Pre-paid Credit Cards: a Useful Alternative

Posted in Prepaid Credit Cards by admin on August 9th, 2010 | No Comments

Imagine the scenario if you will: you’re out for a meal and have had a really enjoyable time, hopefully in the company of some good friends. Then the bill arrives, you hand over your card to the waiter and he returns soon after with the words we dread hearing in a situation like this:

“I’m sorry sir, your card has been declined”

Credit card fraud is on the increase, with many being caught out by criminals who make use of cloning equipment and internet sites in order to obtain your personal details. Indeed, levels of card and mail order fraud totalled around £300m last year.

However, a growing number of consumers are turning to pre-paid cards in order to make transactions and protect themselves from fraud. If you thought top-up cards were just for mobile phones, you’re very much mistaken.

Pre-paid cards – for some – can be as handy as a credit card in terms of budgeting and safety. Indeed, the look like any normal debit or credit card, but can be topped up at post offices and other outlets and then used for whatever you’ve budgeted for. Some make use of the cards for the purposes of paying in wages, rather than using a bank account, either because they may not qualify for 0% credit cards or just want the added feeling of security that comes with the card ownership.

Because you’re putting an exact amount onto the card itself, the risk of overspending is greatly reduced as you’re not tempted to pay for absolutely everything – which can help with your monthly budgeting. Students make use of the cards in order to help with their finances throughout the academic year, but they’re also popular with the under-18’s, which make use of them to ensure that pocket money or earnings from a paper round are secure and can be carried on them at all times.

Brand New Credit Building Cards!

These accounts can be useful for overseas travel as well, with many travellers choosing to set themselves a budget for when they travel. Pre-paid cards can be useful for ensuring you don’t overspend on souvenirs. Pre-paid cards can also be loaded with a different currency, which can be vital for your holiday spends if the exchange rate is good at the time.

However, there are drawbacks to owning a pre-paid card. There are the fees for one thing, with withdrawals from cash machines in the UK and abroad having fees attached, which would rob you of vital funds if you’re looking to budget. Also, it’s still advisable to have a bank account in order to build up a credit score, which can help in future applications for accounts and credit cards.

David Collins

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/prepaid-credit-cards-a-useful-alternative-530600.html

Technorati Tags: credit cards for people with bad credit

Prepaid Credit Cards – How To Choose The Right Account

Posted in Prepaid Credit Cards by admin on July 1st, 2010 | No Comments

When searching around for the best prepaid credit card, the main thing to consider are the fees associated with the card. The costs associated with prepaid cards are arguably the main disadvantage.

1) Application Fees

Some providers will charge you for opening an account, some offer free accounts and some accounts can be set up for free provided you preload the card with a certain amount of money.

2) Is there a monthly fee to use the card?

Again, some cards are free, while others make a small charge, perhaps $10-20. If you find a card that charges a monthly fee, find out what you get for that fee. Do they provide online statements, a helpdesk, additional insurance etc?

3) Will you be charged a fee when you load money into your account?

Does it vary according to the method that you use, for example, cash, credit card or bank transfer? And if you deposit money through a bank, supermarket or post office, will they charge you a deposit fee?

4) Will you be charged when you purchase goods and services on your card?

If so, do the costs vary according to the method of purchase (online, offline etc)? What about the charges for purchases overseas or in different currencies?

5) Will you be charged when you withdraw cash from your account through an ATM?

Will this be higher for foreign transactions?

6) Other Unexpected Charges

Will you have to pay for calls made to the provider’s helpline? Will you have to pay for a courier to deliver your card? Will you have to pay for your card to be renewed when it reaches its expiry date? If you lose your card or it is stolen, will you be charged for a replacement card? Will you be charged a fee to close your account?

Find out all the potential costs that will apply to the way that you intend to use the prepaid card. How much would they cost you over the course of an average year?

Brand New Credit Building Cards!

