Credit-Cards/ Banks list

▼    CREDIT CARDS GUIDES / F. A .Q          ▼

▼ Credit Card Guides: Step 1 - Choosing the right Card ▼

To get most out of your Credit Card it's important to decide whether it's actually suited to the purpose for which you intend to use it. It's surprising how many people use a Card that doesn't fit with their spending or repayment habits, and as a result end up paying more than they need for the privilege. A Credit Card is a useful tool if you make it work for you, but remember you can always save money in Interest charges by finding a better deal - the market's awash with them at present. Beware though, Card providers do have tricks up their sleeve and often manipulate their terms & conditions in order to claw back Interest in other ways. The best way to avoid such risk is to use a different Credit Card for each different purpose, that way you'll be getting the most out of your Credit Card for as little cost as possible. So which Card is best for you? Approval Card Credit online.com guide to spending and repayment habits may help you to decide.

• Credit Card Guides for Regular Spenders: Always cleared your balance in full each month

You're often using your Card for purchases - perhaps it's the household shopping or your trips to the petrol station - but if the debt in full each month. Under these circumstances the Interest rate charged is irrelevant unless there's no Interest-free period, in which case you'll pay Interest regardless of how quickly you clear your balance. Many Cards offer an Interest-free period of up to 59 days from the date of the transaction, which gives you some breathing space before your payment's due. Choose a Card with no annual fee and decide whether you'd like to earn a reward or cash back, but ensure the scheme on offer gives you a worthwhile return on your spend. Both cash back and reward schemes come in all shapes and sizes and as a result some are more generous than others. One of the best ways to guarantee you'll always clear your outstanding balance is to set-up a direct debit for the full amount each month.

If you're good at clearing your balance from month-to-month but just occasionally you choose to carry a balance forward. It doesn't sting quite so much if you've prepared in advance by catering for this very situation. In this situation it makes sense to choose a Card that offers a low standard rate, that way Interest charges for those months when it is applied aren't too hefty. Choose no annual fee, and if possible select a Card with a reward or cash back scheme. It's worth noting that these schemes are not always available on the Cards with the lowest rates so do your calculations before you opt for one. 

·        Credit Card Guides on Existing debt that you're determined to clear

If you're determined to clear your outstanding balance - a typical Credit Card debt in the UK in 2003 was £2,200 (Source: Credit Management Resource Centre) - you need to assess just how long it'll take you & how disciplined you'll be with your repayments. If you're only covering the minimum payment each month then your debt could potentially take years to revise, as you'll be repaying little more than the monthly Interest charges. Pay off a fair chunk on a monthly basis and you'll be clearing capital as well as Interest, and ultimately your debt will be reduced far quicker. Either way, it's important to find the Card that'll help to save you the most money. There are always plenty of Cards offering 0% on balance transfers, usually over a term of 5 to 9 months. Switching to a 0% Card really makes sense because all the repayments made during this period will reduce the capital outstanding, therefore the outstanding balance will be much lower at the end of the introductory period. Ideally, once one introductory offer expires you'll transfer your balance to a new Card and as a result will continue to avoid Interest charges.

As an example, a person transferring a £2,000 balance from a Credit Card with a standard APR of 14.9% to a Credit Card offering 0% for 9 months would reduce their outstanding balance by £630 providing they repaid £70 per month and did not add to their balance. During the nine months they'd also save £202.55 in Interest charges, proving that transferring your balance to a 0% Credit Card really does pay.

  If you suspect you'll be a little slow to switch when the introductory period expires then a Card with a low rate guaranteed for the life of the balance could well be your best bet. Whichever Card you choose remember that any new spend will be charged at the standard rate and, in the majority of cases, will be cleared after any debt charged at the promotional rate.

·Credit Card Guides for Poor Credit History or difficult circumstances

It can be difficult to get a Credit Card if you've no previous Credit history. There are Card providers who can help in these circumstances, although the rate you're offered is likely to be based on an assessment of your circumstances and as such may be different than the typical rate quoted. The plus point is this type of Card, when it's used and maintained properly, can help to build or rebuild your Credit rating.

·Credit Card Guides on Special Uses

Withdrawing cash on Credit Cards is never recommended, as you'll generally be stung by high Interest charges and added fees. It's well worth knowing the pro's and cons before you start to get yourself with the terms of your Card is a must for anyone considering drawing cash off their Credit Card. You'll generally be charged from the date of the transaction so there's no Interest-free period. If this isn't bad enough, you'll also be hit by a set fee or percentage of the amount withdrawn just for using the facility. Occasionally Card providers do offer promotional rates on cash advances, sometimes as low as 0%, although consideration should also be paid to cash advance fees and conditions.

