Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of the credit card UK market and now helps others get the best from a credit card. For more information visit http://www.moneyeverything.com

Most credit cards would make it a prerequisite for applicants to have a credit history before their application can be approved. With this, students may find their choices of credit cards rather limited. However, the Citi Platinum Select Card for College Students is designed specially to meet the needs of students.

There are no annual fees incurred for this card, although the APR is higher than most other credit cards. Furthermore, the APR is based on a variable rate with the figure tied to the Prime Rate. Nonetheless, there is always the 6-months 0% APR (for balance transfers, cash advances and purchases) and a cashback reward program to fall back on.

Apart from that, the cash rebate program rewards students with up to 5% of the amount spent on purchases charged to the card. Purchases made with the Citi Student credit card at supermarkets, drugstores and participating merchant partners are eligible for a 5% cash return. Nevertheless, lower cash rebates of 1% are applicable for cash advances and check transactions.

The downside to this is that cash rebates will be issued through $50 checks with rebates for general purchases limited to $300 a year. Other attributes of the card include a 20-day interest-free grace period each month, and a minimum credit limit of $500.

Interest charges are calculated based on an average daily balance method but as always, it may not be advisable for consumers to make late payments. Accounts can be managed online and customers are given the choice to pay their bills automatically. As a safety feature, the Citi Student credit card provides an option for the card holder?s photo to be printed on the card to prevent identity theft occurrences. Ultimately, this card serves as their stepping stone for students towards building a strong credit history, which is vital for their future financial dealings. Concurrently, this would also be a great card to instill spending habits discipline in young adults.

For more information or to apply for the Citi Student Credit Card, Eric Wasselman recommends Find Credit Cards.

A host of low interest credit cards is already in the e-marketplace favoring those with a revolving credit – in other words, those who carry a monthly balance. The interest rates on these cards tend to be around 10% while the rates on normal cards could be as high as 16% to 18%. The interest rates offered on these low interest credit cards could be fixed or variable. The fixed interest rate is relatively low in comparison to the variable interest rate. Fixed rate is advisable for those who carry a balance every month. Good credit history is required to get these low interest rate credit cards, which makes it difficult for many potential customers to acquire one.

How Do The Credit Card Companies Make Money?

Low interest rates charged on these cards are compensated in various ways by the credit card companies. Some of it includes, high annual fees, low introductory offer for only a limited period, and high transfer rates.

Searching For the Best Low Interest Credit Cards

The Internet is the best resource to evaluate various low interest rate credit cards. Since the credit card market is cluttered with various options, these low interest credit cards are marketed aggressively. A potential cardholder can negotiate the average interest rate from 10% to 6% if they have an exceptionally good credit rating. In case you have poor or low credit rating, you can negotiate with the credit card company for a better interest rate provided you give enough proof to substantiate steady income and a potential for your earnings to sustain in the future.

A cheap credit card, with low interest rates, helps you to maintain an increased credit limit at a lower monthly credit balance. You also need to consider the annual fee for such low cost cards as, in some cases, the actual interest rate of these cards could work out to be much higher than a regular card. Hence, it is advisable to choose a card that has low or zero annual fees. Most of these low interest credit cards offer 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for the introductory period. However, you need to be careful about the rates offered at the end of the introductory offer as they could escalate to phenomenally high rates after the introductory period is over.

Therefore, it is important to note the fine print in these offers because if various options are not evaluated carefully, it may defeat the basic purpose of obtaining these cards in the first place.

A Low Interest Credit Card Helps Saves Money

Low interest rate credit cards can greatly help in debt reduction and management of credit card expenses, provided care is taken to evaluate the various parameters.

* Balance transfer – Attractive interest rates of 5 to 9% are offered by many credit card companies, which enable you to pay off debt at a lower cost. It is wise to consider the 0% introductory offer, though it should not be the primary influencing factor in choosing the card.

