7 Basic Credit Card Features

Credit cards differ in the terms they offer, but most of them have the same basic features. Understanding these basic credit card features makes it easier to choose the right one and use it wisely.

Credit Card Types

Not all credit cards are created equal. There are several types of credit cards, and a single credit card issuer may issue any or all of them, sometimes even multiple versions of the same type of credit card.

Here are just a few of the most well-known types:

• A standard credit card has no extra perks or benefits but may offer a low-interest rate to attract customers.
• A balance transfer credit card offers an introductory balance transfer interest rate and sometimes a low fee on balance transfers.
• A rewards credit card pays rewards on the purchases you make.
• A premium credit card has lots of perks and benefits, such as concierge services, usually for a higher annual fee.
• A retail credit card is associated with a specific store and offers rewards or discounts on your purchases with that store. Co-branded versions of retail credit cards have a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express logo and can be used anywhere.
• A secured credit card requires you to make a security deposit against the credit limit and is easier to be approved for when you have bad credit.
• A charge card requires you to pay your full balance each month instead of making minimum monthly payments.

Credit Limit

Most credit cards have a credit limit, which represents the maximum balance you can have on the credit card at a point in time. The maximum balance includes purchases, balance transfers, cash advances, finance charges, and fees. When you exceed your credit limit, your creditor may charge an over-the-limit fee or raise your interest rate.

Balance

The balance on your credit card at any given time is the total amount you owe, including purchases, finance charges, and fees. The higher your credit card balance, the lower the available credit you have remaining for making additional purchases. Higher balances raise your credit utilization and lower your credit score.

APR

The annual percentage rate (APR) is the interest rate applied to any balance you carry past the grace period. Credit cards can have different APRs for different types of balances, such as balance transfers or purchases. Balance transfers and cash advances often have higher APRs than purchases.

APRs can be fixed or variable. A fixed APR can change, but the creditor must inform you in writing before changing the rate. A variable APR changes from time to time based on changes to the underlying index rate.

Grace Period

The grace period is the amount of time you have to pay your balance in full before a finance charge is applied. If you carried a balance from the previous month, you might not have a grace period for your new purchases. Balance transfers and cash advances typically do not have grace periods.

To find out the length of the grace period, refer to the credit card application or your credit card agreement. Your monthly statements should also include the number of days in the grace period.

Rewards and Perks

Some credit cards offer rewards in several different forms, such as cash back, miles, or points to redeem, and discounts on future purchases. You can earn rewards on some or all of your purchases, and then you can redeem them once you've accumulated a certain amount, depending on the rewards program.

Perks vary by credit card and may include things like travel and trip cancellation insurance, rental car insurance, extended warranty, or purchase and price protection.

Credit Card Fees

You may occasionally be hit with credit card fees, usually based on a certain type of transaction or as a penalty. The most common credit card fees include the annual fee, finance charge, late fee, and over-the-limit fee. Some fees can be avoided simply based on how you use your credit card. For example, you can avoid paying a late fee by making your credit card payment on time each month.