Which Credit Card is Best for You?

Getting a new credit card can be hugely beneficial for you and your finances—but it can also be an intimidating process, whether it's your first credit card or not.

In today's world, you're likely being inundated with credit advertisements every day. On your morning drive, you see billboards boasting low interest rates. In your mailbox, you'll find envelopes covered with promises of preapproval. Online you see banner ads asking you to apply. You get the idea—it can be overwhelming. There truly are a lot of options out there, and sometimes it can be difficult to know which one is best for you.

Luckily, we can help simplify the process of finding which credit card is best for you, your finances and your future goals.

Start by looking at which bank or credit union is best for you. Some people feel safest sticking with their current financial institution—and that's a great place to start! But don't be afraid of branching out and looking at all your options. Credit unions, for example, often offer competitive interest rates and low annual fees.

Once you've got an idea of where you'd like to apply for your credit card, you can start looking at which cards they offer. Here are some questions you should ask:

What will you use the card for?

Before you apply for a card, you should decide how you'd like to use it. Are you looking for a gas card? One for groceries? Maybe there's a store you shop at frequently?

Deciding how you will use the credit card will help you create a reasonable budget, track your spending and choose the right benefits for your needs.

What type of rewards would be most beneficial to you?

One of the biggest perks of getting a credit card is that you can earn rewards for making your everyday purchases. Those rewards vary from card to card, but can include cash back, travel rebates, concert tickets and points for gift cards.

So once you've decided how you will use your card, you can look at which one offers the best benefits for your life. If you will use it for everyday purchases, cash back could help you pay off your balance each month. Or if you're looking to travel more, try to find one that offers competitive air miles with your preferred airline or other travel rebates.

Is an annual fee worth it?

Once you've done the math and figured out which benefits you like, you can bring the credit card's annual fee into the equation. Some won't charge you an annual fee, others will. The easiest way to determine if the annual fee is worth it is to subtract that fee from the approximate dollar value of your benefits each year. If there's still money left over, you can afford the annual fee. If there isn't, you might want to consider a different option.

Can you pay off the balance each month?

Finally, ask yourself if you'll be able to pay off your balance each month. If so, the annual percentage rate (APR) won't be a huge concern for you.

That being said, life happens and there may be a month you're unable to pay off the balance. In that case, the APR will determine how much you pay in interest. Finding a low APR can help prevent you from racking up debt fast, and can be helpful if you're looking to do a balance transfer.

Asking yourself these questions—and answering them—will set you on the right track to getting the best possible credit card for you.

How can Mountain America help?

Mountain America has several credit card options to offer its members. Here's the rundown:

• The low rate option

  Featuring our lowest rates, the Visa Low Rate credit card is perfect for consumers who are interested in saving money and keeping the monthly payment low. There are no hidden fees or sneaky charges, just straightforward low rates.

• The one with great rewards

  This card is designed for members who love numerous rewards options—from travel rebates and gift cards to event tickets and ID theft protection services. Mountain America’s Visa Rewards credit card lets you stay in control of what you earn and how you earn it.

• The one that offers cash back

  If you like more flexibility, and you like cash, you’ll love this card. It automatically gives you 1.5% cash back on all purchases—no fuss or extra steps. What you do with that cash is up to you.

Ready to get that new credit card? Mountain America is the place to be! And applying for one of our credit cards couldn’t be easier. Apply over the phone, in-person at a branch, online or get an instant decision when you apply through our mobile app.