Get to Know CompareCards

Find out everything you need to know about CompareCards and the services we provide.

CompareCards FAQs

1. What does CompareCards do?
We help you compare credit cards based on the factors that matter most to you, whether it’s a low interest rate, balance transfer offers, rewards, cash back, or other incentives.
2. Why should I choose CompareCards?
We’re all about giving you the tools and information you need to make smart, healthy financial decisions. And we make it easy to do – with a website that’s easy to navigate and full of valuable, helpful financial resources and tools like CompareWallet, a balance transfer calculator, and a debt payoff calculator.
3. Are you financial experts?
We geek out on all things financial and have decades of experience in the industry. We love being at the forefront of the latest trends, news stories and resources. And, we ensure that every resource and tool on our website is meticulously researched and validated.
4. How do I apply for a credit card?
Once you’ve found the credit card that best suits your needs, simply click on the "Apply Now" button. You’ll be directed to the bank’s official application page.
5. What information must I provide for a credit card application?
General information such as name and address, plus your date of birth, Social Security number, some financial information, and your total annual income.
6. Can I trust your site with my information?
Absolutely. As a Symantec Safe Site, we’re secure. Our privacy practices have been evaluated by Truste, and we are A+ accredited with the Better Business Bureau. We’ve also been featured on CNN Money, Forbes, The New York Times, and more.
7. How long does it take to process a credit card application?
You’ll be notified via email or phone regarding the status of your application. Some credit cards offer instant approval while other offers take about 7-10 business days to process your application. Once your application is processed and a decision is made, you will most likely be notified by standard mail, but possibly by e-mail. Some smaller institutions may take longer than 7-10 days to approve or deny an application, so check with the institution to confirm an expected response date.
8. Does CompareCards issue any credit cards?
No. We’re a free service that allows you to quickly and easily compare credit card offers from issuers, but we do not issue any credit cards. We have more than 100 cards available for you to choose from and we assist you with the card selection process by giving you free access to valuable information through our compare tool, the rewards estimator, and on our blog, CompareWallet.
9. What is the Education Center?
We feel it is vitally important to start early in educating our youth about the importance of building good financial habits at a young age. Through six downloadable education plans, our Education Center helps parents and educators teach children aged 6-18 about money in the real world, building credit, investing, and more.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards FAQs

1. How do you transfer credit card balance to another card?
Transferring high-interest credit card debt to a less costly card is a great way to save money. You can complete a transfer to another card over the phone, online, or by using a special check provided by your card company for that purpose.
2. Are balance transfers bad for your credit?
Receiving a credit card transfer offer is usually a good thing. Balance transfers can help you make the switch from higher-interest rate cards to lower interest rate balances. If you pay down the transferred balance faster, while saving money with a 0 transfer credit card, it can actually help boost your credit score. When paying down balances it’s worthwhile to note that you should also try to use only 30% of the available credit line offered to you.
3. What are balance transfer cards with no transfer fee?
No balance transfer fee credit cards allow you to transfer balances from other credit cards without paying an extra charge for the transfer transaction. Many card companies charge a fee of approximately 3% of the total amount transferred, or they’ll charge a minimum fixed amount. Those fees apply each time you complete a transfer, so it pays to compare balance transfer credit cards and credit card transfer offers. No balance transfer fee credit cards are a more cost-effective option, and you can apply the savings toward paying down your card balances.
4. How is balance transfer interest charged?
Balance transfer interest can be either a 0% promotional APR rate, or it can be the rate charged at your regular interest rate (e.g. 13.99%). Make sure you know your balance transfer rate before you complete the transfer, because the balance transfer interest is charged as soon as the funds are transferred. Balance transfer interest is normally calculated as your interest rate (e.g. 0% or 13.99%) multiplied by your balance on the account, divided by 12 months or the annual period.
5. What are balance transfer cards for fair credit?
Balance transfer credit cards credit cards typically offer the best possible transfer rates to people with superior credit. If you only have “fair” credit, you'll likely still qualify for a low transfer rate, somewhere below 5%. Some companies may still offer 0% rate, but perhaps only for six months rather than 12 months. Once you’ve paid off high balances, look for opportunities to raise your credit line, so you can eventually qualify for a long-term 0% balance transfer credit card.

