Personal Credit Cards to Choose From

by admin on May 22, 2011

A wide variety of personal credit cards are available on the US market, with the most popular types being low interest cards, rewards cards, and balance transfer cards. Low interest cards offer either a low initial annual interest rate or a low fixed rate. Almost every bank in the US offers such credit cards, but here are some top choices. They all require very good to excellent credit; so, if this is not the case, read no further.

The first reasonable option is the Citi Platinum Select Visa personal credit card by Citibank. There is no interest on purchases and balance transfers in the first 21 months. After that, the annual interest rate will fall between 11.99 percent and 20.99 percent. The rate is variable with this credit card product. Its exact amount depends on your credit rating. You will not be liable for unauthorized purchases and are equipped with Citibank’s own identity theft protection services.

Citibank also offers a MasterCard variety – more specifically, the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard. This product offers the holder pretty much the same terms and conditions as the Visa, but with some extras – discounts on gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more. These discounts serve as rewards or rebates. The card goes with no annual fee and zero percent introductory rate on balance transfers and purchases. The regular interest rate is the same variable rate that applies to Visa and depends on your creditworthiness. Included services include retail purchase protection, virtual account numbers, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance, and more. As a cardholder, you will enjoy discounts from Hertz as well. You will have access to your card account from your mobile device and online. You can view transactions, check your balance, and make payments with the help of mobile banking and online tools.

The Capital One Platinum Prestige Credit Card features zero annual interest on purchases and balance transfers until September 2012. Having said that, do not wait until June 2012 to apply – this is a limited time offer. After September next year, the annual interest rate is going to be 10.9 percent – 18.9 percent. There is no annual fee, no fraud liability in the case of loss or theft, travel accident insurance, and full-time travel and emergency support. The card is also featured with a replacement card and cash advances, as well as 24-hour roadside assistance. Finally, a nice artistic touch – you can pick the image you want on the card from the company’s options or choose your own.

Now we move on to balance transfer cards. These cards have the purpose of helping clients consolidate debt and save money on interest. You can consolidate high interest credit cards to that purpose. Again, they all require excellent credit. The first option is the Freedom Visa – $100 Bonus Cash Back by Chase. If you have gone bankrupt or had some other financial problems in the past, forget about this card. It was ranked the best overall card by Money Watch in a survey this year. If you manage to make $500 in purchases in your first three months, charged to this card, you will get $100 back. There is no interest in the first year on balance transfers and in the first six months on purchases. There is no annual fee, and your rewards never expire; so, they can be redeemed at any time. If you sign up at once, you will get returns on as much as $1,500 in gas, hotel, and plane expenses until September 30 of this year.

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