Zero percent for 12 months, Cash back, airline rewards,
no annual fee, and credit cards for your business.

The number of options can be overwhelming! So, how do you choose?

Dr. Brigitte Ziobrowski, a finance professor at Augusta State University, recommends most people should look for the card with the lowest fixed rate.

"Because most people keep a balance on their credit cards. If they don't keep a balance, then I would advise them to choose a card with no annual fee, or with a longer grace period, or perhaps with more services."

In other words, a card that offers rewards, like plane tickets or cash back.

That's what Kailyn Circo uses. The freshman at ASU adds, "The gas card, the one that I have right now, is 10 percent cash back. That's pretty good. You spend a lot on gas. To know you're going to get some of that back!"

While the thought of cash back is enticing, experts warn there is a catch. Dr. Ziobrowski reminds everyone, make sure you can pay off the balance each month!

"Usually the interest rate is 1-2 percent higher than credit cards that don't offer rewards. So, I would recommend you choose
a card that has the type of rewards that match your purchases."

Another popular strategy is to transfer larger balances to a
new card that has a zero percent or low rate.

Just make sure you understand the offer, since those "too good to be true" rates are temporary, anywhere from 6-12 months.

Dr. Ziobrowski says, "What people have to realize is the transfer is at zero percent, or a lower rate. Any new purchase may be at a higher rate. "

Also keep in mind, they may slap you with a transfer fee of one percent. Also, if you miss a payment, your rate will climb from zero,
to as high as 19 percent!

Yet, the best advice of all comes from the parents of one Augusta State student.

Augusta State senior Alan Gregg remembers, "My parents talked to me about spending money you don't have, which is, in essence, what you're doing. I want to be careful about that."

There are hundreds of credit cards to choose from, but here are three of the highest rated cards from the website cardoffers.com.

For a FIXED low interest rate, the Capital One Platinum Prestige card is offering 7.4 percent.

In the rewards department, the Discover More card offers
five percent cash back on certain purchases.

And, finally, the Bank of America World Mastercard features zero percent financing for 12 months, and rewards points.

To see the ratings on credit cards in 22 different categories, we've set up a link, at the top of this story.