Credit cards can be a fantastic way to manage your finances and control your spending - but only if they are used in the right way.

With such a range of credit card options - purchase, balance transfer, reward and cashback - it can be confusing to know which one to go for. But so long as you do your research, you can find a card that that works for you.

We've put together our 10 credit card commandments to help you get the most out of your plastic and avoid any potential pitfalls.

1. Don't apply for cards you are unlikely to be accepted for

There are some great credit cards out there offering all sorts of benefits and perks. However, the best ones are generally reserved for people with impeccable credit histories, so if yours is less than perfect, it's worth avoiding the application.

This is because for every rejected application, your credit score will be negatively affected which could scupper your chances of being accepted for credit in the future.

Using the MoneySupermarket SmartSearch tool allows you to see which cards you are likely to be accepted for without leaving a footprint on your credit score.

2. Use 0% balance transfer cards wisely

If you have outstanding debt on either a credit card or overdraft, paying off mounting interest can feel like an uphill struggle. Moving it on to a balance transfer credit card which offers an initial interest-free period is a good way to consolidate your debt and pay it off over a more manageable timeframe.

The Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card with Extended Balance Transfer offers 0% on balance transfers for an impressive 22 months, after which time you will pay a representative APR of 17.9% (variable). In order benefit from the 0% introductory rate you'll have to transfer your balance within the first 60 days of the account opening.

However, make sure you pay the debt off before interest kicks in or you will start to pay the expensive interest rate.

3. Avoid overseas fees

The majority of credit cards charge a foreign loading fee if you use them to make purchases - but this can be avoided if you go for the right card.

The Nationwide Building Society Credit Card is one of the best cards for this. When spending on the card in the UK, you will earn a certain amount of fee-free spending abroad. But even if you don't use the card that much in the UK, it still has one of the lowest commission charges at just 2.00%.

4. Don't miss payments

It might sound obvious, but missing a payment can have nasty consequences. Not only will it damage your credit rating, you could also forfeit any promotional rates as well as being hit with penalty charges.

If you think you're not going to be able to afford to pay even just the minimum, you must contact your lender as soon as possible to arrange a solution.

5. Use credit cards to improve your credit score

Believe it or not, having no credit history can be as bad as having a damaged one. This is because providers find it hard to judge whether or not you're likely to be someone who can pay back what you owe.

Fortunately, there are credit cards available that are designed exactly for this purpose. So long as you use it properly and make your repayments on time, it will help you build your history and increase the likelihood of being accepted for credit in the future.

The best cards to rebuild your credit include the Capital One Visa card with a representative APR of 28.9% (variable) and the Aquis Visa card priced at a representative APR of 29.8% (variable).

6. Set up a direct debit

No matter how organised you are, it can still be easy to let a payment slip your mind. Setting up a Direct Debit or standing order will safeguard against this and give you peace of mind that you are keeping up-to-date with payments.

7. Spread the cost of a large purchase without paying interest

Using a credit card with a long 0% interest-free period on purchases can be a great way to pay for an expensive item. You can split the amount into manageable monthly payments without having the worry of mounting interest. Just make sure that you'll be able to pay off the full amount before the interest-free period is up.

The best overall purchase credit cards at the moment are the Marks and Spencer Credit Card and the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card. Both offer 15 months at 0% on purchases and come with additional benefits such as the chance to earn points to spend in store.

When the 0% period ends, they come with representative APRs of 15.9% and 16.9% (variable) respectively.

8. If you can't pay the full balance, pay more than the minimum

If you are only paying off the minimum interest payments each month, you will end up shelling out considerably more in interest then the original amount you borrowed and your credit card balance could take literally years to clear. If you can't pay off your balance every month, at least make more than the minimum payment required by the credit card provider.

9. Benefit from cashback or reward credit cards

Paying off your balance in full every month will allow you to take advantage of a cashback or reward card which will actually pay you for spending money! A percentage of the amount you spend will be returned to you once a year.

The Santander 123 cashback credit card offers customers the opportunity to earn 3% cashback on fuel spending, 2% on department store spending and 1% cashback on supermarket spend. However, it has a steep representative APR of 22.8% due to its annual fee of £24.

Alternatively, the American Express cashback credit card offers an impressive 5% cashback on the first £2,000 you spend in the first three months of getting the card.

10. Pay off your balance in full every month

If you are able to pay off your balance in full each month, the APR charged on your credit card will be irrelevant as won't be paying interest at all. Not only will you not be paying for your card, you will also be in the position to take advantage of the attractive benefits offered by cashback and reward cards.

Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing. Click on a highlighted product and apply direct.