Finding the best credit card is both an art and a science.

No credit card is better than all the others in all categories – or for everyone. But by understanding your options and asking the right questions, you can find the card that’s best for your spending habits and your credit situation.

Find out what credit card offers you may be eligible for by checking your credit score. The higher your score, the more likely you are to be approved for cards with better benefits. Some of the ways to check your score:

If the number is not what you expected, check your credit reports to see what is causing the problem. You can then start to find ways to improve it, from changing your spending habits to dispute an error on your reports, if necessary. Federal law entitles you to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus every 12 months. Get your free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, a federally licensed site.

2. Identify the type of credit card you need

There are three general types of credit cards:

1. Cards that help you improve your credit when it is limited or damaged.

2. Cards that save you money on interest.

The best card for you is the one with features designed to meet your specific needs. If you don’t travel a lot, for example, the world’s best travel card won’t do you much good.

Student credit cards, unsecured cards intended for student new to credit are easier to qualify than other types of credit cards. So are secured credit cards, which generally require a security deposit of $ 200 or more. Your deposit is returned to you when the account is updated or closed in good standing.

A card with an introduction 0% APR and low interest outstanding could be a good solution for you if you plan to use your credit card in an emergency, or if you have irregular income and have a balance every now and then. A balance transfer offer could help you pay off high interest debt without interest. Keep in mind that these offers may be more difficult to find if your credit is average or poor.

” MORE: Find the best low interest or 0% APR credit card with this flowchart

A credit card rewards is a good match for you if you pay off your balance in full every month and never pay interest. These cards usually have higher APRs, but offer larger signup bonuses and give you points, miles, or cash back on every dollar you spend.

3. Refine your choices by asking the right questions

Visit NerdWallet’s credit card comparison tool and find the type of credit card you’re looking for, filtering the results based on your credit score and monthly spending. As you browse through the best choices, think about these questions.

• Will this card help me increase my credit? Look for a card that reports your credit card payments to the three major credit bureaus. Many secure cards do not.

• How much does it cost to open an account, including annual fees? The rewards on these cards are usually not high enough to justify an annual fee. Unless you have very poor credit, you can probably avoid this expense. For secured cards, the lower the security deposit, the better, although your credit limit may be directly related to the amount of deposit you make.

• Can I get a better card later? Choose a card that will allow you to create your credit and switch to a card with more competitive terms. This makes it easier to leave your card open for longer, increasing the average age of your long-term accounts.

• How long is the 0% APR period and what is the current interest APR? Look for a card that gives you enough time to pay off your debt without interest. If you plan to carry balances over several years, consider a credit card with a low ongoing APR.

• What is the card’s balance transfer policy? If you’re doing a balance transfer, find a card’s balance transfer fee. Find out what types of debt you can transfer and if there is a limit to the amount you can transfer. Note that the balance transfer APR on a card may be different from the purchase APR.

• Does the card offer any rewards? If you’re only looking for a few months at 0% APR – maybe instead of a signup bonus – you might be able to find a card that also gives out generous ongoing rewards.

• How do I spend my money? Look for a card that offers the highest rewards for the categories in which you spend the most. If you spend a lot, consider getting a card with an annual fee, if your reward earnings outweigh the cost. If you plan to use the card overseas, look for one with no overseas transaction fees and chip and PIN code capability, rather than the chip and signature technology that is standard in the United States. This also applies to other types of cards.

• How complicated is this credit card? If you don’t want to have to deal with limited availability of rewarded seats, spending caps, spinning bonus rewards, and loyalty tiers, consider a card with fixed rate cash rewards.

• How quickly will I earn rewards and how much are they worth? Read NerdWallet’s rewards reviews to find the answers to these questions.

4. Apply for the card that offers you the highest overall value

Narrow down your choices is the easiest part, but choosing between two or three similar cards can be quite difficult. If you’ve already found a clear winner after step 3, go for it. Otherwise, it’s time for a tiebreaker.

Look carefully for the differences. All other values ​​being equal, here are some factors that could differentiate a card:

• The credit limit increases automatically. Some cards allow you to increase your limit after a few consecutive payments on time.

• Interest paid on your deposit. Some secure cards place your security deposit on an interest-bearing CD. This way you can earn a small amount of money on it.

• Debt repayment planner. Some issuers allow you to create your own debt repayment plan on an online portal, a useful tool if you are overwhelmed with debt.

• No late fees or APR penalties. Some cards waive these fees. If you are falling behind on payments, this might help.

• Decrease in expenditure required. The less you have to spend to qualify for a signup bonus, the better.

• No expiration date on rewards. On some maps, you can use your rewards as long as you keep the map open.

When you finally choose a card, keep in mind that on demand you can include any income you have reasonable access to, not just your personal income. For students, this can include money from grants and scholarships, or parents’ allowances. For others, it may include the income of a partner or spouse.

Choosing the best credit card is a big decision, but don’t stop there. Use your card the right way to get the most out of your money. If you’re trying to establish credit, pay your bill in full each month and don’t use too much of your available credit. Stick to your debt repayment plan if you got a 0% APR deal. And if you’re trying to accumulate rewards, use your card for your daily purchases and pay your bill in full each month.