How To Choose A Credit Card In 2025

Table of Contents

How To Choose A Credit Card

1. Run A Credit Report

Check your credit score to see what credit card offers you could be qualified for. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get accepted for cards with superior benefits. You may check your score in a variety of methods, including:

Credit scores are available for free on NerdWallet.
The three main credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) offer credit scores. – Many credit card issuers provide free FICO scores to customers.

Check your credit reports to discover what's causing the issue if the figure isn't what you anticipated. If necessary, you may then start looking for measures to improve it, such as modifying your purchasing habits or challenging a reported inaccuracy. Every 12 months, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each of the three main agencies under federal law. AnnualCreditReport.com, a federally approved site, offers free credit reports.

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2. Determine The Kind Of Credit Card You Need

Credit cards are divided into three categories:

Credit cards that assist you in repairing or improving your credit when it is restricted or damaged.
Credit cards that help you save money on interest.
Cards that allow you to win prizes.

The ideal card for you is one that has features tailored to your individual need. If you don't travel much, for example, the greatest travel card in the world won't help you much.

If you wish to improve or repair your credit, follow these steps: Credit card for students or secured credit card

Student credit cards are simpler to qualify for than other kinds of credit cards since they are unsecured and designed for college students who are new to credit. Secured credit cards, which often demand a $200 or more security deposit, are also available. When the account is upgraded or terminated in good standing, your deposit is refunded to you.

If you want to save money on interest, do the following: Balance transfer or a low-interest card with 0% APR

If you intend to use your credit card for emergencies or if you have sporadic income and carry a load from time to time, a card with an initial 0% APR and continuing low-interest-rate can be a suitable fit for you. A balance transfer offer could be able to assist you to pay off a high-interest loan without paying any interest. Keep in mind that if you have ordinary or low credit, these deals may be more difficult to come by.

If you pay off your debt in full every month and never incur interest, a rewards credit card is an excellent fit for you. These cards have higher APRs, but they come with bigger sign-up bonuses and reward you with points, miles, or cash back for every dollar you spend.

3. Ask The Correct Questions To Narrow Your Options

Search for the sort of credit card you want using NerdWallet's credit card comparison tool, filtering results based on your credit score and monthly expenditure. Consider the following questions as you browse the best options.

Will this card help me establish my credit? – For student and secured credit cards: Look for a card that notifies the three main credit bureaus about your credit card payments. This is something that many protected cards don't do.
What is the cost of opening a bank account, including the yearly fee? The rewards on these cards aren't usually good enough to justify the annual cost. Unless you have really bad credit, you should be able to avoid this charge. Although your credit limit may be directly related to how much of a deposit you pay, the lesser the security deposit, the better with secured cards.
Is it possible to upgrade to a better card later? Choose a card that will allow you to accumulate credit and eventually upgrade to a card with better terms. This makes it simpler to keep your card active for extended periods of time, increasing the average age of your accounts over time.

For 0% APR or balance transfer cards with low-interest rates:

What is the duration of the 0% APR period, as well as the continuous interest APR? Look for a card that allows you to pay off your debt without incurring interest. Consider a credit card with a low continuing APR if you anticipate maintaining a load for many years.
What is the balance transfer policy for the card? Look for a card's balance transfer costs if you're making a balance transfer. Find out what categories of debt you may transfer and if there is a maximum amount you can transfer. It's worth noting that a card's balance transfer APR may vary from the purchase APR.
Is there a reward program with the card? If you simply need a few months of 0% APR — may be as a substitute for a sign-up bonus — you might be able to discover a card that also offers considerable recurring benefits.

For reward, travel, or cash-back cards, use the following formula: – What am I going to do with my money? Choose a card that offers the best rewards in the areas where you spend the most. If you're a frequent shopper, a card with an annual fee may be worth it if your rewards earnings would cover the cost.

If you intend to use the card outside of the United States, search for one that has no international transaction fees and supports chip-and-PIN technology rather than the chip-and-signature technology that is common in the United States. This also applies to other sorts of cards.

