There are lots of places you can apply for a credit card. With the great competition in the credit card market, almost any credit card company is pushing their card offers almost anywhere. Especially at certain times of the year like Christmas time and other holiday shopping seasons or the first weeks of college and schools etc. They even attatch small treats if you fill in an application. Should you jump into the first offer you get and fill in an application form or should you go home, sit down, relax and think a little before you fill in a credit card application form? I recommend that you choose the last mentioned option.

To make a really good deal on credit cards you have to

• know which factors that make a good credit card deal

• compare different credit card deals or offers

Included on all credit card application forms are parts written in fine print. Ongoing and enthusiastic salesman or woman will tell you what a fantastic deal their offer is and will probably not even mention this print. However, it's you who are signing the deal and it is your responsibility to know what you're signing. If you are going to check one single thing, it should be the APR. Credit companies often tempt you with a low introductory APR. It is the long term APR you should compare, not the short term.

Also make sure that you only deal with a serious credit card company and be aware of scammers. It goes without saying, that you shouldn't apply for a credit card just because of having one. Only apply for it if you need it.

Which information do you have to give away when applying for a credit card? Most credit card companies require as little as

• your name

• your address

• your social security number

• any previous addresses you may have had

This information will be sufficient for the credit company to check out your credit history, which will be the main criteria for approval or denial. Be aware that the APR will often vary according to which credit score you have; the higher score the lower APR. This is the way the credit companies level down the risk following a low credit score.

Like I said in the beginning of this article you can get credit card offers almost everywhere. Banks, Credit Companies and other companies and often with special bonuses at their warehouses and stores. The easiest way to access whichever credit card company you prefer is through the internet.