Choose the card with fees that will suit your use. For example, if you don’t intend to spend much through your prepaid card, but want it for the flexibility that it offers, go for a card with no setup of monthly fees even although it might have higher transaction charges. On the other hand, if you intend to route most of your monthly spending through your prepaid card, a card with monthly fees and no/lower transaction charges might be best for your circumstances.

The main thing is to compare the prospective costs of each card against other prepaid cards and also traditional credit cards. The costs of all prepaid cards should continue to drop as the demand for them grows and the market becomes more competitive. Better deals for prepaid consumers will appear all the time.

But bear in mind that the lowest costs won’t always be the best option. If you’re in debt and need to cut up your credit cards to prevent you from sinking any deeper, slightly higher fees on the safety and flexibility of a prepaid card may be preferable to keeping your existing credit cards and being tempted further into debt.

It’s also worth taking other practical considerations into account, besides the overall costs, including;

How can you add money to your account? How many options do they provide, bank, online etc? Can you do it 24 hours a day?

Can you manage your account online?

Is there an additional card? Is it free?

What level of purchase and fraud protection does the provider offer?

As with all things financial, shopping around is vital to get the best deal on your new prepaid card.

Stuart Laing

http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/prepaid-credit-cards-how-to-choose-the-right-account-118388.html

Technorati Tags: no credit credit cards

Rebuild your Credit History With Prepaid Credit Cards

Posted in Prepaid Credit Cards by admin on June 8th, 2010 | No Comments

So you’ve had some debt problems – maybe due to something outside your control such as a divorce. Now you’re getting your life back on track, but there’s a problem. Because of your bad credit record, no-one wants to lend you money any more.

Well, don’t despair! With prepaid credit cards, no credit checks will be made against your name when you apply. As long as your age, residence and social security number check out, approval is normally guaranteed.

Here’s how prepaid credit cards work. You apply just like any other credit card, but with prepaid credit cards you also deposit a sum of money in a linked bank account. Initially at least, the amount of money in this account then becomes your credit line.

Obviously this means that, to start with anyway, you can’t use a prepaid credit card to borrow money. However, the best cards report to the three main credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) every month. As long as you use your card responsibly, your actions will help to repair your credit record, or indeed to establish one for yourself if you haven’t had credit before.

Within a few months, if you have shown that you can use your card responsibly, you are likely to be offered a bigger credit line by your card issuer. With your ever-improving credit history, you may also be able to apply successfully for a standard credit card or other forms of credit, such as a bank loan.

Your prepaid card can be used just like any other credit card to buy things, whether on-line, over the phone or in person. There is nothing on the card to reveal that it is prepaid. The only people who will know this are you and your card issuer. So if you need to buy things using a credit card and can’t otherwise get one, a prepaid credit card could be the ideal solution for you. And all the while you will be rebuilding your credit history as well!

Brand New Credit Building Cards!

One drawback with prepaid credit cards is that, unlike ordinary credit cards, you may be asked to pay a processing fee when you apply. This is in addition to the money you will have to deposit with the issuer as security. If you regard this as a stepping stone to establishing a good credit record, however, this one-off fee is literally a small price to pay.

Prepaid credit cards are available from a growing number of issuers. One example is the New Millennium Bank, which offers a prepaid Platinum Visa® or Mastercard®. As well as the benefits mentioned above, the NMB card offers $100,000 travel accident insurance, extended warranty protection, and a special high introductory savings rate on your deposit.

As with all credit cards, however, it is important to shop around and not simply apply for the first prepaid card you see. Different cards offer different combinations of terms and conditions, and the best card for one person may not be the same as for his or her neighbor. Credit card comparison sites such as http://www.finest-credit-cards.com make this easier for you by listing all the best current credit card offers, and also have a range of articles offering independent advice and information.

