Credit Cards; How to Get them and How to Overcome Them

With the global credit crunch, the question of credit cards and credit and how to either get them or stay on top of your debts with them is becoming more of a vexed question. With interest rates falling now is one of the best times to get a credit card or to transfer your balances to a new card.

Of course, you will have a problem if you have adverse credit or if you want to apply for a credit card with no credit history. If you do apply then you need to understand the credit card application process. And, with banks limiting credit as part of the credit crunch it's more important than ever to understand why credit card applications are denied, as only understanding why you have been denied (if you have been denied) will you be able to sort the problem out to get yourself a credit card.

Of course, whether you already have a credit card or you want to apply for one you still need to know what credit cards are all about. In essence you need to have the information to understand the basics of credit cards.

Only by being informed will you know about what the different credit card types are so that you can understand the features of a credit card to get the best one for you. This way you can also know about the numbers on your credit card and what they tell you about your credit card (see this article describing how to understand credit card numbers).

Then there are the numbers on the back of your credit card called CCV (Credit Card Verification number) which, along with 'chip and pin' are part of the security measures that credit card companies use to try and protect you and your card from fraud and theft. That's why you need to understand credit card verification numbers and how to use them.

The next big question is about that oft quoted number APR (anual percentage rate). This refers to the interest charged on any money borrowed on your credit card (if you don't pay your balance in full). See a formula for APR and what it means. This will tell you how expensive a credit card will be tow own and how much you will have to pay if you don't pay your balance completely.

Then there's a question of why credit cards expire and how credit card companies use this to keep in touch with you.

If you do tend to spend too much on your card then you need a guide on how to begin paying off your credit card. If you are completely stuck with payments, have missed several payments and have a lump sum put by you may still be able to offer your credit card company the deal of paying off your credit card with a lump sum and saving yourself some money in the process.

Finally, if you have a credit card... you need to protect it, as it's potentially very valuable. Learn how to protect your card and what to do in the unfortunate event that your credit card is stolen.

Though just a brief guide this should give you some pointers as to what to do in terms of helping yourself with credit cards in the current economic climate.