Here’s a rundown on the best credit cards of 2012

Zero Percent Credit Cards

Credit card providers are offering a lot of zero percent APR promotional offers. This allows you to have an extended period of time – usually one to two years where you will not have to pay any interest charges whatsoever! The danger with these cards is that if you have a balance on your account that hasn’t been paid after the initial zero percent period expires, you will have to pay interest on those balances. The interest that you will have to pay on the outstanding balance on these types of credit cards can be quite substantial.

Best of the bunch: Citi Platinum Master Card – They have 0% on balance transfers and 0% interest rate for the first 18 months that you have the card.

No Fee Credit Cards

A lot of credit card companies are now offering cards that no longer have fees, such as the annual fee that you have to pay for using the credit card.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

For people who travel to other countries, this is a great option, Many credit cards charge transaction fees when you use their cards in foreign locations. One credit card company, Discover, is not offering no fees for transactions outside the USA.

Source: Smart Money

No Balance Transfer Fees

This is a common one. Several credit card companies will allow you to avoid any balance transfer fees when you get their credit card.

Low Interest Rate Credit Cards

These are credit cards that have a lower than average interest rate that they charge. The average rate today is about 12 or 13%. Yes, some credit card companies will charge considerably more in interest charges than that as well. But some charge less. In some cases, much less.

Best of the bunch: First Command Bank Platinum Visa Card – This credit card charges an outstanding 6.25% in interest fee for outstanding balances.If you are late on a payment, credit card companies can raise your interest rate only if you are 60 or more days late on your payments. So the interest rate being offered by First Command is truly worth considering.

Cash Bank Credit Cards

Look for at least 1% cash back on all  purchases and more than that on select purchases.

Best of the bunch: Currently the American Express Blue Card offers up to an amazing 6 – Also, the Chase Freedom Visa Card is offering up to 5%

Gas Credit Cards

These types of cards allow you to get points when you purchase gas. With the price of gas where it is today, there are more people than ever before showing interest in these types of cards.

Best of the bunch: Platinum Rewards Card – Pentagon Federal Credit Union. While this gas credit card may sound like it’s only for military personnel and their families, it’s actually available to everyone. Why is this card so special. It offers 5% cash back on gas purchases! As we mentioned, with the price of gas where it is today, there are more people than ever looking for gas cards. If gas is costing you $50 for each tank full and let’s say you get a tank of gas every week. That would mean that you would be spending $2600 per year on gas. If you could get 5% back, that would be $130 cash back every year! Quite impressive!

You might also consider getting the American Express Costco card. This gets you 2% back on gas at all gas stations and then additional discounts when you buy gas at Costco as they tend to have lower prices. While this doesn’t compare to the Pentagon card, it’s still an option worth considering.

Small Business Credit Cards

When looking for a small business credit card, you want to look for those credit cards that offer you the most rewards.

Best of the bunch: Capital One Spark Cash Card will offer you 2% back on all purchases. For businesses that run their purchases through credit cards, that 2% back can really add up quickly.  An alternative would be the Bank of America Cash Rewards for Business. This credit card will offer you up to 3% cash back on selected categories.

If you are looking for a credit card, these would be among the best credit cards for 2012.