Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (2024)

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The highest credit card interest rate in recent memory was 79.9% on a card offered by First Premier Bank in 2010 but that offer’s not available anymore. The current highest credit card interest rate is 36% on the First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit Card.

The next highest credit card interest rate seems to be 35.99%, charged by the Total Visa® Card and the Milestone® Mastercard®. These rates are very high when you consider that the average interest rate is only around 22.9%.

Some of the Highest Credit Card Interest Rates on the Market

  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (1)Highest Interest Rate Overall:First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit CardFirst PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More

APR: 36%

One-time fee: $55 - $95

Monthly fee: $0 - $8 1st yr, $6.25 - $10.4 after

Annual fee: $0

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (2)Fast Application Process:Total Visa® CardTotal Visa® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.99%

One-time fee: $95

Monthly fee: $0 1st year, $8.25 after

Annual fee: $75 1st yr, $48 after

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (3)Emergency Loan:Milestone® Mastercard®Milestone® Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.9%

One-time fee: $0

Monthly fee: $0 1st yr, $12.50 after

Annual fee: $175 1st yr; $49 after

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (4)Damaged Credit:Destiny Mastercard®Destiny Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.9%

One-time fee: $0

Monthly fee: $0 1st yr, $12.50 after

Annual fee: $175 1st yr; $49 after

Credit requirement: None

As you can see, the highest credit card interest rates are typically found on cards for people with bad credit. The better your credit is, the better your chance of getting a lower interest rate. Legally, there actually is no highest credit card interest rate that’s possible. Credit card companies are allowed to charge any interest rate. But they must clearly state what that rate is in the card’s terms and conditions.

Companies that would like to charge outrageous interest rates are limited by what people are actually willing to pay. You should always make sure you know a card’s interest rate before applying. Otherwise, it may come as a nasty surprise.

How to Avoid High Credit Card Interest Charges

It’s worth remembering that, no matter how high or low your interest rate is, it will never affect you unless you carry a balance between months. If you always pay off your bill in full, you’ll never pay any interest unless you take out a cash advance. So, if you don’t spend beyond your means, interest rates shouldn’t be a huge consideration when you’re picking a credit card.

But if you’re not confident about your ability to pay in full, you should prioritize low interest rates in your search. Many cards will even offer you 0% interest for a number of months to start. While there are a few interest-free credit cards for bad credit, you’ll usually need at least good credit to get one of the best 0% intro APR credit cards.

This answer was first published on 01/11/18 and it was last updated on 03/12/24. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

APR: 36%

One-time fee: $55 - $95

Monthly fee: $0 - $8 1st yr, $6.25 - $10.4 after

Annual fee: $0

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (5)Fast Application Process:Total Visa® CardTotal Visa® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.99%

One-time fee: $95

Monthly fee: $0 1st year, $8.25 after

Annual fee: $75 1st yr, $48 after

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (6)Emergency Loan:Milestone® Mastercard®Milestone® Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.9%

One-time fee: $0

Monthly fee: $0 1st yr, $12.50 after

Annual fee: $175 1st yr; $49 after

Credit requirement: None


  • Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (7)Damaged Credit:Destiny Mastercard®Destiny Mastercard®Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website

APR: 35.9%

One-time fee: $0

Monthly fee: $0 1st yr, $12.50 after

Annual fee: $175 1st yr; $49 after

Credit requirement: None

As you can see, the highest credit card interest rates are typically found on cards for people with bad credit. The better your credit is, the better your chance of getting a lower interest rate. Legally, there actually is no highest credit card interest rate that’s possible. Credit card companies are allowed to charge any interest rate. But they must clearly state what that rate is in the card’s terms and conditions.

Companies that would like to charge outrageous interest rates are limited by what people are actually willing to pay. You should always make sure you know a card’s interest rate before applying. Otherwise, it may come as a nasty surprise.

How to Avoid High Credit Card Interest Charges

It’s worth remembering that, no matter how high or low your interest rate is, it will never affect you unless you carry a balance between months. If you always pay off your bill in full, you’ll never pay any interest unless you take out a cash advance. So, if you don’t spend beyond your means, interest rates shouldn’t be a huge consideration when you’re picking a credit card.

But if you’re not confident about your ability to pay in full, you should prioritize low interest rates in your search. Many cards will even offer you 0% interest for a number of months to start. While there are a few interest-free credit cards for bad credit, you’ll usually need at least good credit to get one of the best 0% intro APR credit cards.

