Tips to apply for a credit card online with ease

Credit cards are a highly popular financial product simply because they confer so much convenience and so many benefits (caveat: when used right). In a similar vein, the Internet is also a tool of convenience and advantages. Bring the two together and you have easy online credit card applications!

Choosing a credit card

Even before you apply for a credit card, you must choose one – one that best fits in with your requirements. Here is a nutshell guide to choosing your best fit credit card:

• Check out various credit cards
• See if you comply with their eligibility requirements
• Check out the rewards on offer with each of these credit cards
• Sync the rewards with your top spend categories
• You will arrive at a short-list of credit cards that meet your requirements
• Use third-party multi-bank, multi-card comparators to zero in on the best card for you
• Applying for a credit card online

Applying through the bank's website

A number of banks allow you to apply online for their credit cards through their secure websites. This works in one of the following two ways:

You may be required to fill up an online form and attach scanned identity documents; the bank will verify these and get back to you with a decision. Alternatively, representatives from the bank will contact you regarding your application and will take your application forward.
You will be required to fill up a detailed application form online and attach supporting documents; upon completion a decision may be conveyed to you.

Applying through a third-party vendor's website

You can also apply online through the websites of third party vendors. The advantage with these vendors is that you can check and compare credit cards issued by various banks based on criteria like balance transfer, annual fees, interest rate etc. Having made your choice you can apply for any of these cards through the vendor's website itself. You could even stand to gain from exclusive promos offered only through these websites.

Use your credit card wisely

To maximize the benefits from your credit card, plan your spends keeping your requirements and the card's billing cycle in mind. And, finally pay in time and in full to avoid late fees and interest charges.