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Archive for the ‘Credit Cards’ Category

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How to Apply for a Credit Card Online

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

The average American mailbox gets sales pitches from credit card companies at about two a day. With this overload of information, choosing the best product that fits your needs can get pretty
overwhelming. The sheer number of brochures and application forms not only make it inconvenient to make an intelligent choice, but also adds to unnecessary clutter.

This is where the advantages of applying online for a credit card comes in. It’s easier to make head-to-head comparisons, because of the relative simplicity you can retrieve the latest information about your prospect credit card product. And once you’ve made your choice, it’s just a matter of pounding at your keyboard and clicking those checkboxes. No manual, long-hand writing each letter of your name in those annoying boxes. What a great, great consumerist world we live in.

So, what to remember when hunting for a good deal on a credit card online? Here are a few tips:

1. Know thyself.

What do you need the card for? Is this your first time to get one? Where would you most likely use it? All these are basic questions, and ones that cannot be stressed enough. You don’t want to end up like more than half of Americans who end up buying things they’re not sure they need with money they’re not sure they have.

2. Be internet-savvy.

There are a few websites that facilitate a simple side-by-side comparison of different credit card products, but usually it’s a marketing tool of only one credit card company. If you’re interested in comparing products from one company to another, you’ll still have to go to each company’s website. This still beats having to deal with all that paper, though.

3. Read the fine print.

This is as good a time as any to do your homework. Often times when we read from a brochure the company sent us, they conveniently leave off a lot of vital information about the product.

Calling their helpdesk may help, but that’s just another hassle. And anyway, if you still have specific questions, there’s usually an email link you can use to field them.

4. Make sure you’re secure. This is a sophisticated techno-world we live in. If you have to, invest in security software that will protect you and how you surf the internet. This also applies to when you’re already going through the application process itself.

The credit card industry is a multi-billion dollar business. Competition for market share has kept up with the times, and that means using the internet to lure more clients. You as a consumer can use this tool to your advantage, and it won’t be that easy. But it will certainly be worth it, if you get the hang of it. Just remember your goals why you’re getting that plastic money in the first place, and try to do your homework.

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Apply Online for a Free Credit Card

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

It is easy to apply online for a free credit card. Filling out a credit card application is just like filling out a job application-everyone needs some tips to use so that they get approved. If your credit is bad, then it may be a little more difficult to get a credit card than if you have good credit. Do not give up, because there are hundreds of companies out there that offer credit cards for people with bad credit and if you shop around, you will find the credit card that is just right for you.

If you consider getting a credit card, the first place that you can get information is the Internet. The Internet has a lot of information about many different credit cards, including their rates, fees, and incentives, so that you can find the best credit card for you. There are some credit card companies that say that they will give you a credit card with no credit check. However, keep in mind that having a credit card almost always means that you are going to go into debt. Be cautious when choosing the credit card for you. Read the fine print of their terms and agreements to make sure that there are not going to be any surprises.

You should analyze your financial situation to make sure that you can handle a credit card and its payments. Even the most cautious of us go on a little shopping excursion every now and then and you do not want to be thrown into a financial tailspin when your bill comes in. Cautiousness is very important in using your credit card. If you are not sure that you can handle a credit card, then rethink applying. You need to be sure that when the bill comes in that you can make the payments. If you are not completely sure, then don’t get a credit card until you are ready.

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5 Things to Know Before You Apply for a Platinum Credit Card

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

In our current society where high regard is placed on prestige, image and personal profile, Platinum Credit Cards are often used as status symbols. This stems from that fact that these cards are only approved for high income consumers with good credit records. Due to these circumstances, a high credit limit is provided, while interest rates may be relatively lower due to the lower credit risk.
Apart from that, Platinum Credit Card holders may be entitled for exclusive retail discounts and free air miles that may not be available for Gold and Standard credit card users. Nevertheless, there are a few considerations that you would need to make before actually applying for a Platinum Credit Card.
High Annual Fees
The platinum card status and higher credit limit do not come without a price, as higher annual fees are applicable for these cards. Indeed, annual fess payable may go as high as a few hundred dollars a year! If this is acceptable, then it may be wise to ensure that you are enjoying reward benefits that are of greater value than a standard credit card.
Increasing Interest Rates
One of the downside of Platinum Credit Cards is that your interest rates can be increased when you only pay the minimum on your outstanding balance or have been making late payments. Interest rates can be increased by as much as 35%, which amounts to a significant value. Apart from that, the minimum payment incurred may also be increased from 2% to 3%, another factor that adds to your cost of using a Platinum Credit Card.
Higher Credit Limits
Platinum Credit Card owners are entitled for higher value in credit limits as compared to Gold and Standard Credit Card owners. In reality, the exact credit limit varies from person to person in accordance to the evaluation done by the credit card company. One of the greatest benefits to having greater credit limits is the convenience of making purchases of greater value with just one card, rather than with a combined credit limit from multiple credit cards.
Not to be confused with Platinum Unsecured Credit Cards
Platinum Unsecured Credit Cards are not really credit cards, but rather shopping cards that can be utilized on specific outlets, or through an online catalogue. The restriction here is that these cards can’t be used in other establishments, such as restaurants, gas stations or airline bookings. The word Platinum is probably associated to the unsecured high credit limits of these cards.
Shop for the right Platinum Credit Card

With the stiff competition within the credit card markets, it is wise to shop around for your credit card before applying for one. Analyze the different cards and you will see that some credit card companies offer benefits that are better than others. In fact, incentives such as no annual fees, low interest rates, attractive reward programs and high credit limits are now even possible for Platinum Credit Cards. You just need to look around and decide based on what fits you best!

