The modern world functions on credit cards; from groceries to a new house, everything can be bought with credit. Things are likely to go a lot more smoothly when you pick a credit card that suits your needs. There are different types of credit cards — some offer cash back, while others offer miles as rewards. When you are looking for the right credit card, the first thing to consider is your requirement. Are you interested in cash backs or are you a frequent flier? Are you more inclined towards paying off your debt or improving your credit score? These questions will help you identify your prime motive for getting a credit card. There is no dearth of credit cards available, and several banks and financial institutions vie for new customers. It is essential to make an informed decision which will help you improve your credit score, receive more rewards, and streamline your financial life. So, take a look at the 10 best credit cards of the year, and make a wise choice. Discover it® Cash Back: The best part about owning the Discover it® Cash Back credit card is its Cashback Match™ feature through which it matches all the cash back that you have earned at the end of the first year and directly applies this amount to your account.

A 0% annual percentage rate (APR) credit card charges no interest on purchases made through the account for a certain introductory period. Some credit cards even offer 0% APR on balance transfer during this period, after which the regular rate kicks in. A 0% APR credit card is great for repaying high-interest debt during the introductory period since it doesn’t accrue any interest. Many cards also do not have any fees involved, so you end up saving quite a substantial amount of money. You can also make big purchases on 0% APR credit cards without having to worry about interest. This means you can buy a new 4K Smart TV and save on the extra charges you’d normally pay through a regular credit card. With an 0% intro APR credit card, you will save on the interest and pay only for the new appliance. And if you are in need of emergency funds, a 0% APR credit card is a life saver. Herein, we discuss 7 0% APR credit cards and the various benefits they offer. Wells Fargo Platinum Visa® Card This credit card offers 0% APR for the first 18 months, which is 6-7 months longer than most of its competitors.

The prospect of getting your first credit card can get you super psyched since it opens a world of possibilities. For example, making purchases using a credit card can help you earn rewards. Moreover, items and services paid using a credit card are protected in case of damage or theft. But the most important advantage is that it can help you build an excellent credit score. This can be instrumental in scoring low insurance premiums or financial assistance for big-ticket purchases such as an apartment or a car. A credit card comes with its fair share of benefits; however, when not used wisely it can leave you with a pile of debt, adversely impacting your overall standing as a borrower. So before you apply for a credit card, here are some key aspects that you should acquaint yourself with. Should you opt for a secured credit card or an unsecured one? To use a secured credit card, you will have to make a cash deposit that is typically equal to the spending limit. This money acts as collateral for the lender, lowering the risk of nonpayment. Unsecured cards, on the other hand, don’t need any such collateral. A secured variant can be much more favorable for a new credit card user as it helps to develop healthier spending and repayment habits, ultimately building a great credit score.

The teaming up of Hilton with American Express has proven to be quite beneficial for those who prefer travel hacking. The newly launched Hilton credit card products promise consumers the best benefits on travel and hotel stay. If you are looking for the perfect solution to travel more for less, the Hilton Honors credit cards are a lucrative bet. The line-up is also constantly revamped to bring in the best — from a dramatic increase in welcome bonuses to an increase in the number of tie ups with resorts and brands. The top Hilton Honors credit cards The kind of Hilton Honors credit card you pick depends upon the features that will bring the most value for your requirements. Each type of card serves a particular category better. Thus, it is important to thoroughly assess all options and ensure that you pick the right one for you. Here are the top Hilton Honors credit cards and how they can help you save big bucks. Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card – The Hilton Honors Ascend Card from American Express is best if you are looking for an exciting welcome bonus. In the first three months of opening the account, spending a total of $2000 on eligible purchases can bring in an earning of a total of 125,000 bonus points.

In today’s economy, keeping a positive financial outlook can get difficult. No matter what you do, you always have bills that are due every month! As an alternative, credit cards offer a great solution to pay for products purchased and services rendered at a later date. A credit card frees up the much-needed cash to meet current debt obligations that take precedence over other purchases and your personal needs. However, getting approved for a credit card with a bad credit history will be challenging. Banks and financial institutions impose many checks and balances that can make the process complicated. Also, there are only a handful of banks that offer credit cards for applicants with a poor or average credit rating. Pay close attention to these points before you go ahead and start comparing affordable credit lines for bad credit. Low upfront fees Bad credit is the result of spending more than you can afford and being unable to pay your dues on time. So, choose a credit card that does not impose high annual or recurring fees to rebuild bad credit. Secured Visa or Mastercard credit lines are your best bet when it comes to low fees for services. Pre-qualification checks There are a few banks that do not enforce checks to approve your credit application.

