A travel nurse or travel therapist considering a new credit card should pay attention to her spending habits to determine which one is best for her. Furthermore, dozens of card options and confusing fine print can sometimes make the decision all the more difficult.
While researching credit cards, she should open the Federal Reserves website. It has a glossary of terms typically found in credit applications and offers detailed explanations. Translation terms into understandable language can assist a travel nurse or travel therapist in making an informed decision on what credit card is right for her.
For those who travel for work, a credit card can act as a spending log to track money going out for items that may be tax claimable. However, a travel nurse or travel therapist should not let that solely determine how and what card to get.
She should begin her credit card search by critically evaluating her spending habits. If she lets balances carry over from month to month, a low annual percentage rate (APR) is more important than potential rewards. Cards that offer rewards often charge a higher percentage rate. Instead of trying to win a free flight for a vacation valued at $500, it is potentially wiser to get a card with an APR less than 10 percent to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in interest.
However, if a travel nurse or travel therapist typically pays off her credit card debt every month before the bill is due and interest is added, a rewards card may be profitable.
When choosing a credit card, it is often best to be proactive and compare a variety of cards, from both small and large companies. Call and talk to a representative, research reviews online and do comparisons on rates, rewards and features. There are a variety of trustworthy online sites that offer comparison charts to make the process easier. Cardratings.com or Creditcards.com are both potential online comparison sites to consider. The credit card offers mailed to a travel nurse or travel therapists house are rarely the best deal possible. It is best to go directly to the company’s website and apply there.
Credit cards can play an important financial role in a travel nurse or travel therapists life. With proper research and care she could find a good deal with a reliable company.