Knowing what credit card to choose can be over whelming, the number of credit cards on offer can distract you from your original goals when considering a new credit card but if you know what to look out for then you can save money with your credit card. Following some of these credit card tips can save you from excessive fess, charges and interest rates and will guide you to finding the right credit card offer for your particular needs.

Cash advances cost more!
when you use you credit card for Cash advances a higher interest rate applies to the transaction and there are no interest free days. Some credit cards will wipe all your interest free days remaining on previous purchases and start charging interest. All you debt will incur interest charges and you won’t receive more interest free days until the all your debt is repaid.

Lower interest rates save you more!
You can save hundreds on interest charges every year if you have a lower interest rate credit card . Use our credit card charts or credit card interest calculator to see the difference between what interest charges are applied to with differing debt balances and interest rates.

Using a balance transfer
When you want to switch credit cards you can get a break on interest charges for a certain amount of time, balance transfers offer low to no interest charges on your card debt for a period of months. Use this time to repay the whole amount and you will get ahead on your repayments. You can’t use your credit card until the debt is repaid otherwise in some cases a cash advance interest rate will be applied and you wont receive the intended interest break.

Pay more than the minimum repayments
Just paying the minimum amount off your credit card each month will not reduce your debt very quickly, you will mostly be just paying off interest. You could transfer the debt to a low interest rate personal loan if you are having some trouble meeting you financial obligations. Its best to repay your credit card balance in full every month if you can otherwise minimize interest charges with a lower interest credit card.

Review your credit card statements
Check your credit card statements each month and look for payments made that your were not aware of. I could be a case of credit fraud when someone is using your credit card details to make purchases. If you see anything out of the ordinary you must notify your bank immediately other wise you will be paying for the debt.

Do Rewards appeal to you
If you want rewards from your credit card you must spend enough to gain rewards. The interest rates and fees on these credit cards are a lot higher than with low rate credit cards. If you can funnel your expenses through a rewards card and meet the repayment regularly then you can benefit from reward points in the form of shopping vouchers or frequent flying miles, just watch out for interest rate charges eating up the reward benefits in the first place.

Choose credit cards that suit you’re repayment habits
Knowing what your spending and repayment habits are going to be with your credit card, you can benefit from the right credit card features. If you don’t repay your credit card debt in full every month or when the interest free period is up then low interest rate credit cards are for you. If you do repay the full amount off your credit card and annual fees don’t trouble you, you can benefit from rewards, frequent flyer or premium service credit card features.

Use Credit Card Fee discounts
some credit card lenders offer you discount on credit card fees when you combine financial services from that lender. If you already have a home loan, personal loan or savings account, applying for a credit card with your bank can reduce fees, you might even have no fees. Check to see if your lender does offer these incentives with there credit cards services.

Avoid late payments penalties
If you don’t meet the minimum credit card repayments on time the you could be charge a dishonesty fee for the late payment. Plus you could loose any interest free days owing on your credit purchases. If you having trouble meeting credit card repayment find another financial solution like a balance transfer, don’t just hide and let it happen.

Non banks offer great credit card deals too
Smaller banks, building societies and credit unions offer some great credit card deals that are just as good as the major Australian banks. They increase competition in the credit card lending sector and bring downward pressure on credit card fees, charges and interest rates. They are very dependable and should not be overlooked when choosing a credit card.

When using your credit card at any merchant, be it over the phone, on the internet or in person, there are several security precautions that need to be taken to ensure that you will not fall a victim to credit card fraud or identity theft.

Today, all credit cards come with some security features that are designed to deter fraud. One of the most widely used is the card security value, also called CVV or CVV2. This is normally a 3 digit number found on the back of the card above the signature, or a 4 digit code printed on the front of your card for American Express cards. It is commonly requested by merchants on the internet to prove that the person making a purchase actually has the card with them.

Another feature that is gaining more popularity with merchants on the Internet is a verification scheme such as Verified by Visa. In addition to providing the card number, expiry date and CVV code, a person making a purchase would be required to enter a password that they obtained previously by identifying some personal information that only the legitimate cardholder should know, such as their date of birth, credit limit, or amount of their last payment.

MasterCard offer an extra verification process called “secure code”. This code behaves like a PIN number at ATM except you will be required to enter your personally selected security code when you make credit card payments in person or online. This protect you if your credit card is stolen, the thief would not know your code and therefore not be able to use your card details.

Some tips to protect the security of your credit card:

• Only give out your card number to trusted merchants, and beware of “phishing” emails, which are emails that impersonate banks and trick you into entering your card number and other personal information into a “fake” website, which is then used to commit fraud.
• When doing purchases in person, avoid leaving your card out of sight. For example, some unscrupulous waiters in restaurants have been known to write down credit card numbers of clients and later use them to commit fraud.
• Always pay attention to your card’s monthly statement. If you see any charges that you do not recognize, contact your bank immediately.

One of Australia’s most trusted financial providers St. George has an award-winning credit card for cost-conscious consumer called Vertigo.

Vertigo from St. George Voted Australia’s Cheapest Credit Card by Money Magazine in 2007 and 2008, St.George Vertigo Mastercard provides a great personal interest rate and a competitive low fee.

Any purchase your make with a St.George Vertigo Mastercard has a 55 day interest free period before a low interest rate of 11.74% is charged against your balance. It has a very low credit card fee of $55 per annum which rates amongst the lowest in all the credit cards available.

If you like to share your credit card with a family member, St.George offer a second credit card attached to the very same account for free.

With a no interest on balance transfers for 6 months, this credit card is perfect to transfer your current credit cards balance to help you manage your current credit card debt.

If you like getting benefits with your credit card, St.George Vertigo Mastercard offers discounts and added extras on Entertainment, Experiences, Shopping, Travel and Leisure, Wine and Magazine Subscriptions. This is a very special credit card because it has a low interest rate but still offers benefits usually found in more expensive rewards credit cards.

St.George is another lender which isn’t one of the big for banks in Australia; they are increasing competition in the credit card sector in which all Australians benefit from. Best Rate Credit Cards rates the St.George Vertigo Mastercard 5 stars.

Applying for your St. George Vertigo MasterCard is quick and easy with our secure application link. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply and have a valid driver’s license number, and proof of income. Applications are quick with an instant application response, so you can start enjoying your new card sooner.