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When Do Credit Cards Charge Interest?

by Violet WillettJuly 18, 2024
When Do Credit Cards Charge Interest?

As much as everyone loves owning a credit card, not everyone wants to pay it off, not everyone can afford the interest. The question that arises here is that when will the bank charge you with the interest?

If you don't pay off your full balance by the end of a billing cycle, we'll charge interest on any outstanding amount. 

You should pay your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest. However, not all transactions have an automatic grace period if you did not do so the previous months - it's better to be safe than sorry! If your credit card doesn't have a grace period or there is no automated suspension of payments for cash advances and other types of purchases which are usually subject to finance charges immediately.

Promotional balance transfers sometimes have a low APR, while purchases receive the regular interest rate. If you transferred your balance to take advantage of this promotional offer and later made any purchase with the credit card before paying off that transfer, you will incur finance charges on both transactions.

How Is Credit Card Interest Calculated?

Some credit cards have a single purchase APR for all customers. Others have a range — for example, 13% to 23%, and your specific rate depends on your creditworthiness. The better your credit, the lower your interest rates are likely to be. Your rates may vary based on the prime lending rate which is tied directly with banks' biggest clients' interests in mind or even rewards type credits that carry higher APRs as well regardless if you're qualified according to their standards. Some types of these include rewards-based ones which tend to make up an overall more expensive card.

Don't let interest in your account be a problem. A credit card's interest rate is determined by your personal financial history. Rewards cards generally have higher rates, but the rewards are often worth it for frequent travelers or product enthusiasts. Paying the full balance from last month will help prevent this charge and keep more money in your pocket!

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