The catch of co-branded cards

Steer clear of retail credit cards, said Jason Steele at Credit.com. These days, “nearly every retailer wants you to sign up for its co-branded credit card,” incentivizing sign-ups by offering discounts or interest-free financing. While “these cards can really work if you leverage the rewards and discounts,” they can also get customers into trouble if they don’t pay them off in full. So before signing up for a co-branded card, check out other options. Some banks offer even better credit financing, and some major cards offer points, miles, or cash-back rewards that dwarf retail cards’ sign-up discounts. And if you do decide to get a retail card, perhaps to purchase a big-ticket item, shop around first. Different stores may offer better promotional financing, so be sure to ask for a written application and “review the offer later at home.”