When you’re in the market for a new credit card, it’s important that you compare popular credit card offers. For example, right now a lot of companies are offering rewards programs. While cash back each quarter or airline miles with every purchase may sound like fabulous deals, they aren’t so wonderful if an extra percent point or two is being tacked onto your annual percentage rate (APR).

Consider the following scenario:

Two people have the same credit card, with the same $5,000 balance on it. Card holder A has a 16 percent APR, card hold B has 10.47 percent. Making the same payment of 2 percent of the balance, over time card holder B will pay $4,983 less than card holder A. Furthermore, card holder B will be out of debt nine years sooner.

Interest rates can really, really make a huge difference in your debt, and it’s important to get the lowest APR possible. If need be, when you compare popular credit card offers, go with the card which features the lowest APR if you plan on carrying a balance over from one month to the next.