Credit Cards: Getting the Most From Your Introductory Offer

Credit Cards:  Getting the Most From Your Introductory Offer
The new Chase Bank credit card with "blink" technology is displayed during a press conference at an Arby's restaurant in Denver, Colorado on June 8, 2005. Thomas Cooper/Getty Images
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When it comes time to choose a new credit card, take time to find the card with the best introductory offer. This can give you some great benefits and help you save money.  An introductory offer may include interest-free purchases, balance transfers, or cash-back rewards.  Here is a comparison of some of the best introductory offers.

Consider the Introductory Offer Length

The best introductory offers are usually the longest ones.  A good introductory offer enables you to keep a balance on the card interest-free—whether it is from new purchases or balance transfers.  To take full savings advantage of this, be sure to pay it off before the introductory offer period.
Most introductory offers extend for 12 or 15 months.  A few, such as the BankAmericard® credit card, have an introductory period that lasts for 18 months.  One card that does it even better is the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card.  The Reflect® Card will give you 18 interest-free months on new purchases, but if you make all your minimum monthly payments on time during the 18 months,Wells Fargo will extend the interest-free period to 21 months. Balance transfers enjoy the same benefit. Both NerdWallet and TheAscent—a service of Motley Fool—have named this card the best for its introductory offer.
Mike Valles
Mike Valles
Author
Mike Valles has been a freelance writer for many years and focuses on personal finance articles. He writes articles and blog posts for companies and lenders of all sizes and seeks to provide quality information that is up-to-date and easy to understand.
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