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Last Updated March 7, 2009 |
To compare credit card terms, think about how you will use your credit card. Do you expect to
- Pay your montly bill in full?
- Carry over a balance from month to month?
- Get cash advances?
Once you have decided how you will use your credit card, you can use this checklist to compare cards. Information about most of the features is given in the disclosure box that must appear in all printed credit card solicitations and applications.
| Card Name | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | What are the APRs? | ________ | ______ | _______ | For purchases? | ________ | ______ | _______ | For cash advances? | ________ | ______ | _______ | For balance transfers? | ________ | ______ | _______ | If you pay late? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | What type of interest does the card have? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Fixed or variable? Tiered? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | How long is the grace period? | ________ | ______ | _______ | If you carry over a balance? | ________ | ______ | _______ | If you pay off the balance each month? | ________ | ______ | _______ | For cash advances? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | How is the finance charge calculated? | ________ | ______ | _______ | One cycle or two? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Including or excluding new purchases? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Average or adjusted? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Minimum finance charge? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | What are the fees? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Annual | ________ | ______ | _______ | Late-payment | ________ | ______ | _______ | Over-the-credit-limit | ________ | ______ | _______ | Set-up | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | What are the cash advance features? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Transaction fees | ________ | ______ | _______ | Limits | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | How much is the credit limit? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | What kind of card is it? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Secured? Regular? Premium? | ________ | ______ | _______ | | | | | | | Does the card offer other features? | ________ | ______ | _______ | Rebates | ________ | ______ | _______ | Frequent flier miles | ________ | ______ | _______ | Insurance | ________ | ______ | _______ | Other | ________ | ______ | _______ | Source: FRB |
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