Nick Davis

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/rebuild-your-credit-history-with-prepaid-credit-cards-64509.html

Technorati Tags: credit cards for no credit

Visa Prepaid Debit Cards – Good News for the Credit Challenged

Posted in Prepaid Credit Cards by admin on May 11th, 2010 | No Comments

 

If you have taken a few shots to your credit report in the last couple of years, and let’s face it – who hasn’t, then you should look at Visa prepaid debit cards as a way to get your financial house back in order. During times of economic duress people get tempted to use their credit cards and usually end up maxing them out. If you are one of these people and are having a hard time getting new credit cards or are looking for a way to avoid further falling into the credit abyss, then you need Visa debit card.

 

Using Visa prepaid debits cards can be a great way to enjoy all of the benefits of a traditional credit card without the hassles or the cost. With prepaid debit cards there are no fee, interests or penalties because you are the one in control of your spending limits. No one but yourself tells you what to do. This can be a very good thing. And, if you are worried about being approved for a Visa prepaid debit card, don’t be. Approval is fast and easy with Visa’s online application process. No credit checks and no income verification means that you can be up and spending with your Visa prepaid debits cards just as quickly as you can fund them.

 

Being in control of your own finances will keep you from falling further into the perils of bad credit and with Visa prepaid debit cards you can even start to repair your credit. Since you can’t overspend, you won’t be subject to any more hits to you credit score, especially if you use your Visa prepaid debit card for all your purchases. Showing fiscal responsibility and the desire to get back on track will go far in repairing your credit.

 

You can use Visa prepaid debit cards in all of the places you can use a credit card too. Wherever Visa is honored whether it is online or in the real world you can make purchases. There are literally thousands of Visa vendors all over the world you can buy from. It’s safe too online or in person. Since you control how much money is in your account, you can keep a minimum to lessen your risk of exposure to thievery without fear of penalty. The road to recovery is in your hands and using Visa debit cards is smart.

James Moris
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/visa-prepaid-debit-cards-good-news-for-the-credit-challenged-745406.html

Compare And Select The Best Credit Cards

Posted in Best Credit Cards by admin on April 5th, 2010 | No Comments

Credit cards are more like necessities nowadays. Through the well-designed and attractive plastic cards, you can do almost all paying transactions. You could pay your utility bills, pay your shopping bills and order online good using the reliable cards.

People have been enjoying cashless transactions for some time now. Instead of bringing cash when going to buy something, people need not go to ATM machines to withdraw money. There is no need to fill wallets with money bills.

You could easily take off anywhere, anytime with your credit card. What’s more, you could actually use the cards even if you are shopping abroad. The world is truly becoming globally united, and credit card transactions are helping attain that long-time goal of people.

Credit cards are important cards and almost all people now aim to own one. However, there are lots of horror stories that are circulating about the problems and constraints of using credit cards. Often, credit card users are complaining of excessive bill statements and uncontrolled accumulation of debt.

If you are aiming to own one, you must first assess yourself and make sure that you intend to use the cards responsibly. Otherwise, you would be among those numerous people who are having problems about bills and due dates.

Because almost all people are swooning to own credit cards, the number of credit card issuers is on the rise. Competition nowadays is really becoming more intense because of the influx of credit card applications. It can be a good thing to credit card applicants, because as a result of the ever-growing credit card market, credit card issuers are offering best rates and best terms.

Perhaps, people now are becoming wiser when it comes to credit card applications. Trends and market analyses show that credit card applicants are now more discerning and are more careful in picking up credit card products from many credit card companies.

Indeed, credit card applicants nowadays are literally making comparison shops, meaning, they are now making effective and thorough comparison before they finally fill up forms and lodge applications.

And there are practical reasons for them to do so. Of course, good credit cards can offer so much more and could extend several more transaction benefits. If you are aiming to file a credit card application, be wise and choose the Best Credit Cards for you.

Tips in selecting the best credit card

When you buy something, you always aim to buy the best. When you pay for a service, of course, it is human nature that you would only settle with the best.

In credit card selection, most people select the biggest names in credit card issuance not because of the popularity, but because the giant credit card firms are offering the best terms and services there is in the market.

However, several people, especially those who are new to credit card applications, make the mistake of getting credit cards from untrusted and bad credit card firms. The result: they often complain about high interest rates, limited coverage and too many additional and provisional charges.

