Credit Cards

There are over 14 million places around the world that accept major credit cards. In the UK, about 50 million credit cards are in use. With almost a hundred companies offering thousands of differently branded credit cards, the choices available to UK consumers for credit has reached an all-time high.

The credit card market is fiercely competitive, so it pays to know your choices and shop around first. A better deal is always available if you look hard enough. Credit card providers entice potential customers with a wide variety of incentives: waived annual fees, 0% or low starting interest, or even cash rebates for the purchases you place on their card.

Credit cards offer consumers more purchasing power by making it simple to access funds through a short-term loan at a reasonable cost. However, keeping oneself out of serious long-term debt – as a consequence of overusing the easy purchase features of a credit card – takes self-discipline and control over one’s buying impulses.

If a credit card is used responsibly, it can make the card holder’s life easier by providing a convenient line of credit for both unforeseen expenses and planned purchases within the card holder’s normal budget. It’s worth taking advantage of incentives like interest-free borrowing and the safety that credit cards offer when purchasing items online or over the phone. And it’s a safe and convenient way to pay for expenses when traveling outside of the UK.