Louis V @Bitholov

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@Bitholov: Now is 36.99%..........................................

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Keira Johnson, Member

@keira_johnson

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I remember seeing a 30% APR on a credit card somewhere.

This answer was first published on 02/15/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Barbara Fleischer, Member

@barb_fleischer

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You most likely will never have to face it, but I know First PREMIER® Bank Credit Card can have some nasty APR's, like 36%. But if you get approved with that interest rate, much better to just cancel, and find something less expensive.

This answer was first published on 02/12/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Does asking for a lower interest rate affect your credit score?

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What is a good interest rate on a credit card?

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Highest Credit Card Interest Rates (2024)

FAQs

What is the highest interest rate a credit card can have? ›

There is no federally mandated maximum interest rate for credit cards. For credit cards, the CARD Act offers various protections and provides more transparency when it comes to rates.

What is the highest APR allowed by law? ›

At the federal level, there are no usury laws limiting the amount of interest a credit card company can charge borrowers. However, the federal government protects consumers from unfair practices by credit card companies under the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.

What is considered high interest credit cards? ›

Yes, a 24% APR is high for a credit card. While many credit cards offer a range of interest rates, you'll qualify for lower rates with a higher credit score. Improving your credit score is a simple path to getting lower rates on your credit card.

Is 26.99 APR good for a credit card? ›

Yes, a 26.99% APR is high for a credit card, as it is above the average APR for new credit card offers. Credit card APRs can be much lower, and some cards offer an introductory 0% APR for a certain number of months, which can save you a lot of money.

Is 20% interest high for a credit card? ›

A good credit card APR is a rate that's at or below the national average, which currently sits above 20 percent. While there are credit cards with APRs below 10 percent, they are most often found at credit unions or small local banks. If you don't have good credit, you're likely to receive a higher credit card APR.

What is an illegally high interest rate? ›

Usury is the act of lending money at an interest rate that is considered unreasonably high or that is higher than the rate permitted by law.

Is 24% interest legal? ›

California's general usury limit for non-consumers is more than 5% greater than the Federal Reserve... Maximum Rate to Consumers: 12% per annum. In civil suits where interest is allowed, it is allowed at 10%. The general usury limit in the District of Columbia is anything greater than 24%.

Why is my APR so high with good credit? ›

Key Takeaways

Your interest rate may have nothing to do with your credit score. Rewards credit cards typically charge a higher APR than cards without rewards. When you pay your entire statement balance by the due date, you won't be charged interest on purchases.

How do I get my credit card company to lower my interest rate? ›

Contact your credit card issuer using the number on the back of your credit card and explain why you would like an interest rate reduction. Start by highlighting your history with the company and mention your good credit and history of on-time payments.

Is the Capital One Platinum card good? ›

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a solid choice for people looking to build credit. You won't earn rewards or have access to many perks, but it will help you learn to manage your credit effectively. But, beyond helping you to build your credit, this card doesn't have much to offer.

What APR should I expect with a 700 credit score? ›

A credit score of 700 gets you an interest rate of 3% to 6% on car loans for new cars and about 5% to 9% for second-hand cars.

What credit card has the highest interest rate? ›

The current highest credit card interest rate is 36% on the First PREMIER® Bank Mastercard Credit Card. The next highest credit card interest rate seems to be 35.99%, charged by the Total Visa® Card and the Milestone® Mastercard®.

What is the highest APR a credit card can charge? ›

This means there are no limits on credit card interest rates in practice. So, the best way to protect yourself as a borrower is to stay informed about your federally guaranteed rights to interest rate disclosures and other protections.

Is 30% interest on a credit card high? ›

Average Credit Card Interest Rate by Credit Score

This status tends to translate into higher APRs for you as a cardholder. It's not unheard of to encounter credit cards with APRs as high as 25% to 30%. Exact interest rates on credit cards can differ from one company to another, and among individual cardholders as well.

Is 15 interest rate high for a credit card? ›

A good APR for a credit card is around 17% or below.

How much interest can you legally charge? ›

USURY LAW (LIMITATIONS ON INTEREST RATES CHARGED ON LOANS) The California Constitution prohibits loans that are made primarily for personal, family or household purposes from having interest rates above 10% per year. This is California's general usury law.

Is the 18 interest rate high? ›

Yes, 18.00% is a good personal loan rate for people with good credit. Applicants with a credit score of 660+ could qualify for a personal loan with a 18.00% APR if they choose the right lender and have enough income to afford the loan.

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