银行业务之 申请信用卡　Applying for a Credit Card

银行业务之 申请信用卡　Applying for a Credit Card

信用卡由银行、信用卡公司或零售商（retailer）等发行，是一种有特定条件和时间限制、收取一定利息费用（specific limit, time period and interest rate）、可提供信贷消费的服务卡。有很多种不同的信用卡可供选择。个人可以通过在线申请，或者递交表格当面申请，也可以通过电话申请。

研究

通过报纸、财经杂志或者网络来查询各种信用卡。需要了解的信息包括：费率（rates）、固定或浮动利率（the fixed or fluctuating interest rates）、年利率（APR）、信贷限额（credit limits）、免利率的天数（interest-free days）、罚金（penalties）、偿还宽限期（grace periods）、预支现金政策（schemes for cash advances）、余额转移（balance transfers），以及相关的优惠。选择一个最符合你的要求的（suit your requirements）。

⊙What's the APR on this card?这张卡的年利率是多少？

⊙You'll have a credit limit of$10，000.

你将拥有的消费限额是一万美元。

⊙As a special introductory offer, this card offers no-interest for 90 days.这张卡作为初次使用有特别优惠，在90天内不收利息。

⊙Can I use this card to get a cash advance?我能否用这张卡来预支现金呢？

先决条件

了解申请所需满足的条件，包括驾照号码、社会保障号（social security number）、出生日期、地址证明认证（proof of address）。一般情况下不要求在某特定银行有账户或相应数额的存款（maintain a minimum bank balance）。

⊙The credit card company requires you to submit your driver's license number and date of birth.

信用卡公司要求你提供你的驾照号码和出生日期。

⊙To prevent identity theft, you will be asked to confirm many personal details.为了避免个人身份信息被盗，你将被要求确认许多的个人资料。

⊙It doesn't matter what bank you use, you can still apply.不管你用的是哪个银行，你都可以申请。

申请

通过信件：首先确保信用卡公司是否接受信件申请，大部分情况下个人身份的资料复印件不被接受。寄原件会存在遗失危险，对申请期间的生活也带来不便。

通过电话：信用卡申请的电话大多是免费拨打的（toll free number）。你想要向其申请的信用卡公司的号码可以通过黄页、在线、报纸杂志来查询。按照语音提示（automatic instructions），输入号码或者接通信用卡申请接线员就行。在线申请：最快、最简单也是大部分申请人倾向的方式（most preferred）。信用卡公司的网页都有该项服务。申请时将资料准备齐全，包括扫描各种资料。

⊙I would like to apply for a credit card.我想申请一张信用卡。

⊙Can I put this on credit?我可以用信用卡支付吗？

⊙What's your credit rating look like?你的信贷评级怎么样？

⊙I want a credit card with no annual fee.我想要一张没有年费的信用卡。

⊙Some cards offer special deals, like the accumulation of frequent flyer miles whenever you make a purchase.

有的信用卡会提供一些特别的待遇，例如你的购物会积累飞行里程。

⊙What's the grace period on your credit card bill?

你的信用卡账单偿付宽限期多长？

⊙If you don't pay your bill within a certain amount of time, you will end up paying a lot in interest.

如果在一定的期限里没有付账单，那你就得付很多的利息。

⊙This is the original document.

这是资料原件。

⊙By clicking this box, you indicate you agree with the terms and conditions.点击方框，表明你同意条件和条款。

此外

你可以申请你有兴趣的任何信用卡，但是信用卡公司需要一定时间来了解你的信贷评级（credit rating），并确认你是否有可靠的财力背景（reliable financial background）。

A：I applied for three different credit cards.

B：Yeah, but you won't know if you'll be accepted by the credit card companies and be awarded the cards until they have completed a credit report on you.

A：我申请了3种不同的信用卡。

B：是啊，但是在公司完成对你的信用调查报告之前，你都不会知道他们是否接受你并且给你卡。

总结

信贷消费在我们身边日益流行。方便快捷而且安全都是信用卡的优势。申请经济实惠又要符合自身情况的信用卡需要多多地对比和研究。无论是用哪种方式申请，都要保证个人信息的准确无误。信用卡以个人信誉为担保，所以发行单位要花一定时间来调查申请者的信誉。

Words　单词表

accumulation积累，储蓄

agency代理，代理商

application应用，申请

certain确定的，某些的

deal交易，买卖

debt债务，欠债

indicate表明，指示

interest利息，兴趣

introductory初步的，入门的

option选择，选项

sign注册，符号，记号

Phrases　短语表

annual fee年费

apply for申请

cash advance预支现金，现金垫付

credit limit信用额度

credit rating信用评级，信贷评级

end up结束，告终

first-time第一时间，第一次

frequent flyer miles航空里程

grace period宽限期

make a purchase购买

nope不，不是（口语）

not totally sure不完全确定/肯定

ought to应该，应当

pay off a bill偿清，付清账单

research sth out了解清楚，搞明白

there's no telling很难说，没法说，没人知道

identity theft身份窃贼

line of credit信贷限额，信用限额

实景对话1

A：Would you mind helping me complete this application for a credit card?

