Finding the best credit card is not always as straightforward as you may think. Choose your new card to match your lifestyle. Find an offer with perks that you can use. Signing up for the wrong card can end up costing you money - one size does not fit all! Here are a few tips to help you pick the best plan:
Identify your needs:
Are you a frequent traveller? Look for miles, hotel rentals, and car rental perks. Buy a lot of office supplies? Go for a card with double points at a stationary store like Office Depot. Perhaps you are in the middle of some major home improvements, a Home Depot card might be just what you need.
Don't forget the interest rate!
Your interest rate is important too, obviously you should be looking for the best deals. Remember to read the fine print, as low introductory rates usually last for a limited time. Make sure your standard rate is acceptable to you.
Save at least 1% on all your purchases:
At the very minimum, you should be able to save 1% on all your purchases in miles, points, cash-back, or other perks. Some credit cards offer double points (or more). If you're not getting at least 1% back, keep looking for better offers!
Make sure your points don't expire:
It can be frustrating to learn your points have expired because you didn't use them within the specified time. Some credit cards offer perks that never expire, but most have set expiration dates. Know the facts before you apply.
Double points or cashback at selected stores:
Did you get an offer with 2% cash-back at selected stores? That is a great deal, but if you don't shop at that particular retailer those perks will likely be wasted - perhaps consider a blanket cash-back offer instead.
With so many offers to choose from, it is worth investing a little bit of time to find the credit card that will work for your needs. Remember that by choosing the right perks you can save anywhere from 1% to 3% of all your purchases, so don't settle for less!
Identify your needs:
Are you a frequent traveller? Look for miles, hotel rentals, and car rental perks. Buy a lot of office supplies? Go for a card with double points at a stationary store like Office Depot. Perhaps you are in the middle of some major home improvements, a Home Depot card might be just what you need.
Don't forget the interest rate!
Your interest rate is important too, obviously you should be looking for the best deals. Remember to read the fine print, as low introductory rates usually last for a limited time. Make sure your standard rate is acceptable to you.
Save at least 1% on all your purchases:
At the very minimum, you should be able to save 1% on all your purchases in miles, points, cash-back, or other perks. Some credit cards offer double points (or more). If you're not getting at least 1% back, keep looking for better offers!
Make sure your points don't expire:
It can be frustrating to learn your points have expired because you didn't use them within the specified time. Some credit cards offer perks that never expire, but most have set expiration dates. Know the facts before you apply.
Double points or cashback at selected stores:
Did you get an offer with 2% cash-back at selected stores? That is a great deal, but if you don't shop at that particular retailer those perks will likely be wasted - perhaps consider a blanket cash-back offer instead.
With so many offers to choose from, it is worth investing a little bit of time to find the credit card that will work for your needs. Remember that by choosing the right perks you can save anywhere from 1% to 3% of all your purchases, so don't settle for less!