars into a savings account as collateral in order to obtain the credit card.

The Orchard Bank card works exactly the same way, but cards can be obtained with lower minimum deposits. And of course, all money you deposit into this security account remains yours, and can be refunded to you (with interest) after you have demonstrated a positive payment history over a period of time.

Credit cards of this type are known as secured cards, and the Orchard Bank secured credit card is one of the quickest and easiest ways to establish or re-establish your good credit, and secure a valid major credit card.

Reasons vary for obtaining a credit card but many people use credit cards as a manner of convenience—both in shopping without needing cash and tracking purchases. Many credit card companies offer a summary of spending in various categories such as groceries, restaurants, airlines, etc. which can assist customers with personal accounting.

The convenience of credit cards is tempered with the risk of using them. Even if you guard personal information very closely, there is the risk of identity theft and fraudulent credit card activity. Careful monitoring of credit card activity in tandem with frequent credit report checks can help you avoid falling prey to a criminal.

How to Protect Yourself

Identity theft is prevalent today and each year almost 500,000 Americans are victims of this crime. Criminals are able to gather personal information about a person and then either compromise existing household bank credit card accounts of even establish new accounts for the purpose of purchasing items in your name. The way this information is obtained varies but a few common pitfalls are listed below.

A phone call or email asks for personally identifying information
Do not fall for a person who asks you for your account number, social security or other sensitive information in order to verify your account. If a legitimate financial institution needs to contact you, they already have this information. Feel free to ask them to read your number to you in order to verify. If the person refuses, this should be a red flag and you should immediately end the contact. Additionally, you can ask to speak to a supervisor or get a phone number where you can return the call at your convenience. Being proactive will scare criminals away in many cases.

Do not respond to offers of free prizes
Many times, unscrupulous people will offer a free vacation, car or cash prize but need your account information to process your winnings. Never give this information out and if you think you are really a winner, ask to come to the office in person to hear the terms of the contest.

Frequently check credit card statements and monitor credit reports
Make it a practice to look at credit card statements online weekly. Any fraudulent activity will be spotted quickly and will bolster your case with the bank who issued the card. Credit report monitoring is also helpful to ensure no one has opened new credit accounts in your name. For a small monthly fee, there are many companies who will contact you with any changes in your credit report. This can make credit report monitoring even easier.

Credit cards offer great convenience to consumers and that is one of the reasons to obtain one. By paying attention and protecting personal information, consumers can avoid many of the pitfalls that accompany credit cards. If you own a household bank credit card, you need to be vigilant to avoid becoming the victim of identity theft and other financial crimes.

So how can you choose a card with the best possible interest rate?  In this article we will cover the basics of credit card comparison, to help you choose the best possible card–with the lowest interest rate–available to you.

Every day there seems to be more and more credit card offers showing up in our mailboxes, online, and in television commercials.  The truth is, there is a lot of competition among the credit card companies these days, resulting in several of the big players adopting very aggressive campaigns to attract new customers.

Because of this high competition among credit card companies, there is now something of a “bidding war” going on when it comes to credit card interest rates.  This is great news for you and me as consumers.  With a little research and snooping around, it is now possible to find very reasonable interest rates on a wide variety of credit cards, many of which also offer air miles, hotel upgrades, or other valuable perks.

Begin your search for new credit card by going online.  Searching on Google or Yahoo.com will reveal many credit card comparison sites.  This is a great place to narrow down your search, and you can often compare different cars in a side by side format, noting interest rates, additional fees (if any), and other perks or rewards programs.

Remember, when comparing cards, your first concern is the card’s APR, or annual percentage rate.  No matter how great the cards rewards program is, or how about able the extra perks they are offering you, without a low APR it is very unlikely the card will be a good value in the long run.

If you’re uncomfortable comparison shopping for credit cards online, you might try doing it the old-fashioned way.  Visit a few local banks and inquire about the best interest rate they can offer all on a new credit card.  Many times local banks are much more competitive with each other than you might think.  So if bank A offers you a 9.9 APR, don’t be surprised if bank B is willing to go even lower.  Comparing interest rates among four or five local banks will usually provide you with the lowest rate obtainable in your area.

Finally, there are a few other considerations when searching for the best credit card rate.  Many companies are now offering zero APR for the first six months you own the card.  But if you dig a little deeper, especially by doing research online, you can find companies offering zero APR for a full 12, 18, or even 24 months.  That is effectively zero interest on your card for a year and a half to two years. Be careful in these situations though, that the card in question doesn’t have a high standard APR after the initial period is over.

