We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs. Gloria Steinem
Why Compare Credit Cards?


There are many financial institutions offering credit cards- but they are not all alike. Company A and Company B can both offer pre-approved credit cards to consumers with acceptable credit, but the terms can be very, very different. It is important to compare credit cards to ensure you are using your money and credit wisely.

Secured Credit Cards

If you are applying for a line of credit against a paid balance, it is important to compare credit cards. Many banks offer secured cards to people with a less than favorable credit rating, at very high interest rates. Secured credit cards often require an initial deposit equal to the amount of the credit limit, many require yearly and or monthly fees, and almost all have fees for late payments, missed payments, and other situations.

Unsecured Credit Cards

Credit cards are issued with varying amounts of credit limits and fees. If your credit is good, it is important to compare credit cards to be sure you are receiving the best return on your investment. Start with credit cards that require full payment at the end of the month, such as American Express. If you can maintain a favorable credit rating with an American Express card, it is generally the only credit card you need.

Visa or MasterCard?

Both cards are usually accepted everywhere but there are still places where some credit cards are not accepted. In these cases, it's probably best to use cash or a debit card. No card is universally accepted everywhere and travelers should inquire prior to traveling overseas. If all other factors are equal, it probably wouldn't be advantageous to compare credit cards between Visa and MasterCard, because one or the other is usually accepted.

Watch for Hidden Fees

Many solicitations, especially through the mail, promise universal acceptance, pre-approval and high credit limits. Always read the fine print for fees and hidden charges. Deals that sound too good usually are. If the responsible and savvy consumer can successfully compare credit cards and their interest rates and charges, it is possible to move balances to more favorable cards by combining balances and juggling finances. These options are best used for those with higher credit lines, and with the advice of a tax accountant or bookkeeper.

Some companies, for instance, issue cards that can only be used at their store or when buying from their catalog. Others offer a higher credit line, but only after you pay weekly, monthly, and activation fees, and require those fees to be paid out of the original credit limit. A credit line of 0 can cost as much as 0 to activate and the balance may need to be paid off prior to using the card.

To summarize, it is possible and highly advisable to compare credit cards, including their charges and terms because they are not all the same.

Card College Credit Student

The Evolution of Credit Cards
By Mike Smith

 Life without credit cards is unimaginable. Its a payment system that has revolutionized the way the consumers and the service providers such as the hospitality and the retail industry communicate. As the name suggests, this plastic card provides with funds on credit for stuff that you may want to buy.

Way back in 1887, an American author and socialist, Edward Bellamy spoke about buying commodities with a card in his novel, Looking Backward.

In 1914, US-based Western Union introduced a metal card for select customers with an interest-free period. General Petroleum Corporation followed in 1924. This system of payment became so popular that during the 1920s and 1930s, it spread to other companies such as railroad, hotel chains, airline, oil companies and department stores.

The 1930s saw the launch of the Bell System credit card by the American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) Company.

One card that changed the face of credit card and gave it the global avatar was the Diners card. The credit card, launched in 1950 could be used for avail of general services, unlike its predecessors.

This Diners Club Inc card could be used in restaurants, for general travel as well as entertainment. Most merchants began to accept it because it meant more expenditure on the part of the consumers.

In 1951, New-York based Franklin National Bank introduced Charge-It cards. The applicants had to submit a loan application and the approved customers were given the card.

Year 1958, the American Express Company entered the credit card business with their version of the universal credit card, having the marketing tagline as Dont leave home without it.

1959, the Bank of America in California launched the BankAmericard, which was a significant event because it brought in the concept of revolving credit.

By 1967, the Master Charge or as it is known today, the MasterCard International (renamed in 1979) came into existence. This company was a group of four California banks that had come together to form this new entity.

Visa (earlier known as BankAmericard) came in 1977. These new bankcard processing associations expanded their services and increased income potential, and formed mutual relationships with large national or international banks.

In 1966, Barclaycard in the UK introduced the first credit card outside of the US.

This is not to mean that credit cards were popular worldwide. Even though credit cards gained popularity in countries such as the US, Canada and the UK, there were countries where transactions were much more cash-oriented. Or, alternative forms of cashless payments evolved. Carte bleue or the EC-card was introduced in countries such as Germany, France, Switzerland, among many others.

In these places, the take-up of credit cards was initially much slower. It took until the 1990s to reach anything like the percentage market-penetration levels achieved in the US, Canada or UK. In many countries acceptance still remains poor as the use of a credit card system depends on the banking system being perceived as reliable.

Today, credit cards are popular. But, it was only post the 1990s that making such a statement was possible. Regulatory issues and presence of poor countries are some of the reasons why this plastic currency took a while to make a niche among the consumers.

About the Author:

Compare the benefits of different credit cards as well as offers on various types of loans in India, be it a home loan, loan against property or a car loan. Apply for a loan or a credit card today at Apnaloan.com.


You cannot eliminate your credit card debt without working with your credit card company so call and ask if you can get a lower interest rate. There are many Independent Sales Organizations on the Internet that will offer their services for clearing credit card transactions. Even this minute decrease in interest can spin off great amount of cash in the long run.

If you are still reading then you are probably starting to think that credit card debt consolidation may be the answer for you.
If you don't and wait for the next one, this number will increase. In actuality, no one needs a credit card. The small business credit card comes with a very competitive annual subscription fee. It is a marketing tool for increasing their client base and both the consumers and the banks can benefit from it. If you've made it into college, chances are pretty good that you already have a good head on your shoulders, but when it comes to finances you may still be new to paying bills.