Why Compare Credit Cards?
Credit cards make everyday purchases more convenient than usual by giving the holder the ability to buy without having to lug around bundles of cash. Understanding how credit cards work will help you maximize the advantage it gives you (not to mention help you avoid major issues in the future).

HSBC Balance Transfer Credit Card
Get 6 months to pay off your debt for 5.99% p.a. with this HSBC credit card and pay no annual fee.
- 17.99% p.a. on purchases
- 0% p.a. for 8 months with 2% handling fee on balance transfers
- $0 annual fee
- 21.99% p.a. on cash advances
Credit Cards: a Brief History
The term "credit card" and how it is used were first mentioned in the 1887 novel Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy. The idea of the credit card as we know it today was first used in the United States during the 1920s, with Western Union starting to offer charge cards to its loyal clients in 1921. During the late 1930s, charge cards began to be more widely accepted by merchants. The Charga-Plate is considered as an early predecessor of what modern credit cards look like; it was a small rectangular piece of metal much like a dog tag. These metal "cards" were used in a similar way as department store credit cards.
How do Credit Cards Work?
When you use a credit card to purchase, you enter into an agreement to pay the credit card issuer. This agreement can be done either by signing a receipt (including the total transaction amount and credit card information), or by entering a PIN (personal identification number). In cases when the credit card is not physically present for the purchase transaction, a verbal authorization through the telephone can also be done. Payment for online purchases is done over a secure electronic authorization over the Internet.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Credit Card
"A new credit card offering a 0% balance transfer rate can be particularly attractive, but keep in mind that the payments you make will first pay off the transferred balance and the succeeding transactions will still accrue interest."
To ensure that you are getting the best credit card for your needs, credit card information should carefully be looked over. Credit cards offer different features and perks, and it is up to you to decide which ones would make life much easier for you as a credit card holder.
- Interest Rates – Make sure to scrutinize the interest rates you would need to pay on top of your purchases. These interest rates will profoundly affect the total amount you will need to pay for. A new credit card offering a 0% balance transfer rate can be particularly attractive, but keep in mind that the payments you make will first pay off the transferred balance and the succeeding transactions will still accrue interest.
- The Power to Pay – Consider the monthly payments you need to make when choosing which credit card to get. If you plan on paying off the entire amount each month, it is best to look for credit cards that offer incentives (such as waived annual fees, points, cashback deals and other rewards). On the other hand, you can look for credit cards offering low-interest rates if you plan on leaving a balance on the credit card every month; the low-interest rates will help ensure that the total amount due will not spiral into something unmanageable.
- Your Usual Transaction Types – Keep in mind the types of transactions you will often make when choosing a credit card. Business credit cards are excellent for keeping track of expenses that are business-related and will make bookkeeping easy. Airline and frequent flyer credit cards are perfect for those who can pay off their balance every month; the accumulated points can then be used for airline tickets, hotel accommodations and even cars for hire. There are numerous offers from credit card issuers in Australia for various needs, so make sure you filter the diamonds off the dirt.
- The Issuer – Choosing a finance provider can be overwhelming when you face a multitude of credit card issuers. Consider these points: Does the institution command a long-standing track record for financial stability? Do they offer decent interest rates (as well as extensive perks & incentives)?
Common Credit Card Mistakes
- Paying the Minimum Monthly Amount Due – It is easy to believe that you are saving your hard-earned money when you pay only the minimum monthly amount due on your credit card balance. The sad truth is, the total amount (including interest accumulated over time) will be double or triple the actual amount you used for purchases when you do that.
- Choosing the Wrong Credit Card – You should thoroughly review all information before actually choosing a credit card to ensure that you are getting the best deals for your needs. Choosing a wrong credit card can result in additional costs for features you will never use.
- Not Reviewing Credit Card Statements – Regularly reviewing your credit card statements will ensure that you are paying only for the purchases you made. A regular review of credit card information and statements will notify you to any unauthorized or fraudulent charges, which you can then bring to the attention of the credit card issuer. Billing errors can also be tracked with the simple act of conscientious credit card statement reviewing.
Effectively sorting through the credit card information you get can give you the ability to utilize the features of the credit card you want. Once you have learned the delicate art of making credit cards work for you – and not the other way around – you can look forward to the advantage of using credit cards for your needs. Learning the ins and outs of credit card information can also remove the headaches that are usually associated with these powerful plastic payment options.
