How Credit Card EMI Works?

How Credit Card EMI Works?

Credit cards are one of the most important financial tools in the market. They offer multiple benefits, from providing money in emergencies to offering great rewards, cashback, and an interest-free period to repay your debt. Along with these, credit cards also allow you to repay your debt in small instalments that fit into your budget. This is called credit card EMI (Equated Monthly Instalments). Let’s explore what credit card EMI is and how it works.

What is Credit Card EMI?

When you can’t repay your credit card dues on time, you can break them down into smaller instalments and repay them over a certain period of time. This feature is called credit card EMI and works well in case of big-ticket purchases or when you usually only pay the minimum balance of your credit card dues.

Through credit card EMI, you can split a big amount into small, affordable EMIs for a tenure ranging from 3-24 months. Banks usually allow credit card users to convert any amount above Rs. 10,000 into smaller instalments.

How Credit Card EMI Works?

When you shop with a credit card, you might see the option to pay in easy monthly instalments (EMIs) instead of paying the full amount at once. But how does that really work? Let’s break it down.

How to Convert Credit Card Payments into EMI?

If you want to spread out your Credit Card payments into easy monthly instalments (EMIs), the process is simpler than you might think. Here’s how you can do it:

1. 

   Check Your Eligibility

   Before you start, make sure you’re eligible for the EMI conversion. Some credit card companies might have certain conditions, like a minimum amount for the transaction or a specific credit score.

2. 

   Choose Your EMI Tenure

   Next, decide how long you want to pay off the amount. The EMI tenure could range from a few months to a couple of years, depending on what suits your budget.

3. 

   Select the EMI Option

   Your credit card provider will offer different EMI options, like low-interest plans or no-cost EMIs. Pick the one that works best for you.

4. 

   Verify Terms and Conditions

   Before confirming, take a moment to go through the terms and conditions. Look out for any hidden charges or interest rates that might apply.

5. 

   Confirm the Conversion

   If everything looks good, confirm the conversion and your monthly payments will be set up. Now you can pay in instalments, making it easier to manage larger purchases without stressing your budget.

Advantages of Converting Credit Card Bills into EMI

The following are the advantages of converting your credit card bill into EMI.

1. 1. Lower interest than credit card

   When you fail to pay your credit card dues in full, banks usually charge around 36%-48% interest rate per annum, which comes to 3%-4% a month. However, if you opt for credit card EMI, banks charge you 1%-1.5% a month or 12%-18% per annum, which is almost half the cost of the former.

2. 2. Lesser interest cost

   Banks charge interest on the loan’s outstanding balance. This is called the reducing balance method, and with a lower outstanding balance every month, your interest cost also reduces.

3. 3. Flexible repayment tenure

   You have an option to repay your credit card dues within 24 months. Hence, you can choose any tenure based on your budget.

4. 4. No separate application is needed

   Despite being a loan, you need not submit a separate application to the bank to convert your credit card bill into EMI. Hence, it is a very easy loan to obtain.

5. 5. Pocket-friendly

   You can split big-ticket purchases during the festive season or during certain unavoidable situations in small pocket-friendly instalments.

6. 6. Better financial planning

   Converting your credit card bill into EMI will help you better plan your finances. This way, you can avoid missing out on a credit card bill, affecting your credit score and leaving a bad remark on your credit history.

How to Calculate Credit Card EMI?

To calculate the EMI amount on your credit card, you need the loan amount, tenure, and interest rate. You just have to multiply the loan amount with the interest rate and tenure. The following formula will help calculate the credit card EMI.

EMI = P * r * (1+r)^n/ [(1+r)^n – 1]

Although the calculation is quite simple, you need not calculate EMI manually. Instead, you can use an EMI calculator. Jupiter Money’s EMI calculator will help you calculate the credit card EMI within seconds.

Let’s understand how to calculate your credit card EMI using Jupiter Money’s EMI calculator with the help of an example.

You purchase a laptop worth Rs 1.5 lakhs using your credit card and pay Rs. 20,000 as a down payment. If you convert the rest of Rs. 1,30,000 into EMI to repay back in 12 instalments, and the bank charges you an interest of 14% per annum, the EMI amount will be Rs. 11,672.

You just have to enter the loan amount, tenure, and interest rate, and the Jupiter Money EMI Calculator will give you your EMI amount and the total interest you will have to pay.

When Should You Consider Taking EMI on Credit Cards?

Using the credit card EMI option is ideal in the following situations.

What to Keep in Mind Before Turning Credit Card Payments into EMIs

1. Check if You’re Eligible

   Not all banks allow converting credit card dues into EMIs. Confirm this feature is available before making a purchase.

2. Understand the Interest Charges

   EMI conversions come with added interest costs. Longer tenures often mean paying more interest overall.

3. Account for Processing Fees

   While applying for EMIs is seamless, banks often charge a processing fee that’s unavoidable unless waived.

4. Impact on Your Credit Limit

   Your available credit limit will temporarily reduce by the EMI amount until the payments are completed.

5. Shop Smart for Lower Rates

   Buying on EMI directly from online stores or merchants may save you money, as these typically have lower interest rates compared to bill conversions.

6. Avoid Late Payment Penalties

   >Missing EMI payments can lead to hefty penalties, hurt your credit score, and increase your financial burden. Ensure you can afford the monthly instalments before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Written and Reviewed by:

Priyanka Rao

Author

Priyanka Rao is a content strategist for Jupiter.Money, and specializes in writing on topics related to finance, banking, budgeting, salary & wages, and other financial matters. She has a passion for creating engaging content that resonates with audiences across various digital platforms. In her free time, Priyanka enjoys traveling and reading, which allows her to gain new perspectives and inspiration for her work. With a keen eye for detail and a creative mindset, Priyanka is committed to creating content that connects well with her readers, enhancing their digital experiences.

Priyanka Sharma

Financial Content Reviewer

Priyanka Sharma is the Head of Credit Cards (Sr. Director Business & Product - Credit Cards) at Jupiter Money, where she leads the growth and development of the company’s credit card portfolio. She is responsible for driving strategic initiatives and enhancing customer experiences through innovative credit products. Priyanka’s leadership is shaping Jupiter’s approach to simplifying personal finance for its customers.

Prior to her role at Jupiter Money, Priyanka was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where she provided strategic advice to clients across various sectors. Her expertise in business strategy, growth, and operations was built on her strong analytical skills and client-focused problem-solving abilities. Earlier in her career, she worked at ZS, a global business consulting firm, where she contributed to various projects, gaining significant experience in data-driven business decisions.

Priyanka holds a Post Graduate Programme in Management with a focus on Finance, Strategy, and Leadership from the Indian School of Business (ISB), where she graduated with distinction, earning a place on the ISB Dean’s List. This prestigious academic achievement underscores her deep understanding of financial strategy and leadership, which she continues to leverage in her fintech leadership role.