Best Credit Card South Africa

By: EconomyWatch Content   Date: 29 January 2010

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If you want to use the best credit card, South Africa offers a wide variety of providers to choose from. Apart from the “big 4” banks, providers like MasterCard and American Express offer cards with various facilities. The four major banks in South Africa, Nedbank, The Standard Bank, The First National Bank and the Absa Group Limited, issue credit cards that not only raise your credit ratings, but also help you purchase merchandise.

Often, the cards lead you into a downward spiral of missed payments, late payments and eventually paying a higher rate of interest than you had initially estimated. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you choose your credit cards wisely and go through the terms and conditions with a fine-tooth comb.  

Best Credit Card South Africa: Get the Best Rates 

Choosing the best credit card, given the economic turmoil, is a difficult proposition. Not only are the interest rates increasing, the credit limits are shrinking and borrowing terms are getting more stringent than ever before. Here is how you can get the best deal possible:

·        A simple way to avoid skyrocketing interest rates and hidden charges is to opt for the card that fits your financial standing. The choice you have to make is whether you will pay off the card dues immediately or carry forward your debt and compare APRs, annual fees, balance transfer costs, credit limits, and reward options in other cards.

·        Check your credit report to ensure that you get the best possible deal. This will not only ensure that the card guidelines correspond with your spending history, but also enable you to detect any identity theft immediately.

·        Keep track of your expenses and limit your spending to maintain a low debt utilization ratio. This ratio is one of the prime factors for determining your rates of interest and the terms of borrowing.

·        If you are already buried under a low credit limit and escalating interest rates, talk to the bank executives and negotiate for better terms of service. It would prevent in further aggravating your delicate financial situation.


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