Fees and Penalties Articles

It's important to be well educated about fees and penalties before applying for credit or making any other major financial decision. In our education center we will inform you about any aspect of credit card fees and penalties. We publish new credit card articles weekly so be sure to check back often.

• How Credit Card APR is Calculated
  If you've had a credit card for more than a month, you probably have noticed that your purchases are charged interest. For cards without a grace period, purchases are charged interest from the moment the purchase is made; while credit cards with a grace period (typically 21 days or so) at least give you some time to pay off the balance before they begin charging interest on the remaining balance. What you may not fully understand is the calculation of APR and how it includes the finance charges.
  
• How to Navigate Interest Rates and Hidden Charges on Credit Cards
  One of the banes of the credit card industry is the fact that they charge exorbitant interest rates and fees on credit cards and other loans. They have no compulsion to do otherwise - this is the way they make money. Many times the borrower is left in such a poor financial state with each new credit card that it is almost impossible to dig out if they have fallen behind on the payments.
  
• Beware Sneaky Credit Card Repricing
  Does it seem like you're paying more than your fair share on credit card payments? You might be! This article explores repricing, penalty interest, and how they affect you.
  
• 6 Things You Don't Know About Credit Cards
  By law, credit card companies have to disclose their fee schedules to consumers. The trouble is, the calculations of these fees and finance charges are often found in the fine print of the account disclosure statement you receive when you first open your credit card account. In this case, what you don't know really can hurt you
  
• Are Low Interest Credit Cards Really a Good Deal?
  Low interest doesn't always mean what you'd think. Here are some tips for finding out if your low interest credit card is a good deal.
  
• The Perils of Universal Default
  What is universal default, and why is it such a bad thing? This article explores the reasons why universal default should be avoided.
  
• Good Customers, Bad Interest Rates
  Bad interest rates happen to good customers. If you're suffering through a period of high "penalty" interest, read these tips for avoiding and reversing these higher rates.
  
• When to Ask for a Better Deal
  If you've been a good customer, you have every right to ask for a better deal on fees, penalties, and terms. Make your credit card company work for you!
  
• Fight Fees with Low Fee Credit Cards
  Hidden fees can really cost you. Find out if you're paying too much in credit card fees, and what to do about it.
  
• How to Avoid Unreasonable Penalties
  Credit card penalties are at an all time high. Learn how to avoid unreasonable fees and penalties and find the best card for you.
  
• Playing the Credit Card Game: Avoiding Late Fees
  Did you know that some credit card companies purposely send their customer bills out so late in the billing cycle that you would literally have to submit payment the day the bill arrives in order to have any chance at getting the payment in on time? It’s a tactic that many of the companies use to increase the amount of money they earn off their customers on the late fees.
  
• Hidden Credit Card Fees
  By federal laws, credit card fees cannot actually be "hidden" from consumers, but that doesn't mean that all credit card users fully understand how they are charged or what instances will result in fees or increases to existing rates.