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"Low APR Credit Cards"
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Do you have good or excellent credit? Are you looking for a low APR credit card to save money every month? If you have weathered the current financial storm and maintained above average, good, or even excellent credit then you are entitled to be rewarded for your efforts.
You've demonstrated financial discipline and that you can pay all your bills on time without maxing out your credit cards.
Now it's time to receive what you've earned.
A credit card with a low annual percentage rate or APR.
Not to mention one with no annual fee.
And a whole host of other benefits or awards programs as well including airline miles, cash back bonuses, travel, or gift cards at your favorite retailers.
What kind of credit score do you need to qualify for a low APR credit card?
A 720 FICO credit score is the minimum you would need.
A 740 FICO credit score would put you in better standing.
Once you have these high credit scores you are eligible for the lowest balance transfer offers available, the lowest introductory APR, and even a low cash advance APR.
If you do not feel your current credit card company is taking care of you as a customer then maybe it's time to shop around for a better interest rate credit card.
Most credit card companies would love to have customers with good or excellent credit scores like you.
Make them compete for your business.
If they only want to offer you a six month low balance transfer offer, demand a 12 month one.
If they won't, someone will.
Don't settle for anything less than the lowest APR credit cards you can find.
And it may be that you will get the best deals in your own backyard.
To give you an example, there are two credit unions (United SA FCU, SSFCU) here in San Antonio, Texas that have credit cards with 8.00% and 8.99% APRs. (Rates current as of February, 2010)
You can do a search on Google for credit unions in your area and check out their low APR credit cards.
You've maintained good, excellent credit through thick and thin and now it's time to get rewarded. Save money every month with a lower interest rate credit card with no annual fee. Shop around and compare to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Questions? Comments? Need support? Contact Us
Low APR Credit Cards
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Low APR Credit Cards
We offer credit cards to both US and UK consumers with low
interest rates and online approvals. You can apply online for the low apr or
interest that like with instant online decisions (subject to credit approval).
Just select from the credit cards listed below and click on the credit card
offer that interests you most. We also have several offers for the credit
challenged, offering both secured and unsecured credit cards from Visa,
Mastercard, and American Express. Your approval is just seconds away with one of
our low apr credit cards. Remember that your personal information is always safe
at Low-APR-Credit-Cards.net as all of our low apr credit cards providers offer secure ssl encryption
during the application process. So get ready to be approved for a great credit
card with a low fixed apr interest rate in just a few seconds!
More Information on Credit Cards - Instant
Approval Credit Cards - Visa Credit Cards
- MasterCard - American
Express
Credit Cards Advice and Information
Chances are you?ve gotten your share of "pre-approved" credit card
offers in the mail, some with low introductory rates and other perks. Many of
these solicitations urge you to accept "before the offer
expires." Before you accept, shop around to get the best credit cards deal.
Credit Card Terms
A credit card is a form of credit cards borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms
and conditions affect your overall cost. So it's wise to compare terms and
fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card
account. The following are some important terms to consider that generally must
be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no
application. You also may want to ask about these
terms when you're credit cards shopping for a card.
Annual Percentage Rate. The credit cards APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as
a yearly rate. It also must be disclosed before you become obligated on the
account and on your account statements.
The card issuer also must disclose the "periodic rate" - the rate
applied to your outstanding balance to figure the finance charge for each
billing credit cards period.
Some credit card plans allow the issuer to change your APR when interest rates
or other economic indicators - called credit cards indexes ? change. Because the rate
change is linked to the index's performance, these
plans are called "variable rate" programs. Rate changes raise or lower
the finance charge on your credit cards account. If you?re considering a variable rate
card, the issuer must also provide various credit cards information that
discloses to you:
that the rate may change; and
how the rate is determined - which credit cards index is used and what additional amount,
the "margin," is added to determine your new credit cards rate.
At the latest, you also must receive low apr credit cards information, before you become obligated on
the account, about any limitations on how much and how often your credit cards rate may
change.
Free Period. Also called a "grace period," a free period lets you
avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date.
Knowing whether a credit card gives you a free period is especially
important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a free
period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your
credit card or from the date each transaction is
posted to your account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer must
mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time
to pay.
Annual Fees. Most issuers charge annual membership or participation fees. They
often range from $25 to $50, sometimes up to $100; "gold" or
"platinum" credit cards often charge up to $75 and sometimes
up to several hundred dollars.
