Finance is often needed, and people always don’t have enough money in the personal account to take care of the monetary needs. Finance from external sources can be availed in the form of a loan from some credit providing company or a known relative.
However, acquiring any kind of monetary help should be done after careful consideration, and the need for the funds for a particular situation should always be examined. In the present world, there are numerous ways to get financial help. The credit card that is issued to an individual is a form of an unsecured loan which is given to a person. By swiping the credit card, one can select to withdraw money up to a certain limit which is also known as the maximum credit limit.
If a person has taken a credit up to the maximum limit, then no more money can be acquired through that credit card. People also have multiple credit cards for ensuring quick access to funds in case of need.
The multiple areas where credit cards can be used
Credit cards are an authorized form of payment which is accepted by most stores and shopping sites. A credit card can also be used for withdrawing money by swiping the card at a particular ATM. However, cash withdrawals by using a credit card are not often used because the rate of interest that is levied on cash withdrawal is very high.
Swiping the credit card generally won’t raise the interest rate that much so people tend to swipe credit cards at specific places for making payments instead of using it to withdraw cash.
The credit cards can also be used for paying different kinds of bills both online and offline. Shopping sites accept credit cards during the checkout process, and jewelry stores also accept payments through credit cards. The credit card helps an individual to make purchases and payments when enough money is not present in the personal account.
Temporary lack of money is not an issue, but if bill payments get stalled due to such temporary unavailability of funds, then it might result in penalties. But if credit cards are present, then a person can easily make the payment by using her card on the offline or online e-commerce site. Most business owners know that customers often tend to use credit cards for making payments and so almost all kinds of business enterprises have the option of payments through credit cards open on their online sites as well as in offline shops.
Restaurants and notable eateries also accept payments through credit cards. Hence it can be understood that credit cards have become a popular form of payment tool.
The selection of the most suitable credit cards
It has already been mentioned that people can have more than one credit card. However while choosing specific credit cards or before applying for a particular credit card an individual needs to look for a credit card that offers many benefits. It is true that credit card also provides benefits to the cardholder and these benefits are listed. Therefore a person first needs to be acquainted regarding the features of the credit card before acquiring it.
The parameters that govern the process of selecting the best credit card are given below:
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The upper limit of the credit card:
Each credit card provides a person with an upper credit limit. This credit limit is the highest amount which can be taken on credit by the credit card holder. The individual who is applying for a credit card should note this amount. If there are credit cards that offer a higher upper limit, then that should be considered because having a higher amount at one’s disposal is far better.
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The places where the credit card is accepted:
All credit cards might not be accepted everywhere. It is always better to take a global credit card that will function in any location.
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The rate of interest levied by the credit card company:
When credit is taken it is understandable that it has to be returned to the credit card company. However when an amount is taken on credit, then there is a certain rate of interest which is levied on that amount. The credit card holder has to return the principal amount which has been taken as credit and also the interest. If the interest rate is very high, then the amount that has to be returned will also be very high. Hence it is important to check the interest that is being levied on credit amounts to arrive at a better decision when it comes to applying for a credit card.
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The discounts which can be gained by using that particular credit card:
Some companies provide a company-specific credit card which when used for purchasing items at different stores of that business enterprise provides the purchaser with discounts or some other benefits. While selecting a particular credit card this feature should also be taken into account so that a correct choice can be made. If a person shops from a particular brand frequently then if that brand provides individual customers with credit cards then it is a beneficial deal for the customer as he/she will be able to grab a lot of discounts by using that card.
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The period of no interest:
When credit is taken with the aid of a credit card then in case of many cards there is a grace period for paying the loaned amount back to the credit company with no interest. This is also known as the grace period. The duration of this grace period is to be noted. Longer durations are preferable, but the rate of interest usually becomes very high after longer grace periods. But if a person can pay with n grace periods then choosing cards having a considerable no interest period is a good idea.
Hence, it is very important to know about each and every aspect of a credit card before applying for it.