* Debt Consolidation – Debt consolidation is best done with low interest rate credit cards. It is financial prudence on your part to consolidate your debt using a low interest credit card especially since so many offers are available with little or no transaction fees. Along with incurring lower interest rates, the savings on these transfers can be used to pay off the principal sum. In addition, debt consolidation with cheap credit cards helps to track all your credit card expenses.

* Cash Back Programs and Rewards – Many of these low interest rate credit cards in the market, in an effort to lure the customer, offer reward and cash back programs that allows you to earn reward points for every dollar spent on your card. In addition, these cards also collaborate with other merchants like restaurants, drug stores, shopping malls and offer good value for money deals.

So explore all such options before you sign up for the first low cost credit card that comes your way. If you want low interest credit cards to help reduce your debt burden, you must consider its annual fee, rate of interest etc. Low interest rate credit cards that offer rewards and cash back do not really help you reduce debts but they help save money in other ways. So cheap credit cards are only cost effective if you are able to exploit them to your own advantage.

For more information on finding the very best low interest credit cards, Robert Alan recommends that you visit http://www.creditcardassist.com/lowinterest/creditcards.html

You may have received an offer in the mail to apply for a Providian credit card. Why should you follow through? Simply put, this is a chance to get a 0 apr credit card online. With no interest for a trial period, you can pay out your balance transfers without accruing any extra interest payments. Plus, the Providian website makes it easy to get instant credit card approval.

Find The Providian Credit Card

Go online and visit http://www.providian.com to see the features listed for the 0 apr credit card. The website lets you know that Providian has recently joined with Washington Mutual, a well respected banking institution. They will continue to provide excellent credit card services and will have the added benefit of the Washington mutual stable of financial services as well.

Click on the link to the page listing information about the Providian Visa Platinum Card. Here you will see the basic features of the card and a few options before you fill out your application.

Features

The Providian Visa Platinum Card is somewhat unique in that it offers consumers a full twelve months without interest on Balance transfers. This means that you can transfer any amount you owe to other credit card companies to your new Providian account and get instant credit card consolidation.

Many people look for ways to decrease their credit card debt and to free up extra cash for monthly expenses. Transferring your debt to a Providian credit card is an excellent option. You get a grace period of twelve months to pay down your debt and not accrue interest. You also get a low apr once the twelve month period is finished.

With the Providian Visa Platinum Card, you pay no annual fee. You get the following services and the quality of the Providian with its 0 apr credit card is the online access toaccount information. While most companies offer access to balances, transaction histories, payment histories, and the like, Providian offers customers access to their credit score. Providian offers full disclosure about the reporting they do to major credit bureaus. You may check your credit score with these companies at any time of day or night. As your credit history with Providian increases, you may check the changes in your score. The twelve moth trial period during which you pay no interest on your balance transfers could make a drastic difference in your credit rating if you make prompt and regular payments on your principle. With Providian on your side, you can monitor your own credit rating without having to request repeated reports from credit bureaus.

The Providian Visa Platinum Card also offers instant credit card discounts at many popular retailers and restaurants. If you keep your account up to date, make your payments on time, and do not surpass your credit limit, your Providian credit card will automatically give you great deals on products and services you enjoy.

Need A Credit Card. Checkout http://www.Search-Quality-Credit.com For The Best APR?s And The Hottest Reward Programs!

If you’re a small business owner in the UK, you’re not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, contractors, shop-owners and other businessmen in the UK today. Many of these businesses have just one employee – the owner. Others have less than ten employees. If you’re one of them there are definite advantages for you in having a credit card in the name of your business. From credibility to protecting your business assets, there are a lot of good reasons to apply for a business credit card.

Credit cards give your business an air of credibility.

When you present a credit card with your business name on it, the business seems just a bit more solid and real. Often, the fact that a major credit card company has seen fit to give your business credit will weigh positively in your favor when you’re seeking business loans and merchant accounts with suppliers.

Credit cards can save your business money.