Transaction Fees and Other Charges. A card may include other costs. Some issuers
charge a fee if you use the card to get a cash advance, make a late payment, or
exceed your credit card limit. Some
charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card.
Balance Computation Method for the Finance Charge. If you don't have a free
period, or if you expect to pay for low apr credit cards purchases over time, it's important to
know what method the issuer uses to calculate
your finance charge. This can make a big low apr credit cards difference in how much of a finance
charge you'll pay - even if the APR and your buying patterns remain
relatively constant. See page 10 for examples of how the
methods can affect your costs.
Examples of balance computation methods include the following.
Average Daily Balance. This is the most common low apr credit cards calculation method. It credits
your credit card account from the day payment is received by the issuer. To
figure the balance due, the issuer totals the
beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any credits
made to your account that day. While new low apr credit cards purchases may or may not be added to
the balance, depending on your plan, cash
advances typically are included. The resulting daily balances are added for the
billing cycle. The total is then divided by the number of days in the billing
period to get the "average daily balance."
Adjusted Balance. This is usually the most advantageous method for card holders.
Your balance is determined by subtracting payments or credits received during
the current billing period from the balance at
the end of the previous billing period. Purchases made during the billing period
aren't included.
This method gives you until the end of the billing cycle to pay a portion of
your balance to avoid the interest charges on that amount. Some creditors
exclude prior, unpaid finance charges from the previous
balance.
Previous Balance. This is the amount you owed at the end of the previous billing
period. Payments, credits and new purchases during the current low apr credit cards billing period
are not included. Some creditors also exclude
unpaid finance charges.
Two-cycle Balances. Issuers sometimes use various methods to calculate your
balance that make use of your last two month's account activity. Read your
agreement carefully to find out if your issuer uses
this approach and, if so, what specific two-cycle method is used.
If you don't understand how your balance is calculated, ask your card issuer.
An explanation must also appear on your billing statements.
Other Costs and Features
Credit terms vary among issuers. When shopping for a card, think about how you
plan to use it. If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual
fee and other charges may be more important than
the periodic rate and the APR, if there is a grace period for purchases.
However, if you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not permit a grace
period for the amounts due - even if they have a grace
period for purchases. So, it may still be wise to consider the APR and balance
computation method. Also, if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR
and the low apr credit cards balance computation method are
definitely major considerations.
You'll probably also want to consider if the credit limit is high enough, how
widely the card is accepted, and the plan's services and features. For
example, you may be interested in "affinity cards" ?
all-purpose credit cards sponsored by professional organizations, college alumni
associations and some members of the travel industry. An affinity card issuer
often donates a portion of the annual fees or
charges to the sponsoring organization, or qualifies you for free travel or
other bonuses.
Special Delinquency Rates. Some cards with low rates for on-time payments apply
a very high APR if you are late a certain number of times in any specified time
period. These rates sometimes exceed 20
percent. Information about delinquency rates should be disclosed to you in
credit card applications or in solicitations that do not require an application.
Receiving a Credit Card
Federal law prohibits issuers from sending you a card you didn't ask for.
However, an issuer can send you a renewal or substitute card without your
request. Issuers also may send you an application or a
solicitation, or ask you by phone if you want a card - and, if you say yes,
they may send you one.
Cardholder Protections
Federal law protects your use of credit cards.
Prompt Credit for Payment. An issuer must credit your account the day payment is
received. The exceptions are if the payment is not made according to the
creditor's requirements, or the delay in crediting
your account won't result in a charge.
To help avoid finance charges, follow the issuer's mailing instructions.
Payments sent to the wrong low apr credit cards address could delay crediting your account for up to
five days. If you misplace your payment envelope, look
for the payment address on your billing statement or call the issuer.
Refunds of Credit Balances. When you make a return or pay more than the total
balance at present, you can keep the credit on your account or write your issuer
for a refund - if it's more than a dollar. A
refund must be issued within seven business days of receiving your request. If a
credit stays on your account for more than six months, the issuer must make a
good faith effort to send you a refund.
Errors on Your Bill. Issuers must follow rules for promptly correcting billing
errors. You'll get a statement outlining these rules when you open an account
and at least once a year. In fact, many issuers
include a summary of these rights on your bills.
If you find a mistake on your bill, you can dispute the charge and withhold
payment on that amount while the charge is being investigated. The error might
be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you
didn't accept, or for an item that wasn't delivered as agreed. Of course,
you still have to pay any part of the bill that's not in low apr credit cards dispute, including
finance and other charges.
