Is A Low APR Credit Card Convenient For You?

The world of the 21st century is one where industry focuses in niche markets. Forget about the standard models or the "same PC for all" computers. Today, the consumer has the power, and the capacity, of choosing what he wants, in what color, size, and even how to buy it. The same thing happens with credit cards. You will find that there are almost infinite options for choosing one. Let's explore one of them.

What Is A Low APR Credit Card?

The APR or Annual Percentage Rate is, by law, a number that every financial institution has to show when offering a credit card. But what does it mean? The APR stands for the sum of all the interest rates plus the administrative fees that the bank charges you for using their card.

In the case of a low APR credit card, the bank will charge you a smaller amount of money. For example, the average APR in the market is of 16%. That means that if you consume $1000 in a year, you will be charged $1160 at the end of it (in the case you actually pay for your consumptions each month. If you don't and wait for the next one, this number will increase.

But, where's the trick? There must be one. Actually, there isn't "a trick", but a marketing scheme. A low APR credit card has an APR of 6% or 7%, depending on the bank and the side benefits that it may offer. By offering these rates, they attract many consumers that are willing to sacrifice some benefits (like cash back or airline miles) but prefer to pay lower rates.

Should You Use One

If you are looking for a low APR credit card, then why not choose a 0 APR credit card? There are many reasons. One of them is that after the grace period of a 0 APR card, you may find yourself with a typical APR of 16%. If that's the case, then it doesn't seem like a bargain does it? That's why it is a good idea to read the fine print and compare the options offered by other banks.

Another strong reason is that 0 APR cards don't offer any kind of additional benefits, while low APR credit card options do offer some of them. You may not earn as many airline miles as with a card with a typical APR, but you may be interested in making an adequate balance between these two options. So, do your research and stick with the low APR credit card that satisfies your needs.

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