When you compare credit cards you can’t always look at individual cards side by side. There are different types of credit cards and they aren’t always directly comparable. But each has its own benefits. To help you narrow down your credit card options by type before you look at specific offers, let’s take a look at some of the biggest groups and how they can each benefit you as a cardholder.

Here are five common types of credit cards and the benefits of each:

1. Low Interest Credit Cards

The benefit of low interest credit cards like the Bankwest Lite MasterCard is obvious; you save money on interest. If you’re the kind of consumer who likes to use credit cards to finance purchases over time, a low interest rate might be the most important factor in choosing a new credit card.

2. No Annual Fee Credit Cards

No annual fee credit cards like the Virgin No Annual Fee credit card offer another obvious benefit; you don’t pay a yearly fee for the privilege of using your credit card. It’s another direct money-saver. While you can avoid interest by using your interest free days and paying off balances in full each month, you can’t avoid your card’s annual fee. So if you pay your bill off in full each month anyway, a no annual fee credit card would probably save you the most money.

3. Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Another option for saving money is the balance transfer credit card. You can use one, like the Earth credit card, when interest rates on an existing card are too high. By transferring your existing balance from your old card to a new balance transfer credit card you usually save on interest for a limited time (a few months to a year, and sometimes even longer). It gives you time to pay off your existing balance without quickly accumulating more in interest payments.

4. Rewards Credit Cards / Frequent Flyer Cards

If you’re looking for a little something extra from your credit card consider frequent flyer cards or other rewards credit cards. The basic benefit is that you earn something in return for charges you would have made anyway. Many rewards cards, like the Qantas American Express Classic credit card, also offer perks like free travel insurance that no frills cards don’t provide.

5. Business Credit Cards

There are also credit cards specifically tailored to business use. If you run your own business you should consider one of these, like the CitiBusiness credit card. Not only can they offer rewards that suit your company (like frequent flyer points for business trips), but they can offer higher credit limits and other perks that can help you run and grow your business.

No matter what credit card you choose, it’s important to pick a credit card type before comparing individual offers. Start by deciding what basic perks and benefits you want most based on the information above, and you can easily narrow things down from there without wasting time on irrelevant offers.