Low Interest Credit Card FAQs

1. Which low interest cards have no annual fee?
Some of the best low interest credit cards with no annual fee are Capital One Venture, Chase Slate, Citi Simplicity, Discover More, and the Citi Diamond preferred. All of these currently offer 0 APR introductory rates with no annual fee.
2. What are the best low interest credit cards for teachers?
Low interest cards with no annual fees are the best options for teachers – and many are offered by teaching profession credit unions. Do an online search to find a teachers’ credit union in your area and enjoy low rates, no annual fees, and rewards programs. For instance, if you get no annual fee Visa card with the ScoreCard rewards program, you’ll earn one rewards point for every dollar you spend. Redeem rewards for travel, merchandise, and products and services especially tailored to educators – with no limits on how much you can earn and no travel restrictions.
3. What are the best low interest credit cards for nurses?
Capital One Venture, Citi Simplicity, and Discover More offer low interest rates with no annual fees. The American Nursing Association (ANA) also has a partnership with GE Money a credit card that includes a rewards program. Nurses earn points and redeem them for benefits, like your ANA membership fee. Other great nurse association credit cards are the National Student Nurses Association Card, the Registered Nurse Card, the Nursing WorldPoints Card, and the Oncology Nurses Society Card.
4. What are the best low interest credit cards for college students?
Discover Card offers some excellent credit card options for students, including the Student Clear Card, Mix Tape Student Card, and Student Tropical Beach Card.
5. What are fixed low interest credit cards?
A fixed low interest card has an affordable rate that doesn’t change over time. While they’re challenging to find, you can still find many that have a fixed rate for a limited number of months. The best low interest credit cards with this option are those that offer zero interest credit card to new customers. The next best option is cards with fixed rates under 5%. Introductory rates offered by card companies are normally fixed for anywhere from three to 18 months, and the longer the rate is fixed, the better.

Business Credit Card FAQs

1. What are instant approval business credit cards?
Some business credit card offers allow authorized company officers apply online, and find out within minutes whether or not their application was approved. To find out if the new business credit cards you are interested in provide instant approval just visit the card company’s website.
2. Which business credit cards use EIN only?
Companies like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Staples often issue cards based only on your Employer Identification Number (EIN), rather than your social security number. Banks occasionally do this if you have a business account that’s in good standing. Interested in business credit cards that accept the EIN? Choose one with the best rate and most flexible features.
3. Can I apply for a business credit card without a social security number?
Almost all card issuers require a social security number when you apply for new business credit cards. Some stores that issue in-store charge cards (i.e. Home Depot or Staples) waive this requirement, however, if you provide a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN).
4. Are business credit cards attached to my personal credit?
Anyone who includes their social security number on a credit card application will be held liable for charges and responsible for payments. All full-fledged credit cards require anyone requesting new business credit cards provide their social security number. So, virtually all business credit cards issued today are attached to the applicant’s own personal credit.
5. Can business credit cards be used for personal use?
Yes, how you use a business credit is entirely up to you. However, if you want to keep business and personal expenses separated for legal or tax accounting reasons, you shouldn’t make personal purchases on a business credit card. If you do, simply reimburse the business for your personal expense.
6. What business credit cards have no personal guarantee?
There are virtually no business credit card offers that don’t require some kind of personal guarantee. The officer of the company applying for the business credit card is required to provide a social security number or EIN and is responsible for repaying any charges to the card.

