How do you understand credit card application terminology?

Credit card terminology

All credit card applications (click for a sample) must contain certain key information in a disclosure box. Here's how to interpret those terms.

The interest rate you will pay, on an annual basis, if you carry over balances on purchases from one billing cycle to the next. If the card has a temporary introductory rate, the rate that applies after the temporary rate expires is also stated. (For more about credit card rates, click here.)

The interest rates you will pay, on an annual basis, if you get a cash advance on your credit card, if you transfer a balance from another credit card, or if the card issuer applies penalty rates. (More information on the penalty rate may be included outside the disclosure box -- for example, in a footnote on the application.)

If the card has a variable rate instead of a fixed rate, this section will tell you how the variable rate is determined. (More information may be included outside the disclosure box -- for example, in a footnote on the application.)

The number of days you have to pay your bill in full without triggering any finance charges. With most plans, the grace period applies only to purchases; cash advances and balance transfers may start accruing interest immediately.

The method that will be used to calculate your outstanding balance if you carry over a balance and will pay a finance charge. (For more about methods of balance calculation, click here.)

The annual fee (or other periodic fee) the issuer charges for you to have the card. You may have to pay this fee even if you never use the card.

Any minimum or fixed finance charge that could be imposed during a billing cycle. A minimum finance charge usually applies only when a finance charge is imposed, that is, when you carry over a balance.

Any charge imposed when you use the card for a cash advance. If the card charges transaction fees for purchases, these fees will also be stated here.

A fee for transferring balances from another card to this card, if any.

The fee imposed if your payment is late, if any.

The fee imposed if your charges exceed the credit limit set for your card, if any.

First answer by anonymous. Last edit by ID1125069366. Question popularity: 206 [recommend question]

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