Do not start applying for cards yet

Divide your notes into columns, one for each feature, and each card on its own row. Look at a number of cards, ruling out any that obviously aren't what you need (high interest rate cards, for example), but noting any that are even slightly of interest.

Take a look at what you have found and compare it with what you are looking for in a card. One or two should have the strongest match to what you are after in a credit card.

I generally prefer online credit card offers for one simple reason - you get far more of them. The ones in the mail can be quite good, but odds are you can find them online too, along with offers you haven't received in the mail. But online offers have the advantage that you get your answer in minutes, rather than days or weeks. All you have to wait for is the actual card in the mail.

Smart shopping for your credit card means you will get the best benefits from your card. You won't regret the time spent when you know that you've picked the exact card for your needs.