Low Interest Credit
Cards: Suit Every Necessity
As the name suggests, low interest
credit cards offer great rates, making it easier for you to repay your
balance timely. These cards ideally suit those who prefer making large
purchases with their credit cards or use credit cards for routine
purchases.
There are various products available in the category of low interest
credit cards. Some of them are Balance Transfer Credit Cards,
Reward Credit Cards, Instant Approval Credit Cards, Cash Back Credit
Cards, Airline Credit Cards, Business Credit Cards, No Fee Credit Cards, Student Credit
Cards, and Prepaid Debit Cards. All these types of credit cards
have a low interest variant. You can choose one, depending on what
is your necessity.
Low Interest Credit Cards: Look Before You Leap
- Many banks and
lending institutions are issuing low interest credit card products. Of
the whole lot, you need to choose the one that will work best for you. Many credit cards offer an introductory interest rate that can be as low
as 0% on purchases within a year of availing the card. Banks such as Citi-bank, Chase, and American Express offer a variety of cards, of which,
some incorporate the feature of introductory low interest rate offer.
However, once the period of the introductory offer expires, you are
subject to a purchase of Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on the so-called
low interest credit card. APR on these cards can be high or low
depending on your credit score; generally, the lowest APR for such
credit cards is 9%, however, some cards offer APR of as low as 5.5%. You
need to look at the letters ‘V’ and ‘F’ while looking at an APR. ‘V’
stands for ‘variable’, meaning the rates are subject to change; ‘F’
refers to ‘fixed’, which means that the APR will continue to remain at
the current levels. It is advisable to get a credit card with a fixed
APR rate, as the fluctuations in ‘V’ category can feel heavy on the
pockets.
Mostly, the credit score of the consumers determine the APR of credit
cards. If you have excellent credit records, you will easily get true
low interest credit cards. Those who easily qualify the criterion are
charged interest rates varying from 9% to 15%. Hence, these low interest
cards offer attractive savings if you need to make big purchases. Even
if you fail to pay your monthly dues and end up accumulating a large
balance, you will not be charged as much interest on it as a normal
credit card would charge. Therefore, compare various options for low
interest credit cards carefully before make a final move.
You can get a good deal and low interest credit cards even without good
credit scores if you look out for all the available options. All you
need to strike a good deal is prove the lender that you have a regular
source of income. If you are successful obtaining your income proofs,
the lenders tailor their products to suit your necessities and
specifications.
In this case, you have to be careful of one thing. The banks generally
put customers who do not fall into low credit risks on high interest
rates. Therefore, check the interest rates that the banks quote on the
low interest credit cards that they are offering you. Sometimes these
interest rates are so high that, in case you borrow on the card, you
find it very difficult to repay. After you make payments for one year on
this card, you can opt for another card with still lower APR and build a
good credit score.
Those who do not want to switch their credit cards to avail of low
interest rate but at the same time want to enjoy the low interest rates
that were applicable earlier can bargain with their current service
provider. If the lender has increased his interest rates from some basis
points, in line with the industry, he is likely to entertain your plea
if you are a valuable customer.
You can insist on getting a fixed lower rate from the lender, as the
scenario shows an upward movement in the medium to long term. If the
lender refuses to give you a permanent fixed rate for the low interest
rate credit cards, see if he is giving such a rate for a certain period,
say six months to one year. The added savings of the temporary lower
rate on low interest credit cards can prove beneficial, particularly if
you are planning a big purchase within that period.
Choose low interest credit cards that have no annual or enrollment fees. Since these cards are designed for low risk individuals, they must not
have any such fees attached to them. Although the Federal Reserve Bank
has raised interest rates ten times since June 2004, lending
institutions continue to offer lower rate credit cards and loans to
customers. As a well-informed consumer, you must do your groundwork and
get yourself the best deal for low interest credit cards.