Credit card issuers have incorporated incentives into their offers in order to gain your business and make their credit card the most attractive. The best credit card incentives take the form of 0% or low APRs, no annual fees, cash back rebates, and travel miles and rewards programs.

For example, if you choose one of the many cash back and rebate cards, you can earn up to 5% on qualifying purchases. Every time you buy gas, groceries, clothes, etc. you move closer to the qualifying limit to receive your rewards. Bear in mind that you must use the credit card at select merchants to take advantage of the cash back and rebate offers. Once you reach a predetermined amount, the credit card company will issue your cash back in the form of checks, gift certificates, statement credits or gift cards.

Travel rewards cards offer incentives in the form of airline and travel discounts, as well as earning you airmiles that can be used for airline tickets. Typically, you will earn 1 air mile for every $1 spent or every 1 point earned, although some bank credit card issuers will have double rewards and air miles offers available. Once you accumulate a certain number of sky miles or points, you can redeem them for airline tickets from the participating airline, or a discount on the published airfare price. Rental cars and hotel stays may also be included in the credit card rewards program, with a similar point system and point redemption process.

Zero or low % APRs, high credit limits, and no annual fee are other incentives that credit card companies offer so that you will apply for their card. Zero or low % interest rates give you the opportunity to buy a big ticket item and avoid paying interest charges if you pay off the balance before the introductory rate or time period expires. The same holds true of balance transfers, allowing you to transfer a credit balance from a high interest rate card to a low or 0% interest rate credit card to save money on interest charges.

No annual fee credit cards and credit cards rewards programs or credit cards with incentives are worth the research if you are looking for a new credit card. Shop around and compare offers when choosing a particular card, and don't forget to use the credit card wisely so that you can avoid the pitfalls of too much credit, late payments, and high balances that lead to credit card debt. Carefully read and fully understand the terms and conditions that apply to your choice of credit card, paying particular attention to the APR, grace period, and associated charge fees.