7 Hidden Credit Card Charges You Must Be Aware Of

Credit cards are a great tool to pay for purchases and earn rewards. They also help in building your credit history. However, using a credit card also comes with great responsibility.

While many banks may offer ‘free credit cards’, as a user, you must know that there are some hidden charges attached to your credit cards. Being aware of these charges can help you use your credit cards wisely.

Let’s take a look at the hidden credit card charges that you must be aware:

#1 Annual Maintenance Charges

Various banks offer ‘free credit cards’. Normally, this means that the banks will waive off the joining fees and annual maintenance charges for the first year. Post this period, they will start levying an annual charge on the card, which may vary from bank to bank. However, some banks also offer lifetime free credit cards. Hence, before opting to get a credit card, you must clarify if the card is free just for the first year or for its lifetime.

#2 Cash Advance Fee

The credit card provider gives a part of your total credit limit as a cash limit. You can use this amount to withdraw cash from the ATM using your credit card. While using this facility may be easy, it does not come cheap. Using your credit cards to withdraw cash entails an interest payment. This interest is levied from the day you make the withdrawal, and it can be as high as 2.5% of the amount withdrawn. The interest-free period of the card does not apply to credit card cash withdrawals.

#3 Late Payment Fee

If you are unable to pay the complete due amount, credit card providers give you the option to pay the minimum amount due within the due date. However, if you fail to pay at least the minimum amount due on time, the lender will levy a late payment fee along with the interest on the outstanding amount.

Also Read: Credit Card Payment: What Happens If You Fail To Pay Your Credit Card Bill On Time?

#4 Over Limit Fee

Some credit card providers allow you to spend over the credit limit assigned to you. However, this comes at a cost. Credit card providers charge a heft over limit fee when you exceed your credit limit. The minimum over limit fee is ₹500, and this fee may exceed based on the lender and the amount overspent.

#5 Foreign Currency Markup Fee

Though credit card providers allow you to use your cards globally, they never openly reveal that they levy additional charges on such transactions. Lenders levy a charge called a foreign currency markup fee on credit card transactions done outside the country. This fee may be different for different cards and is generally charged as a percentage of the foreign transaction amount.

#6 Surcharges

While purchasing certain amenities like railway tickets or petrol, you may be charged a percentage of the transaction amount as an additional surcharge if you pay using your credit card.

#7 Goods And Services Tax (GST)

You must note that all transactions made using a credit card are taxed as per the prevailing GST rates. The GST is also levied on interest payments, annual maintenance fees and EMI processing fees. The current GST rate on credit card transactions is 18%.

As a credit card user, you must be cautious and know about the cost of borrowing credit using your card. Being aware of all the charges, hidden or not, will help you use your credit card carefully and prevent you from paying unnecessary charges.

Also Read: Four Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Credit Card