Today more and more people are turning to balance transfer credit cards to help save money. With mortgage companies being fickle about whom they loan money to, and gas prices at $4 bucks a gallon people’s credit card balances are stacking up. Fortunately there are still a few credit cards on the market that offer balance transfer credit cards for fair credit. We thought we would do our part and outline some of the best credit cards that are on the market for those with fair to average credit.
First, what exactly is fair credit? Fair credit is best described as a person who basically pays their bills on time but has a few late payments, or a little too much debt. The credit card companies look at your job, housing, debt load and overall capacity to repay the card when approving a credit card. Some of the categories for credit cards for fair credit are balance transfer cards, business cards, rewards cards, cash back cards and more.
Having fair credit shouldn’t mean that you have to get an obnoxious credit card that hurts you more than it helps you. Outlined below we have listed, what we feel, are some of the top rated fair credit credit cards on the market. Each of these credit cards has distinct advantages and disadvantages that the card holder should know about before applying for the card, so always read the fine print before applying.
Regular Credit Cards – IberiaBank Visa® Classic Card is hands-down, one of the best credit cards for average credit. IberiaBank credit card is offering a 0% transfer offer and a 4% rate on purchases! For those of you whose credit leans more to the “fair” side of the “fair to average credit” there is the Citi® Platinum Select® Card. This card offers rates as low as a decent 10.9%, no annual fee and a 0% introductory rate for balance transfers. Both of these credit cards are great deals for people for fair to average credit.
Rewards Credit Cards for Fair to Average credit – Most credit cards that are offered for fair to average credit card applicants don’t offer a descent rewards program. Not this card, we found a great credit card with a great rewards program for average credit. The Bank of America Accelerated Rewards™ American Express® Card is for borrowers whose credit leans toward the average side. It offers a low fixed rate for new purchases and balance transfers with average credit who qualifies. It also has a 0% introductory offer with access to their rewards program and there is no annual fee!
Card issuers that issue credit cards for fair credit want to approve you as much as you want to get approved. What you have to do is to make sure you fill out the application completely. Some people skip through the application missing important questions that could add “points” towards their approval. Here are a few things that can help you with your application.
Report all of your gross income (before taxes); be sure to include side jobs, seasonal jobs and second jobs. If asked, be sure to list your checking and savings accounts, believe it or not having some money in savings helps.
Job time is important; many people have worked for a company then left and came back. You can add those two time periods together to show the longer job time. Make sure you list the total years and months of you residence as well.
Last but not least, go after the card you really want! Most people with fair to average credit “under-apply” for the credit cards they really want for fear of being turned down.
If you have decided that you are going to get a credit regardless, we suggest that you pick the card that you really want to have and make a solid application. At the same time you can apply to a card that is more likely to approve you. If you get two cards you can simply close the least attractive one or keep it open for a rainy day.
Aubrey Clark is an editor and writer for Direct Banc, a directory for low interest rate credit cards. He lives and works in Atlanta, Ga. with his wife and four children.