You know that rewards or cashback credit card in your wallet? The one that pays you back in airline miles or cashback discounts? Those are available for businesses, too. If you travel for your business or regularly pay for supplies and other purchases on a business credit card, you can use those accumulated rewards to pay for business trips, rental cars or other products that your company needs.

A business credit card can help you track your spending.

When you put all your business purchases and expenses on a revolving credit card, you’ll find it easier to track your business expenses and keep them separate from your personal expenses.

Using a business credit card for business and a personal one for your own expenses will make it easy when tax time rolls around. Sorting out personal expenses from business ones can be a headache, especially when the result affects your taxes or other important statements. Having separate credit cards for personal and business use can make it considerably easier to sore the whole thing out.

You can issue business credit cards to your employees for business spending.

Having a business credit card issued for the use of your employees can be a real boon when it comes to reimbursement for spending on business travel and other spending accounts. No need for them to spend cash out of pocket and submit for reimbursement – an accounting headache in the making. More importantly for you, when all business expenses are charged to your business credit card, you have a ready record to verify all the purchases and spends.

Look out for special reward cards aimed at businesses.

Some credit card companies offer special reward schemes aimed at businesses. A Tesco business credit card, for instance, offers Fuel Rewards points to help you reduce your business spends on fuel.

How do you choose the best business credit card? The same way that you choose the best personal card – compare credit card offers at comparison site to find the ones that are best suited to your business. Whether you prefer the extra rewards that come with a business rewards credit card, or the ease of tracking expenses with business credit cards, you’ll find the card you need online.

Jon Francis has been involved in various areas with the world of finance and has a keen eye for a bargin! He has an in-depth knowledge of the credit card UK market and now helps others get the best from a credit card. For more information visit http://www.moneyeverything.com.

The stiff competition to increase their customer base has driven credit card companies to develop extremely attractive rewards programs. Indeed, consumers sign up for specific rewards credit cards due to the enticing products that can be exchanged for rewards points earned for expenses charged. In fact, one of the factors differentiating one card from another is the type of rewards programs and retail discounts. The success of rewards programs is apparent as a 2002 survey has shown that the average American owns between 7 to 10 credit cards.

Rewards programs come in many forms, and its best to learn more about each before making a decision on one that will fit your lifestyle, spending pattern and personal requirements.

Airline Miles

The popularity and volume of airline travel has encouraged rewards credit cards to include free airline miles or airline mile redemptions in their rewards programs. With this, frequent flyers are given opportunities to accelerate their airline miles accumulation through credit card charges made to their cards. Rewards points are converted into airline miles, which can be exchanged for free flights when a specific number of miles has been accumulated. What better way than to reward yourself with a holiday that costs nothing to you!

Retail discounts

Some credit card companies adopt strategies to create rewards programs that specifically target shoppers. With this, using their credit cards will provide instant gratification to shoppers through retail discounts and dining privileges. This way, consumers get to save when they shop, retailers gain a greater sales volume and credit card companies build more profits through merchant account charges.

Freebie claims

This is one of the most common rewards of all ? freebies. Once adequate points are accumulated through credit card charges made, free stuff such as household items, bags, shopping vouchers, free hotel stays and electronic items are redeemable. In order to evaluate rewards programs, the credit card that has a lower point requirement should be the one that is most attractive.

Cash Back rewards

Cash back rewards allow credit card users to redeem cash once an adequate amount of charges have been made to their cards. This is great as credit card users get to be paid for their expenses. A word of caution here though: Cash back rewards programs work really well for those with a high volume of credit card charges and those who pay their outstanding balances promptly. Otherwise, you could be heading for a huge pile of debt on your rewards credit card.

Alan Bernstein recommends Find Credit Cards to apply for a rewards credit card today.

http://www.findcreditcards.org

Low interest credit cards are often at the top of everyone’s list when looking for a credit card. This is particularly true if you plan to carry a balance on your credit card for a period of time. But, how can you find the best low interest rate credit cards available? With a few easy steps, you will be able to find them without a problem.