• Credit Card Guides on Using your Credit Card abroad - know before you go

If one of your most important travelling companions is your Credit Card then you need to assess just how much it's costing you to use it overseas. You'd probably be surprised at the way your bill is bumped up when you make foreign transactions or cash withdrawals, as Credit Cards have extra charges when used abroad. Credit Card exchange rates are based on the Visa and MasterCard wholesale rates, with a loading percentage usually added by the Card providers. This can vary from 0% to 2.75% depending on the Credit Card. The actual rate applied may vary between EU and non-EU countries so it's well worth checking this out before you travel. The loading will be applied to withdrawals made at foreign ATMs as well as when your Card is used to pay for goods and services. As it's an exchange rate it's in addition to the set fees in place for withdrawing cash, and of course you'll pay Interest at the standard or introductory rate (if not 0%) for both cash withdrawals and purchases. When selecting a Credit Card for use abroad it's also worth paying some consideration to the other facilities on offer, such as the provision of a replacement Card in the event of the loss or theft of your own. Extra benefits may include an international assistance package and insurance for flight delay, lost and delayed luggage and personal injury.

·Credit Card Guides on Added benefits

Many Card providers reward their Cardholders with a range of useful benefits, and these can prove to be a valuable asset to any household. Examples include domestic warranty cover that'll protect your electrical purchases for up to a year after the manufacturer's warranty expires, price promise cover that ensures you'll be refunded the difference should you purchase an item and then find it cheaper elsewhere (including in the January sales), and free purchase protection insurance to cover your purchases against loss, theft or accidental damage for a specified period.

·Credit Card Guides on Donations to charity

Charity Cards cover a whole range of good causes and are issued in partnership with the charities themselves. Usually a one-off amount is donated when you first open the account or use your Card and in many cases an ongoing donation is made by the Card issuer, usually based on a percentage of your spend - all at no extra cost to you. There's plenty of choice, no matter where your Interest lies.

·Credit Card Guides on Down-selling Arrangements

Many Credit Card providers are able to offer Credit Cards to more people through the practice of "down-selling". By down-selling their products Card providers can offer an applicant an alternative product when they fail to qualify for the product they applied for. One of the reasons for down-selling is an applicant's failure to qualify on annual income, for example a person who has applied for a platinum Card may not meet the minimum income requirement and as a result will be offered a classic or gold Card. This practice is different from pricing-for-risk and the two should not be confused.

  ·Credit Card Guides on Allocation of payments

Unless you clear your balance in full each month it's worth paying some attention to the small print surrounding the allocation of payments, otherwise known as the payment hierarchy. Manipulating the payment hierarchy is one of the sneakier methods of clawing back Interest currently used by Card providers. It explains how the repayments you make will be used to clear your outstanding balance, and unfortunately it is never as simple as oldest item first. Often balances at promotional rates are cleared before balances at the standard rates, which sees your outstanding balance accumulating Interest at a higher rate for a longer period. For example, your transferred balance at 0% p.a. would be cleared before your new spend at 15.9% APR, which could leave you feeling the pinch. Depending on how you use your Card, or intend to use it, the payment hierarchy may carry as much weight as the Interest rates on offer so bear in mind that disregarding it could end up costing you dear.

· Credit Card Guides Step 2 - How do I apply?

You can apply for a Credit Card without leaving this site. If you haven't already used the hot links to go direct to a Card comparison table then click the button below to find the Card that best suits your circumstances

· Credit Card Guides Step 3 - What if things go wrong?

If you are unable to meet your monthly repayments and are struggling to repay your outstanding balance, you should immediately contact your Credit Card issuer. The earlier you approach them, the more sympathetic they will be to your situation. Alternatively, consider switching your Card to one with lower rates and fees before you become too bogged down with your repayments but beware - if you leave it until it's too late you may find getting accepted by a new company is a hurdle you may not be able to clear.

If you are refused a Credit Card and wish to make enquiries concerning your own Credit file you can apply to the Credit reference agency for your record. Credit reference agencies provide a detailed analysis of your own financial position. In particular your past repayment history, any County Court Judgements or defaults registered against you, electoral roll details and previous Credit searches made.

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