What is interest?

Interest is the lender’s fee for allowing you to use its money. It is expressed as a percentage of the loan amount. For example, a 5% annual percentage rate (APR) on a $10,000 loan would cost you $500 per year (5% x $10,000 = $500). A 7% APR means you would pay $700 per year for use of the money.

What is fixed rate interest?

Fixed rate interest does not fluctuate according to changes in an underlying index. The most common index used is the prime rate, though some card issuers tie variable interest rates to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the federal funds rate.

A fixed rate on a credit card can still change at any time with 15 days’ notice. It can also change if you make a late payment or do anything else that triggers a penalty rate increase.

Many cards impose a much higher default or penalty rate if a cardholder does not honor the terms of the credit agreement. That could include doing such things as making a late payment, exceeding the credit limit, or allowing your credit score to drop.