Mailings

Some low interest rate credit cards send out mailings advertising their great rates. These mailings can be a good start in your search of the best cheap credit cards. Make sure to read the fine print, however, because many of these low interest credit cards are really only low interest for an introductory period, then the rates skyrocket. Read the information thoroughly to determine if the card will remain low or not.

Commercials

Radio and television commercials are also a source of information about low interest credit cards. Again, it is worth looking into these cards because you might be able to find a great deal. But, before applying, go to the lender’s website and learn as much about the credit card as possible. You might find hidden fees or expenses that make the card one you should avoid.

Word of Mouth

Many people don’t think to simply ask their friends and family if they have a low interest credit card. Asking them if they have a great credit card is not too personal, it is not as if you are asking them what their line of credit is or how much debt the are carrying on the card. People who have found a low interest rate credit card are often more than willing to brag about the great rate they found. Ask your friend to give you the name of the lender and the type of card he or she has. The type of card is important because most lenders have several different cards with varying interest rates, reward programs, and other benefits. You can even ask your friend for the 1-800 customer service number listed on the back of the card. You can call the number and speak to a representative to learn more and to learn how to apply for the card.

The Internet

Perhaps the best and easiest way to find low interest credit cards is to consult the Internet. There are number of websites on the Internet that offer information about a variety of credit cards. With most of these websites, the credit cards are divided into different categories. You can click on the category for low interest rate credit cards. After doing so, many credit cards with low interest rates will be listed. The beauty of using one of these sites is that they provide you with thorough, unbiased information about multiple cards. In this way, you can compare the interest rates of several credit cards, learn about introductory rates and long-term rates, find how the finance charges are determined, and research other benefits associated with the card.

Keep in mind, low interest credit cards do not necessarily need to be cheap credit cards. In other words, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality in a credit card for a low interest rate. When at one of the credit card comparison Internet sites, be sure to look at the other benefits provided by the card. Once you have narrowed your choices down to the cards with the lowest interest rates, compare the benefits offered by the card (such as travel insurance, purchase protection, fraud protection, and extended warranty services) and choose the one that gives you the most perks at the lowest rate.

For more information on finding the very best low interest credit cards, Robert Alan recommends that you visit CreditCardAssist.com

Many articles have been written about the importance of having healthy credit. And nowhere is the state of your credit more important than when you apply for a home loan. For most people, a house is the most expensive thing they will ever buy and the overall health of your credit determines whether or not a lender will offer you an affordable home loan. Since the most common measure of financial health is a credit score, most potential buyers are urged by well-meaning sources to check your credit score before you apply. Many would-be homebuyers head to the Internet to do just that, and seeing that their score is sufficient, they head off, score in hand, to meet with a lender to discuss potential loans.

And then the lender drops the bomb ? Sorry, but your credit score is too low. You don?t qualify for the best interest rate.

What happened? How can the credit score you buy be higher than the one the lender receives? The answer is a simple one ? there is more than one kind of credit score. Each of the three main credit bureaus ? Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, uses a different method of determining credit scores. While the scale and criteria they use are roughly the same, the formula is slightly different at each bureau, so checking with all three bureaus could provide you with three different scores. Or even four ? the three bureaus are now also making use of a unified scoring system. But which one is the correct score?

Mortgage lenders almost universally check the FICO score, created by Fair, Isaac, and Co. The FICO score is similar to many others, but it’s the one that lenders are checking. That means that if you want to know exactly where you stand ahead of time, you need to check your FICO score yourself. And you need to make sure that the number you receive is, in fact, your FICO figure and not some other arbitrary score.

How can you do that? There are many places on the Internet where you can obtain a credit score, but not all of them will offer the FICO figure. Make sure that the site you visit offers the FICO score before you agree to pay. Equifax makes the FICO figure available on their site, as does MyFICO.com. If you aren’t sure, you might check with one of those two Websites. Making sure you have an accurate representation of your financial health prior to applying for a home loan is a great idea. Just make sure that you are looking at the same measure of financial health that your lender will use ? your FICO score.

?Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation, personal bankruptcy, establishing credit and credit counseling.

In this day and age, a large number of the population is in possession of a credit card, sometimes even numerous credit cards! Banks and businesses are becoming more and more aware of consumer?s desires for specialised credit cards, and have thus introduced a myriad of credit cards that are joint ventures between banks and businesses. There are credit cards aimed at men, and credit cards aimed at women.

If you?re a sports fan, for instance, then you can?t go past the NASCAR credit card. Or there?s the NFL credit card, the World Series of Poker credit card, the MLB credit card, and the Bass Pro Shops credit card. People who love to travel would be interested in the British Airways credit card, or the World Perks credit card. If you like your cars, then the Subaru credit card, or the Volkswagen credit card is for you.

With the price of gas escalating out of control in the current world climate, gas reward credit cards are in big demand! Two such cards available at the moment are the Speedway SuperAmerica credit card, which lets you earn up to an 8% rebate on all gas and merchandise purchased at Speedway, SuperAmerica, and Rich Oil locations; and the HESS credit card, which lets you earn up to a 10% rebate on all HESS purchases.

For women, the Starbucks credit card is bound to be a favourite! As is the Borders and Waldenbooks credit card, for all people who enjoy reading. There are even credit cards for entertainment ? both the Sony credit card and the Universal Entertainment credit cards provide fantastic rewards programs. If you have children, there?s also a credit card for you ? the Toys R Us credit card can earn you awesome rebates!

Of course, when it comes to choosing a credit card suitable to your needs, it is important to read the fine print, and not just choose a card because it looks ‘pretty’. All of the cards mentioned here can be examined in further detail and compared at http://www.getfastcreditcards.com.

About the Author
Lisa R Johnson is co-owner of http://www.getfastcreditcards.com, a website where American citizens can view and compare countless credit card offers, and can also then apply online immediately for credit cards.

If you?re a college student, you probably already have a credit card. If not, you may have plans to get one or more soon. So why should you read on?

• Because financial debt is one of the main reasons that many students end up dropping out of college.

• Because your college years can be some of your most memorable?and some of your most costly. They don?t, however, have to be the beginning of an adult life strapped with debt.

• Although you may still feel in limbo between your teen years and adulthood, it?s time to take charge of your finances and manage them as an adult. The sooner you do, the sooner you?ll be able to start saving and spending your own money.

For those new to credit cards and for others who know all about credit, let?s go back to the basics.

Why do credit card companies court college students?

It?s obvious by the friendly representatives who offer a free t-shirt or CD just for signing up in the student center. Or the applications slipped into bookstore bags. Or mail boxes crowded with card offers. Credit card companies want college students to carry their card.

Did you ever stop to wonder why? One reason is loyalty?once a person has a card in their wallet, they are likely to keep that particular card and its upgrades for years to come. Another reason: college students are good customers.

While this may seem ironic considering that most college students are without a steady source of income, Robert Manning, Ph.D., Professor in the College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology and author of Credit Card Nation, says this is one example of how the credit card industry has changed radically in the past decade or so. ?Previously, conservative rules deemed a good customer as one that paid their bills on time,? he says. ?Now, a good customer is one that can?t repay their debt.?

?Credit is no longer an earned privilege,? continues Dr. Manning. ?It?s now considered a social entitlement, and the screening criteria (for card applicants) is weak.?

Banks make money by charging annual fees, late payment penalties and interest fees on unpaid credit card balances. Therefore, card holders with revolving debt (those who do not pay their balances in full each month) are desirable. NellieMae.org illustrates this point beautifully through an example of a student with a credit card balance of $7,000 at an interest rate of 18.9%. If this student faithfully makes the minimum monthly payment of 3% or $25 ? whichever is higher, and does not charge anything else to the account, it will take more than 16 years and $7,173 in interest fees to repay the bill!

