Credit Card Options

Choosing the right credit card can be a little overwhelming, especially if you are just starting out with your first one. You may have a low credit score or no score at all. Maybe you're worried about paying interest. Read more for important tips to consider. 

Why should you compare cards? 
When you take a few minutes to compare some basic points between different credit card offers, you can save yourself a great deal of money. Some of the key features you'll want to look at is the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) and if it is a Fixed or Variable (varies as market interest rates change) rate? Is there a fee on balance transfers or a cash advance? Are there any fees to have the card, like an annual fee? What if I'm late on my payment? Can I earn rewards? The Advantage Visa Card has a Fixed rate. 

Download our free chart to help with this. Free Credit Card Comparison Chart

Rate
If you don't carry a balance month to month, than the rate won't matter because you won't owe any interest. However, if you can't pay off the monthly balance, you'll owe interest. In February 2023, the average credit card interest rate in the U.S. on accounts with balances that assessed interest was 20.4%, according to The Federal Reserve. Before you decide on a card, make sure to read over its terms and conditions. Ideally, you'd like to pay off the balance each month, but many card holders don't. Typically, you'll want to look for the lowest rate, but if you don't have any doubt you'll have to carry over a balance, you may want to focus on fees and rewards. Save money by transferring your current balance to a card with a lower rate. Review offers and look for a card that has a zero or low fee to transfer your balance. Even if you see an offer for a zero percent interest rate on balance transfers for a specified time, it may not be free. There may by a one-time flat fee or a percentage, which could be 3 to 5 percent of what you're transferring. 

Build Credit
Cards that can help you start to build or even re-build your credit are an option. At Advantage, we offer a Visa Card that can also be a considered as a way to build your credit. A Visa Card with a lower dollar amount spending limit, but it allows you to get established and build a good payment history when you make timely payments. This can help you to get a higher credit score. You don't have a great deal of risk because the limit is low and at a fixed rate, you don't have to worry about the unexpected if you can only afford to make the minimum payment. 

Rewards
The Advantage Visa Card allows you to earn points on purchases and then you can redeem those points on merchandise, travel, gift cards, and even erase previous purchases up to $1,000! Our Platinum Visa Card has a competitive 9.90% APR fixed-rate, no annual or balance transfer fees, and a rewards program called ScoreCard Rewards. You'll earn points with every qualifying credit card purchase. Create your account at ScoreCardRewards.com. Once your account is created, you can view your rewards balance, search and view all available redemption options and more! Choose from merchandise, charity giving, live event tickets, gift cards, travel, fuel discounts, or redeem points to erase previous purchases made, which allows you to get a statement credit for cash off your future bill! 

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