Credit Card Guide

This section will be dedicated to a complete guide, taking you through step by step the process of how to analyse, choose and apply for a UK credit card. Listed in this section will be advice on what to look for in a credit card, small print that is vitally important to your credit card agreement and also charges and costs that should be known before you apply and certainly before you begin to use your card.

1. Introduction To Credit Cards
   There was a time, not that long ago, when your spending power depended on the amount of cash you actually had there and then in your wallet or purse. In those days, if you wanted to go shopping you needed to make sure you had enough cash on you to pay for whatever it was you were looking to buy.
   
2. What Are Credit Cards And What Type Of Cards Are Available?
   Although this section of the Guide is entitled “What Are Credit Cards And What Type Of Cards Are Available?” – a more accurate title would be “What Are Plastic Payment Cards”, as we shall take a look at an overview of all plastic payment cards.
• Types of Plastic Payment Cards Available
  Before proceeding further, it is probably best to dispel one of the biggest misconceptions around regarding UK credit cards – that is, although all UK credit cards can be considered plastic payment cards, not all plastic payment cards can be considered UK credit cards.
  
3. Who Can Apply For A Credit Card?
   Not everyone is eliigable to apply for a credit card or debit card, this small section is dedicated to different types of payment card's application requirements.
4. How Do I Know Which Credit Card Is Best For Me?
   With so many credit card issuers now offering you the chance to become a member of their system, how can you tell which credit card issuer you should apply for, i.e. how do you know which credit card is best for your needs?
   • Some Tips to Consider Before Applying for a Credit Card
     Section containing some basic points and tips about UK credit cards.
5. How Do I Apply For A Credit Card?
   Not only discussing the application process itself, this article also explains the main points credit card companies use to base their assessment of your credit card application. This will include points such as, but not limited to, your credit history including your credit reference rating and your actual credit score.
6. How Does The System Work – Using Your Credit Card?
   Today over £ 1 trillion of credit card transactions are processed through over 20 million outlets worldwide each year! But, how does the system work – how is a credit card transaction processed?
7. Things To Watch Out For
   Three subsections that are designed to help credit card users to wary of very important points.
   
   • Part I: Interest Rates And Fees
   • Part II: Credit Card Fraud & Security
   • Part III: Credit Cards & Bad Debt
8. Loyalty Programmes
   Brief article on the financial benefits that the consumer can benefit from by the use of credit cards.