| How to Choose a Credit Card: The Deal is In the Disclosure |
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A credit card lets you buy things and pay for them over time. Using a credit card is a form
of borrowing: you have to pay the money back.
When you are choosing a credit card, there are many features — and several kinds of
cards — to consider: Fees, charges, interest rates, and benefits can vary among credit
card issuers. As a result, some credit cards that look like a great deal at first glance may
lose their appeal once you read the terms and conditions of use and calculate how the
fees could affect your available credit.
Credit Card Terms
Important terms of use generally must be disclosed in any credit card application and even
in solicitations that don’t require an application. Here are the most important terms to
understand — or ask about — when you are choosing among credit offers.
Fees. Many credit cards charge membership and/or participation fees. Issuers have a
variety of names for these fees, including “annual,” “activation,” “acceptance,”
“participation” and “monthly maintenance” fees. These fees may appear monthly,
periodically, or as one-time charges, and can range from $6 to $150. What’s more, they
can have an immediate effect on your available credit. For example, a card with a $250
credit limit and $150 in fees leaves you with $100 in available credit.
Transaction Fees and Other Charges. Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card
to get a cash advance or make a late payment, or if you exceed your credit limit.
Annual Percentage Rate. The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a
yearly rate. It must be disclosed before your account can be activated, and it must appear
on your account statements.
The card issuer also must disclose the “periodic rate.” That’s the rate the issuer applies to
your outstanding balance to determine the finance charge for each billing period.
Some credit card plans let the issuer change the APR when interest rates or other
economic indicators — called indexes — change. Because the rate change is linked to the
index’s performance and varies, these plans are called “variable rate” programs. Rate
changes also can raise or lower the finance charge on your account. If you’re considering
a variable rate card, the issuer must tell you that the rate may change and how the rate is
determined.
Before your account is activated, you also must be given information about any limits on
how much your rate may change — and how often.
Grace Period. A grace period, also called a “free period,” lets you avoid finance charges
if you pay your balance in full before the date it is due. Knowing whether a card gives you
a grace period is important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a
grace period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your
card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account.
Balance Computation Method for the Finance Charge. If you don’t have a grace
period — or if you plan to pay for your purchases over time — it’s important to know how
the issuer calculates your finance charge. Which balance computation method is used can
make a big difference in how much of a finance charge you’ll pay — even if the APR and
your buying patterns stay pretty much the same.
Balance Transfer Offers. Many credit card companies offer incentives for balance
transfers — moving your debt from one credit card (Card Issuer A) to another (Card Issuer
B). All offers are not the same, and their terms can be complicated.
For example, many credit card issuers offer transfers with low introductory rates. Some
issuers also charge balance transfer fees. If Card Issuer B charges four percent to
transfer $5,000 from Card Issuer A, your fee would be $200. In addition, if you pay late or
fail to pay off your transferred balance before the introductory period ends, Card Issuer B
may raise the introductory rate and/or charge you interest retroactively. And if you use
your card from Card Issuer B to make new purchases, any payments you make will go
toward your balance with the lowest interest rate — and finance charges at the higher
interest rate will be assessed on the portion of your balance that came from new
purchases.
Balance Computation Methods
Average Daily Balance. This is the most common calculation method. It credits your
account from the day the issuer receives your payment. To figure the balance due, the
issuer totals the beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any
credits made to your account that day. While new purchases may or may not be added to
the balance, cash advances typically are included. The resulting daily balances are added
for the billing cycle. Then, the total is divided by the number of days in the billing period to
get the “average daily balance.”
Adjusted Balance. This usually is the most advantageous method for cardholders. The
issuer determines your balance by subtracting payments or credits received during the
current billing period from the balance at the end of the previous billing period. Purchases
made during the billing period aren’t included.
This method gives you until the end of the billing period to pay a portion of your balance to
avoid the interest charges on that amount. Some creditors exclude prior unpaid finance
charges from the previous balance.
Previous Balance. This is the amount you owed at the end of the previous billing period.
Payments, credits, and purchases made during the current billing period are not included.
Some creditors exclude unpaid finance charges.
Two-cycle or Double-cycle Balances. Issuers sometimes calculate your balance using
your last two month’s account activity. This approach eliminates the interest-free period if
you go from paying your balance in full each month to paying only a portion each month of
what you owe. For example, if you have no previous balance, but you fail to pay the entire
balance of new purchases by the payment due date, the issuer will compute the interest
on the original balance that previously had been subject to an interest-free period. Read
your agreement to find out if your issuer uses this approach and, if so, what specific two-
cycle method is used.