Be informed that that there are also small credit card firms that are very competitive and are offering better credit card services in a bid to gain greater foothold in the ever-expanding credit card market. If you are not very exposed to credit card applications, here are some simple guidelines that would surely help in getting the best credit cards the market has to offer.

Before filing credit card applications, collect and select. That means, you must first do a simple research. Get quotes from different credit card firms and compare their interest rates and charges. Also make sure you check the terms and conditions of membership as well as the provisions and potential penalties. By doing a simple comparison shop, you could easily determine which credit card is best foe you.

Usually, giant credit card companies offer the best credit card products, but there is also a number of minor and startup firms that are very much competitive. Select the best and do not limit your choices to just the biggest credit card firms.
Ask your bank if they are offering credit card products. Having a credit card from the lender where you have an existing account can be at your own advantage. For example, you could easily transfer funds and pay your credit card bills through your normal ATM or banking transaction.

Moreover, always aim for the best so you could prevent having credit card problems in the future.

Mario Churchill

http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/compare-and-select-the-best-credit-cards-114593.html

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Best Credit Cards – How to Find the Right Card for you

Posted in Low Interest Credit Cards by admin on March 18th, 2010 | 6 Comments

On question often asked is “what’s the best credit card available?” The truth of the matter is that there is no one credit card available that is the best for everyone. Choosing the right credit card for you has more to do with your credit card spending and repayment patterns than anything else.

In order to find out which credit card is best you need to think about your credit card usage. For example, do you pay the balance in full each month, do you carry debt over and incur interest and so on. See which of the statements below fits your credit card usage.

“I don’t pay by credit card bill in full each month”

If you carry a balance over from month to month, you need to look for the lowest rate interest card available. Some cards charge high rates of 18% and upwards per annum, others charge less than 10% per annum. The interest rate makes a huge difference to the monthly minimum repayment amounts and also the ease at which you can pay down debt. A low interest rate is more important than a rewards program if you are carrying debt.

“I only use a credit card occasionally and normally pay it off each month”

If you are a light credit card user and tend to pay it off in full each month then the most important factors to consider will be the cards annual fee and the number of interest free days on purchases. Many credit card issuers have cards with no annual fees. They tend to offer less in the way of rewards schemes but as a light user you are unlikely to benefit from such schemes. Look for cards with a low or no annual fee offering instant rewards and discounts. These are partner offers that can be used at any time without accumulating points.

“I buy most things with my credit card and then to pay if off each month”

If you do most of your spending via your credit card and tend to pay it off each month then you may benefit from a credit card offering a rewards scheme. Often rewards credit cards have higher interest rates or annual fees than other types of credit cards. However, interest rates are not important so long you pay the bill each month and the rewards could well exceed the card fee. Frequent flyer credit cards are the most popular type of reward card. A spend of around $2000 per month can earn the equivalent of 4 short haul return flights per year with many airlines.

Other factors to consider when choosing a credit card

Interest free days:

When looking for the right credit card for you, you will find that there are two main types of credit cards: those that offer interest free days and those that don’t. Generally, those that offer interest days charge a higher interest rate after the end of the interest free period or charge an annual fee to compensate. Many credit card companies now offer to up to 55 days interest free on purchases. Cash advances normally incur interest straight away and often at a higher rate than purchases.

Late payment penalties: When evaluating which credit card is right for you, it is important to consider the late payment penalties. If a late fee is charged, what is it? Is an increased interest rate also enforced as a penalty? Some companies more than double your interest charges if you pay late even by one day.

Customer service: It is also helpful to consider a company’s track record in looking after their clients. Why not phone the customer service lines of your short listed credit card companies? Who do you want to deal with? Are you kept on hold for an excessive length of time before someone takes your call or are you answered quickly? If you can’t get good customer service from a company, you should probably forget them. Another important consideration is whether they are using overseas call centres that have access to customer’s private details. If you don’t have a problem with this, fine.

