3 Reasons to Open That Credit Card Offer in Your Mailbox

Junk, junk, and more junk. You probably throw away 90% of the paper that floods your mailbox every day. But before you toss another credit card offer — stop! It might actually be worth your time to open it.

Benefits of credit card offers in the mail

Although you shouldn't accept every credit card offer that comes your way — especially if you're trying to manage debt responsibly — it's a good idea to at least review the promotional offers that come to you.

That's because you've often been pre-approved for these offers. It doesn't mean you'll definitely get the card, but based on a few personal details, the credit card issuer believes there's a good chance you'll be approved. And often, creditors want to entice you with special deals. That means if you use the credit responsibly, you could save big, and earn rewards too.

1. Introductory 0% APR

One of the most common deals banks offer is an introductory 0% APR for new credit card customers or balance transfers. Usually, these introductory periods last 12–18 months, during which time you can carry a balance without being charged interest.

If you currently have a balance on a high-interest credit card or want to consolidate multiple credit cards, this is an excellent opportunity to pay off that debt faster. Just be sure you get rid of the balance before the introductory period is up.