What Are Your Debt Triggers?
The following is a guest post by Mark, written on behalf of ClearDebt. The ClearDebt site offers advice on personal debt, including taking out an IVA. Every one of us is unique, with our own unique wiring and world view. Some find money management a breeze while the rest of us keep sliding into debt. [...]
Gem Visa Credit Card Review
The Gem Visa Credit Card Takes Interest Free to the Next Level One of the things that sets the Gem Visa Credit Card apart from many other cards is the interest free options it offers. Most cards are limited to 45 – 55 days interest free on any purchases, but the Gem takes it one [...]
Legal Trap: How to Avoid Being An Australian Credit Card Terms and Conditions Horror Story
When freelance writer Nora Dunn went on a trip to Australia, the plan was to charge everything on her credit card. But when she tried to use it—for a small emergency, no less—she found out it had been canceled months ago. She lived to tell the story on her Wisebread.com column, so it wasn’t that [...]
Top Mobile Bank Dangers And How To Avoid Them
Find out what the scams are in mobile banking, and how you can avoid them. Our article will give you some insights you might have not thought about previously. Read on… In keeping with the mobile nature of society, and the increased use of electronic communications, banks have developed mobile banking. Now you can manage [...]
6 Tricks to Outsmart Credit Card Companies
Let’s be honest, banks have been living the good life, charging people high interest rates and credit card fees and offering terrible customer service. Is it a wonder people are displeased, especially with the state of the global economy? Even though people are demanding change, the industry is slow to respond because it really isn’t [...]
7 Things You Never Knew About Credit Cards
Let’s get some bad news out of the way first… Cash advances cost! Many credit card companies send you cheques that you can write against your account, so you assume doing so is a good idea. Wrong! Most credit card companies charge a “cash advance fee” when you withdraw funds from your card – whether [...]
The Real Cost of Credit Cards
Most people are aware of the fact that they’re paying interest on their credit card balance, but not many are truly aware of the real costs associated with paying for things using credit. Lets have a closer look.. The HSBC Credit CardPay no annual fee for life and enjoy paying a lower rate on your [...]
Australians No Longer a Nation of Credit Card Debtors
All over the world news is spread regarding the many woes that people are having to go through all because of the financial crisis brought on to some degree by credit card debts. Yet not all people in all countries remained bound to their level of credit card debt, with Australians showing a willingness to begin reducing their level of personal debt.
Your Personal Data In the Black Market
The Personal Data Market Con artists have been around as long as humanity has existed and the Internet is no exception. Every day our inboxes are bombarded by phishing emails after our personal information. Luckily, though, most people know to avoid these emails but online conmen don’t stop there. They use other approaches such as [...]
Identifying the Root Problem of Your Credit Card Debt
If you’re thigh-high in credit card bills and opening your purse or wallet to get cash money results in little more than a puff of dust or a scraggly moth, you’ve got serious problems. Since you got yourself into this mess, you must make some serious life-style changes to bring your finances under control. Your first hurdle will be understanding that your credit cards are not a source of income.
How to Increase Your Credit Limit
Looking for great ways how to increase your credit limit without sacrificing your pride? There are a few things you can do that will greatly improve your odds of successfully getting your credit limit increased.
Suze Orman’s Credit Card Tips
Why Tackle Credit Card Debt? Many people don’t realise the importance of getting their credit card debt under control and Suze Orman explains her views with a simple example that is sure to mobilise you to get rid of all that debt. If you have a credit card with an outstanding balance of $5,000 with [...]
How To Minimize Credit Card Fees
Two Most Important Considerations The two most important considerations you’ll have when comparing the benefits of credit cards will be the interest rate placed on new purchases and any fees the card may carry. Interest rates can vary widely from card plan to card plan, depending on the nature of the card and its likely [...]
New Law to Limit Credit Card Fees in Australia
There are proposed new laws for credit cards being debated in the Australian parliament. If passed, they could come in to effect by July 2011. Such laws would be very much welcomed by most citizens because they would help curb how credit card companies use various means to lure many unsuspecting cardholders into debt.
How a Credit Card Can Help You Get Out of Debt
Even though it seems a little hard to believe, it is possible to use your credit card for avoiding getting into debt or struggling with some serious problems related to your finances. If you want to find out more about this process, you should definitely read the following lines carefully because they will provide you with some very valuable pieces of information which you could use as a guideline.
