{"id":5299,"date":"2024-08-05T11:37:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T06:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jupiter.money\/blog\/?p=5299"},"modified":"2024-08-05T11:37:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T06:07:08","slug":"credit-card-interest-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jupiter.money\/blog\/credit-card-interest-rate\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Credit Card Interest Rate?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While a credit card<\/a> is known to be one of the most convenient financial tools in cases of financial emergencies, it also has its own sets of drawbacks. One of the major ones is a credit card interest rate. Every credit card comes with an interest rate. But what is it?<\/p>\n

What is a Credit Card Interest Rate?<\/h2>\n

A credit card interest rate is a finance charge that the credit card issuer charges for every transaction you make that does not fall into the interest-free category. The interest charges on credit cards vary from one credit card issuer to another. The main feature of this finance charge is that, unlike annual maintenance fees, these charges are usage-based. This means that you have to incur these interest rates on your credit card only if you have unpaid credit card bills.<\/p>\n

When and How are Credit Card Interest Rates Calculated?<\/h2>\n

As we mentioned before, if you have paid the entire due amount of your credit card bill, you won\u2019t be charged any credit card interest rates. However, there are five cases in which you can incur interest charges on your credit cards. Let\u2019s have a look at the possible scenarios in which you may be charged with credit card interest rates:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Case 1: No credit card payment made<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    If you skip an entire month\u2019s credit card payment, the bank or the credit card issuer will charge you the interest rate on the total amount due for the month, along with new transactions made on the credit card. This period starts from the date of the transaction till the time all the previous dues are paid off.<\/p>\n

    For example \u2013<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s assume you have a total amount due of \u20b95,000 in the month of July, where the statement was made on 15th July, and the minimum amount due<\/a> is \u20b9250 (5% of the total amount due) dated 15th July. If you pass the due date of 3rd August without making a payment, \u20b95,000 are carried forward. Now, let\u2019s assume you don\u2019t pay the bill for July and make transactions of \u20b91,000 on 7th August and \u20b9500 on 10th August. For this, the interest rate will be charged on your next statement, which is made on 15th August.<\/p>\n

    Here\u2019s the calculation of interest rate:<\/p>\n

    Interest on \u20b95,000 for 30 days (10 July to 10 August) \u2013 \u20b9147.94<\/p>\n

    Interest on \u20b91,000 for 9 days (7th July to 15th August) \u2013 \u20b98.87<\/p>\n

    Interest on \u20b9500 for 6 days (10th July to 15th August) \u2013 \u20b92.95<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Case 2: Only the minimum amount due is paid<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    If you have made a transaction and paid only the monthly minimum amount due for your credit card bill, the interest rate will only be charged on the remaining amount in the bill and also any new transactions made before the full payment of the bill due.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Case 3: Less than the minimum amount due is paid<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    If you pay less than the minimum amount due on the credit card, you will incur interest charges on the remaining bill balance and all new transactions made till the entire balance is paid back in full.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Case 4: When cash is withdrawn<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    If you use your credit card to withdraw cash from the ATM, you are taking advantage of the cash advance facility the credit card issuer provides. This withdrawn amount will be applicable for interest charges from the withdrawal date till the amount is fully repaid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Case 5: Carry forwarding the outstanding<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    If you have failed to repay the previous month\u2019s outstanding amount<\/a> in full, the remaining amount is carried forward to the next billing cycle. In these cases, the interest rate is charged on the outstanding amount and any new transactions made until you clear all previous dues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Factors Affecting Credit Card Interest Rates<\/h2>\n

    While your credit score plays a major role in influencing the interest charge on your credit card, other factors also play a significant part in deciding the financial charge. Let\u2019s take a look at them:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \"\"
      \n

      Credit Worthiness<\/h3>\n

      The credit card issuer utilises your income, credit history, and other financial data to determine your creditworthiness. This information determines the APR they will offer the credit card at and helps them evaluate your risk factor.<\/li>\n

