The recent global credit crunch has made credit harder to get, and has many people wondering which card they should apply for. It is more important than ever to have a decent credit rating because banks and credit card issuers are cutting lines of credit and even closing accounts on riskier clients. There is probably no one 'best card' to apply for in the current economic situation, but there are a range of good cards that you will find of benefit depending on your spending and credit habits.

If you have excellent credit, you might look into the Farm Bureau Bank Platinum MasterCard. It offers an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers, plus a rate as low as 5.24% variable APR afterwards, depending on your credit history. There is no annual fee, you get overdraft protection, can consolidate balances, pay your bill online, and there are emergency customer care services 24/7.

If you do a lot of traveling, then the Simmons First VISA Platinum Travel Rewards card may be a good choice for you. You can use it anywhere in the world where Visa credit cards are accepted, and cash advances are available at financial institutions where Visa is accepted. Also, you can use it to get cash advances from ATMs worldwide that accept Visa. Cardholders get one point per net dollar spent on their Visa Platinum Travel Rewards credit card. The cardholder may choose any U.S.-based airline, and there are no blackout dates, no seating restrictions, and choice of ticket class. There is a 'one-stop' process for redeeming travel rewards via toll-free phone number.

If top customer service is your priority, then American Express and Discover may be worth a look. The 2008 Credit Card Satisfaction Study (the 2009 one isn't out yet) by JD Power and Associates ranked these two at the top of the list. The study measures customer satisfaction based on five factors: billing and payment process; interaction; fees/rates; rewards programs; and services and benefits. On a 1,000 point scale, American Express ranked highest, with 783, and Discover ranked second, with 751. It should be noted, however, that American Express and Discover are accepted at fewer places than are Visa and MasterCard. You can apply for American Express at American express.com

Shopping around for the credit card that best fits your needs and spending habits can save you hassle, time, and money. Sometimes it pays to be picky.