A Credit Card is a facility offered by banks and financial institutions
allowing you to make online as well as physical purchases without needing to exchange hard currency.
A credit card is a thin rectangular piece of plastic or metal issued by a bank or financial services
company, that allows cardholders to borrow funds with which to pay for goods and services with
merchants that accept cards for payment. Credit cards impose the condition that cardholders pay back
the borrowed money, plus any applicable interest, as well as any additional agreed-upon charges,
either in full by the billing date or over time.
Credit Cards work on the ‘Buy now and Pay later’ principle. It is a
straightforward process. Every Credit Card comes with a prescribed limit. If the threshold is
available at the time of your purchase, the bank approves the payment. The bank raises the bill on
the fixed date. You have to make the payment on or before the due date mentioned in the statement.
No, as a customer you don't have to pay any kind of charges
to any financial
advisor. You only have to pay your processing fees , foreclosure charges , insurance amount , etc
which is applicable in your loan amount by the bank itselfs.
Using a credit card offers several benefits, such as
convenient and secure
cashless payments, cashback and reward points on eligible purchases, discounts and special offers,
easy EMI options, and access to funds during emergencies. Regular and timely repayment of
credit-card bills can also help build a strong credit history and improve your credit score. Some
credit cards additionally provide travel benefits, purchase protection, and other lifestyle
benefits. However, it is important to pay bills on time and understand the applicable interest rates
and fees.
Age of the applicant – The minimum age for applying for a
credit card is 21
years
Monthly Income – Banks have different criteria as far as monthly income is
concerned. However, the
minimum monthly income should be around 20,000.
Credit History – A score of 700 and above is considered acceptable for issuance of
a Credit Card.
Your credit report will show the details of your credit history.
Credit cards are a convenient way to make purchases and manage short-term
expenses without using cash. They offer benefits such as reward points, cashback, discounts, EMI
options, and other lifestyle benefits, depending on the card. Paying your credit-card bills on time
can help build a good credit history, while paying only the minimum amount due can lead to interest
and additional charges. Credit cards may also have annual fees, late-payment charges, and other
applicable fees. Therefore, it is important to understand the card’s terms and use it responsibly to
avoid unnecessary debt.
Joining fee – Usually, banks do not charge any joining fee.
They provide the
card free for the first year. Subsequently, they charge renewal fees annually. Certain banks charge
joining fees.
Renewal fees – There is an annual renewal fee on the card after the first year.
Interest – Every card has an interest-free period depending on the billing cycle
and the due date
for repayment. Usually, it is around 20 days to a maximum of 52 or 55 days. If you make the full
payment on or before the due date, there is no interest. However, if you make a part-payment, the
balance amount will attract interest. These rates vary from bank to bank. Usually, it is in the
range of 3% to 3.5% per month.
Cash withdrawal fee – You have a cash withdrawal limit on your Credit Card. This
facility allows you
to withdraw cash in an emergency from any compatible ATM. Banks charge a cash withdrawal fee on
every withdrawal. This cash advance facility attracts interest from day 1.