    2. \"\"
      \n

      Card Type<\/h3>\n

      While some credit card issuers have fixed APRs, some offer varying APRs, changing over time. This varied APR may come in the form of different credit card types or levels you may have to reach after certain criteria are fulfilled.<\/li>\n

    3. \"\"
      \n

      Fees<\/h3>\n

      Some credit card companies may offer additional charges on their credit cards, such as the annual maintenance fees. The existence of such a charge may impact your credit card interest rate.<\/li>\n

    4. \"\"
      \n

      Rewards<\/h3>\n

      When you make timely payments or reach a certain spending limit, some credit card issuers offer rewards on such milestones. Completing these milestones may end up reducing your interest charge on credit cards.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Interest Rates on Top Credit Cards in India 2024<\/h2>\n

      Let\u2019s take a look at some credit card charges<\/a> in India provided by the top credit card issuers:<\/p>\n

      \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Credit Cards<\/strong><\/td>\nInterest Rate Per Month<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnual Percentage Rate (APR)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Axis Bank Ace Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.6%<\/span><\/td>\n52.86%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Jupiter Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3%<\/span><\/td>\n36%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      SBI Card ELITE<\/strong><\/td>\n3.50%<\/span><\/td>\n42%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      HDFC Regalia Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.6%<\/span><\/td>\n43.2%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.4%<\/span><\/td>\n49.36%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.5% to 3.8%<\/span><\/td>\n42% to 45.6%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      HDFC Millennia Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.6%<\/span><\/td>\n43.2%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Cashback SBI Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.75%<\/span><\/td>\n45%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      HSBC Cashback Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.50%<\/span><\/td>\n42%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Kotak Privy League Signature Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n2.49%<\/span><\/td>\n29.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n1.99%<\/span><\/td>\n23.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      HDFC Infinia Credit Card Metal Edition<\/strong><\/td>\n1.99%<\/span><\/td>\n23.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Axis Burgundy Private Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n1.50%<\/span><\/td>\n19.56%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card<\/strong><\/td>\n3.00%<\/span><\/td>\n42.58%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      IndusInd Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n3.83%<\/span><\/td>\n46%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      RBL Bank<\/strong><\/td>\nAt the discretion of the bank<\/span><\/td>\nAt the discretion of the bank<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Yes Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n2.4%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Bank of Baroda (instant EMI)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n16%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Bank of Maharashtra<\/strong><\/td>\n2.50%<\/span><\/td>\n30%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Indian Overseas Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n30%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Punjab National Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n2.95%<\/span><\/td>\n35.89%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      CSB Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n3.49%<\/span><\/td>\n41.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Dhanlaxmi Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n1.90%<\/span><\/td>\n22.80%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Federal Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n3.49%<\/span><\/td>\n41.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      ICICI Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n2.49%<\/span><\/td>\n44%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      IDBI Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n2.9%<\/span><\/td>\n13%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      IDFC First Bank<\/strong><\/td>\n0.75%<\/span><\/td>\n47.88%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
      \n
      \n
      \"\"<\/div>\n
      \n

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      What is a Credit Card Interest-Free Period?<\/h2>\n

      The interest-free period on a credit card is the span between the end of your billing cycle and the payment due date. Typically, card issuers provide up to 50 days of interest-free time. However, not all purchases benefit equally from this period; it depends on when you make the transaction. Here\u2019s an example to clarify:<\/p>\n

      Imagine your credit card statement is generated on the 20th of each month, with the payment due on the 10th of the following month. If you buy something on the 10th of the prior month, you’ll enjoy the full 50-day interest-free period. But, if you make a purchase on the 10th of the current month, just 10 days before your statement date, you’ll only get a 10-day interest-free period. Likewise, a purchase on the 19th would grant you just 1 day of interest-free time.<\/p>\n

      Keep in mind that the interest-free period doesn’t apply in these situations:<\/p>\n