How To Increase Your Credit Rating
Dealing with Rejection Nine times out of ten, if you’ve had your application for a credit card rejected, it’s because of your credit score or smudges on your credit history. To understand why your credit score is important and why it can lead to credit card rejection – as well as in other situations, such [...]
When Does It Make Sense to Use a Credit Card?
The key to good credit card use is to understand when using this type of financial tool can be beneficial for you and when it could be potentially harmful. Below are some situations when it can make good sense to use your credit card to pay for spending: Emergency Situations There may be times when [...]
High-Interest Bank Accounts Give High-Energy Returns
Summary: Passive Income is the catch-phrase in today’s financial world. Don’t let your money sit idly around while it can be making money for you even while you sleep. Many financial institutions are offering high interest accounts and it’s only wise to exploit this resource. Furthermore, it’s a safe, high-yield investment in these financially troubled [...]
How To Avoid Credit Card Skimming Fraud
You must have heard about credit card scams, well tell you what, scammers and con-artists are getting better at it. New methods and devices such as skimming are being developed all the time. You need to be careful while doing your transactions. Here are some tips and guidelines on how to protect yourself from these [...]
7 Tips For Closing A Credit Card
It’s a great feeling to close out a credit card. Maybe you’ve transferred the balance to a low-interest card, or simply succeeded in paying off the balance. You can certainly improve your credit rating, but only if it’s a clean break. Here are some tips for closing a credit card. Tip 1: Fine Print There [...]
Does Canceling Credit Card Affect My Credit Score?
The hype about credit scores, which has grown bigger and louder since the recession hit, has led many consumers to consider canceling their credit cards. After all, if you only have one or two, you don’t risk racking up too much debt, and the bureaus will see it as a move towards more responsible spending, [...]
Avoiding Identity Theft: Tossing a Credit Card Is Not an Option
Summary: Before you get rid of that piece of plastic hanging out in your purse or fattening your wallet, you need to consider a few things. It’s not as easy as you think and you just can’t toss the card into the rubbish bin – or, you better not. Even if the card has been [...]
What Happens To Your Debt When You Die?
Many people have asked themselves this basic question at least once in a lifetime. Therefore, if you are among them or are just curious to find out more about debt and how it will be handled if something bad happens, make sure you read more because the following lines will definitely contain the answer you [...]
How a Credit Card Can Help You Get Out of Debt
Even though it seems a little hard to believe, it is possible to use your credit card for avoiding getting into debt or struggling with some serious problems related to your finances. If you want to find out more about this process, you should definitely read the following lines carefully because they will provide you [...]
5 Common Credit Card Company Tricks – and what to do about them
As you probably expected, since the main focus of credit card companies is to maximise their level of profit in the shortest time possible, there will always be some tricks that aim at making this process easier for them and you should do everything possible to avoid them. In this matter, the following lines will [...]
7 Tips To Quickly Boost Your Credit Score
Your credit score can be a very important factor in some of the situations, especially if you wish to apply for a credit card or a loan. In such situations, representatives of the financial institution you choose to collaborate with will always perform a check on the situation of your credit file in order to [...]
Credit Options If You have a Bad Credit Rating
Unfortunately, a bad credit rating can happen to good people. Bad financial choices that are made on the front end can greatly affect your credit options on the back end.
The Best Low Income Credit Card
If you’re in the market for a new credit card, but you’re on a limited income, you might be trying to figure out which is the best low income credit card to suit you. There are several to choose from, so be sure to take time to compare them.
The Meaning Behind 55 Days Interest Free
When you see that your credit card offers you 55 days interest free, don’t believe that you’ll receive an automatic 55 days of being charged no interest on every purchase you make. It just doesn’t work that way. No annual fee for the first year. 55 days interest free.0% p.a. for 5 months (reverts to [...]
Do Free Credit Card Travel Insurance Offer Enough Coverage?
If you think you don’t need travel insurance, think about the guy who met the grim reaper while on holiday in Europe. The preparation of the body and the plane fare home for his remains cost in excess of $10,000. Westpac Earth Gold CardGreater point conversion rates than the Standard Earth card. Complimentary travel insurance [...]