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Applying for An Instant Approval Credit Card Online

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Instant approval credit cards are a convenient way to apply for a new card. With these cards, you can usually find out in less than a minute if you are instantly approved for a card. Better yet, applying for an instant approval credit card online is really quite simple.

Finding the Right Card

The first step in applying for an instant approval credit card is deciding which card you want. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of instant approval credit cards for you to choose from online. Be sure to thoroughly research them all to find the one that is best for you. Things to look out for include: annual fees, interest rates, and additional fees. If you have good credit, be sure to only apply for an instant approval credit card without associated fees or a high interest rate. If you have a poor credit history, be sure to compare instant approval credit cards met for those with a less-than-perfect credit history and find the one with the least amount of fees and the lowest interest rate.

If your credit is really bad, you might want to consider a secured instant approval credit cards. These cards require you to pay money up front. The money you spend with one of these credit cards is actually your own money that you put on the card. Make sure the card reports to the credit bureaus before wasting your time applying. If the card does not report, then it will not help you rebuild your credit. If you have good credit, you shouldn’t even bother with a secured instant approval credit card, unless you are a parent looking to get a card to use with your high school or college student child.

Completing the Form

Instant approval credit card online forms are the same as the forms you would complete for a traditional credit card. You will be expected to give the potential lender your social security number, name, and address. You will also need to supply the potential lender with employment information, such as the name, address, and phone number of your employer. You will also be asked to provide your annual household income. It is up to whether or not you want to include income such as child support or spousal support when reporting income. In general, the higher your household income, the greater your chances of getting approved and of receiving a higher credit limit. Never lie, however, as this information is really needed mostly to protect you from putting yourself at risk of going bankrupt.

If you are applying for a secured instant approval credit card, you might not need to supply quite as much information. Many secured instant approval credit cards, for example, do not require employment information. As long as you have the money to place on the card, the lending company isn’t much concerned about verifying your employment. Often, however, you will need to have a bank account in order to electronically transfer funds from you bank account to the secured instant approval credit card.

No matter what type of card you are applying for, be sure you are submitting the information on a secured site. You will know if the site is secured because there will be a small icon of a lock located either in one of the top or bottom corners on your computer screen. A site that is secured prevents hackers from being able to access your personal computer. Any reputable credit card company will have a secured site. If the site is not secure, do not do business with the company.

The Moment of Truth

After you complete the online application form, you will generally find out in less than a minute whether or not you qualify for the instant approval credit card. Don’t be disheartened, however, if lending company does not instantly approve your card. Often, this is simply because the company needs to look more closely at your credit history. Generally, this process will only take a couple days. Therefore, an instant approval credit card is still a faster way to get approval for a new credit card than a traditional credit card, which can take up to eight weeks to be approved.

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5 Tips for Applying for Instant Credit Card Approval

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

What is an instant approval credit card? You must have come across many credit card companies online claiming that you can apply for a credit card right away and it will be approved ‘instantly’. However, it does not primarily mean that once your application is approved, you can start shopping. You have to actually receive the actual credit card which can take a few days to arrive in the mail, before you can start using it.
The best thing about applying for a card online is that you can come to know within a short time, if you are eligible for the card or not. You do not have to fill the credit card application on paper and send it through the snail mail. You do not have to wait for weeks for the credit card company to run through your credit report and finally send you the credit card. When you apply online, the procedure is convenient, because you are notified of your approval status in just minutes, not weeks. You also get the advantage of comparing the cost of credit offered by other credit card companies against the one which interests you.
Getting your credit card application approved instantly is not every one’s cup of tea. The companies who offer such credit cards generally target people with a good credit history or record. Here are 5 tips for applying for instant credit card approval:
1. Just apply. It may be the norm for credit card companies to offer instant credit cards to people with a good credit, but it is not a compulsion. The competition between credit card companies, these days is so tough that there are many companies who cannot afford to lose a single prospect just because of mere speculation that he may not repay the credit. So, even if you do not have a good credit history or rating, go ahead and apply.
2. Do not give into shrewd marketing tactics. Do not be charmed away by deals and offers by a credit card company online. There are a lot of websites and a lot many credit companies in the line which may give you better deals and more promotional offers. Think practically and shop around different websites to compare the cost of credit offered by different credit card companies before you make an informed decision.
3. Do not get carried away and fill a lot of credit card applications online just because every second offer looks enticing. Choose the best one and apply for only one credit card. Remember, if you apply for many credit cards, it can affect your credit rating, because you are looked upon by credit card agencies as someone who is in dire need of credit.
4. You should never delay making payments on your credit card. If you default on your payments or make a late payment, it affects your credit history. It also makes it all the more difficult for your instant credit card application to be approved. So be prompt with your payments and you stand to be a worthy contender for getting your application approved rather quickly.
5. If you do not get your credit card application instantly approved by the standard credit card companies, do not worry. Attempt filling the application for cards like a department store credit card. They stand a chance to be approved easily and they are good for beginners who have just begun to use credit.

Please note that there is no point in trying again if your application for an instant approval credit card is rejected. It is better to wait for some months or so before you apply again. If your application for the card is turned down, it affects your credit rating. You have to realize what is important; applying for an instant credit card or maintaining your credit rating. Your credit status is of utmost importance because it affects every buying decision of yours be it a car or a home. It is fine to apply for an instant credit card online but not at the cost of ruining your credit.

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