Conclusion

If you intend to use your credit card to pay bills and will pay the complete balance each month, look for a credit card that offers the best value in terms of interest free days and rewards. However, if you are going to be in debt from month to month, look for the lowest interest rate, lowest annual fee and fairest calculation of penalties (because things can go wrong sometimes).

If you are juggling a number of credit cards of varying interest rates and have overall high monthly payments because of credit card debt, then consolidating your credit card debt on one low rate interest card could be the answer you are looking for. By consolidating your credit card debt on one low rate card, you will dramatically reduce your minimum monthly credit card costs and improve your ability to pay down debt.

Debt consolidation, using a low rate credit card, can also provide more flexibility than a personal loan. If an emergency occurs then the credit is still there to use. The obvious risk to this, however, is using the credit and never getting out of debt. Debt consolidation with a credit card requires discipline and commitment to get out of debt.

Best Credit Cards Summary – The right credit card for you

Carry balance over each month = Low interest credit cards

High levels of existing debt to pay off = Low interest / balance transfer credit cards

Pay balance off in full each month / low credit card usage = no annual fee credit cards

Pay balance off in full each month / medium-high credit card usage = rewards credit cards

Richard Greenwood

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/best-credit-cards-how-to-find-the-right-card-for-you-108287.html

Technorati Tags: Low Interest Credit Cards, zer0 percent credit

The Credit Cards are the Men’s Best Friend

Posted in Best Credit Cards by admin on March 9th, 2010 | 12 Comments

 

In today’s world the demands of people are altering and increasing with each passing day. As a result they are expending extravagantly on buying costly electronic devices, purchasing expensive gifts and going to exotic holiday spots. In order to meet their daily demands and requirements they need to earn accordingly. In such circumstances there are many of us who do not have the desired amount of money

Therefore keeping this situation in mind the only source to rely on are the banks. Credit cards are one service that the banks provide to its customers. Moreover in the contemporary times people have hugely taken to shopping. This trend is growing rapidly due to which a large number of people are flooding to gain access of credit card which is an ideal option for cash and is processed through a transaction.

Credit cards are accepted in all kinds of sectors in India like shopping malls and hotels. Generally banks give the card holder an account number or a card which can be used with different payees in order to make payments and also to borrow money from the bank. Banks, such as ICICI, HDFC, CITIBANK, HSBC, and AMERICAN EXPRESS are providing credit cards at attractive interest rate on the expense amount by the card holder through which they make revenues. However if the credit card holder is not willing to pay then the banks have to bear the losses. Credit cards hold the interest rates that are calculated on the basis of the details, which the bank has about the card holder’s credit risk, will be the source to the card issuer’s profitability.

According to a statistical report, there are about 22 million people who are availing credit cards in India which has shot up in the last few years. The main cause lying in the huge popularity of credit cards is because of the benefits provided by the banks and interest rates which are reasonable. Due to the stiff competition in this sector, almost all providers of credit cards are reducing the interest rates and over head charges. These days banks give credit cards to different kinds of people like students, business owners etc. Credit cards can be accessed at very low costs. Moreover, the market is governed by the consumer and credit card companies hope to see the business flourishing in the near future.

These days, by performing deep market research, the people can get Best Credit Cards in India. Moreover, the banking facilities in India are not only about giving funds and dealing with cash transactions. Indian banks have expanded in the foreign realm as well. Basically, this is done by keeping the growth areas in view that whether the growth is in foreign areas or domestic economy. Such points are also been considered in the time of providing loans or the credit cards.

These days, with the credit cards the credit card holders are also getting blessed with the best credit cards offers in India provided by the credit card companies. Moreover, it is not much of a hassle to avail credit card facility in a country like India. The interested person does not even have to fill up a form or go through any lengthy procedure because it can be easily done online. As compared to normal procedures applying online is much easier. Moreover, credit cards on good interest rates make this facility much more attractive and customer-friendly. Moreover, a tremendous change will be observed in the credit card market. Indian banks are known to provide great services in terms of credit cards and will aim to sustain it further.