How difficult is it to use this credit card? Consider a card with flat-rate cash-back benefits if you don't want to deal with restricted award seat availability, spending limitations, rotating bonus incentives, or loyalty levels.
How long will it take me to receive prizes, and how much will they be worth? To get the answers to these questions, look at NerdWallet's rewards valuations.

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4. Apply For The Credit Card With The Best Overall Value

The easiest part is narrowing your options, but choosing between two or three identical cards might be challenging. After step 3, if you've already identified a clear winner, stick with it. If not, a tiebreaker round will be held. Keep an eye out for discrepancies. If all other criteria are identical, the following characteristics may distinguish a card:

The credit limit automatically rises for students and protected cards. Certain credit cards allow you to boost your credit limit following a string of on-time payments.
Interest on your deposit is paid. Your security deposit may be placed in an interest-earning CD with certain secured cards. You may make a modest bit of money this way.
For 0% APR or balance transfer cards with low-interest rates:
A debt repayment scheduler. Some creditors allow you to build your own debt repayment plan using an online portal, which might be a useful tool if you're drowning in debt.
There are no late fees or APR penalties. These fees are waived with certain credit cards. This might be useful if you get behind on your payments.

Cards For Rewards, Travel, Or Cash Back

Spending requirements are reduced. The lower the minimum deposit required to qualify for a sign-up bonus, the better.
The awards have no time limit. You may utilize your rewards on various cards as long as you keep the card open.

When choosing a card, bear in mind that you may list whatever money you have reasonable access to on the application, not just your own income. Money from grants and scholarships, as well as allowances from parents, may be used by students. Others may include a partner's or spouse's earnings.

So You've Figured Out Which Credit Card Is The Finest. What Comes Next?

It's crucial to get the greatest credit card, but don't stop there. To get the most out of your card, use it correctly. If you're attempting to build credit, make sure you pay your bills on time and don't use up all of your available credit. If you get a 0% APR agreement, stick to your debt repayment schedule. Use your card for daily transactions and pay your payment in full every month if you want to earn points.

Whether you're looking to establish credit, borrow money, or earn rewards, the credit card you use should help you reach your financial objectives in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. Don't accept anything less than the best.

Choosing A Credit Card Is A Difficult Task

There are hundreds of credit cards to choose from, so browse around to get the best one for you. Begin by considering how you want to use the credit card. This might be used to make purchases online or while on vacation, to pay bills, or to stretch the expense of a transaction. Regardless of how you use your card, the most important consideration is whether you will pay off your balance each month or stretch your payments out over time.

You may take advantage of the interest-free term if you can pay the debt down in whole and on schedule each month. The interest rate may not be as relevant in this scenario, but you may want to consider cards that provide additional benefits, such as cashback.

Even if you believe you will be able to pay the sum in full each time, it is important to consider what you will do if you are unable to do so. If you borrow money using a credit card and don't pay it off each month, you'll almost always have to pay interest. In this instance, a card with a lower interest rate may be preferable. Remember to make sure you can afford to return the loan on a regular basis.

If You Have Already Applied For Credit Cards

Applying for too many cards or switching cards often might harm your credit score. Your credit file keeps track of every application you make. If an application is denied, it will be recorded in your file. When prospective lenders look at your credit report, it may seem that you already have a lot of cards or that no one else wants to lend to you.

When Picking A Credit Card, Here's A Checklist Of Things To Look For

Credit Limit

The primary reason to have a credit card is to borrow credit and repay it later. The amount that you can borrow is known as your credit limit. It is therefore essential to understand the credit limit available to you.

The credit limit depends on various factors such as:

Your credit history
Income
Type of credit card
Approved limit on other credit cards owned by you

Additional Cardholders

While applying for a credit card, you can check if it allows an additional cardholder.

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Credit Card Charges

When you avail a credit card, you may have to pay certain credit card charges and fees such as:

Joining fees
Annual fees
Renewal fees
Cash advance fees
Card replacement fees

Credit Card Rewards Points

Another benefit to look forward to while availing of a credit card is its reward points.

