Credit Card Interest Rates: What is it & How it Works

A Credit Card is more than just a convenient payment tool; it allows you to manage your cash flow, earn rewards, and enjoy lifestyle privileges. But alongside these benefits, there is also an important responsibility: paying your bills on time. If you do not clear your dues in full, you may have to pay Credit Card interest.

Understanding how Credit Card interest rates work can help you plan your spending better, avoid unnecessary charges, and make the most of your ICICI Bank Credit Card.

What is Credit Card interest?

Every time you use your Credit Card, you are essentially borrowing money from the bank until you repay it. If you clear the entire statement amount by the due date, ICICI Bank does not charge interest on your purchases. However, when you carry forward a balance, whether by paying only the minimum due or missing the due date, an interest charge is applied on the outstanding balance.

This charge is commonly referred to as the finance charge or Credit Card interest rate or Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The applicable rate depends on your specific ICICI Bank Credit Card and is always mentioned in the card’s Fees & Charges document and the Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC).

When is the ICICI Bank Credit Card Interest Rate Applied?

Credit Card interest usually comes into play in the following scenarios:

• You do not pay the full outstanding balance by the due date.
• You pay only the minimum amount due. The remaining balance continues to attract interest.
• You withdraw cash using your Credit Card. Unlike purchases, cash advances typically attract interest from the date of withdrawal, along with a cash advance fee.
• You convert purchases into EMIs. In such cases, specific interest rates and processing fees apply as per the EMI plan.

As long as you clear your statement in full every billing cycle, you can continue enjoying interest/free credit on your purchases.

ICICI Bank Credit Card Interest Rates

ICICI Bank levy interest rate of 3.75% per month i.e. 45% per annum for all transactions such as retail purchases, balance transfer, cash advances etc. if Total Amount Due (TAD) has not paid within Payment Due Date (PDD) as mentioned in the statement.

How ICICI Bank Calculates Credit Card Interest Rates

Please find below the interest levy process for Credit Card:

• Interest free period is cancelled in the event customer does not pay the Total Amount Due (TAD) by the Payment Due Date (PDD)
• Interest is charged if the TAD is not paid by the Payment Due Date (PDD).
• In the event customer does not make any payment then Interest will be charged on:
  1. TAD and
  2. On all new transactions (from the transaction date) till such time as the previous outstanding amounts are paid in full.
• In the event customer makes partial payment then Interest will be charged on:

1. Amount paid by the Customer (from Transaction Date to the Payment Received Date), and
2. On the Residual Amount (from Transaction Date to the Payment Received Date, whenever received in full)
3. On all new transactions (from the transaction date) till such time as the previous outstanding amounts are paid in full

Please refer below the illustration of interest calculation as computed by ICICI Bank.

Statement 1

Statement Date : 12/09/2025

Payment Due Date : 30/09/2025

Minimum Amount Due : 3,490.00 DB

Total Amount Due : 69,688.00 DB

Statement 2

Statement Date : 12/10/2025

Payment Due Date : 30/10/2025

Minimum Amount Due : 2,920.00 DB

Total Amount Due : 46,679.89 DB

As per statement 1, payment of ₹ 69,688.00 was due by 30^th September 2025. As partial payment of ₹ 65,000 was received on 30^th September 2025, the interest was levied in the statement 2.

Please find below the Interest calculation of ₹ 3,414.74

Interest from statement 1,

Interest = (Days / 365) X Amount X (Rate / 100)

Interest from statement 2,

Interest = (Days / 365) X Amount X (Rate / 100)

Total interest levied in statement 2 = Interest from statement 1 + Interest from statement 2

₹ 3,658.65 = ₹ 1,581.94 + ₹ 2,076.71

How to reduce or avoid paying Credit Card interest

The good news is that avoiding Credit Card interest is simple. Here are a few effective practices:

• Pay the full statement balance by the due date each month.
• Avoid cash advances unless absolutely necessary, as they attract immediate charges.
• Use your Credit Card wisely by keeping your credit utilisation ratio low.
• If you need more time to repay, consider balance transfer options or EMI conversions after reviewing the applicable terms.

Building a consistent repayment record not only saves you from extra charges but also strengthens your credit profile.

Final thoughts

Credit Card interest rates may appear complex at first, but once you understand how they work, you can manage your spending more confidently. With ICICI Bank’s wide range of Credit Cards, the key is to always stay on top of your dues, review your statements carefully, and check the Fees & Charges and MITC documents for card/specific details.

By paying your bills in full and on time, you can enjoy the benefits of your ICICI Bank Credit Card without worrying about interest charges.

FAQs on Credit Card Interest Rates

1. How can I completely avoid paying Credit Card interest?
   By paying your total outstanding amount on or before the due date every month. This ensures no interest is charged on your purchases.
2. Does paying only the minimum due help me avoid late fees?
   Yes, paying the minimum due on time helps you avoid late payment charges (LPC). However, if you don’t pay the total outstanding amount, interest will be charged not only on the remaining balance but also on new purchases from the date of each transaction until the entire dues are cleared.
3. Why is Credit Card interest shown as both monthly and annualised?
   The monthly rate is what you see on your statement. The annualised rate, called APR (Annual Percentage Rate), reflects the total yearly cost if the monthly charges are carried forward.
4. Do cash advances work differently from purchases?
   Yes. Cash advances do not come with an interest/free period. Interest begins from the date of withdrawal, and a cash advance fee may also apply.
5. Where can I see the exact interest rate for my card?
   You can view the Fees & Charges and the MITC for your card on the ICICI Bank website. These documents contain the exact rate and calculation method applicable to your Credit Card.

Disclaimer:The information provided above, including the interest rate table, is accurate as of January 2026. These values are subject to change. Please refer to the official ICICI Bank Credit Card Fees & Charges and MITC pages for the most updated information.

For disclaimer, Click Here.