Thinking of applying for a credit card? Using this financial tool responsibly can be quite beneficial. Using it the wrong way, though, can take a toll on your entire financial situation, including your credit score, as well as get you in great debt.
Since that’s not what you want to happen, you’ll most likely do your best to understand how to be responsible with the card you select and how to ensure you’re getting all the benefits from it without accumulating great debts and thus getting in financial trouble. In fact, you probably already know a few things about being responsible with your finances, so you surely won’t go recklessly into the story of using this financial instrument.
Did you, however, know that the responsible usage begins with, of course, making a wise choice regarding the card you want to use? Put differently, so as to get the best experience, you’ll need to choose the beste kredittkort for you. And, so as to make such a choice, you’ll need to test at least a few of those out, not exactly by applying for them and using them, but actually by doing extensive research on them beforehand, aiming at getting all your facts clear on different cards and their benefits.
In simple words, what you have to do now is learn how to choose and how to apply for the right card for you. In case you haven’t done that in the past, this entire process will be new to you, so there’s no doubt you’ll have some questions and be at least a bit confused about how all of it works. That is, about how to go through the whole choosing and applying procedures. The confusion will go away, however, once you get some useful pieces of info regarding the steps you should take and things you should take into consideration while selecting the best option for you and applying for it.
How to Choose
Well, that’s exactly what I’ll help you out with here. By taking you through the choosing and the applying processes respectively, I hope to give you a clearer picture on what it is you should do and what it is you should consider during those two procedures. Starting, of course, with the part of choosing first, because there would be no sense in talking about applying if you still haven’t made your choice and decided which credit card you actually want to use. So, let’s assist you in doing that.
1) Find Those Sites That Test Them for You
As mentioned, testing out those different cards is essential if you want to be sure you’re choosing the best one for you. And, of course, the testing out part doesn’t exactly consist of applying for all of them and using them for a certain period of time, as that could result in some great debts, especially if you make the wrong choices. Instead, it consists of taking closer looks at the specific cards and getting as much information about them as possible, aiming at comparing them in details before choosing.
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Anyway, as I was saying, you’ll have to test the cards. And, a good way of doing that includes you visiting websites that have done all the necessary research beforehand, and that have basically tested out the different solutions, so that you don’t have to. Put simply, you’ll need to find websites that feature lists of different cards and their providers and that offer clear and precise information about all of those. Information regarding all the important factors you’ll have to check prior to choosing.
2) Check Out the Interest Rates
What kinds of important factors am I talking about here? Interest rates for one. Checking out these will give you a clear idea on how much interest you’ll have to pay when carrying balance, and your goal will be to find those cards with lower rates. The lower the rates, the less interest overall you’ll pay, which is definitely a great thing. The good thing is that those websites I’ve mentioned above will clearly list the rates you want to learn about, helping you, thus, get all the relevant info at one and the same place.
3) And All the Other Fees too
You shouldn’t stop just at the rates, though, as there are other significant factors to keep in mind too. Other fees as well. Some cards are fee-free, meaning they don’t charge annual fees, while others do charge those, and it is up to you to check out which providers offer which option. Naturally, it is a clear advantage to get a kredittkort with no annual fees, but if you have to pay it, then you should go for a low one.
4) Remember the Perks
Before applying for a credit card, a process you can learn some more about on this website, you should also check the perks they offer. Those can include, but are not limited to, certain redeemable points, miles, as well as the cashback option. Checking out the perks will help you get a better understanding of what you can expect from different cards, as well as help you figure out which perks you would love to get and which ones might not be that important to you. For instance, if you’re not planning on traveling a lot, the airline miles won’t exactly be favorable for you, meaning you should go for a card that offers other types of perks you’ll actually find useful.
5) Go for Reputable Issuers
Understanding that the actual issuers play a huge role in the quality of the solution you’ll get is clearly important as well. And, naturally, going for reputable ones should be your goal. Thus, checking their reputation by reading reviews, or perhaps by talking to some past clients if that’s a possibility, should be one of your tasks. Finding reputable issuers will be a sort of a guarantee that you’ll get a high quality service overall and that you’ll be happy with the choice you’ve made regarding the card you want to use.
How to Apply
Have you already made your choice? You know which specific credit card you want to use, and you’re ready to apply for it? Well, the only thing left to do is understand how to actually go through the application process, and I’ll help you out with that below.
1) Check Out the Requirements
Checking out the requirements imposed by the issuer is the first step to take here. This way, you’ll know whether you’re eligible for certain credit cards, or if you shouldn’t even bother applying. Most of the times, those requirements have to do with your credit score, but there could be some other ones you’ll need to meet, so make sure to check them before applying.
2) Work on Your Credit Score
Speaking of the credit score, if you have the time, that is, if you’re not in a hurry to apply for this financial tool right away, you should work on improving it. That is, of course, if it needs improvement. By doing so, you’ll definitely ensure you’re qualified for and will get approved for pretty much any card you set your mind to. Meaning, you’ll avoid rejections, and you’ll also have more options to apply for. Thus, improving the score is certainly an important part on the process, so do get some tips on how to do that and start doing it as soon as you can.
3) Check if You Can Apply Online
Checking whether you can apply online should also be one of your crucial steps. After all, if you can complete the application online, that will make things much easier. Some issuers offer this opportunity, while others may not, and it’s your particular task to find those that do, if you prefer the option, and apply with them.
4) Follow the Application Steps
Having worked on your credit score and having made sure you meet all the requirements, you’ll now simply have to follow all the application steps. If doing this online, it will be quite quick and easy. Although, the traditional application process isn’t difficult at all. Basically, you just hear what the lender has to say, or read the rules online, follow the application steps, provide all the necessary info, send the application and then wait for approval.
