 TITLE: Should You Get a Credit Card From Your Bank? CONTENT: What to Consider When Getting a New Credit Card\n-----------------------------------------------\nThere are several other important factors to consider, whether you end up applying for a new credit card from your own bank with a new credit card issuer.\n*   **Whether you qualify for a specific card**: Before you submit a credit application, make sure you can qualify for any new credit card you're thinking about opening and that your credit score is within the normal range for applicants. You can review your credit report and FICO® Score☉ with a free Experian CreditWorks℠ account.\n*   **Apply for a worthwhile bonus**: A common reason one may apply for a specific credit card at a specific moment is to secure a lucrative welcome bonus that provides more points or better introductory financing than usual. Try to time your application for when the card's welcome offer is as high as possible and for when you can meet any spending or other requirements responsibly.\n*   **Earn the rewards you want**: It's also important to think about whether you want a credit card that earns rewards, and if so, what type of rewards it racks up. Perhaps you'd get the most value from cash back that can shave a few dollars off your monthly statement. On the other hand, you might prefer points you can redeem for travel, or airline miles that nab you award flights. Whatever your end goal, make sure the rewards you earn can help you achieve it.\n*   **Features and benefits to look out for**: Focus on credit cards that include perks you will use. With an airline credit card, for example, look for benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. Or try to find a card that earns bonus cash back on specific categories, such as groceries or gas, where you tend to spend the most money each month. Finally, look at a card's purchase and travel protections to make sure you will be covered if something goes wrong with items you buy or you run into unexpected trouble on a trip.\n*   **Annual fees and interest rates**: Many credit cards charge annual fees. If you're considering a card that does, make sure you can afford it and that you get more value from the card's benefits each year than it costs to keep it open. Likewise, if you think you might end up carrying a balance, make sure your card's interest and late charges won't be so exorbitant that it sets you back financially. END