Credit card companies are a dime a dozen. Odds are you have already had several offers through the mail, through your email, or by word of mouth. So how does one pick a credit card when there is so much to choose from? Depending on what you need, there are basic rules to follow in doing so.

Credit card companies like offering an introductory rate to reel in credit card users. Don’t fall for this tactic- any benefit you get initially will one day cease to exist and you may be left with a credit card with less acceptable terms than others. You will see this primarily among proprietary stores such as Amazon, where you can get a credit card to try and help lower your bill on a specific order.

Rewards are another way credit card companies snare new clients. Even though you might be earning small rewards, you would be gaining more money in the long run by finding a credit card with a cheaper rate. Things such as “air miles” and “points” that you get to redeem for rewards later on are only “feel good” items that don’t equate into a better deal.

It used to be that when you obtained a credit card, you had to pay an annual fee just to use it. The annual fee was eventually done away with due to high competition in the credit industry. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t still exist- because it does. Check to see if you will be charged one. If so, you will probably have better luck somewhere else.

Credit unions are a great choice if you happen to know of one in your area that you can apply for. Credit unions are more localized, and better geared to help the people they serve. Whereas a credit company can be hard to deal with, credit unions serve a smaller volume and also have better pricing in many cases. Some credit unions may demand that you be in a special club, organization, or military branch in order to apply.

Overall you are going to want to get a credit card that has a low APR. The APR is what dictates the amount of interest that you will be spending in the long haul. The lowest APR possible is what should really catch your eye, not promotions or introductory rates that expire within only a few months of usage.

Closing Comments

Picking a credit card can be hard, but with research you can find one that isn’t going to try and cheat you or fool you into a deal you won’t want later on. Talk to others to see if they are happy with their credit card decisions.

Learn more about best credit cards and credit card offers.