Want to apply for a credit card?

If you are here you probably want to know about applying to a credit card. Usually It depends on the rules of each institution. You can apply online or directly at the bank.

What you will need to know to apply for a credit card, you may wonder.

One of the disadvantages of modern times is that people are spending money on stuff they don't really need - that's true, but there are also a lot of worthy products out there I guess. Numerous products and services occurred targeting a vast market of consumers and a big confusion and competition emerge somehow blinding people.
Since finances—especially money—is a big concerns on many people's heads, a wide array of financial management services and financial options were invented. One of the most important and very physical financial product is the credit card.
Although many people testify for the financial convenience you get when you apply for a credit card, it doesn’t mean that every financing convenience applies for you or for everybody in that matter, same as in life, some have luck, some don't.
The reason for getting a credit card can be for managing your finances, the need for extra money or preparing for a big expenditure. But in fact people apply for a credit card because of the ultimate convenience it brings. By now, you may have had your share of ‘pre-approved’ credit card offers in your virtual and physical mail. Since people are quite vulnerable when they apply for a credit card, some credit card issuers lure these people by giving low introductory APR, no annual fee offers among numerous perks. The tendency of this so many alternatives and “value” deals is to convince the person who wants to apply for a credit card to sign.
There are endless lists of pros and cons when you apply for a credit card, but if you have decided to apply for a credit card, these are some of the helpful tips that can guide you to choose your credit card.
Actually, follow these three easy steps:
First, surf the net and do some research on credit cards. By doing this, you can familiarize yourself with different credit card terms and types, fees and in the same time with the banks, because a credit card represents usually the contact with a specific bank.
Second, compare the credit cards that you found and decide which would best serve your needs.
Lastly, apply for the credit card of your choice by filling out a credit card application on the web or by visiting a bank representative. It is important to make a contact with a bank representative before you sign anything, because the information posted on the web or in commercials could be misleading. For example you read somewhere that a specific bank does not charge annual fees for a year or the interest on redraw is low, and after you sign blindly, you find out that offer was just for the old clients of the bank, or it was an old offer. It is normal these days that a bank changes it fees and policies every few months, so don't be afraid to ask for what you want. You will find that some banks will want to negotiate.  

Don't forget to read the credit card terms and the fees of the bank before you apply for a credit card, many banks got their clients without revealing the fees and terms, and many banks lost their clients that way. When you apply for a credit card you must know what a “credit card” really is. It is a form of borrowing that involves charges, credit cards usually have underlying credit terms and conditions that affect your overall cost. So, it’s best to compare terms, fees and income situation before you apply for a credit card and agree to open an account. Usually every credit card has a bank account. Some of the important terms to be understood well include the annual percentage rate or the APR.
When you apply for a credit card, you must know how the APR affects your credit account, and of course it should not be too much. Being a measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate, the APR should be disclosed before you apply for a credit card, otherwise, don't sign anything. Aside from APR, the periodic rate must be disclosed to the card holder ass well so you would have an idea of their outstanding balance and finance charge for each billing period. Other important terms to know before you apply for a credit card are free period or “grace period,” which means the period of time when you will not be charged a dime, annual fees, transaction fees and other charges, other costs and feature, and balance computation method for the finance charge like average daily balance, adjusted balance, previous balance, and two-cycle balances. Annual fees represent the bank's commission for "maintenance" of the account and of the credit card. They should be low if it's a personal account. Transaction fees should be the lowest, because you will need to do a lot of redrawing and charging, also look for the bank that has the lowest redrawing fee on it's atm's, and has a lot of atm's everywhere. Be careful at transaction fees between bank accounts and fees for transaction in exotic currencies. Balance fees and billing fees should be free with some banks. Other costs and fees should not be a worry if you do not intend on using those services with your credit card or bank account.    
 If you don't have patience enough to research on all these terms, make sure that before you apply for a credit card, the issuer will give an explanation how the balance is computed and information regarding all the fees.