As the Wall Street mistakes have pulled the nation into the financial mess, ordinary consumers are losing jobs and having hard time borrowing for major expenses. It shouldn't seem odd to think about getting another loan or a credit card today, because you still need a home and your child needs education. If you've lost a job, a bank card with reasonable rates and substantial limit can help stand firm for a while.

The credit score, the figure showing the borrowing risk, becomes the major factor in the lender's decision. It allows good risk consumers to get a good credit card at favorable terms and pass the crisis safe. But as the requirements are tougher each new day, it is important for you as a borrower to maintain or achieve good payment history and solid FICO scores.

Zero APR cards are not impossible to get now while you have good accounts with your current or past banks. Card selling websites put forward the new stricter rules which say you'll need a FICO score of 720-750 at least to qualify for good card offers online. Looking for a $20,000-$25,000 limit, be sure to have this figure much closer to 800.

As your retirement and college savings security is the major concern in the current stressful situation, working at your scores to be approved for a good credit card offer might seem odd. Not really so. You will need a plastic should your income fall or disappear. Unfortunately, loss of income is all too frequent today. Why does a good card, rather than bad or fair, help you through?

First, it comes with a good limit enough to finance your everyday needs. Second, it is relatively cheap thanks to low or 0% APRs and no annual fees. Then, it is the rewards. Probably, rewards are the last among the benefits given the present-day priorities, but managed wisely, they can save you money on gas, groceries and drugs purchases.

Until the latest developments on the credit market, it wasn't big hassle to get a plastic card, no matter what the score. It was the difference in interest rates and fees offered depending on the applicant's creditworthiness. The crisis made things tighter. It's a big problem for risky customers to qualify for any bad card and it is times more difficult for creditworthy people to receive a good card.

So, the question is not primarily what benefits you get, but whether or not you qualify for a bank card loan at all.

The almighty FICO score makes it real. If it's high as required by major card companies lately, look through and compare the options you may apply for. If not, it's high time to settle your outstanding balances and erase the bad look of your credit report. It is never late to start catching up with your bills as you never know when your creditworthiness will play a factor. When you urgently need to borrow to help the poor budget, a good credit card is a fast way to relieve the strain.