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The Daily Insight Hub

How can I avoid paying fees to a credit card company?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on February 14, 2026

The easiest way to avoid finance charges is to pay your balance in full and on time every month. Credit cards are required to give you what’s called a grace period, which is the span of time between the end of your billing cycle and when the payment is due on your balance.

What kind of fees do credit cards have?

The typical credit card processing fee ranges from about 1.3% to 3.5%, plus the payment processor’s cut, which varies depending on the card processor and plan you choose. To accept credit card payments, merchants must pay interchange fees, assessment fees, and processing fees.

Can a credit card company refuse a charge?

If you used a Visa, MasterCard, or another card not issued by the seller, you can refuse to pay only if: the purchase cost more than $50, and. you made the purchase in the state where you live or, if you live in a different state, within 100 miles of your home.

How can cash equivalent transaction fees be avoided?

Cash-equivalent transaction fees only apply to credit cards, so keeping your credit card out of the loop is the surest way to avoid the additional fees. To reduce costs further, use the standard wait time when moving funds from the app to your bank account.

What are the fees to avoid when using a credit card?

Here are 9 fees and charges that you must know to avoid being charged unnecessarily when using a credit card. 1. Cash advance fees 2. International ATM withdrawal 3. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) 4. Foreign transaction fees 5. Interest rates 6. Late payment charge 7. Annual fees 8. Card replacement fee 9. Goods & Services Tax (GST) 1.

Is there an annual fee for a credit card?

1- Annual Maintenance Charge This is popularly known as ‘annual fee’ and is not really a ‘hidden’ charge. The annual fee is charged once in a year and the amount varies card to card. Sometimes, banks offer free credit cards which means that there will be no joining fee or annual fee on the card for a certain time period or for a lifetime.

How are convenience fees and credit card surcharges different?

Surcharges are the fees that cover the cost of a card transaction. While convenience fees are charged for payment methods that a merchant doesn’t usually accept. For example, a company might charge a convenience fee when you pay over the phone instead of online. How to Calculate Credit Card Convenience Fee?

Are there any credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees?

Some credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees. The ones that do usually charge about 3% of the transaction amount. Plan ahead and keep cash if you know you’ll be making purchases in other currencies or seek out a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.