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What is APR?
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate, but what is it? Read on to find out.
Your guide to APR
APR gives you an estimate of how much your borrowing will cost over the course of a year, shown as a percentage. In simple terms:
- The higher it is, the more expensive it is to borrow.
- The lower it is, the cheaper it’ll be.
What’s the difference between interest and APR?
Interest rates may only account for one cost of having and using a credit card. The APR includes other standard fees, meaning it gives you a more complete picture of your overall borrowing costs.
What APR includes
Why is the representative APR useful?
Most credit card providers include a representative APR, making it easier for customers to compare the differences between two or more cards. Things like annual fees may push the APR up, but you could receive additional benefits for those, so make sure you check all of the finer details carefully.
|
Example |
Credit limit |
Standard purchase interest rate (variable) |
Annual fee |
Representative APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Example Credit card A |
Credit limit £1,200 |
Standard purchase interest rate (variable) 18.9% |
Annual fee £0 |
Representative APR 18.9% |
|
Example Credit card B |
Credit limit £1,200 |
Standard purchase interest rate (variable) 18.9% |
Annual fee £150 |
Representative APR 31.5% |
See if you’re eligible with One Check
One Check makes it easy to find and compare the Bank of Scotland credit cards you’re eligible to apply for, with no obligation and no impact on your credit score.
Fill in one short form to:
- See a list of credit cards you’re likely to be approved for.
- See your estimated credit limit up front.
Frequently asked APR questions
-
Representative APR gives you an estimate of the yearly cost of borrowing, including any standard fees (e.g. annual or application fees).
The AER or Annual Effective Rate (also known as the Annual Equivalent Rate) could give you a more accurate view of the costs, as it calculates ‘compound interest’. In simple terms, that means the figure you see includes interest costs on top of any interest charged.
That’s the main difference between APR and AER.
-
At least 51% of applicants will be offered the advertised rate, but that decision is based on an assessment of your personal circumstances. If you don’t qualify for the best rate, you may still be eligible for a credit card at a slightly higher interest rate.
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 Bank of Scotland version is called One Check
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The APR is useful for making quick comparisons, but you should review all of the credit card details before making any decisions. It’s important to know that the APR is usually based on the card purchase rate, 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 may 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 going over your credit limit or missing a payment.
In short, the APR gives you a quick snapshot, but not the full picture.