New to Credit Cards? A Guide to Interest Rates

Featured Introductory Offer Credit Card

Paying off a low interest credit card is much easier than paying off a high interest card. Combined with a balance transfer, the St. George Vertigo MasterCard is a great low interest credit card to consider applying for.

• $55 annual fee
• 12.49% p.a. on purchases
• 2.99% p.a. for 6 months on balance transfers
• Cash Advance Rate of 21.24%

Click here to read the St George Vertigo terms and conditions

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A Basic Summary of Interest Rates for Credit Cards

As a consumer searching for a new credit card you need to be vigilant in educating yourself to the interest rates that you could end up being responsible for paying. The interest rates that you would be paying for the items that you are buying can end up varying greatly depending on what you happen to be buying. All consumers will quickly discover that credit card companies will go to great lengths to promote a fantastic introductory interest rate however if you want to discover all the information that you need to know about a credit card company’s interest rates you will need to thoroughly examine the disclosure page.

The World Wide Web is a plethora of information when you want to learn more about the interest rates of credit cards. You can easily compare the interest rates charged by several credit card companies just by visiting one website. Keep an eye out for the link to the disclosure page when you are in the process of applying for a credit card. When it comes to the disclosure page of a credit card you will be able to find out all of the fees that the credit card company will charge you, including the interest rate.

Consumers will likely see that the interest rates on there credit card statement will be different depending on what they happen to be doing with their credit card. For example, you could take out a cash advance one day and be charged one interest rate and then make a purchase at the local mall the next week and be charged a completely different interest rate.

The smallest interest rates that credit card companies will charge are generally tied in with purchases. The best possible thing that you can do as a consumer is educate yourself about everything that is involved with credit cards and interest rates. Many credit card holders need to know that their credit score will help to determine what kind of interest rates that you will end up paying. Something else that all consumers should know is what interest rates you will be charged if you are unable to pay off your entire monthly balance.

Interested in applying for a low interest rate credit card? See our low interest rate credit card offers to find the best deals available to Australians.

• Comparison of Top 10 Credit Card Offers

Editor's Choice: Our Top Credit Cards

Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Interest free days (up to)
HSBC Credit Card	Editor's Choice: 0% for 6 months Balance Transfer & No Annual Fee Featuring a $0 annual fee for life, and 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months, the HSBC Credit Card was voted the Best Transactor Credit Card for 2010.	16.99%	20.75%	0% for 6 months	$0	55
Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card	A great 12 month balance transfer offer, combined with a low annual fee and a good interest rate on purchases.	12.24%	17.99%	1.9% for 12 months	$39	0