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Is Your Credit Card Interest Rate Better Than Average?

7 min read

Last Updated: August 14, 2024

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Key Takeaways

Credit card interest rates are expressed as a yearly rate, known as the “annual percentage rate,” or APR.
The best credit card interest rates typically go to people with a good credit history and credit score.
A credit card may have different interest rates for purchases, cash advances, and other types of transactions.

What’s a good credit card interest rate?

If you’re in the market for a new credit card, comparing credit card interest rates is important. But you might be wondering: What’s a good credit card APR? The Federal Reserve reported an average credit card interest rate of 22.15% for 2023. You may also be able to access a much lower APR through an introductory offer to new credit card applicants. Keep in mind that different types of transactions, like balance transfers, may have different interest rates.

Read on to learn how interest rates work and how to understand APRs so you can find the best credit card interest rates for you.

How do credit card interest rates work?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains that your interest rate is the fee you pay for borrowing money. Your credit card interest rate is expressed as a yearly rate, known as the annual percentage rate (APR). To understand how your balance accrues interest, break the APR down across each day of the year to find the daily rate. For example, if your credit card has an APR of 15%, it will have a daily rate of 0.041096% (15 divided by 365).

Interest is calculated daily and added to your balance. Credit cards have compounding interest. That means each day, your interest is based on your new balance. At the end of the billing period, the interest you owe is the sum of the billing period’s daily interest charges.

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Let’s say your credit card balance is $1,000 at the 15% APR standard interest rate. The next day, interest is added, and the balance becomes $1,000.41, plus any additional purchases and minus any new credits or payments. This process occurs each day until the end of your monthly statement cycle. At the end of the month, the beginning $1,000 balance becomes approximately $1,013 when interest charges are applied at 15% APR.

Can one credit card have more than one interest rate?

A single credit card might have multiple interest rates. Some credit cards offer low introductory APR promotions for a period after you open an account. The introductory rate might be 2.99% for six months, and the standard purchase APR might be 17% after, for example. Credit card companies are required to disclose the rate after the introductory offer expires, per the CFPB, so read the fine print.

Introductory and promotional rates can also apply to other balances, like balance transfers. When taking advantage of these offers, consider the balance transfer fee. For example, a promotional APR of 2.9% might have a one-time 3% balance transfer fee. So be sure to factor in these costs as well when making your decision. Lastly, your card might have different APRs for new purchases, cash advances, and other types of transactions.

Fixed vs. variable interest rates

You may think that home and car loans have fixed interest rates, and credit cards have a variable interest rate. But in fact, credit cards might have either one. A variable rate changes based on a baseline interest rate, like the prime rate. In contrast, fixed rates are not tied to an index. That doesn’t mean they can’t change though. Some credit cards have a fixed APR, but only for a defined period of time. For example, an introductory rate may offer a fixed low APR for a set period. Once the term is up, the APR reverts back to a variable APR. Your cardmember agreement should disclose when and how your APR can change.

What’s the highest credit card interest rate allowed?

The CFPB explains that there is no federal limit to the APR a credit card can charge, but the Military Lending Act does limit the amount active duty servicemembers and covered dependents can be charged for consumer credit. There may only be a maximum credit card interest rate if the state where the credit card was issued had a limit for credit card interest rates.

How can I compare credit card interest rates?

Before selecting a new card, it might be helpful to compare interest rates. You can find each card’s interest rate or range of interest rates on the credit card issuer’s website, but keep in mind that the specific interest rate you receive will depend on your credit score and credit history.

Comparing low interest credit cards

You might assume that comparing low interest credit card offers would just require looking for the lowest interest rate. However, if you plan to carry a balance, you’ll also want to look for a low rate that lasts longer. If you carry a large balance, 1.99% for 12 months saves more money than 0% that increases to 18% after six months.

When are credit card interest rates less important?

If you don’t typically carry a balance, credit card interest rates may not impact your decision very much. Rewards and other fees might be more important considerations than your interest rates. For example, a cash back credit card could help you earn cash rewards as you shop. And let’s not forget the annual fee. After all, nobody is thrilled to pay an extra $50, $75, or more annually. So read over the terms of your cardmember agreement carefully, which discloses all fees, including fees for late payments, foreign transactions, over limits, balance transfers, and more.

Did you know?

Discover offers a variety of cash back credit cards that allow you to earn cash back on every purchase, with bonus rewards offered for some of our cash back cards on qualifying purchases like gas, groceries, and more. And all have no annual fee.

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How do I avoid owing interest?

If you don’t want to worry about your credit card’s interest rate, try not to carry a balance from month to month. By repaying your balance in full, you can minimize your interest. Your credit card issuer may also offer a grace period between your billing cycle’s end and your due date. During that grace period, you don’t receive interest charges as long as you repay your entire balance by the due date. Keep in mind, however, that transactions like cash advances and balance transfers don’t usually qualify for a grace period.

How do I qualify for a good credit card interest rate?

The best credit card interest rates typically go to people who have a good credit score and history. Using credit responsibly is the best way to build a good credit history: pay bills on time, don’t use a large percentage of your available credit, and don’t apply for too many credit cards at one time.

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