Zero percent APR offers nearly went extinct during the last financial crisis, as banks struggled to maintain revenues from credit card customers. However, shareholder pressure has changed the minds of many banking executives, who now realize that offering a no-interest deal is one of the best ways to lure the least risky consumers to their brands.

Zero percent promotional offer periods can vary from months to years, even on cards bearing the same name. Our credit card tables can help you tell the difference between competing offers, separating the very best deals from similar accounts with lots of strings attached.

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Commerce Bank 1.5% Cash Back Rewards Card

Credit card promotions help banks compete for new customers, while savvy cardholders soak up signup bonuses, perks, and other rewards. Some credit card issuers may tempt you with signup bonuses, like free flights and exclusive experiences. Other lenders might reel you in with cash back rebates that match your purchasing patterns.

The very best credit cards offer you real value, long after their promotion periods have expired. Use our credit card tables to find credit cards that back up their initial bonuses with strong service and special rewards.

Barclaycard CashForward™ World Mastercard®

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Credit card companies rely on air miles and points to build loyalty among business travelers and affluent consumers. Road warriors love to pick up bonus miles, especially when charging reimbursable business expenses to their favorite affinity cards. Meanwhile, everyday Americans have discovered how to convert their everyday purchases into vacation travel vouchers for flights, hotels and car rentals.

Many air miles credit cards offer signup bonuses that can put many new cardholders within easy reach of free or deeply discounted travel. However, every frequent flier program values its miles a little differently, while offering varied bonuses. Use our interactive credit card comparison tool to find air miles and points cards with the best value for your spending and traveling patterns.

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Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite Mastercard®

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Bad credit doesn't mean you can't get a credit card. Banks understand that the economy hasn't been kind to everyone over the past few years, and they've adjusted their product lineups to reflect how consumers shop online and carry less cash in person.

You can rebuild your credit with an unsecured credit card from a lender willing to look at your overall borrowing history. Meanwhile, a secured credit card lets you take greater control of your financial future, giving you a second chance if you've had serious problems in your past. Some prepaid credit cards offer many of the same features and perks as their credit card cousins.

Use our credit card tables to find real deals on bad credit credit cards while avoiding the predatory offers often associated with bad credit.

Credit card offers often hype special signup deals and exclusive perks. However, consumers who need to carry a monthly balance need to seek out the best low interest credit cards they can find. That usually means trading off rewards, rebates and other privileges in exchange for finance charges that won't break the bank.

Low interest credit cards don't look flashy, often including words like "basic" or "simple" in their titles. If you often carry a few thousand dollars in household credit card debt, switching to a card with an APR of 10 percent or less could save you hundreds of dollars every year.

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Barclaycard Ring™ MasterCard®

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You love saving money. Banks love consumers who use credit cards for everyday transactions. That's why gas rewards cards have exploded in popularity. Some gas rewards cards pay back as much as 5 percent on purchases made at the pump. Others offer bonus points good toward oil changes or other auto maintenance expenses. Some require you to buy all your gas from a single brand, while others reward you regardless of where you shop.

Use our credit card comparison tool to navigate the confusing world of gas rewards credit cards. Match the right card to your driving patterns, and you'll feel a lot less pinch at the pump.

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Credit One Bank® - Earn More Credit Fast

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Until a few years ago, college students could find credit card deals as easily as crossing a campus quad. However, concerns that banks exploited students' lack of real world personal finance skills led lawmakers to put more stringent controls on college credit card promotions.

Today, students have two options for getting unsecured credit cards. First, they can wait until they turn 21, then apply for a student credit card from a leading national bank. Second, they can convince a parent or other responsible adult to co-sign on a dedicated credit card with limits that lawmakers often call "training wheels." Our credit card tables can help you find the right student credit card for your situation.

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Discover it® chrome for Students-Double Cash Back your first year

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Research by banking industry experts at Mintel Comperemedia shows that more than half of new credit card offers use cash back rewards to sway prospective cardholders. As some lenders ramp up the size of their signup bonuses, other companies have added seasonal promotions that can boost your rewards.

When you make purchases using credit card issuers' online malls, some partner retailers will even maximize your rebates into the double digits. Our credit card tables can help you find a cash back rewards card that matches your spending habits to earn you even better rebates.

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Barclaycard CashForward™ World Mastercard®

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When I was a freshman in college, I did two very bad things (ahem — two bad things related to personal finance).

Bad Thing #1

First, I opened a VISA credit card. There was a guy at a booth on campus, and being too naive and timid to tell him to buzz off, I stopped and listened to his pitch. Next thing I knew I was filling out an application. At 18 years old, with no job, steady income, or credit history, I now had a $1,000 credit line. I maxed it out in less than three months and was shocked when the bill arrived.

Luckily, I was about to start a part-time job, so I was comforted in knowing I could handle this predicament myself. I paid down the balance — but then charged it up again. This cycle went on for years. I always paid more than the minimum, but never fully paid off the debt.

When I was in my early twenties, I was a credit card mess. I'd go shopping with my credit card in hand and not worry about how much I spent until the bill came. At that point, though, I'd start worrying a great deal — sometimes, I'd worry about it all night!

It didn't take long for me to realize that I had to change my evil spending ways or cut up my card. So, I spent a lot of time learning everything I could about credit cards and personal finance. I literally read everything I could get my hands on. The more I learned, the easier it became to have a relationship with my credit card that it didn't involve sleepless nights.

Fast forward a couple of decades. Now, I spend the better part of every day either writing or talking about credit cards or personal finance. But I freely acknowledge that credit cards aren't for everyone. Cash is king for many people. But for those who do want a mutually beneficial relationship with their credit cards, here are the five habits common among cardholders who use their cards effectively. Continue reading...