Typical credit card rates and other intriguing facts

As a financial writer, I've worked for clients that range from Wells Fargo and National City to Discover Card and Citibank. When new financial prospects contact me, time and again, I'm asked: "what are typical response rates?"

Each American household receives around six promotions a month. Direct mailing acquisition costs approximatlely $80, according to the bank card advisory firm, R.K. Hammer. Typical rates range around one third of one percent -- .33% -- due to this saturation.

Can the response rate be increased? Absolutely! The list you choose is of ultimate importance and so is your offer. It is no surprise that clients look at rates and fees before anything else. Reward programs become important for households who earn in excess of $75,000 annually.

If your credit card is not competitive, format and design become essential. You want to "break out of the box" with personalization, size, creative design -- anything to differentiate your brand from the others. All this can cause rates to exceed the norm.