Credit Card Application

Joseph Kenny asked:




Applying for credit cards is a fairly normal routine for most consumers. Banks, credit unions, and credit card companies often send mailers asking consumers to fill out applications and return them in order to get new cards. For some people, this is a good way to get credit, but for many others, this can spell financial ruin. There are many things to consider when establishing new accounts but one of the most important is the APR.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate and by law it must be posted on all credit card offerings that are sent out to consumers. The APR will tell you how much you will have to pay when you use the credit associated with the account. This amount of interest, however, only applies to that amount of money that you cover over into the next billing period. If you pay off the entire balance within the grace period you will not be assessed any interest. This is an important issue to keep in mind.

Common sense would dictate that when applying for credit cards that you apply for those with the lowest APR. You might be surprised at how much money this can save you over the life of the account. But do be aware that the APR can change depending on how you use the credit cards.

For instance, with nearly all credit cards, you will pay a certain interest rate when you purchase goods. These goods might be anything from food to music CD’s. Unless you pay off the full amount when due, you will have to pay an additional amount that corresponds to the stated APR for purchases. However, if you use the credit cards to take cash, also known as a cash advance, you are most likely going to be charged a higher APR for that transaction. It is for this reason that you carefully read and understand the various percentage rates that are attached with each account. It is also important to remember that these percentage rates can change with each company. Nearly all credit cards will charge a much higher rate for cash withdrawals than for simple purchases.

Consumers are also advised to read very carefully to see if their credit cards allow any grace period for cash advances. Many companies do not allow any grace period at all when cash advances are taken. What this means is that the interest rate for the cash advance will begin as soon as you make the transaction. This interest will have to be paid even if you pay off the full balance of the amount of cash withdrawn at the end of the month.

Lastly, it is a good idea when applying for credit cards to see if the company uses a tiered system for interest rates. Some companies will charge a certain rate up to a certain amount. If you go over that amount, a higher rate will apply to those new charges. This can become very expensive for consumers who are not paying attention to their current balances.

John

Morgan Hamilton asked:




Most kids can’t wait to get that first credit card. While it can be an exciting moment in a young adult’s life, it is not something that should be rushed into without doing some homework first (after all you are students). Research the criteria and terms of the card, set some limits for yourself and, if applicable, admit that you’re not ready for the responsibility. The purpose of this article is to discus the questions you should ask yourself before filling out a student credit card application.

Am I Old Enough? This one may seem like common sense but every year credit card companies send pre-approved applications to seventeen years olds enrolled in college. If you are not 18 than it is not legal for you to have a credit card, even if the company sends you a application.

Are The Terms Reasonable? The main terms you want to look at are the annual percentage rate (APR), the late and overdraft fees, the grace period offered by the company, and whether or not there is an annual fee attached to the card. The APR on student credit cards usually aren’t very low so just shop around the lowest you can apply for. Late and overdraft fees (which you shouldn’t have to pay if you stay responsible) are usually pretty much the same. Avoid cards with no grace period since you’ll end up paying too much in interest and never get a card with an annual fee.

When Will I Use This Card? Idealistically you should only use your card for emergencies. Get a debit card or pay cash for everyday purchases and impulse buys (if you can afford it). If you state that you will only use the card for emergences, go one step further and define what an emergency is. If you consider a pizza craving on Friday night an emergency, stay away from credit cards for a while. Remember to do this before filling out the student credit card application, not after you have the card in hand when the temptation may be too great to resist.

Can I Really Handle This? In other words, have you been responsible in the past? Have you usually been good with money, saving until you really needed or wanted something? Or does money seem to burn a hole in your pocket until you just have to spend it on something, anything at all?

Judy

Morgan Hamilton asked:




Getting a Master Card can be exciting. But before you even fill out the credit application, there are a few things you should know about the card you are applying for. The interest rate, grace period, fees and cash advance polices are all important terms that should determine whether you apply for the card or throw the application in the shredder. This purpose of this article is to discuss the various terms that you should understand before filling out a Master Card credit application.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

The APR, or annual percentage rate, is the rate the credit card companies use to calculate your finance charges for the month. The higher this rate is, the more interest you will have to pay on your charges. If you are one of the few who actually pay off their credit card balances every month, you do not need to be concerned with APR. If, on the other hand, you are like most of us and carry a balance from month to month, you want to find a Master Card with the lowest APR possible.

Grace Period

Next to the APR, the grace period is the most important term you need to understand before filling out your Master Card credit application. The grace period refers to when a company can begin charging interest on the charge you make. Most cards have a twenty-five day grace period. If you pay off your balance before twenty-five days, you don’t have to pay any interest. Avoid cards that do not have a grace period because they will charge you interest from the moment you purchase something with the card.

Cash Advances

Credit cards usually allow you to take out cash advances. This is money that you get from the ATM and is counted against your credit limit. Credit card companies normally charge a higher interest for cash advances on top of charging a transaction fee. While you shouldn’t take out cash advances anyway, it’s important to understand these terms before applying for a credit card

Additional Fees

Other fees, including late fees, over-the-limit fees and annual fees should be investigated before applying for a Master Card. Late fees and over-the-limit fees can be avoided by paying your bill on time and not charging more than you pay each month. Never get a card with an annual fee, it’s like paying for the privilege of using credit.

Eugene

Jacie Caballero asked:


It is so common these days for people to fill out an online credit card application, that most people do not think twice about providing their personal information over the internet. But applying for a credit card is serious business. You could get into trouble by offering incorrect or incomplete information. And worse, you could sign up for what you think is a low apr credit card and end up being charged exorbitant interest with no recourse.

When you go online to check out credit card offers, you will find a myriad of deals to choose from. Narrow your search terms down to criteria that is important to you, such as low interest, introductory interest free period, long grace period, reward program, airline mile rewards, or cash back credit cards. When you find an offer that meets your needs, you should be able to fill out the online credit card application right away. However, before you proceed, there are some things to keep in mind.

Be sure to read all the fine print. Unfortunately, some companies will not make this easy for you. Most online forms, just like standard applications, have the details of limitations or increasing rates in fine print at the bottom of the form. However, you may have to manually click a link to view these restrictions. Look for a link to a section titled Terms and Conditions for all the details of the offer. It is vital that you take the time to do this before filling out your application. If you do not read the restrictions of a card agreement and you sign the agreement anyway, you will still be held liable for any violation of that agreement. Remember that an online credit card application is a legal document that gives your approval for the company to check your credit.

After you read all the terms, it is a good idea to print out a copy of the information, as well as a copy of the online credit card application before you submit it. Keeping these types of records now can protect you later.



LEON