By following these tips and carefully researching the market, you are sure to get the best rate on your new credit card.

First Premier Credit Card is issued by First Premier Bank. With this card, people with low credit score or with no credit history can still own an unsecured credit card. Most consumer banks either reject unsecured credit card applications from applicants with low credit score or impose usurious interest rates to compensate the high risk of borrowing. First premier bank does exactly the opposite. Said bank gives the credit card application a second look, and if approved, imposes only a manageable Annual Purchase Rate (APR). For a lot of people with credit history far from ideal, this is a second chance to rectify credit errors and a chance to rebuild their credit score.

Advantages of First Premier Card

First Premier Credit Cards charge only a manageable 9.9% interest rate on purchases. A 25-day grace period is allowed in which the interest on purchases won’t be applied. Thus, finance charges and APR can be avoided as long as you pay your previous balance in full before the 25-days grace period.

A First Premier Credit Card holder can avail of a greater line of credit after six months, credit history and credit score notwithstanding. The evaluation review for your greater credit line will be based on how well you have used your First Premier Credit Card for the first six months.

All account activities will be reported to four (4) credit bureaus on a monthly basis. This is an opportunity for yourself to rebuild your credit credibility and pile up those credit score. This is to assume that you are regular in your payments with the First Premier Credit Card.

Application can be done online. Rejection or otherwise approval of the application can be known almost immediately after completion of the online application form.

There are various types/categories of credit cards by First Premier Bank.

Centennial Gold Master Card/Visa

This regular credit card offer by First Premier Bank is designed for those applicants with a fair FICO score of at least 560 points.
Gold Card prestige

Centennial Master Card/Visa

This regular credit card offer is ideal for applicants with FICO score from poor credit to fair credit.

Centennial Classic Master Card/Visa

This unsecured credit card is most suitable for applicants who have no credit history to start with. Applicants with FICO score from zero credit to bad credit will qualify for this credit card offer.

Gold Master Card/Visa

This is an unsecured credit card for those with zero FICO score or no credit history.

Gold Card prestige Master Card/Visa

Unsecured credit card for applicants with a poor credit FICO score.

Classic Master Card/Visa

This unsecured credit card is designed for applicants with a FICO score of poor credit.

All credit card categories carry the logo of Master Card or VISA on your card which means that, not only are you carrying a prestigious credit card, but also your credit card will be taken in as payments worldwide. All categories offer special incentives such as:

9.9% Regular Fixed APR for Purchases

19.9% Regular Fixed APR for Cash Advances

Annual fee of $48

25 days grace period on purchases

To recapitulate, First Premier Bank offers a credit card deal for those people who, somewhere along the way, faced a bumpy road on their finances and consequently declared as bad credit by Credit Bureaus. With First Premier Card, these people are given a second chance to recover their credit reputation without the burden of paying high cost of interest of most credit cards.

But to find the truth about credit card deals you need to go a lot deeper than the television commercials. Sometimes those “perfect” people, with their “perfect” credit cards are neck-deep in debt, and paying extortion-like interest rates!

You also hear a lot of talk about how certain cards will “fit your lifestyle,” when the truth is, the deciding characteristic of any credit card has nothing to do with “lifestyle,” and everything to do with its annual percentage rate, or APR. Getting the best credit card deal means getting a card with a low annual percentage rate — everything else is secondary to this one financial concern.

Even if the card offers all sorts of perks, air miles, or even cash-back bonuses, it still won’t be worth the plastic it’s printed on unless it also has a reasonable interest rate. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few ways to get the best possible credit card deal.

Begin your research by searching online. The Internet makes it simple to compare credit cards, and even do head-to-head comparisons of interest rates, perks, and any associated fees a card may carry. After comparing several different cards you will begin to narrow down your selection. At this point it is critical to check the fine print on each card in order to understand if it is actually a good deal for you or not.

Now, I know this part is boring for many people. It’s so much easier to just look at the pretty people in the advertisements and make a selection based on that. But unless you want to get stuck with a bad credit card deal, it is necessary to thoroughly examine the terms and conditions of the card in question.

