How do you know its right credit card for you?

[vishenda]

Apparently, there are so many credit cards out there to choose from that deciding which one to get can feel really daunting. But really, what makes one offer better than the hundreds of others you’ve seen?

[Ima saver]

I go for the cards with no fee and 1% back on purchases. Right now for me, that is a GM card, plus we have an american express that does the same thing.

[disneysteve]

I look for the most useful rewards. For several years, our main card was an AOL Visa. We didn't pay a penny for our AOL service for about 9 years thanks to that.

A few years ago, we got a Marriott Visa. We like to travel and like the Marriott chain so it was a perfect fit. We've earned many free nites and currently have enough points for about 2 weeks worth of stays. We plan to do a free-with-points vacation next summer.

[pearlieq]

Well, on the one hand, it's just a credit card, not a commitment to marry!

If you get one and it's not meeting your needs, many banks will let you change it in for a different one, or you can close the account and open a new one.

The first thing to think about would be whether or not you are carrying a balance. If you are carrying a balance, the lowest interest rate would of course be the priority.

If you are not carrying a balance, you can figure out which rewards are most meaningful to you. Most credit cards will reward 1-2% of your purchases in some form.

Cash rewards are the most flexible. Just make sure the card pays them out consistently and conveniently.

Merchant rewards can be lucrative if the card offers special perks (discounts, higher rewards, etc) for in-house purchases.

[Elgin526]

I have two major cards. I picked one for the rewards (United Mileage Plus, love those free coach tickets or first class upgrades!). This is the one we use for everyday purchases and it gets paid off at the end of each month, so no interest on our current purchases.

And the other one is for the 0% balance transfer, which is saving me a ton of money while we are paying down our consumer debt. That expires 12 months from the date of transfer, and at that point I'll open another 0% card and do another transfer on what's left.

The majority of the reward cards seem to be travel, cash back, points to use as you wish, or rebate/dollars off a future purchas (like the GM card). If you travel a lot, an airline or hotel card with your favorite airline/hotel would be the way to go. Like money? Cash back. Not sure what you want to use it for? Cash back or points. Need a new car in a few years? One of the auto reward cards could be a great option.

If debt reduction is your goal, then you want a low fixed rate or a 0% offer on balance tranfers. Shoot for 12 months (longer are hard to find or have rediculous restrictions) with no transaction fee or annual fee, and a decent % once the offer expires.

[Ima saver]

I got $1700 off of my vette with the GM card!

[MonkeyMama]

I think that is why there are so many cards - everyone uses them for something different!

I go for the cash back cards with no annual fees. Interest rates/late fees I ignore because I do not intend to carry a balance on them, and pay the bill when I Receive it. I am just applying for a card with 3% back on groceries and gas. I just prefer cash to the other rewards because we wouldn't really use the travel, eating out rewards, etc. + gift certificates I would be less likely to use, etc. Bring on the cash!!

If I ever want to carry a balance I have a mulitidue of 0% interest offers in my mail every day. I would shop credit cards completely different if I actually used them for credit.

[vishenda]

cool thanks for your output, well taken=0

[Hot dog]

i have a card that pays 5% on groceries and gas I get about $30 a month and discover does different promotions during the year when school started it was 5% off school tuition shoe stores staples and clothing stores now it is 5% off restaurants and Best buy and some other things but it is a pretty good deal

[vishenda]

Originally Posted by Hot dog

i have a card that pays 5% on groceries and gas I get about $30 a month and discover does different promotions during the year when school started it was 5% off school tuition shoe stores staples and clothing stores now it is 5% off restaurants and Best buy and some other things but it is a pretty good deal

sound like it is, thats nice

[rduell]

I'll have to look for a card that gives cash back on gas and groceries. With 7 mouths to feed that might add up quickly!

[ren]

My card gives me 2% on everything. I could do better, but I figure 2% is nothing to complain about. Now if I could just figure out a way to charge rent, I'd be cooking with gas!

rduell, you might want to Google for 'cash back cards', but be sure to find out how the cash back is awarded -- one of my coworkers was thrilled to get the American Express Blue Cash card until he found out that you don't start getting the full 5% until you've spent $6500 that year. Then he was

[MonkeyMama]

I like my 3% because it is not a Discover or American Express card. I just do not want any hassle of somewhere not taking it. THough I know I Could get 5%.

Read the fine print. I just signed up for Chase Freedom and only the first $600 every month on gas, groceries, and fast food is 3% cash back. IT is a little less than we spend every month, but everything else and above is 1% back. Definitely read the fine print on how much you can earn (the cap per month or per year, etc.) and how to redeem it. The cool thing on this one is if you wait to redeem $200 they will give you $250. BEats my old 1% cashback card by a mile.

Until something bigger and better comes along...

[Hot dog]

Just want to let you all know I just read something about discover from now til Dec 31 if you spend $200 at select malls you get a free $20 gift card just go to the customer service. You can get 5 gift cards per account

[vishenda]

Originally Posted by Hot dog

Just want to let you all know I just read something about discover from now til Dec 31 if you spend $200 at select malls you get a free $20 gift card just go to the customer service. You can get 5 gift cards per account

My friend said too

[rduell]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

I like my 3% because it is not a Discover or American Express card. I just do not want any hassle of somewhere not taking it. THough I know I Could get 5%.

Read the fine print. I just signed up for Chase Freedom and only the first $600 every month on gas, groceries, and fast food is 3% cash back. IT is a little less than we spend every month, but everything else and above is 1% back. Definitely read the fine print on how much you can earn (the cap per month or per year, etc.) and how to redeem it. The cool thing on this one is if you wait to redeem $200 they will give you $250. BEats my old 1% cashback card by a mile.

Until something bigger and better comes along...

I just signed up for the Chase Freedom also. I will have to remind myself to use it for groceries because I'm so used to using my debit card. I also liked the extra $50 dollars if you wait until $200 to redeem.