10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Credit Card

You know it takes time to find a pair of jeans that fits perfectly. Same for your golf clubs—they have to be just right for you. You should apply that same thinking when choosing a new credit card. 

If you pay off your balance every month, a low or no annual fee is more important than a low interest rate (since you’ll pay off the balance before interest on your purchase is assessed). But, if you usually carry a balance from month to month, you’ll probably want to focus on credit cards with a low annual percentage rate (APR) even with an annual fee. Other factors can influence whether a particular credit card is the best credit card for you. Consider these key questions.

1. Is a rewards credit card a good choice?
   
   Rewards cards can sometimes have higher interest rates and/or higher annual fees. Identify the trade-offs and weigh which is more valuable for your personal finances. Also consider how the rewards rate and cash-back perks match your spending habits. For instance, some cash-back cards offer bonuses for spending in certain categories, such as airfare, gasoline or dining. Navy Federal Credit Union’s More Rewards American Express® Card1 offers 3X the points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and transit, and 1X points on everything else.2
2. Under what circumstances will the card issuer reduce or revoke rewards?
   
   With some rewards programs, you might lose points or sign-up bonuses if you make a payment late. Other credit card companies give you points that expire after a certain amount of time. Study the fine print so you know what to expect.
3. Does the card offer additional benefits?
   
   Some credit cards offer cardholders perks, like complimentary elite status with an airline or hotel loyalty program, free checked bags or extended warranties. Estimate your savings based on how much you’d use the card features.
4. Is there a foreign transaction fee?
   
   If you’ll use your card overseas frequently, the best card for you would have low—or no—foreign transaction fees. These fees can be as high as 3% of the transaction amount.
5. What kind of fraud protection can you expect?
   
   Federal regulations limit your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50, but many issuers have zero liability policies. That means you aren’t responsible for any fraudulent charges, provided you follow a few rules.
6. Can you manage your account on the go?
   
   Being able to check your balance, make a payment, set travel notifications, track and redeem rewards, and activate your credit card with your mobile device can be very handy. It’s especially important to stay current on your account if you’re trying to build credit, since missed or late payments will hurt your credit report. Check to see if the credit card issuer offers a mobile app that can help you manage your credit card account.
7. What happens if you fall behind on payments?
   
   There are many possibilities. You may face late fees or penalty rates, lose points or rewards, or take a hit to your credit history. Some lenders have programs to help you get caught up. Others don’t. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act offers certain protections for individuals on Active Duty and their families.
8. Does the card have an introductory rate? If so, how long does it last, and what’s the rate when the promotional rate ends?
   
   You probably don’t want to choose a credit card based on an interest rate that’s only going to last 6 months. The rate you’ll pay when the promotional rate expires is far more important. If you’re shifting over from another card, make sure to include any balance transfer fee in your evaluation.
9. How long is the grace period?
   
   Some cards start charging interest immediately, while others may give you 25 days before you have to pay interest charges on purchases. Look for a summary table of rate and fee disclosures that explains how to avoid paying interest.
10. What’s the credit limit?
    
    Your credit limit will depend on the type of card and your personal credit rating. A high credit limit can help you improve your credit score, especially if you use only a relatively small portion of it. An example would be if you have a $10,000 credit limit but never carry a balance greater than $2,000. If you have good credit, you’ll have lots of choices. If you have no or bad credit, look into a secured credit card where the credit limit is secured by funds on deposit. You might want check into Navy Federal Credit Union’s nRewards® Secured credit card. 

Despite the proliferation of digital communications, business cards are still relevant in many face-to-face settings. Attend a conference these jobs and in many industries, participants will still be exchanging cards.

But because so many people still use them, you need to make sure yours is memorable. An attractive business card draws the attention of prospects who otherwise might have tossed the card and helps you to network more effectively.

Follow some simple rules to make sure your business card represents your brand and attracts potential clients or business partners.

Key Takeaways

• Be selective in what you include and leave some white space so that recipients can quickly get an idea of your business and brand.
• Make sure your design reflects your brand.
• Consider including a call to action, such as a discount or an invitation to visit your website.
• Proofread your card, and then have a friend proofread it before you order it printed.

Include Only What's Most Important

Include enough information to pique the interest of recipients and make the business card memorable. It's tempting to reduce the font size and include every type of job you've done, testimonials, and more, but this leads to information overload and nothing memorable. Skip the kitchen sink and be selective about the information you include.

• Name
• Job title
• Email address
• Phone number
• Website address
• Three or four social media handles

You may also want to add a slogan, a QR code, and an image or headshot.

Use a Legible Font

Funky fonts are fun, but you want recipients to be able to read your business card at a glance. Make sure the fonts you use on your business card aren't too small, too fancy, or distorted in some way.

Let your logo be the design element that adds spice to your business card and keep the text simple and straightforward.

Leave White Space

Some recipients jot down a word or a phrase on business cards to help jog their memories. Effective use of white space, including content on only one side, allows recipients to do this more easily.

From a design perspective, white space also helps draw attention to the space that does include text or a logo.

Keep It on Brand

How do you want people to think about you and your business? If you're a designer, make sure your card reflects your creative aesthetic. A party planner? Feel free to use bright colors. But if you're a lawyer or financial consultant, you'll probably want your design to feel professional and elegant.

Consider a Call to Action

Even a simple and streamlined business card can use some valuable real estate for a special offer or other call to action. Craft a short message that offers a discount, directs recipients to your website (a QR code can be handy here), or provides a tip that will be relevant and useful to the reader.

If you hit the mark with a specific call to action or other helpful information, you can make your card instantly memorable and generate more leads in the process.

Use a Professional Printer

Unless you have commercial printing capabilities, do-it-yourself business cards often come across as cheap or second-rate, and that's not the impression you want to give recipients.

You may be able to save a moderate amount of money and update your information more easily if you print them yourself, but the impact of handing over a homemade business card isn't the same as cards that are printed professionally.

Choose Finishing Options Carefully

Countless options are available, including rounded corners or other die cuts, holes punched through, unusual shapes and sizes, embossing, foil accents, and folds that can turn a simple card into a mini-brochure (or a paper airplane or desk box). Some of these ideas can really make your card stand out.

But if such a creative touch is not relevant to your brand, your business card might be remembered for the wrong reasons. A black, glossy card also may frustrate recipients who regularly use business cards for note-taking. And a circular cut or miniature size might just make your card easier to lose.

Proofread Your Work Multiple Times

Check all your copy for typos before submitting your order. Then ask a friend or colleague to read it over, too. They may spot something you didn't. There's nothing worse than getting your cards back from the printer to discover a misspelling—especially if you've already handed it out to professional contact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I design my own business cards?

You certainly can design your own cards. Online tools such as Adobe Express make it easy to create a custom design from a template. Card printers such as Vistaprint also have design tools.

When it comes to printing business cards, however, professional printing still often looks much more polished than printing cards yourself on a home printer. Professional printing is relatively affordable, so it's usually worth the money.

What should a good business card have on it?

Less is often more, but you'll want to include basic details such as your name, contact details, logo, and a job title or short description of what you do. A call to action and slogan may be helpful, too, but don't overload the card with too much copy.