Crazy Credit Card Hidden Fees

By Gerrad Mills

Many people use mastercards daily without thinking of the added costs concerned. With all the advantages available on cards, it's easy to find one that may actually work well for you. It just takes a little research to discover about any hidden costs and to be certain you know how best to use the card without paying extra money for it.

First, if you are intending to carry a balance on your card, look for low interest rates or APRs. This can determine how much additional you'll pay in charges. Try not to keep large balances as the APR will be a percentage of the balance you owe. Obviously, that number will get bigger as your balance does.

If you're planning to do a balance transfer, be sure you find out the APR on balance transfers. They are infrequently different than the normal APR on the card, so be sure you search your paperwork ( or if all else fails, call and ask ) to see what the rate will be when you bring over your balance. This could be a point of negotiation too, since they want you to pay the interest on that balance to them.

Another thing to have a look for is annual fees. I never take cards that charge me an annual fee. There are plenty other credit cards available to me that don't charge charges, so I don't see the point in paying one. Sometimes folk will take a little fee in exchange for a great rewards program, but just be certain you research the card comprehensively and ensure the annual fee is worth what you are getting.

Paying your bill on time is a crucial way to not pay more. Most credit card corporations have a late fee for paying the bill late. Some companies will also charge a higher interest rate on late balances. If you have a card which has a promotional IR, or no interest for a specific quantity of time, it is essential to pay that bill on time . If you pay late, they can take away that 0% and charge you a very high APR. Read the small print.

So, when you are getting a credit card, be sure you know and understand all of the fees. If you are paying a little higher rate or annual fee for a rewards program, do the mathematics. Be sure you can still have some rewards in the final analysis after you pay all those charges. Most importantly, try not to carry a balance and you'll avoid paying interest altogether. - 31377

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