eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Qualify for a Low Interest Credit Card

Member
By chasingthebull
User-Submitted Article
(2 Ratings)

Everyone wants a credit card with low interest rates. Having a lower rate means paying less interest to the credit card companies, thus leaving more money in your pocket. In order to qualify for a low interest credit card, it is essential that you follow the following steps:

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Establish a good credit history - Lenders like to see a history of on-time payments. Making consistent payments shows that you are a good risk. As your credit score increases, lenders are willing to lower your rates, and offer you more credit, because they are betting that you will want to protect your good credit.

  2. Step 2

    Obtain your free credit reports - Your credit report documents items such as your name, address, and social security number. It also includes your payment history, types of debt you owe, existence of tax liens or court judgments and various other items. You should get a copy from one of the three major credit reporting bureaus and review it for accuracy. Many times there are numerous errors, which if fixed, could increase your credit score. This will help you qualify for a low interest credit card.

  3. Step 3

    Pay Your Bills On Time Each Month - If your credit score is not exactly where you want it to be, paying your bills on time will help. A lender basically wants to know that you are going to pay them back. Credit is a loan, not a gift, and credit card companies are in this game for money. By sending in your payments on-time, you are proving that you are a lower credit risk, and therefore deserve a credit card with low interest rates.

  4. Step 4

    Ask - One of the quickest methods of obtaining a low interest credit card is to simply ask your current card company to lower your rate. If you have been making timely payments many creditors will work with you and lower your rates in order to keep you as a customer. If you miss too many payments, or send them in late every month, you will almost never qualify.

Tips & Warnings
  • Read the fine print. Many credit card companies will offer you really low rates during the introductory period, which then increase dramatically there after.
  • Beware of balance transfer fees. Many times the fee is more than the amount of interest you save by making the transfer. Again, read the fine print and ask questions.

Comments  

bar10dr98 said

Flag This Comment

on 12/4/2008 Great advice, thanks!

Flag This Comment

on 12/4/2008 good suggestions

Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Get Free Personal Finance Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Personal Finance
eHow_eHow Business and Finance