Key questions to ask (and get answered)
before you sign up for a credit card

Whether you apply for a card, ask a phone rep to send you information, hook up with a card company's online applications or receive an uninvited application through the mail - and who among us has not - don't sign up until you have asked and answered some key questions.

Check out our other credit card basics story and these questions will be seen in context.

Find out:

• Is there an introductory rate, what is it and how long does it last?
• After that, what will my rate be?
• Is there an application fee?
• Are there processing fees?
• Is there an annual fee?
• Is there a late fee?
• Is there an over-the-limit fee?
• Are there any other fees, like account termination fees or balance transfer fees?
• When and how can a variable rate be changed?
• When and how can a fixed rate be changed?
• What is the grace period before interest is applied?
• How will you inform me of any changes in my contract?
• Will the company inform me if I am about to go over my limit?
• If I go over my limit, what happens?
• What is the company policy if I have trouble paying my bill?

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