If you have a good credit scores you are likely inundated with a number of credit card offers during any given month. It therefore becomes increasingly difficult to sort through these offers and decide which one is right for you.

Although the process of weeding through your credit card offers can be arduous and even overwhelming, it is important to recognize that a great credit card offer may not be all that great once you begin to peel back the layers of the credit card’s terms and conditions.

It is therefore in your best interest to ask yourself the following questions before signing up for a credit card. If you can’t find the answers to your questions or if you have trouble deciphering the often hard-to-understand legalize used in the small print, then by all means contact one of the credit card’s representatives for answers. Most importantly, never sign up for a credit card if you don’t completely understand all of the card’s terms and conditions.

Questions you Need to Ask Yourself Before Signing up for a new Credit Card:

• If there is an introductory rate, how long does it last and what will my rate be once the introductory rate has ended?
• Are there any application or processing fees associated with signing up for this card?
• Is there an annual fee for this card?
• What are the late/over-the-limit fees?
• Is there a fee for balance transfers? What is the interest rate for balance transfers?
• Is the rate on this card fixed or variable? Under what circumstances will my variable rate change?
• Do I have the option of paying my bill online? What online services/features does this card offer?
• On what date will my statement be sent out each month? How many days do I have each month to pay my bill (i.e., what is the billing cycle)?
• What are the details of the card’s reward program?