Credit cards, when used responsibly, can be a valuable financial tool for earning rewards, building credit, traveling, and handling emergencies or unplanned expenses. One of the most popular financiers in the country, Capital One® offers personal, business, and auto credit. They are particularly renowned for their extensive range of credit cards meant for all kinds of borrowers. Whether you are a new credit card user aiming to build a solid credit score or a seasoned borrower in search of lucrative rewards, Capital One® has got your needs covered. As Capital One® has multiple credit card products, it can be a bit tough to choose the right one. Venture® from Capital One® – Rewards credit card for travel If you travel frequently, then Venture® rewards credit card is an ideal choice, offering rewards that are easily redeemable. For every $1 you spend, you’ll earn 2X miles. Similarly, you’ll get 10X on every $1 spent on your stay at thousands of network hotels. Also, they offer some of the best sign-up bonuses. Within the first three months, if you spend $3,000 on purchases, you will get 50,000 miles, which are worth $500. Capital One® will levy an annual fee of $95 after the first year.

Gas makes for a major household expense as individuals spend long hours traveling by their vehicles. Gas-powered cars are popular, and we are constantly in search of ways that help in reducing the cost associated with them. This has made gas credit cards one of the most popular categories out there. If you are planning to get the best gas credit card, it is essential to pay heed to several factors when deciding on the card that fits your needs best. Things like maximum spending caps, limitation on usage time, and brand restrictions can severely limit the power of earning through your gas credit card. Chase Freedom®   credit card A general purpose cash back credit card, Chase Freedom ® brings great value with no annual fee. It offers a 5% cash back on the purchase of up to $1,500 within a quarterly rotating category. On the other hand, other types of purchases bring in 1% of cash back. It must be noted that the Chase Freedom ® credit card does not come with spending caps and limitations on earnings. There is no minimum on the redemption amount and the same can be redeemed through the Ultimate Rewards portal for direct deposits, checks, and statement credits.

Gone are the days when you had to accumulate money to buy something that you always wanted or wait for the bank to approve your loan. The general public has been gifted immense purchasing power in the form of credit cards. These credit cards have revolutionized the way you spend and have taught new ways of managing our finances. Major banks and other financial institutions offer credit cards to their customers and you get rewards for purchasing things with this credit card. Though everything sounds incredible and the credit card has essayed a pivotal role in making your lives easier, there are downfalls to this financial power if it is not used sensibly. For starters, you’ll receive your credit card bill every month and you are expected to pay these on time. If you keep delaying your credit card bill payment for any reason, the debt keeps mounting and will eventually affect your credit score. One of the major reasons why people often miss their credit card bill payment is because other chores take priority over going to the bank and paying the bill. The more you delay the credit card bill payment, the difficult it gets to streamline your credit habits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best rewards credit cards you can own. It comes with fantastic perks like 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. These can be redeemed for a gift card or on travel worth $500. Likewise, you get $200 airline credit that can be used to cover any incidental air expenses like in-flight refreshments or fees for extra baggage. You also get a credit worth $200 for Uber rides. As The Platinum Card® holder, you will get complimentary card access to the 1,000 airport lounges across continents. Additionally, you earn 5 points on every dollar you spend. Despite all the incentives offered, even the most seasoned rewards credit card users to think twice before applying for the Platinum Card® from American Express due to its hefty annual fee of $550. Who is an appropriate applicant for The Platinum Card® from American Express? The frequent flier If you are a frequent flier with a penchant for luxury style travel, The Platinum Card® from American Express can be a great addition to your wallet. It will offer you with an annual $200 airline credit that can be spent on checked bag charges, seat upgrades, as well as in-flight entertainment via airlines like American, Delta, JetBlue, United, Spirit, and Southwest.

According to the Federal Reserve, around 43% of people in the country end up spending more than they earn and use their credit cards to finance the shortfall. Piled up credit card debt is a financial burden and does not seem to get off your back easily. Transferring the credit card balance is a great idea that can help you to pay off the existing balance and rebuild your credit score. What is a balance transfer credit card? It works just like a regular credit card but comes with the option of transferring an existing balance. You can move a single balance or multiple balances from one card to another with the help of a balance transfer credit card. Whether you have a Visa and want to move the balance to a Mastercard or looking to move a store credit card balance to Discover, a balance transfer option works in every scenario. However, you cannot transfer the balance between cards issued by the same company. For instance, the balance transfer option is not applicable when you want to move it from a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to a Chase Freedom® car d . Balance transfer credit cards come with a 0% introductory interest rate offer for a specific period and if you don’t settle the balance within the set duration, you end up paying a higher interest rate.

The credit card application and approval process can take several days. Mostly only after you get the physical card, you can start charging purchases to that account. However, there are a few exceptions. Now, you can find a number of instantly approved credit cards. The issuers of these cards evaluate the credit card application in real time. With these cards, you can use your new line of credit immediately. In some cases, you will get an instant card number; with this, you can use your credit card right away. Some of the popular instantly approved credit cards are: Capital One® Secured Mastercard® If you want to build or rebuild your credit standing, this is one of the most popular instantly approved credit cards. Also, it does not charge an annual fee, which adds to further savings. Additionally, there are no monthly fees or a one-time fee. Another benefit is that the spending limit is often higher than the refundable security deposit of the card. Based on your credit score, you will have to deposit either $49, $99, or $200 (for a spending limit of $200). So, you may be assigned a spending limit that exceeds your refundable deposit. You will also get a higher credit line after you have made your first five monthly payments before the due date.