If you are considering applying for a credit card there are a number of factors that you should take into consideration. Firstly, it is vital that you examine your current lifestyle compared to the benefits that you will receive from any card. You will need to compare your current salary, or income, with the credit limit alongside any other benefits offered by the card company. Of course credit card needs will vary dependant on specific individual circumstances. Also your circumstances will be taken into account when applying for cards, and will affect the bonuses that you may be entitled to. For example, if you are not in regular employment, you may not be entitled to some of the advantages usually available.

One of the best methods to use when conducting your initial research into each of the major credit card such as Virgin, Barclaycard or Egg is look around on the internet at independent financial sites like motleyfool.co.uk. Offering just the facts behind each of the introductory offers and helpful reviews on each card, these sites are useful whether you are choosing either your first or simply a new credit card.

Where to find independent advice? There are many independent financial communities online that compare all of the leading products in each credit card range, and lay out the bare facts for you on screen. Using these comparison sites will help you to determine which card is most suited to your individual needs as well as providing customer feedback for you to browse. A good example of this type of website is motleyfool.co.uk, which provides all of the details mentioned above although there are many more to choose from.

If this is your first application for a credit card this is the golden rule of how to make credit cards work for you. If you've never had a credit card before remember it's always better to spend a little often and pay even slightly over the minimum to improve your rating credit rating companies such as Experian don't look at how much you pay, but assess how you use your card to purchase goods and since any reward programme is dictated by the card company, none of whom reward - either with bonuses or points- any customer who only pays the minimum every month. Although this method of paying off the loan is only extending the length of time it takes you to pay off your debt and is a costly way of borrowing money, and as such means you pay more on the initial loan, you still won't qualify for any bonuses for paying this way or even improve your credit rating.

Many credit cards offer a 0% period on such things as balance transfers and purchases. Customers have taken to changing credit cards at the end of the special offer and subsequently taking advantage of the introductory period offer on the new card. A few years ago this 'card hopping' was a good idea; unfortunately credit card companies have take action to prevent this. Swapping cards immediately after the benefit period expires will have a negative effect on your credit rating. In order for this to not be the case you will have to wait for a period of time before applying for a new card.

The rate of APR is also one of the most important things to consider when applying for a credit card. The rate of APR will come into effect once the 0% period is at an end. You will need to think carefully about whether the rate of APR is reasonable in comparison to the benefits you receive once the introductory 0% is over. Credits cards with no introductory offer and fewer benefits will have a lower rate of APR, which is another thing to consider before making a choice. It could be better to take a card with fewer benefits so that you can manage the lower repayments.