Understanding your account FAQs

The annual percentage rate (APR), indicated in your cardmember agreement, is the rate of interest charged to your account annually for purchase transactions. It may also be referred to as the Purchase APR. Your APR is important for calculating the amount of interest charges assessed on the outstanding purchase balance on your account.

Different interest rates may be assessed to your account depending on the type of transaction made. For example, the rate assessed on a cash advance (Cash Advance APR) is often higher than the rate assessed for purchase transactions. Check your cardmember agreement for details specific to your account.

Interest charges refer to one type of finance charges,  which accrue on an account as a result of revolving a balance that is subject to an interest rate. In essence, interest charges is the amount assessed for allowing you to pay a portion of the balance, rather than pay the account in full immediately.

Different interest rates may be assessed to your account depending on the type of transactions made. Some interest charges may begin to accumulate on the day of a transaction, if that type of transaction doesn't have an interest free period. For example, cash advances don't have an interest free period and the rate assessed on a cash advance is often higher than the rate assessed for purchase transactions. Check your cardmember agreement for details specific to your account.

How is interest charged on my Chase credit card?

How is interest charged on my Chase credit card? videoOpens Overlay

A balance transfer moves some or all of the amount you owe from one credit card to another, often to take advantage of a lower annual percentage rate (APR) or other promotional offer. Chase doesn't permit balance transfers from one Chase credit card to another Chase credit card.

Balance transfer credit cards from Chase can help you save on interest by consolidating your higher interest rate credit card balances with other financial institutions onto one low introductory or promotional rate credit card with Chase. Fees may be associated with your balance transfer.

If you're an existing card member, choose Transfer a balance to see what offers are available to you. To compare balance transfer credit cards from Chase, go to our website.

You can use your credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM or from one of our branches. To use an ATM, you must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for the credit card. To get a PIN, please call the number on the back of your card.

Cash advances don't have an interest free period and the interest rate assessed on a cash advance is often higher than the rate assessed for purchase transactions. Check your cardmember agreement for details about your cash advance APR and other applicable fees that may apply.

What is a cash advance?

What is a cash advance? videoOpens Overlay

Foreign transaction fees are assessed by your credit card bank for each transaction made in currency other than U.S. dollars. This can include internet sites based outside of the U.S.

Not all Chase card products have foreign transaction fees. If you have one, it's outlined in your cardmember agreement.

Tips for using your credit card while traveling abroad

If a merchant operating outside the U.S. offers Dynamic Currency Conversion when you use your credit card at the point of sale, it still may be cheaper to pay with your credit card in local currency and incur the foreign transaction fee, if applicable. For example, let's say you want to purchase a sweater from a British retailer using your credit card; at checkout the retailer gives you the option to process the credit card payment in local currency (£85) or U.S. Dollars ($110). If you choose U.S. Dollars, the merchant has already handled the currency conversion for you. However, if you choose local currency, Visa/Mastercard handle the currency conversion ($105) and your credit card bank assesses a foreign transaction fee (3%, totaling $108.15), if applicable.

Note: all figures and conversions are for illustrative purposes only

With dynamic currency conversion, merchants outside the U.S. can let you pay with your credit card in U.S. dollars (USD) instead of the local currency. If you choose to pay in USD, the merchant takes care of the currency conversion.

Keep in mind: When you make purchases with your credit card outside the U.S., it may be cheaper to pay in local currency.

Your cardmember agreement contains written terms that govern your credit card account and represents a binding agreement between you and Chase. This agreement contains information on terms, conditions and responsibilities regarding interest charges, balances, payments, fees, dispute procedures, and other important information.

Your credit limit designates the maximum amount of money Chase has agreed to loan to you at any one time. If your balance should ever exceed the credit line, this is referred to as being overlimit.

You may request an increase to your credit limit by calling the number on the back of your credit card; you cannot submit a request online at this time. Your request for an increase to your credit line is subject to the approval of Chase.

Available credit is the amount of your credit limit that is currently available for use.

Your cash advance limit designates the maximum amount of money Chase has agreed to loan to you at any one time in cash through cash advance or other cash-like transactions.