Balancing The Benefits Of Reward Programs Against Credit Card

0 APR credit card APR, cash back and optional rewards etc. are several reasons for any one to opt for a good credit card. They are also a useful and a smart way to meet ones financial needs. Most of the credit card companies offer most attractive features to lure their customers.

These credit card companies offer 0 APR credit card for several reasons and in several manners. Many cards offer 0 APR credit card for first six months and after the introductory period is over the regular APR is applicable on any purchases made through the cards. This offer for regular period ranges from 12.49% to 15.99% on such a 0 APR credit card.

Credit companies offering a student credit card offer a 0 APR credit card. Most of the 0 APR credit card offer applies to the student credit card on all purchases, cash advances and balance transfers as long as the student does not default under the card agreement. The 0 APR credit card is offered usually by most reputed banks like Citibank, ABN Amro, Chase, etc.

Some merchants also offer 0 APR credit card like British Airways, NorthWest Airlines, Hilton Hotels, etc. Travel cards offered by various merchants and banks like Chase, British Airways, and etc. offer 0 APR credit card for which the introductory period of 0 APR is applicable for first twelve months. 0 APR credit card of a travel category also offers various other benefits other than 0 APR. These benefits include bonus miles, free flights, hotel stays, extra miles or bonus reward points on purchases from participating merchants. Travel 0 APR credit card are also eligible for redemption of reward points at any of the issuing banks or merchants outlet and also at any of the participating merchants.

0 APR credit card have the 0 APR period on limited to a few months. After the period is over the regular APR applicable on these cards can be fixed or variable. One must look for such a 0 APR credit card for which the regular APR period is most convenient. In a fixed APR credit card offer the finance charges are usually high but there is a bottom line for charging the finances. If the published index goes higher then the fixed APR does not change and finances charged remain the same. I

N case of a variable APR after the introductory period is over on a 0 APR credit card, the finance charges are low. The existing APR is determined on the basis of published index on the basis of which the finances are calculated for the existing billing cycle. Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa, Discover Platinum Card, Chase Platinum, American Express Rewards Gold Card, Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card, The GM Card Mastercard, Discover Platinum American Flag Card, Sony Platinum Visa Card, Citi Driver s Edge Platinum Select Card etc are some of the classic examples of a 0 APR credit card.

About the author: Peter Sissons, Retired Bank Manager and Business Credit Cards advisor - focusing on Low Interest Credit Cards and 0% Credit Cards