I recommend printing out a credit card’s terms and conditions page online so you can review it thoroughly. If you have questions about certain points, do not hesitate to call the credit card company’s customer service and ask specific questions. All major credit cards have knowledgeable customer service departments, and as a potential customer you will find they are more than happy to provide you with any information necessary to help you make your decision.

One common tactic to attract customers these days is to offer a 0% APR for the first six months or so, and no annual fee for the first year. These deals can be worth while, but again, pay special attention to this standard annual percentage rate, so that you don’t get locked into a bad deal after this initial “grace period” has ended.

If you do your homework you can even find credit cards offering 0% APR for up to two full years. Assuming the card in question does not have an unreasonably high APR, this could be the way to go. A low standard APR combined with an extended 0% APR period of a year or more could be the best credit card deal for you.

When you can’t pay the total of your bills every month or when you miss a payment, then you have officially joined the ranks of almost half of Americans who are in debt. Do you get letters requesting payment for services or products you have received? Is the phone ringing early in the morning and late in the evening with creditors and debt collectors wanting to know when exactly you intend to pay? Have your utilities been shut off due to lack of payment? Credit cards cancelled because you are over the limit and can’t afford the minimum monthly payments? Then, yes, you too are in debt, and the best way to get out of it fast is credit card debt consolidation.

Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt in particular is one of the most difficult types of debt to shake. These require minimum payments made by a certain date each month and should you be unable to make the minimum payment or if your check arrives late, you get smacked with a hefty fee – on top of the interest rates that you continually accrue on all unpaid balances.

Another sneaky aspect of credit card debt is that great introductory or promotional rate that the lender gave you. Yes, that low rate was very seductive but it only continues if you make your payments in full and on time. Miss just one payment and they can crank that interest rate as high as they want. In fact, they can up the interest rates after any introductory or promotional periods have passed to as high as they want as long as they notify you. You don’t have to keep the credit card, but you do have to pay off the remainder of your balance before you can close your account.

Credit Card Debt Consolidation

The term alone is intimidating. What does it mean? Credit card debt consolidation is the act of taking all your credit cards, adding up their balances, and creating one (consolidated) credit card bill.

With the help of a financial services agency, you can not only consolidate your credit card debt, but you can make just one payment every month instead of trying to keep up with multiple minimum payments and various due dates. Additionally, the interest charges and over limit payments will no longer add to the principle balance. Your monthly payment will also be smaller.

Since credit cards began with the Diners Club card in the 50s, credit card debt has been a problem for Americans. You can get yourself out of the debt trap by utilizing credit card debt consolidation and save your sanity at the same time you save your wallet.

The best way to select a Chase card that will do the best for you is to compare and contrast the benefits of the cards you are interested in.

Here are some of the traits you should compare in credit cards:

Fees

Many credit cards have fees that they charge in order to allow you to use them year after year. While most people would think that credit card companies would love everyone to spend money with them, some still tack on an annual fee. This is most common with cards that have some sort of reward program. Learn about any annual fees and take into account how much that fee will impact the rewards you could get from the card.

Interest

While many people don’t pay too much attention to interest rates when they first sign up for a credit card, it is the interest rates that will often end up being your biggest enemy in a credit card. For those who pay off their balances every month, the interest rate is not a problem as it never has time to kick into effect. However, if you may be taking a few months to pay off a large purchase a high interest rate can add a lot on to the total of the purchase price by the time you pay it off.

Rewards and Rebates

There are a number of Chase credit card rebate and rewards programs. From airline miles to cash back rebates, there are a lot of great programs out there that can be attached to your credit card usage. While they all may be tempting, you need to choose wisely before deciding one of these cards is the way to go. First make sure the decision you make is for a reward you will use and that will be beneficial. Many of these cards have annual fees so you need to make sure you will be able to make enough off of the rebate or rewards program to make it worth your while to pay that annual fee.

Credit Limit

If you have a habit of making periodic large purchases the credit limit on the card is going to be very important in your decision making process. You need a card that will allow you a limit that makes you comfortable enough with the amount that is available on the card, just in case you decide on a big money buy.

Penalties

Read the details of the card carefully. Many cards have harsh penalties for things like paying a little late. While you may have a nice interest rate at the beginning, just one late payment may be enough to send that rate right through the roof, not to mention the late fee you may be forced to pay.

When choosing a chase credit card, it can be a tough decision to sort through them all, but that time spent will end with you having the perfect card in your wallet.