You’ve finally received your first credit card offers in the mail and are excited about the possibility of getting something for free. Stop for a moment before you fill out that application form. What you may not realize is that not all offers are the same. It’s best to take a good, close look and consider the following factors before accepting an offer.

1. Limits
How much money do you need to put on a credit card? Your credit score will affect the amount a credit card company is willing to bet on you, but in general, you want to be able to pay off your expenses without worrying about maxing out your card.

2. Interest Rates
Credit card offers often offer a special rate to get you interested, but before you jump on any interest free credit cards, take a look at the fine print. If the card jumps to 25% after a certain time period, it may not be worth it.

3. Incentives
Don’t just accept any old card. If you want to really benefit, apply for credit card companies that offer rewards in exchange for your use of the card. This may be anything from points that can be redeemed for prizes, cash back or air miles. Choose a reward that you will actually use . . . there’s no point in accumulating air miles if you never plan to fly.

You will see plenty of credit card offers, so take the time to research and select the best one for your needs.