E. Thomas asked:




Hey, applying for a Discover credit card online (or any card for that matter!) is an easy process. Fill out a one page application, and you’re pretty much done! But, credit card applications are designed this way for a reason: to make it easy for the consumer to get credit! But, do you know what you’re REALLY applying for?

Many people are looking for the best options in credit cards when doing their research. And there are some cards out there that are great. As a matter of fact, Discover is one of the companies that has historically offered great rates to their customers. But wait, is that all that matters?…a good interest rate? What should the consumer look for when applying for a Discover card online?

Can you say, Interest Rate?

Your interest rate should be a major factor in determining which credit card is right for you. It represents the amount of money you’ll pay, as a percentage, of the money that you owe on the card. Many consumers make the mistake of saying, “oh well, I’m going to pay off the card every month” or “I’ll only use it for emergencies” so they aren’t really concerned with the interest rate. They don’t read the fine print, and they don’t research or shop around.

I’m here to tell you: that is a mistake! What if your car breaks down, or you have to bail someone out of jail? (don’t laugh, it happens!) Then, you’re paying 20% on thousands of dollars that you didn’t plan on spending! Do you know what that amounts to in interest payments? Hundreds of dollars per year…and that doesn’t even include you’re “normal” spending on the card.

But if you’re applying for a Discover credit card online, you can rest assured that you’ll get a good rate, even if it’s your first one! Yes, credit history is a factor, but Discover’s rates are very competitive to other companies such as Visa or Capital One. Also, you should take into consideration any “rewards” that are associated with credit cards.

Rewards are described as any incentive that a credit card company offers to join up with them. Some typical rewards are cash back, free gas, travel miles, giftcards to your favorite stores etc. Basically, it’s a nice little “selling feature” to get customers in.

Now, rewards can be used to a consumers advantage, but NEVER EVER apply for a Discover credit card online just for the rewards. Finance companies are in it to profit, plain and simple. What you pay in interest on the card will far outway any “rewards” that you’ll get. But, if they offer a good interest rate and rewards, that may be the way to go! Just make sure you read the fine print!

Hopefully this shed a little light on different things to look for in a credit card. The Discover credit card online application is pretty self-explanitory and only take a couple minutes to fill out. However, make sure you shop around and only accept best card for your needs.

Jason