Credit Card Comparison Feature 1: Hidden Fees

The first characteristic of credit card comparison is to look for any hidden fees that are associated with the acquisition or use of each credit card. Hidden fees are any fees which are charged to the card holder annually or based upon use. They are called hidden because they are usually outlined in the fine print of the terms and agreements signed by the card holder, so they are legally binding but they are not right out front where the card holder can see them.

Credit card comparison regarding hidden fees will include reading these terms and agreements and perhaps talking with the company's customer service representative. Late payment fees, annual charges, bounced check fees and over limit fees are all examples of fees which should be reviewed during the credit card comparison process. By knowing your own spending and payment strengths and weaknesses, you can choose cards with fees unlikely to affect you.

Credit Card Comparison Feature 2: Card Limits

In credit card comparison, you should consider what your personal spending limit needs require. If you are planning to make a large purchase, you are going to need to make sure that the card limit for the card you choose is relatively high. It is sometimes difficult to assess card limits when applying for new cards, because the limit will be based upon your credit card history and income. Telling a customer service representative from the agency that you are doing a credit card comparison might assist you in getting the company to make an educated guess as to what your card limit will be if you are approved for the card.

Credit Card Comparison Feature 3: Interest Rates

The most important feature of credit card comparison is to look at the interest rates of each card. Interest is the amount of money you will pay back to the company in addition to the money spent on credit card purchases. You want to keep this cost as low as possible.

During credit card comparison, you will want to review the interest rates in three different areas. You will want to look at the interest rate charged on normal purchases, that charged on balance transfers and that charged on cash advances. You will want to consider which cash access features you are most likely to use and choose a card which has low rates in that area.

In Summary

Credit card comparison is an important part of the credit card application process. Credit card comparison allows you to decrease the amount you spend monthly and overall when making purchases on credit cards. By knowing your own spending and payment habits and applying this knowledge to your credit card comparison, you can make the right credit card choice for you.

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