If you decide to dispute a charge:
Write to the creditor at the address indicated on your statement for
"billing inquiries." Include your name, address, account number, and a
description of the error.
Send your letter soon. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first
bill containing the error was mailed to you.
The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of
receipt, unless the problem has been resolved. At the latest, the dispute must
be resolved within two billing cycles, but not more than
90 days.
Unauthorized Charges. If your card is used without your permission, you can be
held responsible for up to $50 per credit card.
If you report the loss before the card is used, you can't be held responsible
for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your credit card before you report
it missing, the most you'll owe for unauthorized
charges is $50.
To minimize your liability, report the loss as soon as possible. Some issuers
have 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers to accept emergency information. It's
a good idea to follow-up with a letter to the issuer
- include your account number, the date you noticed your card missing, and the
date you reported the loss.
Disputes about Merchandise or Services. You can dispute charges for
unsatisfactory goods or services. To do so, you must:
have made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles of your current
billing address. The charge must be for more than $50. (These limitations
don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer or
if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the credit card
issuer.) and,
first make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller. No
special procedures are required to do so.
If these conditions don't apply, you may want to consider filing an action in
small claims court.
Shopping Tips
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.
Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.
Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the credit card.
Pay bills promptly to keep finance and other charges to a minimum.
Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.
Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized low apr credit cards use. Draw a line
through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. Tear up
carbons.
Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account
numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss
quickly.
Carry only the credit cards you think you'll use.
Here's how some different methods of calculating finance charges affect the
cost of credit cards:
Average Daily Balance
(including new purchases)
Average Daily Balance
(excluding new purchases)
Monthly rate
1 1/2%
1 1/2%
APR
18%
18%
Previous Balance
$400
$400
New Purchases
$50 on 18th day
$50 on 18th day
Payments
$300 on 15th day
$300 on 15th day
(new balance = $100)
(new balance = $100)
Average Daily Balance
$270 *
$250 **
Finance Charge
$4.05 (1 1/2% x $270)
$3.75 (1 1/2% x $250)
* To figure average daily balance (including new purchases):
($400 x 15 days) + ($100 x 3 days) + ($150 x 12 days) 30 days = $270
** To figure average daily balance (excluding new purchases):
($400 x 15 days) + ($100 x 15 days) 30 days = $250
Adjusted Balance
Previous Balance
Monthly rate
1 1/2%
1 1/2%
APR
18%
18%
Previous Balance
$400
$400
Payments
$300
$300
Average Daily Balance
N/A
N/A
Finance Charge
$1.50 (1 1/2% x $100)
$6.00 (1 1/2% x $400)
For Help and Information
Questions about a particular issuer should be sent to the agency with
jurisdiction.
National Banks
Comptroller of the Currency
Compliance Management, Mail Stop 7-5
Washington, DC 20219
State Member Banks of the Reserve System
Consumer and Community Affairs
Federal Reserve Board
20th & C Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20551
Federal Credit Unions
National Credit Union Administration
1776 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20456
Non-Member Federally Insured Banks
Office of Consumer Programs
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429
Federally Insured Savings and Loans, and Federally Chartered State Banks
Consumer Affairs Program
Office of Thrift Supervision
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Credit Card Fraud Information
Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions
of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can
occur in other ways. For example, someone may use
your card number without your knowledge.
It's not always possible to prevent credit or charge card fraud from happening.
But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to
capture your card or card numbers and minimize
the possibility.
Guarding Against Fraud
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit and charge card fraud.
Do:
Sign your credit cards as soon as they arrive.
Carry your credit cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment,
a business card holder, or another small pouch.
Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone
number and address of each company in a secure place.
Keep an eye on your credit card during the transaction, and get it back as
quickly as possible.
Void incorrect receipts.
Destroy carbons.
Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your
checking account.
Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the credit card
issuer.
Notify credit card companies in advance of a change in address.
Don't:
Lend your credit card(s) to anyone.
Leave credit cards or receipts lying around.
Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank
spaces above the total.
Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a
company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check it
out with your local consumer
protection office or Better Business Bureau.
Reporting Losses and Fraud
If you lose your credit or charge cards or if you realize they've been lost or
stolen, immediately call the issuer(s). Many companies have toll-free numbers
and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. By
law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for
unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is
$50 per card.
If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under oath that you
did not make the purchase(s) in question.
We would like to showcase some of our links we have to credit
cards and applications for both US and UK residents. All credit card
applications are clearly marked as to what applications actually offer instant
online credit card application approval.