Top of main content

What is an interest-free period?

A woman is holding a credit card while talking on the phone; image used for HSBC VN How to get a 45-day interest-free period
One of the biggest benefits of using a credit card is that you can enjoy an interest-free period on your purchases. Here's how to get the most out of it.

Important timelines and fees of credit cards

Credit cards normally offer you an interest-free period of up to 45 days before the repayment due date to settle your outstanding balance. All HSBC credit cards do even better than this: you are offered up to a 55-day interest-free period.

Important timeline

The following terms can be useful for you to understand about how an interest-free period works:

Credit card billing date

This date is also called a "statement date". This is the date that marks the beginning of your billing period. Your card issuer records all the transactions you make on your credit card during the period and sends you a billing report.

Your billing date will usually be a fixed date every month. If your statement date falls on a weekend or a holiday, it will usually be generated on the last working day before the holiday.

Payment due date

The date that you are required to pay off your credit card bill to avoid any late fees and finance charges.

Depending on the type of card you're using, the payment due date will be counted from 15-25 days since statement date.

Transaction date

The date you make an authorized transaction with your credit card.

Posting date

The date that your transaction is posted to your card account in the bank system.

Statement balance

This is the total of all your credit card transactions during a billing cycle (plus any outstanding balance from previous statements). It's the full amount you should pay on your payment due date.

Minimum payment due

It's better to pay off your entire statement balance whenever it is due. However, if you are not able to do that, you're still required to make a minimum payment each month. This can range from 1% to 5% of your total balance, depending on your bank.

Grace period

The time between your credit card billing date and your payment due date, in which you have to arrange repayment to the bank. The grace period typically lasts 15 to 25 days, depending on the type of card you’re using.

A woman is sitting on a chair, holding a credit card on her hand and looking at her laptop

Credit card interest rates and fees

There are some basic credit cards fees and charges as following:

Interest rate

If you pay off your entire bill by the payment due date, you won't have to pay any interest. If you can't pay the full amount, you will be charged interest on any outstanding balance since the transaction date. 

One important thing to note: that interest is retroactive, which means you lose the interest-free period if you don't pay the full amount even you've made the minimum payment.

The interest rate is different for each bank or each card type. It typically falls somewhere between 25% to 40% annually, which is a higher form of interest than you can expect to find with something like a personal loan.

You may refer to our finance charge calculation (PDF) for further details.

Late payment fee

As long as you repay at least the minimum payment required by your payment due date, you won't be charged any late payment fee. If you miss that deadline though, you'll be hit with a late payment fee, which usually ranges from 4% to 6% of the minimum payment due.

What is a 55-day interest-free credit card?

Specifically, a 55-day period without interest is the period between your last billing date and your upcoming billing date, plus a 25-day grace period. It works the same for a 45-day 0% interest period, but the grace period you have is up to 25 days instead of 15 days.

55 days interest-free period = A maximum billing cycle 30 days + grace period 25 days

Please note that, this feature is not available for cash advance transactions.

Depending on your purpose when using a credit card, you can choose a card with an appropriate interest-free period and extended grace period.

Looking for a credit card? Apply online now to receive a sign-up offer up to VND2 million!

a woman lying on a sofa, using her laptop

Example of how interest-free period works

Depending on the day you make a transaction with your credit card, you could have up to a maximum of 55 days interest-free after using your card. But because of how credit card billing cycles work, you probably won't get the full interest-free period for all of your transactions.

For example, let's say you are using an HSBC Platinum Credit Card with a maximum interest-free period of 55 days.

Today is 28 May. The last month's bank statement date falls on 28 April, this month's statement date is 28 May and the due date is 22 Jun. Now let's look at your purchases from that statement:

  • 29 April: VND2,000,000 on groceries from the supermarket
  • 14 May: VND3,000,000 online shopping on Shopee
  • 27 May: VND200,000 coffee date with friends

These are the interest-free periods for each transaction on your card:

  • Groceries: 55 days (from 29 April to 22 June)
  • Shopee: 45 days (from 14 May to 22 June)
  • Coffee date: 26 days (from 27 May to 22 June)
a woman lying on a sofa, using her laptop

Make the most out of your interest-free period

You would take full advantage of the interest-free period if you make your purchases at the beginning of each billing cycle – the first day of the new cycle after receiving your statement of the previous month. That will give you the maximum number of days between your transaction date and your payment due date.

Once you understand the nature of credit card interest-free periods, you will be able to proactively organize your personal purchases to better manage your current financial situation.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind

  • At the beginning of the billing cycle – this is the best time to make large one-off purchases, as you'll get the maximum interest-free period
  • Close to your billing date – try to limit your card use to daily expenses, and only make high-value transactions if absolutely necessary, as you won't have a long interest-free period
  • Check your budget and your transaction history – if you don't think you'll be able to pay your entire statement when it's due, you should hold off on new credit card transactions until your next cycle
  • Pay your statement balance in full by the payment due date – this will let you keep the interest-free period benefit
  • Set up a standing instruction – that way you'll never miss a payment and face a late fee
  • Interest-free periods are only active when your balance is fully paid – if you owe money on your card and are slowly paying down the balance, you won't receive any interest-free privilege for your current purchases.
A woman is standing at the check out and using Samsung Pay on the phone to pay her purchase

Important things to note about the 55-day interest-free period

Not all transactions are eligible for the full 55-day interest-free period

Only transactions made on the first day in new credit card billing period have an interest-free period 55 days. The number of interest-free days will gradually decrease when the transaction date gets closer to the billing date of each month.

Cash withdrawal is not eligible for 55-day interest-free period

The 55-day interest-free period doesn't apply for cash withdrawals. When you use your credit card for a cash advance the interest rate will start accruing immediately from the moment you withdraw the cash, up until you repay the initial amount, fee and interest charge in full. That's why we recommend that cash withdrawals should only be used in emergencies, and if you decide to do it, try to repay the money as soon as possible.

Not all credit cards have a 55-day interest free period

Credit cards with 45-day interest-free periods are a common with most banks nowadays. At HSBC, we offer interest - free period up to 55 days for all credit cards such as HSBC VISA Cash Back Credit CardHSBC Live+ Credit Card ,HSBC TravelOne Credit Card and HSBC Premier Mastercard Credit Card to help you better plan out your finances when buying high-value products.

We hope the article has answered your questions about the maximizing your interest-free period when you use a credit card.

Ready to find a credit card that's right for you?

 

Important Information: All fees and interest in this article are for reference only. For the most specific, accurate and up-to-date details on fees, interest and calculation of HSBC credit cards, please refer to the Fee Schedule, Credit Card Agreement and Terms of Use. Other relevant Terms & Conditions are publicly posted and regularly updated on the HSBC website (Vietnam).

Related articles

a family of three playing VR games on a sofa;image used for HSBC VN how to save money with a credit card instalment plan
Take a closer look at the credit card instalment plans and learn how to save money with them.
a woman handing over an HSBC card above a coffee table; image used for what is a visa card article page
Explain the pros and cons between different types of VISA cards and whether you should have one for your daily activities.
A woman writing in notebook with a laptop aside; image used for how to avoid credit card fees article page.
Become a savvy credit card user with our top 8 tips on how to avoid credit card fees.