Additionally, Manning notes the banking industry has learned that college students will draw upon various sources of income to pay their debt?including student loans, money from part-time jobs, and as a last resort, many will ask a family member to supply the funds to get them out of debt.

How to make credit work for you, not against you

According to Nellie Mae, 81% of college freshman have at least one credit card. And for good reason. Credit cards enable online purchases?from text books to concert tickets, make it possible to rent a car, and help with medical emergencies or vehicle breakdowns. Used wisely, credit cards can be helpful throughout college, and can assist you in the development of financial management skills.

As soon as you get your first credit card or loan, you have entered the world of credit reports and scores. A credit report is compiled by credit bureaus and contains information about your identity and credit relationships, among other things. Credit scoring is a system that lenders use to help determine your ?credit worthiness.? Credit scores are based upon your bill-paying history, the number and type of accounts you have, late payments, collection actions, outstanding debt and the age of your accounts.

It?s vital to know that your credit score affects your ability to get loans, car loans, and home mortgages. Future jobs and insurance premiums can also be influenced by your credit score. By paying your bills in full or in a timely manner, a credit card will help you establish a good credit score. Late payment or no payment will help you earn a poor credit score. For more information on credit reports and scores and how they affect you, check out CardRatings.com.

Developing a new view about credit

Mary Ann Campbell, CFP, founder of MoneyMagic.com and a money educator, cites unrealistic expectations as a major reason for high student debt.

Campbell, who teaches personal finance courses, says ?Many students? expectations of their earning potential after college far exceeds what their actual income will be.? She notes that some students use their credit cards with abandon during college, planning to pay off their debt when they land that great job after college. Indeed, some students forget that in order to get to the top of the career ladder, there are a few rungs, i.e., less paying jobs, they have to climb first. And the expense of starting a new job and life on your own can just add to existing debt.

Manning?s website, CreditCardNation.com, contains a great resource for students seeking a more realistic view of the first few years after college. Using the ?Budget Estimator,? a module designed by Manning, students can identify an average yearly or monthly starting salary for jobs in their particular major. The program automatically figures in estimates for taxes and social security payments. Students can then plug in expenses for housing, car payments, utilities, food, insurance, telephone and internet bills, clothing, credit card bills, student loan payments, and entertainment, etc. The module lets you know when you have spent more money than you make, and allows you to adjust payments as necessary until you get the hang of how your money is best distributed.

Students that seem to have the most credit woes? Those who believe their standard of living during and after college should not vary from when they lived at home on their parents? income. Cable television, cell phones with cameras, and new cars become ?necessities? instead of nice extras.

Advice to grow on

When it comes to credit cards, students have great advice for other students. Heather, a college junior from Arkansas, recommends getting one card with a low limit. ?This limits the amount of credit you have access to and therefore removes the temptation to spend more than you have or more than you can pay off immediately,? she says.

Another student recommends selectivity. ?Don?t sign up for a card that charges an annual fee to use it, and read the terms of the card before applying. You wouldn?t believe how many people don?t know what an APR rate is.? For more information on finding the best rated cards, check out CardRatings.com. You can read reviews of cards from other students and get the lowdown on perks of various credit cards.

Campbell has three recommendations for students: The first is open communication. Campbell says students who are educated about financial matters seem to have a better overall attitude regarding credit cards. Students should find a trusted source to talk openly with about money issues. Second, students should switch from spending behaviors (such as shopping) to activities that help you achieve the same feeling of gratification or reward, such as intramurals, exercise or campus organizations.

Last, but certainly not least, enroll in a personal finance course as soon as your schedule allows. Says Campbell, ?If it?s not required coursework, take it as an elective. You will learn a set of life skills that will not only help you right now, but also after college and for the rest of your life.?

About The Author

Rebecca Lindsey is a Senior Staff Writer for http://www.CardRatings.com. She began writing articles about consumer credit issues for http://www.CardRatings.com in September 2000.