What are the five factors to consider when choosing credit?
Daniel Santos
Updated on February 15, 2026
5 Factors to Consider While Choosing Your Credit Card
- Your spending habits. Consumers spent over $14.67 trillion by 2019’s third quarter as per the Bureau of Economic Analysis report.
- Applicable interest rate.
- Credit Limit.
- Annual Fee.
- Penalties.
What you should look for in credit cards?
It’s important to start good credit behavior early, which means making sure your first credit card is affordable. First-time cardholders should shop around before they apply and look out for what interest rates and fees (such as annual fees and foreign transaction fees) that banks and credit card issuers charge.
Why is it important to keep a good credit score?
Credit scores are an important part of your financial health. You want good credit scores because they can unlock many savings and benefits, including access to loans and credit cards with the most favorable terms.
What is the best way to build credit history?
How to Build Credit
- Get a secured card.
- Get a credit-builder product or a secured loan.
- Use a co-signer.
- Become an authorized user.
- Get credit for the bills you pay.
- Practice good credit habits.
- Check your credit scores and reports.
What should you consider when choosing a credit card?
Understanding how the card works is the best way to make the most of the card without accruing any penalties or additional interest. If one card has high penalties, you might be better off choosing another card. Ideally, you should only have one or two credit cards total, including store credit cards. You do not need more than this.
What to look for in your first credit card?
First-time cardholders should shop around before they apply and look out for what interest rates and fees (such as annual fees and foreign transaction fees) that banks and credit card issuers charge.
Is it good to have more than one credit card?
If one card has high penalties, you might be better off choosing another card. Ideally, you should only have one or two credit cards total, including store credit cards. You do not need more than this. It is too easy to find yourself completely overwhelmed with debt if you have more than one credit card.
Which is the best way to get lower credit card rates?
The best way to qualify for lower rates is to have a higher credit score, which means you do not utilize too much of your credit and you make your payments on time. There are so many credit cards available that you should not pay an annual fee to use your credit card.