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Monday, October 7, 2024

What is Deferred Interest & How Does it Work? (Oct. 2024)

What Is Deferred Interest
Andrea Woroch

Writer: Andrea Woroch

Andrea Woroch

Andrea Woroch, Savings Expert

Andrea Woroch is a nationally recognized consumer finance expert, writer, and TV personality who is passionate about helping families find simple ways to spend less and save more without making major sacrifices. Her practical budgeting and savings advice has helped millions of Americans initiate real financial change so they can stress less and spend more time doing the things they love. As a go-to media expert, Andrea has appeared on popular TV shows such as Today, Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, Dr. OZ, CNN, and MSNBC. Her work has been featured in the The New York Times, USA Today, Forbes, Reader’s Digest, Cosmopolitan, Money, Time, Woman’s Day, Yahoo, among other outlets. Andrea hosts a monthly money segment on KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles.

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Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

Nothing in this world is free, especially when it comes to borrowing money. Although some credit card companies and retailers want you to believe you’re getting a loan or making a purchase sans fees by waiving interest for a promotional period, it comes with a catch — and one that many people are unaware of.

Deferred interest doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for paying interest. On the contrary, deferred interest means that interest charges will be postponed for a certain length of time from the date of your initial transaction.

If you pay off the balance in full before that time is up, you’re in the clear. If not, interest fees pile up unexpectedly. Unfortunately, however, this deferred interest plan often deceives many shoppers.

In fact, 52% of consumers don’t know how deferred interest works, according to the 2020 Deferred Interest Study by WalletHub, and those who ignore the fine print can find themselves in financial trouble.

Deferred Interest is a Retroactive Interest Charge

Deferred interest is typically offered by credit card companies and retailers that promise to waive interest fees on purchases for a set period.

This deferred interest promotion seems appealing when compared with a high interest credit card, and can save people a lot of money on expensive purchases. But it has a downside that many consumers overlook: Those who don’t pay off the balance in full and on time will be charged interest on the entire amount retroactive to the purchase date, regardless of how much of the balance was paid off up until that point.

Missing the pay-by date by even one day or carrying a balance of just a few cents will trigger the deferred interest to start piling up. Missing a payment can also trigger deferred interest to kick in, so it’s important to stay on top of due dates.

Consumers who overlook the fine print or fall into the trap of missing a payment due to an unexpected bill are often surprised by these finance charges. Not to mention, retailers don’t list the regular APRs of deferred interest plans in large enough font or in a prominent location, and sales associates certainly don’t educate shoppers about these terms before pushing the deferred interest offer.

Interest Free Financing Offer

Interest-free financing offers encourage shoppers to spend more than they can afford.

Though deferred interest is typically found on credit cards, even retailers offer financing deals with postponed interest payments on big-ticket purchases such as large-screen TVs, mattresses, furniture, and cars to entice shoppers to buy more than they can afford.

Even mortgages can include deferred interest. In this situation, the unpaid interest is added to the principal balance of the home loan and ends up costing the borrower more in the long run as interest charges are assessed on that unpaid interest. Most student loans also have a deferred interest period while students are in college and for a short while after graduation.

Most lenders, including credit card companies and retailers, are betting that consumers don’t pay off the promotional balance in full so they can rake in added interest fees.

Which Cards Charge Deferred Interest?

Credit card companies — especially store credit cards cobranded with banks — are notorious for offering special financing deals that use deferred interest. Some of the biggest culprits include Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond, and The Home Depot.

For instance, Amazon promotes an exclusive 6-, 12- or 24-month financial deal to those who sign up for the Amazon Store Card. However, you must scroll down to find the fine print that explains how the deferred interest works and how that interest will be charged on the account from the purchase date if the balance is not paid in full within the deferred interest period.

Amazon Store Card Promotional Financing Terms

Meanwhile, The Home Depot Store credit card offers six months of deferred interest financing on purchases of $299 or more. Though this can help you finance a big home project without interest, failing to completely pay off the balance at the six-month mark means you will be responsible for paying interest from the day you made the purchase.

It’s not just store credit cards that charge deferred interest. In fact, the same WalletHub study mentioned earlier found that 91% of all deferred interest credit cards are issued by three banks: Synchrony, Citi, and Comenity.

How to Avoid Deferred Interest Charges

In addition to paying off a deferred interest loan or a deferred interest credit card to avoid the accrued interest, other ways to get around these retroactive interest fees include:

Find a 0% APR card without deferred interest: Plenty of credit cards offer 0% APR on new purchases and never charge deferred interest. You just need to do a little research and read the fine print before applying. Here’s a look at the best 0% APR cards.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishings purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

0% INTRO APR RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
  • No annual fee.
  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Consider the purchase carefully:

Many of these special financing deals entice shoppers to buy more than they can afford with the prospect of making smaller, interest-free payments. However, you should fully consider the total cost and terms of the financing offer before applying. Ask yourself if you can really afford to pay the balance off in full before the promotional period is up.

Transfer the remaining balance: If you’re up against the deferment deadline but are still carrying a balance, consider transferring the remaining balance. In fact, you may qualify for a new credit card that offers 0% APR on balance transfers. Just make sure to review the terms on the new card and pay it off in full before that introductory period expires since you may not qualify for yet another balance transfer.

0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.74% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
  • There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
  • Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
  • With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
  • No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% 12 months on Purchases
0% 21 months on Balance Transfers
17.74% - 28.49% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% 18 months on Balance Transfers
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
$0
Excellent/Good/Fair

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Discover it® Chrome Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

0% BALANCE TRANSFER RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 17.74% to 27.74% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 6 months
0% Intro APR for 18 months
17.74% - 27.74% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

Double down on payments:

Most deferred interest loans come with a monthly repayment schedule, but this may require you to walk a fine line. Missing just one monthly payment could mean you’re on the hook for high interest charges when that deferment period is up and can cause damage to your credit score. Therefore, making double payments when your budget allows and paying off the loan balance early will avoid unnecessary interest fees.

Pay a large lump sum: Paying attention to the deferment expiration date is key to avoid any interest fees. Jot it down on a calendar or add an alert in your smartphone to help you stay on top of the deadline. When you notice that the interest-free deferral period is about to expire, make a large payment to bring the balance to $0 so you don’t get slapped with deferred interest charges. Even carrying a balance of just $0.01 can send your bill soaring with interest fees.

Pay on time: Many deferred interest offers become void if you make just one late payment. That’s why it’s crucial that you pay at least the minimum payment required on time each month. Set up auto-pay when available or set reminders of approaching payment dates in your phone’s calendar to avoid this potential pitfall. This will also help protect your credit score.

Pay with cash: Financing deals always come with a catch. The best way to avoid deferred interest is to avoid borrowing money in the first place. Paying with cash is your ticket to staying out of debt and building wealth. When you pay with dollar bills, you can’t spend more than you make, so it will keep you on budget and keep fees at bay.

Consider Your Ability to Repay the Debt

Though the money-saving prospect of a 0% interest rate on a credit card purchase is appealing, consumers should do their homework and read the fine print. Don’t let these deferred interest offers persuade you to spend more than you can afford. Fully consider the terms and your ability to pay off the deferred interest balance in full before additional interest kicks in.

Ultimately, you should only purchase items you can pay off in full immediately. Otherwise, you could end up in over your head with mounting fees when that promotional period expires and you owe more than your initial purchase price.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.