Credit cards are financial instruments that allow the cardholder to make purchases or transact business with stores and organizations that accept them. These instruments open a line of credit from the issuer to the holder. With a credit card, you have a limit to the amount you can spend and then pay back at an agreed-upon date.
These cards are actually very convenient to use and have some other benefits that it affords the user. One thing with them, however, is that when used inappropriately, they may become a financial burden.
We cannot categorically say that any particular card is the best for you. The truth is that there are different cards that fit different lifestyles and spending habits. If you are looking to get a credit card or switch issuer, you should look out for the beste kredittkort 2023 (best credit card in 2023). This would enable you enjoy greater financial benefits.
In this article, we would give you tips on how to get the best card for you; keep reading for more information.
Steps To Getting The Best Credit Card For You
There are basic steps that would help you get the best credit card for you and they include the following:-
Know Your Credit Score
Your credit score is one factor that determines which card would give you the best value and benefits. A high credit score would help you qualify for cards that have great perks.
You can choose to get your score for free from the card issuers that you want to apply with. On the other hand, you can also pay to have your credit score. When you get the result, if it isn’t as you expected it to be, you can ask for a credit report. This would help you to know the reason for the low score.
With the report, you can know whether it is an error or as a result of your purchasing habits. If it is an error, you can always contest it and have it rectified but spending habits would have to be changed.
Find Out The Type Of Card That You Need
After you’ve determined your credit score and worked on it if necessary, then you move on to identifying the best type of card for you.
Generally, there are 3 main types of credit cards and they are:-
- The ones that help you improve or repair your credit score
- The ones that help you get rewards
- The ones that help you save on interest rates
Like we said already, the best card for you is dependent on your spending habits and lifestyle. If for example you rarely travel, you do not need a traveller’s credit card. No matter the incentives and perks that come with it, you wouldn’t benefit much from it.
For those that want to be able to save on interest, cards with 0% APR, low interest cards or balance transfer cards are your best bet. This card works well for people that need it for emergencies and also those who do not have a steady source of income and may not be able to pay off their debts on time.
To improve or build your credit history, you would do well with either secure cards or student credit cards. The secure card would require a minimum deposit of a couple of hundred dollars. They are easy to get because you would make a deposit which reduces the risk on the part of the issuer. This deposit is usually returned to the cardholder when they upgrade the account or when they close it in good standing.
Make Proper Inquiries and Research
This point is like a sequel to the first two points above. Determining the best card for you would be as a result of knowing your credit history and spending habit and also knowing the different types of cards that are available. This can only be possible by making the right inquires and proper research.
You need to visit a number of banks and financial institutions both offline and online and ask the following questions:-
- Will I be able to build a good credit history with this card?
- How much do I need to open an account?
- How much is the annual fee?
- How much is the security deposit? This is if you are looking at getting a secured card
- Is there room to scale up i.e can I get a card with better terms and rewards later?
- How long is the duration of the 0% APR? This is for those looking at getting low interest cards
- What is the policy for balance transfer on the card? This is for balance transfer cards
- What are the perks and rewards that come with the card?
- Can I use this card abroad without paying fees for foreign transactions? This is if you plan to use the card abroad
- How complicated are the terms and conditions?
These are just samples of the questions that you need to ask. Note that if you ask the right questions, you’ll definitely get valuable information.
Pick The Card That Would Give You The Highest Value
After you have gone through the first 3 steps, you sure by now should have enough information to make the right choice. If you find yourself torn between 2 or 3 choices, here are a few things that may help your decision:-
- For secured and student cards – A card that automatically increases your credit limit after you pay on time consistently for a while is a tie breaker. Additionally, there are cards (secured) that pay interest on your deposit; this could sway your decision.
- For cash –back, travel or reward cards- Look out for cards that require lower spending to qualify for rewards and have no expiration date to when you can collect your reward(s).
- For 0% APR, low interest or balance transfer credit cards- Look out for cards from issuers that allow you to create a planner that can help you pay off your debt. Additionally, cards with no penalty APR or late fees can be a sweet relief for one that falls behind on their payments.
Conclusion
We have shared some tips on how to get the best credit card for you. Note that these are the basics; you may need more information or counsel from your financial advisor. But we believe that if you keep the information shared here in mind, you are off to a good start with your credit card acquisition.
