So far in this series you’ve learned how to evaluate your credit card needs, find credit card offers, and narrow down your credit card options. After narrowing down credit card offers to a single card that you’d like to use, it’s time to apply for that credit card. We’ll cover several ways you can apply for a new card, and why it’s a good idea not to send out too many credit card applications.
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When it comes to applying for a new credit card, your options are generally online applications or offline applications (sending one through the post or applying over the phone).

The obvious benefit of online applications is their speed (they could even be faster than applying over the phone, because you don’t have to wait on hold until a representative is available and the time isn’t dependent on how quickly the phone rep is able to enter your information). But did you know that online applications are more than fast — they might even be safer? read more..

The holiday season isn’t that far away. Perhaps you’re already doing holiday shopping for friends and loved ones. Maybe you’re tight on funds this year or have more people than usual to buy for, and you aren’t sure how you’ll pay for everything you want to buy for them. If that’s the case, you might be considering applying for a new credit card to finance your holiday shopping. But should you? read more..

If you’re thinking about applying for a new credit card, you have several options. For example, you can fill out an application at the issuing bank. You could apply over the phone. You can even apply for credit cards online. Applying for credit cards online offers some of the same perks of other application methods, and some unique benefits.

Here are some of the reasons you should consider applying for credit cards online as opposed to in-bank or over the phone: read more..

The idea of getting your first credit card can be a little bit exciting, and a little bit scary. The choice you make in a first credit card is an important one. It can affect your credit history for years to come and be the start of a long-term banking relationship.

Your first card might be a student credit card or simply a traditional credit card tailored to new cardholders (like the ANZ First Visa). Either way, keep the following considerations in mind when choosing your first credit card: read more..