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What is APR?

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, but what exactly is that?

 

It’s about the cost of borrowing

The APR gives you a rough idea about how much your borrowing could cost each year, shown as a percentage. It’s also a handy way to compare credit products quickly.

  • The higher it is, the more expensive it’ll be to borrow. 
  • The lower it is, the cheaper borrowing will be.

There is a difference between interest rates and APR

Interest rates account for just one potential cost of having and using a credit card. APR includes other standard fees, meaning it gives you a more complete picture of the costs.

APR doesn’t include all costs

  • Additional fees and charges could apply when using your credit card on a month-to-month basis. Those might include late payment fees, cash transaction fees, transfer fees and so on.
  • Interest rates could be higher for other transaction types, such as cash withdrawals and transactions. Remember, APR calculations are usually based on the card purchase interest rate only.

What’s a representative APR?

This is the interest rate that at least 51% of applicants are expected to get, although the actual rate and credit limit offered is based on an assessment of your circumstances. The representative APR is usually based on:

  1. A credit limit of £1,200.
  2. Spending the full £1,200 on the first day.
  3. Equal monthly repayments over a year.
  4. No other spending is made.

Why representative APRs are useful

Most lenders provide a representative APR, making it easier for you to compare two or more cards. Things like annual fees could push the APR up, but you might receive additional benefits for those, so make sure you check all of the finer details carefully before choosing a credit card to suit your needs.

Example of APR in practice

Example

Credit limit

Standard purchase interest rate (variable)

Annual card fee

Representative APR

Example

Credit Card A

Credit limit

£1,200

Standard purchase interest rate (variable)

18.9%

Annual card fee

£0

Representative APR

18.9%

Example

Credit Card B

Credit limit

£1,200

Standard purchase interest rate (variable)

18.9%

Annual card fee

£150

Representative APR

55.0%

See if you’re eligible with Simple Check

Simple Check makes it easy to find and compare Halifax credit cards you’re eligible to apply for. Our short form only takes around five minutes to complete.

  • We’ll tell you which Halifax credit cards you’re likely to be accepted for.
  • You’ll see the APR for each option, and the credit limit you’re likely to get.
  • With no impact to your credit score.

Check your eligibility

Frequently asked APR questions
 

  • Yes. Representative APR gives you an estimate of the cost of borrowing over the course of a year, including any standard fees, such as annual or application fees.

    AER or Annual Effective Rate (sometimes called Annual Equivalent Rate) is a ‘compounded interest rate’, meaning it includes any interest charged on top of interest billed to your account over the course of a year.

  • At least 51% of applicants will be offered the advertised rate, but that’s based on an assessment of your personal circumstances. If you're not eligible for the advertised rate, you could still be eligible for a different one.

    Many credit card issuers provide an eligibility check tool, helping you to narrow down your search to credit cards you are eligible to apply for. The Halifax version is called Simple Check.

  • The APR is useful for making quick comparisons, but you should review all details before making any decisions. The APR is usually based on the card purchase rate only, so if you plan to make transfers or other types of transaction, you’ll need to compare more than just APRs.

    Also consider any fees which might apply as you use your credit card, in addition to any annual or application fees, which are included in the APR calculation. Those could include things like transfer or cash transaction fees, and charges for missing payments. Some lenders will also charge for going over your credit limit.

A summary on APR

APR gives you an estimate of how much your borrowing could cost.
 

  • The lower the APR, the cheaper it could be for you to borrow. 
  • APR is usually based on the card purchase interest rate, plus standard fees.
  • APR doesn’t include other fees and charges, such as cash transactions or transfer fees.
  • You can compare credit cards using the APR, but always read through card details carefully.

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