Finding the Right Credit Card.

Filed Under (Best credit card deals) by admin on 21-07-2010

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There are so many credit cards out there to choose from that deciding which one to get can feel really daunting. What makes one offer better than the hundreds of others you’ve seen? Take this little quiz to find out what you should look for in a card.

First, Are You a Student?

If you are, then you’ll be best off with a student card – you’ll probably have trouble getting accepted for anything else. It would be best to contact the bank where you have your student account before you do anything else.

Do You Have a Balance to Transfer?

If you do, then you need to be looking for a card with a low APR on balance transfers – preferably one that stays low for more than a few months, unless you intend to switch often.

Are You Planning to Make New Purchases?

If so, then pay more attention to the APR for purchases, which is usually entirely different to the one for balance transfers. You should also look at what kind of grace period different cards offer, so you don’t end up paying interest on your purchases straight away.

Do You Pay Off Your Balance In Full Every Month?

If you have a lot of money or you only keep a credit card for emergencies, then you might just pay it all off each time you get the bill. If you do, then you’re in a position where you obviously don’t need to worry about the interest rate much at all, since you won’t be paying any interest (make sure there’s a grace period, though).

Many people don’t realise, but the credit card company still makes money from you even if you pay no interest – the money shops pay to be able to accept credit cards. The credit card companies want to give you some kind of reward for letting them make this money without causing them any trouble, and you basically have a choice of three things:

Get cashback. For always paying everything off, they’re quite willing to throw a few dollars your way. If you spend much with the card, this can add up to a tidy sum.

Take vouchers. You might, for example, be able to earn points as you spend that get you money off flights, or other rewards.

Give it away. If there’s a charity or other cause you support, the chances are that you can donate money to them using an affinity card. This is a credit card that gives a very small percentage of each transaction to your chosen cause, and over time it adds up to a pretty decent donation for them.

Take Your Time…

Don’t let anyone pressure you into making a decision before you’re ready. Any offer that says it’s for a limited time only is one you should ignore, as there’s no reason to do it other than as a sales tactic. Think hard about your spending habits and what you want the card for, consider all the options you can find and then, once you’re sure, go for it.

Credit Card APR - What exaclty is APR?

Filed Under (Abbey credit card) by admin on 03-06-2010

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APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. APR attempts to create a single figure of interest allowing the consumer to compare like with like when selecting the best product for their lifestyle.

Without APR it would be literally impossible to make this kind of quick comparison because the credit card companies use different calculations to compute their interest and other charges. Without APR it would be possible for a card bearing an ‘advertised’ interest rate of 12% (not APR) to be more expensive than one charging 16%.

Financial Regulators (such as the the UK’s FSA) have recognized this and as such have attempted to put in some safeguards to protect the consumer, making sure that there is at least some standard information allowing comparison between interest rates and other associated charges.

The main thing to remember is that APR takes into account not only the interest charges levied, but also any other costs that are also included. Credit card companies use different calculations to compute their interest and other charges, so APR makes it easier to make a good
credit card comparison between products. Generally speaking, the lower the APR, the less money you will end up paying back in interest to the credit card provider. It is very important to make sure you compare the APR of different credit cards when deciding which credit card to take out, as card issuers may offer a low rate of interest for an initial period but this will increase at the end of this period.

Any credit card deal will take the following items into consideration :
- the interest rate you must pay
- how you repay the loan
- length of the loan agreement (or term)
- frequency and timing of instalment payments
- amount of each payment
- fees associated with the product
- premiums for payment protection insurance (the lender may choose to make this compulsory)

Remember; if you are looking around for a credit card, you should try and get as low an APR rate as possible. However, be on the lookout for other costs; administration fees, legal fees or penalties you may encur for late charges. It is always wise to shop around for any deal involving finance, making sure that you consider all the options before signing on the dotted line. There are many ways to do this online, with many compenies offering comparison tables on each deal offered. These days you have no excuse not to, the information is freely available.

The law that covers credit agreements in the UK is the Consumer Credit Act (1974).

Credit Card APR - What exaclty is APR?

Filed Under (Abbey credit card) by admin on 28-05-2010

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APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. APR attempts to create a single figure of interest allowing the consumer to compare like with like when selecting the best product for their lifestyle.

Without APR it would be literally impossible to make this kind of quick comparison because the credit card companies use different calculations to compute their interest and other charges. Without APR it would be possible for a card bearing an ‘advertised’ interest rate of 12% (not APR) to be more expensive than one charging 16%.

Financial Regulators (such as the the UK’s FSA) have recognized this and as such have attempted to put in some safeguards to protect the consumer, making sure that there is at least some standard information allowing comparison between interest rates and other associated charges.

The main thing to remember is that APR takes into account not only the interest charges levied, but also any other costs that are also included. Credit card companies use different calculations to compute their interest and other charges, so APR makes it easier to make a good
credit card comparison between products. Generally speaking, the lower the APR, the less money you will end up paying back in interest to the credit card provider. It is very important to make sure you compare the APR of different credit cards when deciding which credit card to take out, as card issuers may offer a low rate of interest for an initial period but this will increase at the end of this period.

