Fixed Rate Vs. Variable Rate Credit Cards
Although it is mostly industry practice to charge a variable rate of interest on outstanding credit balances at a certain percentage rate above Prime Lending Rate, it is possible, these days, to obtain a fixed rate credit card. So, when would you want to apply for a fixed rate credit card over a variable rate credit card?
The answer to this may not actually sound as simply as you may think. Two factor need to be borne in mind: first, what is the Prime Lending Rate at the moment; and second, what are the chances of the percentage rate plus Prime Lending Rate going above the fixed rate?
If you feel that borrowing rates are cheap at the moment and that it is unlikely that Prime Lending Rate is going to go up in the near future, then in all likelihood having the variable rate credit card is going to be more of a benefit to you than having a fixed rate credit card. However, if the opposite is true, and you believe that there is a good chance that Prime Lending Rate is going to up in the near future, there may be a very good reason for you to want to lock-in your interest rate at the current fixed rate being offered by the card provider.
One exception to the fixed rate vs. variable rate credit cards debate comes into play if you can manage to obtain a fixed rate with a card provider on the transfer of your credit card balance to a new card provider. In this circumstance it could prove to be a very useful money saving policy to agree to the fixed rate for the initial 6 or more month period as, traditionally, fixed rates for transferring balances are very low. You do, however, need to be extremely careful that any variable rate that comes into play following the fixed rate period is not excessive.
Alternatively, you need to ensure (a) that you have made as much of a repayment as is possible during your fixed rate term that you only have a minimum outstanding balance on the day the balance transfers over to a variable rate; or (b) you have the option of transferring the credit card balance outstanding to another new card provider who is also offering a very low fixed rate of interest.
In any case, these days the debate over fixed rate vs. variable rate credit cards is certainly more interesting than was ever the case previously!
Extra Options for your Credit Card
Most people dont want to spend a lot of money on having a credit card. They will shop around for the best possible deal they can get on a credit card. They will wish to get as low an interest rate as possible and definitely not pay a monthly or annual fee for the card. Getting the best price on a credit card makes a lot of sense for most people, in fact for the vast majority of people; however, there are circumstances in which you will wish to pay more for a credit card than you have to.
One thing that many people opt for is a fee-paying credit card. This fee will be payable either annually or monthly, and you will have to pay it no matter how much or how little you use the card. Paying the fee will entitle you to certain benefits. For example, you will be given a preferential interest rate that will be among the lowest credit card interest rates on the market. If you currently have a high outstanding credit card balance that you frequently pay interest on, then having access to a reduced interest rate will have the potential to save you your annual fee many times over. Another benefit of the feeing paying card is that it may give you access to a higher monthly spending limit. This will be valuable if you rely on your credit card to make a lot of vital purchases.
If you use your credit card abroad a lot, you will know that most cards charge high exchange fees, and transaction charges on all transactions made in foreign currencies. To save on these sometimes very high fees, you can opt for a fee-paying credit card and you will no longer be subject to them. This can be a very wise saving for all people who use their credit card abroad a lot.
Another extra charge you can optionally incur on your credit card is that you may opt for optional payment protection insurance. This insurance will be calculated based on the outstanding balance you have on your credit card. It will be charged as a percentage of that balance and is designed to protect you against circumstances in which you become unable to keep up with repayments. This covers instances where you may become unable to make your repayments if you lose your job or become ill or unable to work through no fault of your own.
A fee-paying credit card can also help a cardholder when they are in trouble, especially while abroad. Some of the services that a fee-paying credit card provides are second to none. With many cards, if you were to lose your credit card you just call a special international help line number where you will find assistance. Most fee-paying credit card services will provide a new credit card within 24 hours and will supply cash until your new credit card is ready.
