Credit Card Glossary

Ever feel confused by your credit card bill? Variable APRs, balance transfers, chargebacks—the world of credit card terminology can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive Credit Card Glossary Page. We’ve collected terms from every aspect of the industry to help consumers decipher credit card terms and conditions, special offers, and monthly statements. Knowing the terminology can also help in disputes or bargaining for a better rate, so take a look around.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Account Number
Additional Cardholder
American Express
Annual Fee
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Approval Response
ATM
Authentication
Authorization
Authorization Amount
Authorization Code
Authorization Date
Authorized Amount
Authorized Transaction
Automatic Stay

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B

Bad Credit
Balance Transfer
Balance Transfer Fee
Bank Identification Number (BIN)
Bankcard
Billing Cycle
Business Card (Business Credit Card)

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C

Card Issuer
Card Reader
Cardholder
Cash Advance
Cash Back
Chargeback
Chargeback Period
CoBranded Card
Collection Agency
Commercial Cards
Corporate Procurement Card
Cost-of-funds index
Credit Agency
Credit Card Number
Credit History
Credit Limit
Credit Repair
Credit Score

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D

Debit

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F

FICO Score
Finance Charge
Fixed Rate
Floor Limit
Fraudulent Transaction

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G

Grace Period

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I

Introductory Rate (or Intro APR)
Issuer

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M

Magnetic Stripe
Minimum Payment

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O

Overlimit
Overlimit Fee

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P

Point Of Sale (POS)
Prime Rate
Processing Date

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R

Reference Number

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S

Secured Credit Cards
Service Charge
Smart Card
Statement
Stored-value Card

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T

Term
The Fed
Transaction

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U

Unsecured Credit Cards
User Authentication

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V

Variable Interest Rate
Void
Void Transaction

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