Credit Card Basics

What a pre-approved credit card offer really means: pre-approved vs pre-qualified, why approval is not guaranteed, how to check offers safely, and how to spot scams.

How to track your credit card application status online — using the reference number, PAN, net banking or SMS — what each status means, timelines, and what to do if declined.

Two people apply for the same credit card on the same day; one is approved with a ₹3,00,000 limit and the other with ₹40,000. Why? The credit limit — the maximum you can borrow on a card — is set by the bank using a mix of your income, credit score, history and existing obligations….

Credit card interest is the most expensive everyday borrowing most Indians ever do — commonly around 3.5% per month, which works out to roughly 42% a year — yet very few people know how it is actually calculated. Understanding the mechanics is genuinely empowering: once you see how interest is computed day by day on…

The two most important numbers on your credit card statement are also the most misunderstood: the total amount due and the minimum amount due. Banks print the minimum in bold and make it easy to pay, but quietly paying only that minimum is one of the most expensive financial mistakes Indians make — it keeps…

Most people use their credit card for years without ever really understanding its billing cycle — and that gap quietly costs them money in interest and missed interest-free days. Once you understand how the statement date, due date and grace period fit together, you can time purchases to get up to ~50 days of free…

Charged twice, billed the wrong amount, or paid for something that never arrived? You can dispute a credit card transaction and get your money back through the chargeback process. Here’s how it works in India and how to raise it the right way. In short: first contact the merchant; if that fails, raise a dispute…

Converting a big credit card purchase into EMIs can make it manageable — and is almost always cheaper than letting the bill revolve at 35–45% annual interest. But “EMI” isn’t free: there’s usually interest, a processing fee, and GST. Here’s how credit card EMI works in India and when it’s worth it. In short: you…

A higher credit limit can actually help your credit score (by lowering your utilisation ratio) and give you more room for big purchases — if you use it responsibly. Here’s how to get your credit card limit increased in India, and when it’s worth asking. In short: banks raise limits automatically for well-behaved customers, or…

If your credit card is lost, stolen, or you spot a transaction you didn’t make, speed matters — blocking the card and reporting fast is what protects your money under RBI’s customer-liability rules. Here’s exactly what to do, in order. Do this first: block the card immediately (app, 24×7 helpline, SMS/IVR or net-banking), then report…