A year ago, it was possible to find 0% balance transfer offers lasting up to 15 months and fixed APR balance transfers for life with interest rates as low as 2.99%.  Today, the best balance transfer offers only last 12 months and most balance transfer rates only last 6 months.  This is bad news for consumers, as many of us have recently seen our long term interest rates rise substantially, with one major company raising rates to 29.99% on nearly all of its customers.

Faced with significantly higher interest rates, securing a 0% balance transfer for 12 months today is imperative.  Credit card companies have been increasing the requirements to get approved for new credit cards throughout the year, and the most recent Federal Reserve survey of loan officers indicates that getting approved will only get more difficult.  This means customers who don’t take advantage of 0% balance transfers today may find it even more difficult in February, when new credit card laws are enacted. read the rest of this entry… »

Credit Card Depot has recently enhanced the way we display credit card offers to help our visitors gather as much data as possible before applying for new credit cards.  Our new features include drop down information boxes that include data generally found deep in the fine print.  Here are just a few of the new tools available to our visitors.

Introductory APRs:  Our enhanced credit card display provides the ability to learn more about the length of 0% APR and other low APR deals as well as whether these rates apply to purchases, balance transfers or both.

Credit Card Fee Information:  Whether you’re seeking to evaluate balance transfer fees, cash advance fees, late fees, or annual fees, one click of the mouse will reveal all of this data. read the rest of this entry… »

0% APR credit card offers are back.  For a while, it looked like credit card companies might stop these deals altogether, as the average 0% interest rate period dropped from 1 year to 6 months.  However, and for the time being, credit card companies have brought these money saving credit card offers back to the market.

During the summer, when getting a 0% APR for 1 year was a near impossibility, it appeared as if these types of credit card offers were doomed.  Banks were raising interest rates, cutting credit limits, and closing accounts at breakneck speed.  However, now that some of the dust has settled, credit card companies are looking to lure in new customers again.  And the most effective method in their playbook is the 0% APR credit card. read the rest of this entry… »

Due to the popularity and strong readership at our sister site, Credit Card Depot’s frequently updated credit card industry blog has been relocated to www.smartbalancetransfers.com/blog.

For press inquiries, you can reach Mr. Weber via email at custservice@credit-card-depot.com.

Although we’ve been online since 2004, we’re just getting started with our blog.  And, in honor of Martin Luther King Day, which our president elect has deemed National Service Day in 2009, we thought we would provide visitors with useful information on how to get the best deal on a credit card.

Getting the Best Credit Card Deal

1. Getting the lowest interest rate:  Credit cards generally advertise the lowest available interest rates in bold.  However, almost all credit card companies offer tiered pricing.  With tiered pricing, individuals with the best credit scores are offered the lowest rates, while those with good or average credit will be offered higher rates.  Oftentimes, there is a substantial difference between the lowest advertised rate and the high tier rate.  For example, a typical credit card may advertise a 10.99% interest rate to consumers with excellent credit and an 18.99% interest rate to consumers with average credit.  Unfortunately, no credit card company will tell you your interest rate until after they have reviewed and approved your application (the same is true with credit limits).  Thus, when looking for a low interest credit card, keep in mind the fact that your rate may not be the lowest available. read the rest of this entry… »