Low Interest Rate Credit Cards: How To Pick One

[Update: Some offers mentioned below have expired. You can view the current offers from our partners here — Capital One Platinum Credit Card.]

The simple truth is that those who carry a balance should remain focused on finding a credit card with the lowest interest rate possible. While this may seem like a simple task, it can actually be a challenge. Credit card issuers offer a wide variety of products with interest rates and features that are all over the map. Sorting through these offers can take time, but there is enough money to be saved in using a low interest rate credit card that it will always be worth your effort.

First, give up the idea of earning rewards for your spending. Credit cards that offer rewards will invariably have higher interest rates than those that don’t. And besides, an incentive to spend more money is the last thing needed by those who are carrying debt.

Next, go straight to the Schumer Box, that is the table that includes the credit card’s terms and conditions. In fact, every card issuer is required to provide this information to applicants. Look for the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on purchases, which is usually on the top of the page.

In some cases, a single percentage rate will be listed, while most of the time you will see multiple rates or a range of rates. In the later case, cardholders are informed that they will receive a rate based on their individual credit worthiness at the time of the application. And while there is no way to know for sure which rate you will receive, you can at least compare one range of rates to another in order to find the product most likely to give you the best rate.

Other rates worth considering are the balance transfer, cash advance, and penalty APRs. Even if you do not expect to be paying these types of balances, you should at least understand what the rates are just in case.

Finally, finding the best rate is important, but is not the only consideration. Be sure to look at the benefits the card provides and the fees charged such as annual fees, foreign transaction fees and balance transfer fees. You can research and compare low interest credit cards on Credit.com to find one that meets your needs.

A Few Good Credit Cards With Low Interest Rates

Capital One Platinum: Cardholders will receive an APR of , depending on their credit worthiness. Benefits include auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance, and an extended warranty program. There is no annual fee for this card and no foreign transaction fees.

Simmons First Visa Platinum: Simmons First is an Arkansas-based bank that dates back to 1903 and is now known for offering credit cards with some of the lowest rates on the market. If approved for this card, applicants will enjoy an outstanding standard APR of 7.25%. This card includes travel insurance and car rental loss/damage waiver coverage. There is no annual fee for this card, but there is a 2% foreign transaction fee levied on all charges processed outside of the U.S.

Iberia Bank Visa Select: Founded in 1887, this Louisiana-based bank is lesser known, but is also one of the leading issuers of low-rate cards. Their Visa Select card offers customers a standard APR of 7.5%, 9.5%, or 11.5% depending on the applicant’s credit worthiness. There is a $35 annual fee for this card and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

At publishing time, Capital One Platinum Prestige and Simmons First Visa Platinum are offered through Credit.com product pages and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.

Image: Thomas Northcut