Interest Rate

Lastly, check the interest rate while availing of your credit card. This plays a vital role, especially when you delay the outstanding payment beyond the credit period.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a term used to describe the rate at which something (APR). If you don't pay off the whole debt each month, this is the cost of borrowing on the card. You may compare the APRs of several cards to see which is the most cost-effective.
Other aspects of the cards should be compared as well, such as fees, charges, and incentives
Minimum repayment: You will be requested to return a minimal amount if you do not pay off the debt each month. This is usually roughly 3% of the outstanding debt or £5, whichever is greater
The yearly charge: Some cards include an annual fee to use the card. Until you pay it in full, the fee will be added to the amount due, and you will be charged interest on both the fee and your expenditure unless you pay it in full
Extra fees and charges: Check the credit agreement to see if there are any extra fees associated with the card.
You'll normally be charged introductory interest rates if you go above your credit limit, use the card overseas, or make late payments. This is where you begin by paying a low-interest rate or no interest at all. After a particular period of time, the rate begins to rise. It may, for example, rise after six months or on a certain day.
For balance transfers, you'll often notice an introductory rate. When comparing cards, consider the length of the promotional rate, as well as the interest rate that applies after the introductory period, ends.
Loyalty points or prizes: The points accumulate based on how much you spend, and you can then use them to purchase items. This may happen at certain stores. Consider how and where you can utilize the incentives, as well as how likely you are to use them.
Cashback: This is where you receive money reimbursed to your card based on how much you spent; be sure you'll be eligible for the cashback. It may, for example, only apply if you pay your whole sum each month. It's possible that a lower interest rate is a better offer.

Comparing Credit Cards

You should obtain this information. A summary box containing typical important information regarding the card should be included when you are provided information about a credit card. The interest-free time, interest rate, and additional costs should all be included. This allows you to quickly compare various cards.

Making Use Of A Comparison Site

To examine what various credit card companies have to offer, utilize a comparison website. This might assist you in selecting the best card for you. There are several comparison websites, however not all credit cards are shown on all of them. As a result, you may need to search for a certain item.

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Obtaining A Credit Card

You may apply for a credit card online, via mail, over the phone, or in-person at a bank or building society.

You'll need to fill out a form, and the credit card company will run a credit check via a credit reference service to discover whether you're credit eligible. Your credit report contains details on how you manage your finances, including your bank account and any other debt you may have.

It notifies the provider whether you're a good payer and if you've received any court orders in the last six years. You may get a copy of your credit report by calling one of the credit reporting companies. There is a minimal charge for this service.

When filling out a credit card application, double-check that all of the information you provide is valid. If you're not sure how to fill out the form, call your credit card company for assistance. You'll have to sign the form to acknowledge that all of the information you've provided is accurate, and any incorrect information you provide might be considered fraud.

Getting A Credit Agreement Signed

You will be requested to sign a credit agreement if your application is approved. This is a legal document that lays out the terms of your agreement with the supplier.

The credit agreement contains information such as how much you may borrow, how much and when you must return, the interest rate and any additional charges that may be applied, your rights and duties under the agreement, and any other terms that apply. Always read the fine print to ensure that you understand precisely what you're committing to.

Holders Of Additional Cards

You may seek authorization to use your card for other cardholders. But keep in mind that if you do this, you will be liable for paying back anything they charge on your card.

It's a good idea to set certain ground rules with any new cardholders, such as when they may use the card and how much they can spend. Otherwise, you risk exceeding your credit limit or having more debt to repay than you anticipated.

If Your Application Is Not Accepted

Providers are not required to provide you with a credit card. If your credit score is poor or you are not a good risk, your application may be denied. If you wish to verify your credit file, ask the provider whose credit reference agency they utilized.

Although credit card companies have the right to refuse you credit, they are not authorized to do so in a discriminatory manner. This means companies can't refuse to provide you credit based on your race, gender, handicap, religion, sexuality, or location.

If you believe you were treated unfairly while applying for a credit card, seek counsel from a Citizens Advice Bureau, for example. Click the closest CAB to get information about your local CAB, including those that may provide help by email.

I trust you enjoyed this article on How To Choose A Credit Card. Would you please stay tuned for more articles to come? Take care!

JeannetteZ

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