- What should I compare before applying for a credit card?
- Compare the purchase APR, annual fee, penalty terms, foreign-transaction fee, rewards rules and any promotional-rate end date. Approval odds and the effect of an application also depend on your credit profile.
- Does carrying a balance help build credit?
- You generally do not need to carry an interest-bearing balance to build credit. Payment history and reported utilization matter; paying the statement balance by the due date can avoid purchase interest when a grace period applies.
- Are rewards worth more than credit card interest?
- Usually not when you carry a balance. A rewards rate can be outweighed quickly by interest, so compare the dollar value of benefits with fees and expected financing costs.