B：Sure, no problem. Let's take a look at what they're asking you for……

A：Here's the paperwork.

B：Hmm……As a special introductory offer, this card offers no-interest for 90 days.

A：That's good, right?

B：Sure！It means they won't charge you interest on the debt you carry for the first three months. But hopefully, you won't be going into debt that fast！

A：Can I use this card to get a cash advance?

B：Let's see here……Yes, it seems you can, but there are some fees involved.

A：So what do I need to get started on the application?

B：Well, some simple things like your name and address. The credit card company requires you to submit your driving license number and date of birth. To prevent identity theft, you will be asked to confirm many personal details.

A：Wow, there are a lot of details they're asking for.

B：Yes. And after you complete that part, you sign here to indicate you agree with their terms and conditions.

A：So it's that easy?After I fill this out, then I'll have a credit card?

B：No, the company still has to review the information. You won't know if you'll be accepted by the credit card companies and be awarded the cards until they have completed a credit report on you.

A：你能帮我填这份信用卡申请表吗？

B：当然，没问题。让我们看看他们都要求些什么。

A：资料在这里。

B：嗯……这张卡作为初次使用有特别优惠，在90天内不收利息。

A：那很不错，对吗？

B：当然，那意味着在最初的3个月里他们不会收取你债务的利息。但是，很有可能你不会那么快陷入债务之中。

A：我可以用这张卡预支现金吗？

B：看看……是的，看上去你可以，但要收取一些费用。

A：那我需要怎么开始申请呢?

B：哦，需要一些简单的信息，包括你的姓名和地址。信用卡公司要求你提供驾照号码和出生日期。为防止个人信息被盗，你被要求确认很多个人资料。

A：哇，看上去他们要求一大堆的细节。

B：是的，填完这部分之后，你在这里签字表示同意接受他们的条款和条件。

A：就那么简单？我填完这个之后就可以拿到卡了？

B：不，公司还要审核信息。在公司完成对你的信用调查报告之前，你都不会知道他们是否接受你并且给你卡。

实景对话2

A：I would like to apply for a credit card. I want a credit card with no annual fee. Do you know any good cards to apply for?

B：Oh sure, there are tons of credit cards you can apply for. Some cards offer special deals, like the accumulation of frequent flyer miles whenever you make a purchase. There are a lot of different options, so before you apply, you ought to research it out.What's your credit rating look like?

A：I'm not sure. I guess my credit is pretty good.

B：Have you had a credit card before?

A：Nope, this would be the first time for me to apply.

B：Well, then, there's no telling what your credit rating will look like. But when you do get your credit card, be sure to pay off your bill within the grace period. If you don't pay your bill within a certain amount of time, you will end up paying a lot in interest.Also, as a first-time credit card holder, you will probably have a lower line of credit.You'll probably only have a credit limit of$10，000.

A：Do you think I should just try to get it through my bank?

B：You could, but it doesn't matter what bank you use, you can still apply through other credit agencies.

A：我想申请一张信用卡。我想要那种没有年费的。你知道有什么好的卡吗？

B：哦，当然，有一大堆信用卡你可以申请。一些卡提供特价，例如你的购物会积累飞行里程。有很多种不同的选择，所以你在申请之前应该了解清楚。你的信用评级怎么样？

A：我不肯定，我想我的信用很好的。

B：在此之前你有过信用卡吗？

A：没有，这是我第一次申请。

B：如果是这样，那就没法说你的信用评级怎么样。但是当你拿到信用卡时，一定要确保在宽限期内把账单付清。如果在一定的期限里没有付账单，那你就得付很多的利息。同时，作为首次申请的持卡人，你很可能只有较低的信贷额度。你可能只有一万美元的信贷限额。

A：你觉得我是否应该从我的银行来获取呢？

B：可以的，用哪家银行都行。你还可以通过别的信贷机构来申请。