Finding a credit card is more than simply applying for the first offer that you receive in mail or via Email. A credit card application is a contract between you and the credit card issuer and should not be taken lightly.
Finding the best consumer credit card is not easy. There are hundreds of consumer card offers are available on the market, which makes it easy to fall for the wrong credit card offer. You should do your due diligence and read the terms and conditions before settling down on a card.
The best consumer credit card for you is the one that addresses your specific needs. You need set your expectations for your card before choosing a card. If you plan to get a rebate on your monthly purchases, you should go for a cash back card that comes with a decent rate and a lower cash back limit.
A lot of folks use their credit cards to earn miles rewards with their purchases. If you plan to travel around the world and save on your trips, you should go for a travel card offer that comes with no blackout date, no restriction on air-line that you can use, and low or no earning cap.
Best consume card offers come with more than just low fees, high cash back rates, and lucrative travel deals. You should always consider the reputation of your issuer before filling out your application. Google is your friend here. You should search for "brand name" + "fraud/scam/complaints" to find out how your card issuer deals with disgruntled customers. Keep in mind that the nature of credit card business guarantees that some folks will have complaints regardless of how well they are treated. But if you find out that your credit issuer increases fees or rates on their customers without any specific reason, then you should be alarmed.
The times may be tough, and many credit card companies have decided to take advantage of their customers by increasing their APR without any real reason. A few companies have even used deceptive practices to charge their customers late fees. Owning a credit card is a big responsibility. Make sure you do your due diligence before signing up for a credit card offer. Opening up a credit line does affect your credit, and you don't want to keep opening new credit accounts to find a credit card that is right for you. And don't forget to pay your bills on time all the time to avoid getting yourself in trouble.
At the end of the day, the best credit card for you is the one that addresses your needs. If you are planning to save on your grocery bill, you should get a card that offers cash back or rewards on groceries or general purchases. Make sure that you read the terms and conditions after you have done your card comparison to make sure you are not getting into a relationship it's not worth getting into.