Low APR Credit Cards – Selecting the Best

Filed Under (Best credit card deals) by admin on 14-01-2011

0

Hunting for and selecting the very best low APR credit cards has become easier with the advent of the Internet where you can do easy comparisons (from the various options available to you at the click of a mouse) as to which low APR credit card will be the best for your needs.

Simply put, low APR credit cards charge you an interest rate even lower than the standard APR offered by most traditional credit cards. The lower the interest rate or APR, the cheaper the card is to carry and the more money you’ll save on it. Easy enough, right? So if you carry a large monthly card balance, a low APR credit card could be very beneficial for you.  In some cases, low rate credit cards can help cardholders save a lot of money. But what’s an APR anyway?

The Rationale of Low APR Credit Cards

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of credit; it is the amount of interest rate that is chargeable to any outstanding balance on a credit card. If you don’t make the full payment within the grace period certified by the credit card company, the card issuer has the right to charge you an interest rate for the service, a fee known as the APR. For a credit card to be considered a “cheap” credit card it should have a low APR.

With a low APR credit card, there is always fine print in the terms and conditions to take note of. Commonly, consumers fail to read the fine print that might include the following:

1) Annual Fees: Many low APR credit card offers might provide a low interest rate or APR but require you to pay a substantial annual fee. If the effective interest rate (after counting the annual fee) is indeed higher than the actual rate, then this credit card is obviously masked in the garb of a low APR credit card.

2) Low Introductory Rates: Credit card companies know that low introductory rates are a great incentive. So when suddenly, the initial period ends, and your monthly minimum payment increases dramatically, you know something definitely smells fishy. Check it before you fall prey.

3) High Balance Transfer Fees: Another trick in the trade is that some amongst the low APR credit card fraternity offer low balance transfer rates that come with a high balance transfer fee (which would be mentioned in the fine print).

The moral of this story:  Read and re-read the fine print associated with any low APR credit card before you apply.

Want Low Rate Credit Cards?

Follow these simple steps:
-Call the institutions in which you already have a bank account or credit card account. Discuss with them the possibility of converting your existing account to a low rate account.

-If your existing credit card company cannot provide this request, seek out an offer and a card issuer that does.

-Get in touch with the companies you are interested in applying for low rate credit cards.  They might be able to provide information about existing card offers that you might not be aware of.

-Fill out the card application and return as per the instructions. Make a follow-up call to the credit card company if you have not heard from them within the next 10 to 15 business days.

-You have the right to obtain an explanation if the credit card company has turned down your application. The denial letter must explain how you can obtain your credit report.

Keep in mind, however, that credit card issuers reserve the lowest possible interest rate offers for customers with the strongest credit histories, so maintain a good credit history is essential when trying to secure all types of low APR credit cards.

Low Interest Credit Cards: Are You Still Paying Too Much?

Filed Under (Best credit card deals) by admin on 29-05-2010

0

You may think that the rate you are paying on your current credit card is low, but chances are it isn’t the lowest rate you could be paying. 0% interest rate credit card offers are still available…do you have one? If not, why not? If you don’t have a low interest credit card in your wallet, you may be missing out on a great way to save yourself hundreds of pounds per year. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can find a low interest credit card today.

Contact Your Current Credit Card Company.

Once in awhile, consumers can persuade their current credit card company to give them a lower rate. Unfortunately, most credit card companies will not budge much on their current rate to you or the rate they agree to give to you is not the lowest available rate going. What a hassle! While you don’t have to get rid of your current card, shopping for a new one is probably the easiest and most pain free way to secure the lowest rate.

Shop For A New Card.

Speaking of new cards, there are hundreds of credit card providers, each of whom wants your business. With bankruptcy laws tightening and consumers shopping more carefully, the competition for customers has sharpened. For smart shoppers, it is a “buyer’s market” when it comes to finding a low interest credit card that meets your needs. Rewards cards are popular and so are credit cards such as Citibank’s Citi Simplicity card which doesn’t charge you late fees. Compare the various offers out there to select the card that is right for you.

Consolidate Debt.

If you already have several credit cards and owe money on each one, consider getting a new low interest credit card with a fixed rate. Many will allow you to transfer balances from high interest credit cards — which are currently charging you 17.9%, 21.9%, or even 24% or more per year — to their low interest rate credit card for a small fee. You can also ask the new credit card provider to waive their balance transfer fee for even greater savings for you. In addition, some will agree to give to you a low balance transfer rate [for example, 6.9%] for the life of your balance. As you might guess, you can potentially save hundreds of pounds per year with this type of an agreement.

In all cases, if you don’t have the lowest rate available, just ask your credit card provider for it. If they are not interested in giving to you a 0% percent rate, start shopping for a new low interest credit card today that is right for you. Take charge of your finances: you have nothing to lose, but plenty of money to gain…what’s in your wallet?