Finding The Best Credit Card Offers
When looking at credit card features and offers, it is important to consider both financial and lifestyle factors to decide what will best work for your situation.
Two of the most important things to think about when choosing a credit card are:
- Why a credit card is needed
- How the credit card will be used
Looking at the topics above is a great place to start the search for the best credit card because it gives you an idea of how to prioritise credit card features.
Why Is A Credit Card Needed?
Do you want to use your credit card every day or mainly for unplanned expenses? Is it to take advantage of credit card rewards, or something you want for online shopping?
When thinking about your specific reasons for getting a credit card, try to list everything that you would like to have in a credit card.
Keeping those things in mind, and considering the following points will make finding the best credit card much easier.
Credit Card Use
Thinking about the way you plan to use your credit card has a huge impact on what will be the best credit card for you.
Someone who wants to use a credit card frequently, for example, will probably want some flexibility in credit card repayments. This means the number of interest free days and the interest rate will be big factors.
A low interest credit card can be a great option for frequent users as well as those who want credit for unplanned expenses, like the Bank of Queensland Low Rate credit card, which has 0% p.a. interest for the first 3 months, 13.49% p.a. after that and up to 44 days interest free.
Someone who wants to shop online, on the other hand, will want to prioritise credit card security features and may also consider a zero fee card if regular repayments are part of the plan. A credit card like the Bankwest Zero Gold Card could be perfect for this kind of credit card use because it offers:
- Airline travel and accident insurance when used to pay for tickets
- 3 months free protection against loss, theft or accidental damage on any goods you buy with your card; and
- Extra 1 year warranty on top of manufacturer warranty
This credit card may also be great for someone who travels a lot, though there is a huge range of rewards cards with features for travel and more.
The Woolworths Qantas Credit Card, for example, offers 1 Frequent Flyer point for every $1 spent, plus 16,000 bonus points when people first get the card.
Frequent drivers, however may want to take advantage of the Citibank BP Credit Card, which gives you 5% off on petrol and other goods bought at BP service stations.
Whatever the use and reason for the credit card, matching your needs with the offers available will help you get the best credit card around.