Almost everyone over the age of consent (18 or 21) has or wants a credit card nowadays, and they are accepted in almost every establishment. There are three main kinds of credit card in use in America. The first major sort of credit card is travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full by the end of the month and are generous on spending limits.
The second major sort of credit card is the bank card such as Visa, Master Cards, GM, and Ford cards sponsored mostly by the banks. The bank defines the spending limit, which in bank parlance, is known as the credit line and each bank offers different terms and conditions. Banks offer a selection of payment means: you may either pay the balance in full with no interest charges or pay the minimum or some part of the balance with a finance charge.
The other major type of card is the retail store card, such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These store cards and the ones from gas companies, which are known as fuel cards, are only accepted in specific countries. They usually do not have annual fees. There is a wide variance in the terms and conditions for these cards.
Different sorts of credit cards offer different options. Some are designed for individual consumers, while others are set up in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what sort of credit card fits your needs, you should review a few options.
How to Select your Credit Card.
Credit cards have become a part of life for most people living in the western countries. It's becoming increasingly impossible to avoid them, especially for business men. So, if this is the first time you are thinking to enter into the world of plastic money, here are some of the basic things you should look out for.
First, compare the interest chargeable on all the credit cards for which you are eligible. While the rate may not remain fixed for ever, it's always advisable for first timers to go for the one charging the lowest rates.
Make sure you read the small print carefully, especially on the other charges that can be made, like late-payment fees, annual fees, and whether there is a grace period.
Decide which spending limit is most appropriate for a person of your income. Also the fewer credit cards you have, the better placed you are to track your spending.
Compare the services and other features such as the cash back incentives, or warranties, rebates and such like. Check whether the card is widely enough accepted to cater for your requirements.
You will do yourself a favour by familiarizing yourself with the following terms: 1]
Annual Percentage Rate: this is the measure of the yearly cost of the credit. 2]
Finance Charges: these are the total charges of the transaction. 3]
Period of Grace: This is the period the issuer allows you before he starts charging you interest on new purchases. (Note that not all credit cards have a grace period).
More Information:
If you are thinking onchanging or getting a
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