Addi
http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/the-credit-cards-are-the-mens-best-friend-529017.html

Finding the Best Credit Cards

Posted in Low Interest Credit Cards by admin on February 15th, 2010 | 8 Comments

Credit card companies are competing for your business. They are using big incentives to get your attention. Even those with bad credit are being targeted. With all these credit card offers how do you find the best cards? These tips will guide you pass the pitfalls and into the ideal credit card.

Tip One – Compare multiple offers at once

If you’re like me you get hundreds of credit card offers in the mail every year. Each of the envelopes is designed to make you want to open them. They splash their offering on the outside or invite you too look deeper into what they have for you. At first glance some of the offerings sound really good. They offer free interest, bonus points, gift certificates, and cash back. No matter how good the offer sounds you don’t know how good it is until you’ve compared multiple offers against each other. There are multiple items that need to be considered at the same time to get the whole picture. So as a general rule of thumb: don’t sign up for the first offer that comes your way.

Tip Two – Look for hidden fees and penalties

One trick credit card companies have started doing is revoking benefits if you are late with a payment with ANY creditor. Even though you have a perfect record with them they can still take away the free interest and other perks if your credit score changes. A dirty trick? Yes, so look for that in the fine print.

The other little trick is asking if you want extra protection for your credit cards. They’ve really ramped up the efforts to get you to spent and extra dollar or two for every hundred you have on your balance. They get an extra 1-2% every month without lending any more money. In some cases it might make sense to get extra protection but just realize that your APR is going to be much higher as a result.

Tip Three – Look beyond the offering

Some cards offer the best benefits and look like the clear winner compared to everything else. Carefully examine the whole offer before signing up because there might be a catch. First, look to see if there’s a yearly fee. Second, if there isn’t a yearly fee look at the APR for purchases and balance transfers. If everything checks out there look at how the rewards are given back to you. Sometimes using the rewards has so many restrictions that it’s impossible to get the use out of them.

Tip Four – Compare cards using a rating system

A way to compare multiple cards quickly is by using a rating system. A rating system will give you the gist of what people with the cards have experienced. While rating systems aren’t perfect they do give a snapshot of what’s good and what’s not.

Tip Five – Get a business credit card when you can

If you can applying for a business credit card will give you the best perks. Even if your business is very small or not yet formed business credit are worth pursuing. They often combine to of the best perks, zero percent interest and rewards, where other cards will only do one or the other.

Matthew Mitchell

http://www.articlesbase.com/credit-articles/finding-the-best-credit-cards-113545.html

Technorati Tags: credit cards bad credit

Gas Credit Cards – Tips on Picking the Best Card

Posted in Best Credit Cards by admin on February 5th, 2010 | 4 Comments

With gas prices skyrocketing, millions of people are flocking to gas cards to help with the rising fuel cost. Gas cards are brand specific credit cards that offer consumers rebates and rewards for using their credit card.  Like most credit cards that offer a reward programs, there are specific guidelines that consumers’ need to be aware of.  In many cases, a traditional credit card is better suited for the task.

For starters, gas reward cards are designed for people with good credit that pay off their balances on a monthly basis. If you have the tendency to carry over balances from month to month you will be better served using a regular credit card. Reward credit cards in general, have higher interest rates and shorter grace periods. Therefore, when you carry a balance, you will be paying more in interest even after you consider the rewards.

Sixty percent of all gas credit card holders carry a balance from month to month; this is how the credit card issuers pay the reward benefits. When considering gas credit cards, consumers need to take a careful look at the benefits that are offered. Most gas cards offer better benefits as an introductory incentive to attract new card holders. You should look past these initial offers when comparing cards and pick a reward program based on the benefits that occur after this initial period is over.

The most important thing to look for when considering a gas credit card is your driving habits. Will your gas card be used primarily locally, or will it be used for travel? Make sure there are close and convenient stations to use if your card is brand specific. Having to travel an extra three to five miles out of your way to use your gas card can eat in to any benefits that you receive from using the card. Many gas cards offer additional discounts on specific merchandise in specific retail stores; again, what is the proximity of these stores to the station?