Rewards Cards FAQs

1. Which rewards credit cards can help with groceries?
Some cash rewards credit cards let you earn bonus points in specific categories of purchases, so choose on that lets you earn double or triple cash-back for groceries, and you could save you two to three percent for every dollar you spend.
2. What are the best rewards credit cards for students?
Choose a card designed specifically for students that offers extra rewards or cash back in purchases like gas or restaurants. Solid choices include the Discover Open Road for Students and Discover Student Clear Card.
Choose a rewards card that is designed specifically for students and offers extra rewards or cash back in categories of purchases that are popular with students like gas or restaurants. Solid choices include, for example, the Discover Open Road for Students and Discover Student Clear Card.
3. What are the best rewards credit cards according to Consumer Reports?
Consumer Reports' top picks for rewards card are the Chase Freedom, American Express Blue Cash Back, and American Express Fidelity. They also suggest you do a credit card rewards comparison to determine which card best matches your spending patterns. For those who shop at Amazon.com, for example, Consumer Reports recommends the Amazon.com Rewards Visa card.
4. What are the best travel rewards credit cards?
The best travel rewards credit cards allow cardholders to earn unlimited rewards that don’t expire and aren’t subject to reservation restrictions. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice, and card members earn 3,000 bonus points every year. The Capital One Venture Rewards and the Miles by Discover are also great travel rewards cards, and points earned can also be redeemed for travel on any airline.
5. Which credit card offers best rewards points program?
Comparing credit card rewards points programs based on your buying habits and preferences is the best way to determine which one is right for you. For those who travel, two of the best credit cards rewards programs are Capital One Venture Rewards and Capital One VentureOne Rewards. The Venture Rewards card awards 1.25 miles for every dollar spent, with no annual fee. The VentureOne card charges a $59 annual fee but waives the fee in the first year of membership, and with it you earn 2 miles per dollar spent. Finally, the Discover More and Chase Freedom cards are excellent cash-back rewards card with no annual fee and the chance to earn bonus rewards in certain categories of purchases.

Cash Back Credit Cards FAQs

1. What's the difference between cash back cards vs reward cards?
Cash back cards give you cash credits whenever you make purchases, while rewards cards give non-cash perks like free airline tickets or hotel stays. Most cash back credit cards let you redeem the credits for actual cash or gift cards, or you can apply them directly to your credit card bill to pay off your balance.
2. Are cash back credit cards taxable?
The credits you earn through cash back credit card offers are only taxable if you receive them in cash that’s recorded as part of your annual income. For example, if you get a cash back check from a credit card company and deposit it into your bank account, then it will show up as taxable income on your bank statement. If you’re not sure or have questions, consult a qualified tax professional.
3. What's the best cash back credit card?
Compare cash back credit cards based on your individual spending habits to ensure the best match. For people who frequently shop at Costco, the True Earnings American Express Card may be a good choice. Generally, the best cash back credit card offers are those that offer generous ways to earn cash and have no annual fee. Some of the top cash back credit cards for all-purpose spending are the Citi Dividend Platinum Select, the Chase Freedom, and the Discover More credit card.

Student Credit Cards FAQs

1. What are the best student cards for someone with no credit history?
Students with no credit history may want to apply for a prepaid card, because they don’t require a credit check. The most affordable is the American Express Prepaid Card, and it offers a program to help build credit and graduate to the American Express Charge Card. One of the best student credit card offers for those with no credit history is the Journey Student Rewards Card from Capital One. Using the card automatically creates a credit history track record. Each month, the student repays the Journey Card on time, they also qualify for a cash back bonus.
2. What are the best student credit cards for someone with no income?
Prepaid instant approval student credit cards are the best choice for those with no income, however make sure they don’t charge excessive fees. The American Express Prepaid Card is the most affordable prepaid card with very few fees. Another option is to apply for a card and have a parent cosign for it. The application is evaluated on their income and credit, improving a student’s chances for approval.
3. What are the best student credit cards for someone with bad credit?
Most instant approval student credit cards available to everyone, regardless of their credit history. There is no credit check required, no late fees, or overdraft penalties, and you can find prepaid cards that are honored wherever major credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
4. Can I get a student credit card with no cosigner?
Because of recent federal legislation, the only student credit card offers available to minors without a cosigner are for those students who demonstrate enough financial stability to repay their credit card debts. The Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card for College Students is an excellent student card with no cosigner required.
5. How do student credit cards work?
Student credit cards work just like other credit cards, except they offer tools and benefits that appeal to students and meet their unique financial needs. To determine which card is best, compare student credit cards based on features such as online account management tools, rewards programs, and cash back opportunities. Also, check to see if the APR is competitive and if an annual fee is required.