American Express Vs. Visa
If you are looking for a credit card and you’re torn when it comes to American Express vs. Visa, you’re not alone. Many people feel the exact same way and that’s why this guide was set up to help you learn more about American Express and Visa so that you can make the best decision for your needs.
Understanding Credit Card Features
Credit cards are like power tools: they’re great to have around, but dangerous in the wrong hands. And just like you won’t go for the cheapest drill, you won’t base your credit card decision on costs alone.
The American Express Qantas Business Card: Make Business A Breeze
Business doesn’t have to be all work and no play—just ask holders of the American Express Qantas Business Card. With such features as unlimited spending, frequent flyer miles, and advanced security, this card is the perfect companion whether you’re building a fledgling business or running an empire. There’s no need to worry about cash flow, [...]
Simple Ways to Save Money with a Credit Card
So many folks are suffering from credit card debt. Some can point to these financially difficult times. The rest, if they had minded their P’s and Q’s, wouldn’t be in nearly so much trouble. Following are some simple ways to save money with credit cards. “You need to find a card that offers a very [...]
Micro-Payments Let You Micro-Manage Your Credit Card Debt
You probably never really gave it much thought, but you can usually pay towards your credit card as many times a month as you like. Why not make payments according to your personal financial schedule? You may get paid four times a month. You don’t have to make one big payment a month. Try making micro-payments. Of course, the way to do this is to use your credit card issuer’s website for online payment.
The Facts – Credit Card Minimum Monthly Payments
You may be wondering how your credit card issuer arrives at that mysterious amount called “Minimum Monthly Payment.” The process is relatively simple, but you won’t be happy with the results. Westpac Low Rate CardA simple low interest rate card featuring a low ongoing rate on purchases, 55 days interest free, and a low $45 [...]
Put That Credit Card Away! It Might Be a Plastic Explosive!
A credit card can offer an opportunity to snatch up a bargain (sometimes), buy a tire if you’re on the road, or put a well-thought-out significant purchase on a controlled payment plan. Other than those situations, the best time to use a credit card is, succinctly – NEVER A credit card should only be used with forethought. If not, you’re headed for the same kind of trouble so many folks are struggling with today – credit card slavery.
Can a Credit Card Be a Substitute for a Personal Loan?
Having a specific purpose in mind and considering whether or not to take a personal loan or relying on plastic takes some measured consideration. Rates amongst personal loan lenders and credit card issuers are becoming very competitive. As a consumer, you have more choices than ever. Choosing wisely can save you wads of cash in the long run.
Understanding Credit Card Statement Features
Understanding credit card statement features will help you better manage your debt on a monthly basis. If you are having troubles in this area, maybe you should take the time to brush up on a few credit statement terms.
Credit Cards for Bad Credit
Do you have a bad credit rating in your credit file? Be certain to apply for credit cards for bad credit. These cards will help you with your present credit situation.
7 Tips to Obtaining a Higher Credit Card Limit
Obtaining a higher credit card limit is not something that happens overnight. Follow these few steps and your credit card lender might give you a higher credit limit in the near future.
How to Reverse a Credit Card Transaction
Want to know how to reverse a credit card transaction? Perhaps you should see first if your transaction or bad experience qualifies for a reversal first.
Fantastic Plastic – Credit Card Fundamentals
How did we ever get along without them? Most everybody has a piece of plastic in their pocketbook or purse. More and more they are being used in place of cash. Credit cards, debit cards, and to a lesser extent, store cards and petrol cards, are the new coin of the realm. Virgin No Annual [...]
Credit Card Debt Settlement – You Can Do It Yourself
If you are sharing the plight of many who are being overwhelmed by credit card debt, it is within your rights to renegotiate the terms of your debt. You can ask for a complete settlement to wipe the books, or negotiate for lower monthly payments. You can do it yourself with good results. And, yes, your credit record will take some hard hits.
Charge Cards vs. Credit Cards – Which Is Best for You?
Charge card. Credit card. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but a significant difference exists. Credit cards allow a customer to carry a balance from billing cycle to billing cycle – while imposing healthy interest rates on those unpaid balances. The HSBC Credit CardBenefit from 5.99% for 6 months on balance transfer rate. Rewards program [...]
Secured Vs. Unsecured Credit Cards
It is necessary for consumers to repair their your poor credit but to do that, you must first get your next credit card application approved. Here are some tips.