Gas credit cards are issued by banks like such as, Chase, Discover or Citibank or by a gas company like Shell, Mobile or Chevron. The most important distinction is that the brand specific gas cards require that you buy their gas to take advantage of any benefits they offer. Ironically, it’s usually the banks, rather than the gas companies, that underwrite and bank-roll the credit cards anyway.  The difference is that the gas company credit cards are usually easier to qualify for than the bank issued cards are. The caveat is; interest rates and/or rewards are directly related to your credit.  Marginal credit results in marginal interest and rewards.

When comparing benefits, many bank issued credit cards tend to mirror each other. Some of the more common benefits include cash-back rebates that range from 2% – 5%, cash rebates on purchases, 0% introductory rates and no annual fees. On the other hand, the benefits offered by the gas credit card will include things such as air miles rebates, hotel and travel discounts, car repair rebates and rebates on groceries at participating stores.  When making a choice on what card to use, choose the benefit that best matches your lifestyle.

A card that we recommend at Direct Banc is the Discover® Open Road(SM) Card. This card offers cardholders a 5% in cash rebate on gas and car maintenance purchases up to 1% for general purchases, and .25% for purchases made at select warehouse clubs and discount stores. Of course, you could consider other cards like the BP Gas Credit Card Visa® Rewards and the Capital One® No Hassle Miles(SM) Rewards for travel and gas. Each of these cards offer a unique reward benefits package that compliment varied lifestyles. Taking time to read the fine print and picking the right benefit is the key to getting a gas credit card that is truly a benefit for you.

Aubrey Clark

http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-finance-articles/gas-credit-cards-tips-on-picking-the-best-card-460457.html

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Finding the Best Prepaid Credit Cards

Posted in Best Credit Cards by admin on January 24th, 2010 | 4 Comments

If you’re in the hunt for a credit card, you’ve probably searched everywhere and with so many type of credit cards out there, it’s hard to determine which credit card best suits your needs. Today, we’re going to focus on a prepaid credit card.

When you think of a prepaid card, you’re probably thinking of a card you give someone for Christmas as a gift but this isn’t the type we are going to talk about. Instead, these type of cards are designed for those that have bad credit. They work like a gift card but instead, they are in your name and work just like a Visa or MasterCard.

A prepaid credit card sounds like a joke when it comes to your finances but believe it or not, there are cards out there that actually report to the main credit bureaus. What does this mean for you? This means that your credit will be reported and this will help you build your credit score. This way, in the future, you’ll be able to get that home mortgage and loan you want.

How do I apply for one?

Applying for one is fairly simple. Many banks on the market offer these types of cards. There are things that you need to look out for though when you do apply. There are going to be maintenance fees, credit limit limitations and some cards will only allow you to use them at particular places.

A maintenance fee is what will be charged to you no matter how you use the card. Make sure that you read the terms and conditions when you want to find out more about this. This will either be charged weekly, monthly or even yearly. Sometimes you’ll be able to find a card on the market that doesn’t even have a fee like this so make sure you look for those too.

When it comes to credit limitations, this means that some cards may cap you at how much you can deposit into your account. There are accounts out there that will give you interest on your balance, so look for those too. For example, some cards may say that you can only deposit a maximum of $5,000. This will be your credit limit. If you can find a card that gives you interest on your balance, this is even better.

When it comes to applying for a card, make sure that you always look for a card that has a major card logo like Visa, Mastercard, etc. The reason you’ll want these main logos are because you’ll want to be able to use them wherever these cards are accepted (which is just about anywhere.)

Prepaid cards are great for those that are looking to get a card regardless of their past. Just about 99% of the people that apply are approved and even if you don’t have bad credit, these cards are great to control your debt. If you’re bad with your spending when it comes to credit cards, these can help you out a ton!

Tom Tessin

http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/finding-the-best-prepaid-credit-cards-709668.html

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