Airline Credit Cards FAQs

1. Can someone with bad credit be approved for an airline credit card?
Virtually all airline credit cards that allow cardholders to earn travel rewards require decent credit. There are a few cards designed for people with bad credit, and through responsible use, it’s possible to repair one’s credit history. The American Express Prepaid credit card has a special program to help those with bad credit repair it.
2. What are the best airline credit cards promotions?
The Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus card gives new cardholders a free ticket just for signing up. Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage World MasterCard and Delta Airlines Gold Delta SkyMiles give new members up to 30,000 bonus miles. The Citi ThankYou Rewards Card lets members earn points that can be applied to air travel, and it comes with a 15-month 0% introductory rate.
3. Do airline credit cards offer companion tickets?
Yes, Visa, American Express, and MasterCard all offer companion tickets. Delta, U.S. Air and most major airlines credit cards also offer complimentary companion tickets. Check specific programs for details.
4. Do airline credit cards offer free bags?
Yes, many include free bags. Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card and the Delta Airlines Gold Delta SkyMiles Card both include free bags in their program.
5. Which are the best airline credit cards for good credit?
The best airline credit cards offer a robust rewards program with the potential to earn unlimited miles with no expiration dates or travel restrictions and offer generous sign-up bonuses. Money Magazine ranked the Capital One Venture Rewards one of the best airline miles credit cards, and the Capital One VentureOne is another highly rated airline rewards card. Two American Express cards, the Gold Card and the Delta Reserve, are among the best airline credit cards in terms of valuable luxury perks, but their annual fees are extremely high. The Discover Escape is an excellent alternative with a reasonable $60 annual fee, and the Miles by Discover Card is another great airline credit card with no annual fee.

Gas Credit Cards FAQs

1. Which gas credit cards are good for business?
The best gas credit cards for business offer double rewards earned for each dollar spent on gas, such as the Chase Ink Classic and the American Express OPEN Business Gold Rewards Card. The Capital One Sparks Cash for Business Card is another great choice.
2. Are there gas credit cards for people with no credit?
People with no credit or bad credit can apply for gas rebate cards, as they typically have more lenient credit application standards. BP and Exxon sometimes award cards to applicants with bad credit, and Discover Card offers secured or unsecured gas credit cards for people with average, bad, or no credit. Shop around and apply only for those with a reputation for issuing cards to consumers with no credit. Be forewarned: submitting multiple requests for credit can potentially damage your credit score.
3. What are secured gas credit cards?
Secured gas credit cards or gas rebate credit cards require a cash deposit into the cardholder’s account. Gas is purchased against the cash in the account. When the credit is depleted, the cardholder can recharge the card by depositing additional funds. Secured gas cards are an excellent choice for people with bad credit who have been turned down for unsecured credit cards.
4. Which gas credit cards have the best rewards?
The Discover Open Road Card is one of the best gas credit cards with no annual fee. There’s also a Discover Open Road Card for Students. For those who buy gas at Costco, the Costco True Earnings Card from American Express is a smart choice. Also, the Chase Freedom Card has no annual fee, generous bonuses, and is an excellent all-purpose rewards card for saving money on gas.

Prepaid Debit Cards FAQs

1. Can I use a prepaid debit card with Paypal?
Yes, you can. In fact, there’s a PayPal Prepaid MasterCard that’s one of the most popular prepaid credit cards used to build credit. The PayPal Prepaid card has an optional savings account feature, online financial management tools, and rewards for specific purchases. You can still use prepaid debit cards with PayPal, even if they’re issued by another credit card company.
2. Can I use a prepaid debit card at Walmart?
Yes. Walmart also sells its own MasterCard and Visa prepaid cards. The Walmart Money Card is one of the best prepaid credit cards, since it’s available at Walmart stores worldwide and has very reasonable fees.
3. Can I use a prepaid debit card to pay loans?
Yes, as long as there is sufficient credit on the card to cover the loan payment. To avoid unwanted charges, use prepaid credit cards with no fees for transactions.
4. Where can I find prepaid debit card reviews?
You’ll find extensive, FREE reviews here on CompareCards.com! Reviews are also available in Consumer Reports, Money, and Kiplinger’s.
5. Where can I purchase a prepaid debit card?
Prepaid debit cards from MasterCard and Visa are widely available for purchase online and at retail locations like convenience stores and Walmart worldwide. American Express also offers one of the best prepaid credit cards to build credit and it can be purchased online or at participating retail locations.
6. Can I rent a car with a prepaid debit card?
It depends upon the policy of the particular rental agency and what kind of prepaid card is used. Some rental companies don’t accept cards they know are prepaid. If you plan to use a prepaid debit card to rent a car, inquire in advance with the rental agency.