Switching credit cards to suit your needs and more importantly ease the strain on your pocket has become increasingly common over recent years, and in fact has become so popular it has created a new breed of credit cardholder known as the rate tart.

Many savvy cardholders have realised that by switching their higher interest credit card balances onto a 0% balance transfer credit card they can save a fortune on interest. And many wait until the 0% period is coming to an end and then transfer the balance again onto yet another 0% card to avoid interest charges for even longer.

Sadly, these days may be coming to an end for many rate tarts, many of whom are facing the financial shock of coming to the end of the 0% period and being unable to switch to another interest free credit card.

The reason for this is that lenders have really tightened up their lending criteria since the onset of the global credit crunch, and many of those that may have been eligible to get another credit card a year ago may no longer be eligible to do so.

One industry official recently said that the market is fracturing into the haves and the have-nots. Those with a good credit history and whose income is keeping pace with their spending can still get attractive, interest free deals, but those who have any signs of distress on their credit record will struggle. Another official said that there are still some great interest free balance transfer deals available, but not everyone is going to be able to get them.

There are a few things that cardholders looking to switch can do in order to increase their chances of success.

It is a good idea to check your credit rating before you make any credit card application, as this can show you whether your credit is excellent, good, fair, poor, or very poor. Those with excellent and good credit will probably be able to get another credit card without any hassle, but those in the other categories may experience severe difficulties.

It is also important to compare credit cards and check the eligibility criteria, as there is no point applying for the card if you do not match the criteria as set out by the lender.

If you are nearing the end of a 0% period and feel that you will not be able to get another 0% card to switch to then it is important that you try and clear the remaining balance as quickly as possible to minimise on the interest that you will be charged.

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