How do these methods of calculating finance charges affect the cost of credit? Suppose
your monthly interest rate is 1.5 percent, your APR is 18 percent, and your previous
balance is $400. On the 15th day of your billing cycle, the card issuer receives and posts
your payment of $300. On the 18th day, you make a $50 purchase. Using the:
Average Daily Balance method (including new purchases), your finance charge would be
$4.05.
Average Daily Balance method (excluding new purchases), your finance charge would be
$3.75.
Average Daily Balance Double Cycle method (including new purchase and the previous
month’s balance), your finance charge would be $6.53.
Adjusted Balance method, your finance charge would be $1.50.
If you don’t understand how your balance is calculated, ask your card issuer. An
explanation also must appear on your billing statements.
Other Costs and Features
Credit terms vary among issuers. When considering a credit card, think about how you
plan to use it: If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual fee and other
charges may be more important than the periodic rate and the APR, and whether there is
a grace period for purchases. If you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not
permit a grace period for the amounts due — even if they have a grace period for
purchases. That makes considering the APR and balance computation method a good
idea. But if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR and the balance computation
method definitely are major considerations.
You’ll also want to consider if the credit limit is high enough, how widely the card is
accepted, and the plan’s services and features. For example, you may be interested in
“affinity cards” — all-purpose credit cards sponsored by professional organizations, alumni
associations, and some members of the travel industry. An affinity card issuer often
donates a portion of the annual fees or charges to the sponsoring organization, or
qualifies you for free travel or other bonuses.
Default and Universal Default. Your credit card agreement explains what may happen if
you “default” on your account. For example, if you are one day late with your payment,
your issuer may be able to take certain actions, including raising the interest rate on your
card. Some issuers’ agreements even state that if you are in default on any financial
account — even one with another company — those issuers’ will consider you in default
for them as well. This is known as “universal default.”
Special Delinquency Rates. Some cards with low rates for on-time payments apply a
very high APR if you are late a certain number of times in any specified time period. This
can exceed 20 percent. Information about delinquency rates should be disclosed in credit
card applications and in solicitations that do not require an application.
Source and for addition information contact the Federal Trade Commission web site.
of borrowing: you have to pay the money back.
When you are choosing a credit card, there are many features — and several kinds of
cards — to consider: Fees, charges, interest rates, and benefits can vary among credit
card issuers. As a result, some credit cards that look like a great deal at first glance may
lose their appeal once you read the terms and conditions of use and calculate how the
fees could affect your available credit.
Credit Card Terms
Important terms of use generally must be disclosed in any credit card application and even
in solicitations that don’t require an application. Here are the most important terms to
understand — or ask about — when you are choosing among credit offers.
Fees. Many credit cards charge membership and/or participation fees. Issuers have a
variety of names for these fees, including “annual,” “activation,” “acceptance,”
“participation” and “monthly maintenance” fees. These fees may appear monthly,
periodically, or as one-time charges, and can range from $6 to $150. What’s more, they
can have an immediate effect on your available credit. For example, a card with a $250
credit limit and $150 in fees leaves you with $100 in available credit.
Transaction Fees and Other Charges. Some issuers charge a fee if you use the card
to get a cash advance or make a late payment, or if you exceed your credit limit.
Annual Percentage Rate. The APR is a measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a
yearly rate. It must be disclosed before your account can be activated, and it must appear
on your account statements.
The card issuer also must disclose the “periodic rate.” That’s the rate the issuer applies to
your outstanding balance to determine the finance charge for each billing period.
Some credit card plans let the issuer change the APR when interest rates or other
economic indicators — called indexes — change. Because the rate change is linked to the
index’s performance and varies, these plans are called “variable rate” programs. Rate
changes also can raise or lower the finance charge on your account. If you’re considering
a variable rate card, the issuer must tell you that the rate may change and how the rate is
determined.
Before your account is activated, you also must be given information about any limits on
how much your rate may change — and how often.
Grace Period. A grace period, also called a “free period,” lets you avoid finance charges
if you pay your balance in full before the date it is due. Knowing whether a card gives you
a grace period is important if you plan to pay your account in full each month. Without a
grace period, the card issuer may impose a finance charge from the date you use your
card or from the date each transaction is posted to your account.
Balance Computation Method for the Finance Charge. If you don’t have a grace
period — or if you plan to pay for your purchases over time — it’s important to know how
the issuer calculates your finance charge. Which balance computation method is used can
make a big difference in how much of a finance charge you’ll pay — even if the APR and
your buying patterns stay pretty much the same.
