How to Compare Football Credit Cards: part 2

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What to look for...

When choosing a football credit card you'll obviously want to go for your team's card, so you can show your support and help to fund your football club.

There are quite a few different football credit cards available, so hopefully your team has a card you can take out, but if you can't find your team's card there is always the England Football credit card or the Barclays Premier League credit card, which should satisfy anyone with a passion for the game!

Does the football credit card offer contributions to the club?
Most football credit cards help to raise funds for the football club every time you use the card to pay for goods and services. Contributions are paid by the card issuer to to the football club on your behalf, so it doesn't cost you anything extra to support your team.

Contributions raised usually go towards the future of the football club and are invested into youth development including the club's academy.

Does the football credit card offer you rewards?
Some football credit cards offer generic reward schemes, which allow you to earn reward points based upon your spending. Because they are 'generic' reward schemes, you'll be able to redeem your points for a range of different rewards from travel and entertainment to shopping vouchers and even cash.

Depending upon the football credit card you go for you may also be privy to exclusive cardholder discounts on your football team's merchandise and tickets, and you may also be able to earn special rewards from your football team, including signed merchandise and VIP experiences.

What is the typical APR, or interest rate for purchases?
Before you choose a football credit card you should look at the typical APR, which will allow you to compare different credit cards and is a good guide to see what the cost of credit will be.

The typical APR includes the standard interest rate for purchases and annual fee if there is one.

Shiny platinum or understated classic?
Many football credit card offer you the choice between a platinum or a classic version of the card. It will depend upon your personal credit rating and you are likely to need a good credit rating to be accepted for a platinum football credit card.

If you fancy a shiny platinum football credit card you can look forward to extended insurance policies and a higher credit limit.

Classic football credit cards offer all the same football rewards and contributions as their platinum counterparts and many of the cardholder services, and often come in more colourful designs too.

What to watch out for...

Football credit cards are financial products, and you should always make sure you fully understand the financial stipulations of the credit card you are looking to take out, including the interest rates, fees and minimum payments that you must make each month when carrying an outstanding balance.

Do you fit the bill?
Football credit cards require you to have a good credit history be aged 18 or over and UK resident. Some football credit cards will also require a minimum salary and may only be available to people aged over 21.

If the football credit card requires anything other than that you are aged 18 or over and UK resident, it will be shown on or before the online application page.

If you know yourself to have a poor credit history then you may be better suited to a bad credit rating credit card, which will be able to help you rebuild and strengthen your credit rating, so that you may be able to take out a football credit card in the future.

A note about balance transfers...
Many football credit cards offer 0% introductory rates on balance transfers and / or purchases.

If you are looking to make use of a 0% balance transfer deal on a football credit card, then it is advised to repay your transferred balance before you start using the football credit card for purchases.

When it comes to introductory deals, unless the balance transfer and purchase offerings are of the same rate and same length, it's important if you are transferring a balance to not be tempted by the shorter introductory purchase period.

If a 0% purchase period ends before a 0% balance transfer period, any purchase balances outstanding will be charged interest and you may not be able to repay them until your 0% balance transfer is repaid first.

Don't be put off from making use of a 0% balance transfer deal on a football credit card, just remember to repay the balance first so you can fully benefit from the offer and save yourself money in interest.

Don't forget!

Football credit cards are like any other credit card, they have interest rates and fees that you should be aware of and know when to pay, including the minimum payments on any outstanding balances each month.

Remember to find out all the necessary information of the football credit card you have chosen, and although it's not exactly light bed time reading, you should always read the terms and conditions of the football credit card before you apply!

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