Filling out a credit card application does not take a lot of time. It enables you to get the credit card you want quickly. But what if you found out after you received your brand new plastic - that you could have had a lower interest rate and a higher credit limit when you got it? The thing that could have made the difference would have been if you had done a few simple things first. That's it - just a couple of simple things. These things will enable you to get the best credit card and help you confidently apply for the best credit card offers. Here are four simple steps you should undertake before filling out that credit card application.

Your credit report is able to tell the credit card issuer a lot about how you handle your finances. The credit report can reflect your total indebtedness, your total credit available, and your payment record. Even though the credit reporting agencies take care in providing accurate reports, mistakes can still be made - and they may be more frequent than you realize. In order to protect your credit, and get the best credit score you can you should start by getting a copy of your credit report and reviewing it for accuracy.

If there are errors on the credit report, you will need to take the steps outlined by that credit bureau to get them corrected. Unfortunately, this means it will take some time for you to be sure that the corrections have been made. If you make any corrections on your report, you should wait at least six weeks before you fill out a credit card application.

Another step you need to take prior to applying for your credit card will be to reduce your debt. Since lenders that issue credit to people normally look at 36% as being the maximum that is safe for them, if your new credit card puts you over that limit - you probably will not get the credit card. If that is your situation, reduce your debt some first, and then apply for a credit card and get a better interest rate.

Many people have more credit cards than they actually use. Having too much credit - in proportion to your income, can cause a lender to be hesitant about issuing you a new credit card. Since a lender always wants to be sure you can pay them back, they are concerned that you might max out all your credit cards and then not be able to make the payments.

Reducing some of your available credit by closing out at least some of your cards puts you in a better position. Talk to your credit card company and inform them that you want to close out your credit card accounts. You may want to hold on to one or two of the other ones - unless they have high interest.

There are plenty of different kinds of credit cards available - but probably only one will best suit your needs. Look for the credit cards that will give you the most benefits from the type of regular expenditures that you have. If you spend a lot on gas each month, then you will want a gas card or a driver's card. Look for a credit card that also gives you points or rebates on your purchases. Some gas cards will also give you points that you can use toward the purchase of a new car, car repairs, hotels, restaurants, and much more.

Be sure also to look at the interest rates - since you will be paying that rate sooner or later - if you leave any balances on the card. Check the fees that apply, too, because some credit cards have a lot more of these than others.

By doing these steps, you enhance your chances of obtaining a credit card worth having.