Balance Transfer Offers. Many credit card companies offer incentives for balance
transfers — moving your debt from one credit card (Card Issuer A) to another (Card Issuer
B). All offers are not the same, and their terms can be complicated.
For example, many credit card issuers offer transfers with low introductory rates. Some
issuers also charge balance transfer fees. If Card Issuer B charges four percent to
transfer $5,000 from Card Issuer A, your fee would be $200. In addition, if you pay late or
fail to pay off your transferred balance before the introductory period ends, Card Issuer B
may raise the introductory rate and/or charge you interest retroactively. And if you use
your card from Card Issuer B to make new purchases, any payments you make will go
toward your balance with the lowest interest rate — and finance charges at the higher
interest rate will be assessed on the portion of your balance that came from new
purchases.
Balance Computation Methods
Average Daily Balance. This is the most common calculation method. It credits your
account from the day the issuer receives your payment. To figure the balance due, the
issuer totals the beginning balance for each day in the billing period and subtracts any
credits made to your account that day. While new purchases may or may not be added to
the balance, cash advances typically are included. The resulting daily balances are added
for the billing cycle. Then, the total is divided by the number of days in the billing period to
get the “average daily balance.”
Adjusted Balance. This usually is the most advantageous method for cardholders. The
issuer determines your balance by subtracting payments or credits received during the
current billing period from the balance at the end of the previous billing period. Purchases
made during the billing period aren’t included.
This method gives you until the end of the billing period to pay a portion of your balance to
avoid the interest charges on that amount. Some creditors exclude prior unpaid finance
charges from the previous balance.
Previous Balance. This is the amount you owed at the end of the previous billing period.
Payments, credits, and purchases made during the current billing period are not included.
Some creditors exclude unpaid finance charges.
Two-cycle or Double-cycle Balances. Issuers sometimes calculate your balance using
your last two month’s account activity. This approach eliminates the interest-free period if
you go from paying your balance in full each month to paying only a portion each month of
what you owe. For example, if you have no previous balance, but you fail to pay the entire
balance of new purchases by the payment due date, the issuer will compute the interest
on the original balance that previously had been subject to an interest-free period. Read
your agreement to find out if your issuer uses this approach and, if so, what specific two-
cycle method is used.
How do these methods of calculating finance charges affect the cost of credit? Suppose
your monthly interest rate is 1.5 percent, your APR is 18 percent, and your previous
balance is $400. On the 15th day of your billing cycle, the card issuer receives and posts
your payment of $300. On the 18th day, you make a $50 purchase. Using the:
Average Daily Balance method (including new purchases), your finance charge would be
$4.05.
Average Daily Balance method (excluding new purchases), your finance charge would be
$3.75.
Average Daily Balance Double Cycle method (including new purchase and the previous
month’s balance), your finance charge would be $6.53.
Adjusted Balance method, your finance charge would be $1.50.
If you don’t understand how your balance is calculated, ask your card issuer. An
explanation also must appear on your billing statements.
Other Costs and Features
Credit terms vary among issuers. When considering a credit card, think about how you
plan to use it: If you expect to pay your bills in full each month, the annual fee and other
charges may be more important than the periodic rate and the APR, and whether there is
a grace period for purchases. If you use the cash advance feature, many cards do not
permit a grace period for the amounts due — even if they have a grace period for
purchases. That makes considering the APR and balance computation method a good
idea. But if you plan to pay for purchases over time, the APR and the balance computation
method definitely are major considerations.
You’ll also want to consider if the credit limit is high enough, how widely the card is
accepted, and the plan’s services and features. For example, you may be interested in
“affinity cards” — all-purpose credit cards sponsored by professional organizations, alumni
associations, and some members of the travel industry. An affinity card issuer often
donates a portion of the annual fees or charges to the sponsoring organization, or
qualifies you for free travel or other bonuses.
Default and Universal Default. Your credit card agreement explains what may happen if
you “default” on your account. For example, if you are one day late with your payment,
your issuer may be able to take certain actions, including raising the interest rate on your
card. Some issuers’ agreements even state that if you are in default on any financial
account — even one with another company — those issuers’ will consider you in default
for them as well. This is known as “universal default.”
Special Delinquency Rates. Some cards with low rates for on-time payments apply a
very high APR if you are late a certain number of times in any specified time period. This
can exceed 20 percent. Information about delinquency rates should be disclosed in credit
card applications and in solicitations that do not require an application.
Source and for addition information contact the Federal Trade Commission web site.
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