Credit Card Finders: Can You Trust Them?

There are so many credit card choices out there that it can be really difficult to find one that’s the best deal. Not only do you have to think about things like APRs and annual fees, but you also need to think about whether your credit is good enough to qualify for the cards and what types of rewards you can get. Credit card finders can help you find a card that’s appropriate for you, but it’s important to understand what they do and don’t offer.

The Basics of Credit Card Finders
Most credit card finders will list out various credit cards, while showing a bit of basic information about each one. They should show things like the APR, the annual fee if applicable, and a few details about the program, such as what you need to do to earn the rewards. Many will allow you to make side-by-side comparisons of different cards to make it easy to see which one might be the best one for you. It’s important to note the source of the cards offered. For example, if you’re searching on the Chase website, you’ll only be shown the credit cards that are offered by Chase. A site like Bankrate has options from several different companies.

Earning Commission
You should also know that many credit card finders are paid a commission when you click on a link through their site and apply for a credit card. In some cases, this might mean that the cards they’re showing you aren’t necessarily the best cards for you, but rather the ones that will earn them the highest commission. That’s why it’s really important for you to actively pay attention to the details of the card offer before you apply. Always ask yourself, “Is this the right card for me? Am I getting the best deal?” If you can answer yes to those questions, then you know you’ve found a winner.

No Guarantee
Another thing that’s important to note is that credit card finders don’t have access to your credit report. In most cases, they’re simply showing you some of the best deals out there. Some might have a bit more flexibility, showing you the best cards for those with good or bad credit, but the sites aren’t able to tell you if you’ll definitely qualify. After finding a card that you think is great, you may be disappointed to find out that you don’t qualify. Sometimes, a card might approve you, but not offer the credit limit you were hoping for. These are all things that you wouldn’t be able to learn from the credit card finders.

Can You Trust Credit Card Finders?
Most credit card finders aim to offer consumers good information to help them make a decision. While the website might earn a commission when you apply for the credit card, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re pushing a bad offer. Using the finders primarily as a way to learn about the choices available to you, and to compare offers side by side, is the best way to take advantage of what they have to offer.

Alternatives
If you’re wary of credit card finders giving you bad advice, there are a few different things you could do. For instance, you might head to the Visa or MasterCard site to look at all of the cards they have to offer. You might also look into the offers through your local credit union. Though they might not have as many cards to choose from, their commitment to consumers means that you’re sure to get a good deal.

Choosing a new credit card is an important decision, and credit card finders can help you research your options. Check out the credit card section of our website for card reviews and more tips about choosing the right credit card for you.