Any credit card deal will take the following items into consideration :
- the interest rate you must pay
- how you repay the loan
- length of the loan agreement (or term)
- frequency and timing of instalment payments
- amount of each payment
- fees associated with the product
- premiums for payment protection insurance (the lender may choose to make this compulsory)

Remember; if you are looking around for a credit card, you should try and get as low an APR rate as possible. However, be on the lookout for other costs; administration fees, legal fees or penalties you may encur for late charges. It is always wise to shop around for any deal involving finance, making sure that you consider all the options before signing on the dotted line. There are many ways to do this online, with many compenies offering comparison tables on each deal offered. These days you have no excuse not to, the information is freely available.

The law that covers credit agreements in the UK is the Consumer Credit Act (1974).

Credit and Debit Cards: Choosing Dilemma

Filed Under (Abbey credit card) by admin on 13-05-2010

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As soon as you decide to get the card you face some questions – what card finally to select? They arise because between both types we have more differences rather than commonness.

In fact on the surface cards are very similar. Cards are made of plastic, have some magnet or chip protection, shining bank logos and share the very size.

And probably that is all about their commonness. The first essential distinction lies in the logic of payments. The core sense of credit payment means, that in order to cover spending, money is “taken” from the future. Thus your credit is extended every time when you make “a purchase”. And all your debt events are listed – so you need to make periodical payments for account prolongation. Paying system of debit type is merely another. Your bank will just transfer money from your account wherever you wish.
The fraud protection is really significant matter. Credit cardholder can receive return with no more than 50$ of any stolen sum – and only if he or she doesn’t forget to report the fact quickly. The best cardholders may be given a possibility to decrease the rate on this sum. Bad cardholders may receive no more than 50$.
As for debit cards – you can also receive 50$ of fraud protection – especially if you report the event during first 2 days. Moreover, you can be responsible for even some hundreds of dollars.

As for payments duration credit cards give you a chance to postpone payments, moving them closer to the end of paying period. But keep in mind that one hand gives while the second takes away – so the bank may suppress you with new higher interest rate. Оn the contrary, debit cards are the control tools of “real” money which is located at your account. This means that making payments has nothing common with extending debt. You just spend it – and without any credit urgency.
Take into consideration one important similarity of all credit cards: due to Fair Credit Billing Act all the credit cardholders – especially the U.S. citizens - have the right to restrain payments in case of poor quality of sold goods. This is called the “buffer zone” – it exists between your account and merchant’s hands. So – you can even get the recourse. As for debit card purchases money leaves your account immediately.
So, which card should be chosen is the matter of serious thinking – and in this article I tried to help you. What you certainly have to conceive is the fact that any card – being managed dowdily – may bring you difficulties with fraud. And this is the pure truth; any kind of cards can one day show their hidden limitations.
In this case I guess that better variant for you is to apply for a debit card in order to easily buy. Else – if you prefer the idea of delayed payment – then you need the credit one. Just listen to yourself.

Compare Business Credit Cards and Save Money

Filed Under (Abbey credit card) by admin on 10-04-2010

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Today’s business owners are able to take advantage of the incentives offered to them by applying for business credit cards. Whether it is a large or small business, having a line of credit is crucial and business owners need to compare business credit cards to determine whether or not they fit their business needs. In retrospect, by determining which card is in line with an owner’s business, he or she is actually making one of the most valuable decisions a business owner can make.

For some business owners, determining what type of business credit card fits the needs of their business may be a daunting task. What’s most important to keep in mind is that sitting down and brainstorming is better than finding out later that a bad decision was made and it could quickly become a very costly mistake.

Different business credit cards offer business owners various things. The business owner should be aware that if a business credit card offers major traveler’s benefits, like travel points and traveler’s insurance, but that business owner never is required to travel, what good does that amenity do for his or her business? Once the business owner determines what best suits the needs of his or her business, then follows the process of research, the best credit card choice can be made.

Credit card companies offering business credit cards pride themselves on showcasing what the company is offering.  With great advertising effort, business credit cards use words like “Earn Points” that can be used to purchase supplies at selected vendor locations. “No Spending Limit” allows cardholders to have no pre-set limit, which means they are not bound to a strict purchase limit.  “Low interest rates” allow business owners to pay only minimal interest rate fees.  ‘Pay back’ guidelines may be either the next month or account payments may be stretched out to let business owners have the luxury of not worrying about paying the balance on their business credit cards. Comparing business cards can sometimes be a daunting experience but for the most part it is a needed task because making educated choices is necessary when self employed in order to avoid business failure.

Comparing business credit cards can lead to determining what suits the needs of your business. The types of business cards vary and each offers incentives to business owners in order to maintain or create long lasting business relationships and respectability. There are, however, certain types of business credit cards that all business owners, large or small, should take advantage of.

It is best to look for the type of business credit card that offers attractive low interest rates that are not only implemented temporarily, but that will stay low for the life of the business credit card. Make certain the low interest rate is not advertised for just the first month of the business credit card or for the first year of the business credit card. Compare business credit cards and determine which fits this case. Business credit cards with an introductory 0.00% APR can, however, be great for a business owner that anticipates being able to pay the balance in full every month after the introductory period is complete.

Some business credit cards have phenomenal cash back rebates programs, but have a limit to the number of cash back awards the business credit card receives. Look for the business credit card that has a no limit on its cash back program. There are also some business credit cards that give business owners the option to pay over time or pay balance in full. It is important to decide on business needs before choosing the business credit card that has these options. Paying over an extended time period can be helpful when making large purchases with a  business credit card, but the interest rate can have a large impact on the final amount paid.  The bottom line is to compare business credit cards in order to choose the right one to meet all of the business’ needs.