Securing Credit Card with Poor Credit Score
In today’s financial situations, it isn’t unheard of for consumers to have bad credit score. If you’ve less than perfect credit score then take heart; as you’re not alone. One of the consequences of having a bad credit rating is that securing a credit card in the future can be tricky. Obviously, people with a poor credit rating are considered riskier to potential lenders. As a result they’re often turned down for many things such as car loans. But, it is still possible to secure a credit card when you have poor credit score – you just have to know what to do.
First off, there are lenders who are agree to offer those with bad credit score some assistances for securing credit cards. So if you’re in this situation and are planning to have a credit card you do not need to worry. There is always a chance that you’ll be able to secure a credit card and start using it.
To begin your search for a good credit card, it is a great idea to use comparison sites. With those sites, it’s possible to see all credit card companies on the market that accept those with bad credit. So make low credit score as one of your options when searching in a comparison site. This way, you will save time and money trying to apply credit cards to companies that only accept good credit rating.
You should be aware that when applying for a credit card, your bad credit may mean higher interest. Lenders apply a higher rate of interest to compensate the risks attached to issuing credit cards to those who have bad credit. It’s a good idea to check the rate of interest so you can decide whether a credit card company is worth your effort.
Secured cards are good for rebuilding your credit score. By proving that you can responsibly deal with a small credit limit you’ll then be rewarded with larger lines of credit. The credit card company will report your financial situation to the leading credit bureaus which will eventually increase your credit score.
Choosing a Gas Rebate Credit Card
For the past several years, gas prices have been higher than their historical averages. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this trend will reverse anytime soon, considering that countries like China and India are using more petroleum than ever before. To cope with these higher fuel prices, more and more people are turning to gas credit cards; they offer a per-gallon discount or a percentage rebate on fuel purchases.
Gas-Station Affiliated Cards vs. General Gas Rebate Cards
Basically, every gas card falls under one of two categories; a credit card which only gives a discount at an affiliated station, or a general purpose card which gives a discount at every gas station. Each of these has their pros and cons. For example, the Exxon Mobil credit card gives a 5% rebate, but that only applies to purchases at Exxon Mobil stations. Meanwhile, the American Express Gold Card gives only two points per dollar spent on gas, but the difference is that it can be used at any station. Which type will benefit you the most? Well, that depends on where you buy gas. If always buy from the same company, then it might make sense to go with their affiliated card. If you don’t, then it’s probably better to get an American Express, Discover, etc. that can be used anywhere.
Annual Fee vs. No Annual Fee
Some gas rebate cards charge an annual fee… will that make sense for you? For example, the American Express Gold Card (Premier version) charges $175 per year; if you’re not a big spender, this probably won’t be a smart decision. There are others which don’t charge an annual fee (like the Discover More card) but the drawback is there are limits and restrictions on its gas rewards program. Some of the gas station affiliated cards are almost always a bad deal, such as the Chevron credit card. Their “premium” charge card doesn’t offer rewards on gas, except for a short promotional period after you apply. Their Visa version does offer a rebate, but it’s only 10 cents per gallon and only applicable at Chevron stations.
Making The Final Decision
If you’re considering the Exxon Mobil card, Discover More card, or any of the others mentioned, it’s important to realize that there are literally dozens of others to choose from. Make sure you consider each and every one before making your final decision. What’s best for one person may not necessarily be the right choice for you.