Do I Need a 0 APR Credit Card?

If you have checked your mailbox recently, you may have received an inordinate number of envelopes for credit card offers. One that may have attracted your attention is the 0 APR credit card. But what exactly does it mean? In a world where hundreds of companies are trying to sell us something or the other, it is better to take a look at these offers and find out more about them instead of making a hasty decision.

What is a 0 APR Credit Card?

Actually, the first question is what APR stands for. The Annual Percentage Rate or APR is the amount of money that a bank charges you in a year. This money includes the interest rates that they assign to each one of your charges and the administrative fees of the financial institution. By law, every company that offers a credit card has to disclose this information.

In this case, a 0 APR credit card means that the bank won't charge you interest or administrative fees for the advertised period of time. Sounds great, doesn't it? This offer means that regardless of how much you use your 0 APR credit card, you will not have to pay any related fees.

So, where is the catch? It's quite simple. The bank wants to maintain a long term relationship with you. They can survive for one year without charging you their fees and rates, but after that period of time you will start paying them. It is a marketing tool for increasing their client base and both the consumers and the banks can benefit from it.

Is it Right for Me?

It depends. For example, let's say that you are not interested in airline miles or cash back options for using your credit card and you only want to find a card that will not bleed you with 'extras' each month, then a 0 APR credit card is an excellent choice.

On the other hand, if you can afford to pay a monthly interest and are very interested in other perks like airline rewards, then a 0 APR credit card should not be your first choice.

Banks have become very creative in the products they entice you with. You may see that 0 APR credit card have periods of time that go from 6 to 15 months and beyond, and may even offer some additional benefits.

Before signing on the dotted line for a new 0 APR credit card, or any other kind of credit card for that matter, do your homework. Compare apples to apples and research the different options that are offered in the market to find a 0 APR credit card that suits your financial lifestyle.

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