Do you want a credit card? Do you know how to get one and how to use it and for what purposes? We will outline the basics for you.

A credit card is a card through which you can buy items on credit and can even borrow money on credit. You will owe the amount of the items you put on your credit card to the financial organization which has provided you the card. There will be a credit limit on the card. This is how much you can spend. Each month you will receive a bill from the financial organization and you can either pay off the entire amount due, make a minimum payment, or pay any amount in between.

There are advertisements for credit cards on television, in newspapers, on billboards and even on the internet. There are thousands of banks and financial organizations which provide credit cards. Some of the major credit card providers are American Express, Capital One, Discover Financial Services, Chase Bank, HSBC Bank, Citibank and Bank of America.

These credit card organizations offer different types of credit cards targeting different groups of people. There are standard credit cards for general public, student credit cards for college and university students, business credit cards for businesses and individual store credit cards and gas or petrol credit cards for purchasing gasoline.

Credit cards sometimes offer different benefits to their customers. Sometimes the credit card companies offer things such as cash back offers, discounts on purchases, insurance coverage, and/or travel benefits. As there is stiff competitions among the credit card companies, occasionally they use various lucrative benefits to attract new customers.

Do you know how to apply for a credit card? There are several ways to apply. You can contact the credit card providers directly. The contact numbers of the credit card companies are available in your local phone directory or on the internet. You can also find the phone numbers on the offers the credit card companies send you or in advertisements found in almost any published medium, such as magazines or newspapers. Some times the marketing staff of the credit card providers also call people and ask them to apply for their credit cards. This is called Telemarketing or Cold Calling. You tell them you are interested in a credit card, they will reach you by telephone, postal mail or e-mail.

Before applying for a credit card, be sure to compare rules and regulations and the various benefits of different card providers and their specific offers. All information regarding the fees, benefits, APRs, are usually printed on the application forms. If you find it difficult to understand anything, be sure to ask a representative of the credit card company, and they will get you answers to your questions.

Beside the standard credit cards, you can get various types of credit cards. There are student credit cards, business credit cards, entertainment cards, gas cards, store cards, airline cards, and the list goes on. Because the credit card companies are competing for your business, they are constantly introducing special credit cards targeting different groups of people offering various benefits.

As you use your credit cards, you should keep track of your purchases and know your balance at all times. You should also make sure to keep receipts and compare them with your credit card statement each month. Mistakes can happen and if you find something on your bill which is not correct, immediately contact the company and report it.

Some of the terms which you will find frequently used for your credit cards include APRs (Annual Percentage Rates), grace period, finance charges, fees, cash advance features, credit limit, incentives and billing errors. Understanding these terms will help you better manage your finances and you will be better educated to avoid falling into a debt trap.

Credit cards have both advantanges and disadvantages. Use your card wisely and the card will be highly beneficial to you. But if you abuse the card by buying items that you have no means to repay, you will quickly fall into debt and may find it difficult to get back to solid financial standing.

Choosing and Using Credit Cards
Chances are you've gotten your share of "pre-approved" credit card offers in the mail, some with low introductory rates and other perks. Many of these solicitations urge you to accept "before the offer expires." Before you accept, be sure to do comparisons to ensure you get the best deal.

Credit Card Terms
A credit card is a form of borrowing that often involves charges. Credit terms and conditions affect your overall cost. So it's wise to compare terms, conditions and fees before you agree to open a credit or charge card account. The following are some important terms to consider that must be disclosed in credit card applications or in solicitations that require no application. You also may want to ask about these terms when you're looking for a card.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate. It must be disclosed before you become obligated on any credit account. It will also be shown on your monthly statements.

The card issuer also must disclose the "periodic rate" - the rate applied to your outstanding balance to figure the finance charge for each billing period.

Some credit card plans allow the issuer to change the APR when interest rates or other economic indicators - called indexes - change. Because the rate change is linked to the index's performance, these plans are called "variable rate" programs. Rate changes raise or lower the finance charge on your account. If you're considering a variable rate card, the issuer must also provide information that discloses the initial rate to you, that the rate may change, and how the rate is determined - which index is used and what additional amount, the "margin," is added to determine your new rate. You must receive information, before you become obligated on the account, about any limitations on how much and how often your rate may change.

Free Period
Also called a "grace period," a free period lets you avoid finance charges by paying your balance in full before the due date. Knowing whether a card gives you a free period is especially important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a free period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account. If your card includes a free period, the issuer must mail your bill at least 14 days before the due date so you'll have enough time to pay.

Annual Fees
Most issuers charge annual membership or participation fees. They often range from $25 to $50, sometimes up to $100; "gold" or "platinum" cards often charge up to $75 and sometimes up to several hundred dollars.

Transaction Fees and Other Charges
A credit card may include other costs. Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card to get a cash advance, make a late payment, or exceed your credit limit. Some charge a monthly fee whether or not you use the card.

Balance Computation Method for the Finance Charge
If you don't have a free period, or if you expect to pay for purchases over time, it's important to know what method the issuer uses to calculate your finance charge. This can make a big difference in how much of a finance charge you'll pay - even if the APR and your buying patterns remain relatively constant.

Examples of balance computation methods are outlined below:
Average Daily Balance
This is the most common calculation method. It credits your account from the day payment is received by the issuer. To figure the balance due, the issuer totals the beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any credits made to your account that day. While new purchases may or may not be added to the balance, depending on your plan, cash advances typically are included. The resulting daily balances are added for the billing cycle. The total is then divided by the number of days in the billing period to get the "average daily balance."

Adjusted Balance
This is usually the most advantageous method for card holders. Your balance is determined by subtracting payments or credits received during the current billing period from the balance at the end of the previous billing period. Purchases made during the billing period aren't included. This method gives you until the end of the billing cycle to pay a portion of your balance to avoid the interest charges on that amount. Some creditors exclude prior, unpaid finance charges from the previous balance.

Previous Balance
This is the amount you owed at the end of the previous billing period. Payments, credits and new purchases during the current billing period are not included. Some creditors also exclude unpaid finance charges.

Two-cycle Balances
Issuers sometimes use various methods to calculate your balance that make use of your last two month's account activity. Read your agreement carefully to find out if your issuer uses this approach and, if so, what specific two-cycle method is used.

If you don't understand how your balance is calculated, ask your card issuer. An explanation must also appear on your billing statements.

Other Costs and Features
Credit terms vary among issuers. When shopping for a card, think about how you plan to use it. If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual fee and other charges may be more important than the periodic rate and the APR, if there is a grace period for purchases. However, if you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not permit a grace period for the amounts due - even if they have a grace period for purchases. So, it may still be wise to consider the APR and balance computation method. Also, if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR and the balance computation method are definitely major considerations.

Special Delinquency Rates
Some cards with low rates for on-time payments apply a very high APR if you are late a certain number of times in any specified time period. These rates sometimes exceed 20 percent. Information about delinquency rates should be disclosed to you in credit card applications or in solicitations that do not require an application.

Receiving a Credit Card
Federal law prohibits issuers from sending you a card you didn't ask for. However, an issuer can send you a renewal or substitute card without your request. Issuers also may send you an application or a solicitation, or ask you by phone if you want a card - and, if you say yes, they may send you one.

Cardholder Protections
Federal law protects your use of credit cards.

Prompt Credit for Payment
An issuer must credit your account the day payment is received. The exceptions are if the payment is not made according to the creditor's requirements, or the delay in crediting your account won't result in a charge. To help avoid finance charges, follow the issuer's mailing instructions. Payments sent to the wrong address could delay crediting your account for up to five days. If you misplace your payment envelope, look for the payment address on your billing statement or call the issuer.

Refunds of Credit Balances
When you make a return or pay more than the total balance at present, you can keep the credit on your account or write your issuer for a refund - if it's more than a dollar. A refund must be issued within seven business days of receiving your request. If a credit stays on your account for more than six months, the issuer must make a good faith effort to send you a refund.

Errors on Your Bill
Issuers must follow rules for promptly correcting billing errors. You'll get a statement outlining these rules when you open an account and at least once a year. In fact, many issuers include a summary of these rights on your bills.

If you find a mistake on your bill, you can dispute the charge and withhold payment on that amount while the charge is being investigated. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you didn't accept, or for an item that wasn't delivered as agreed. Of course, you still have to pay any part of the bill that's not in dispute, including finance and other charges.

If you decide to dispute a charge, write to the creditor at the address indicated on your statement for "billing inquiries." Include your name, address, account number, and a description of the error.
Send your letter soon. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you. The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt, unless the problem has been resolved. At the latest, the dispute must be resolved within two billing cycles, but not more than 90 days.

Unauthorized Charges
If your card is used without your permission, you can be held responsible for up to $50 per card.

If you report the loss before the card is used, you can't be held responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your card before you report it missing, the most you'll owe for unauthorized charges is $50.

To minimize your liability, report the loss as soon as possible. Some issuers have 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers to accept emergency information. It's a good idea to follow-up with a letter to the issuer - include your account number, the date you noticed your card missing, and the date you reported the loss.

Disputes about Merchandise or Services
You can dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services. To do so, you must have made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles of your current billing address. The charge must be for more than $50. (These limitations don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.) and make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller. No special procedures are required to do so. If these conditions don't resolve the matter, you may want to consider filing an action in small claims court.

Shopping Tips
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card:
Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.
Make sure you understand a plan's terms before you accept the card.
Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.
Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use.
Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can't be changed. Tear up carbons.
Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly.
Carry only the cards you think you'll use.