Reducing fees and interest costs

Make sure you’re aware of your credit limit – it’s printed at the top of your statement. If you do go over your limit, you'll need to repay that amount before your statement is sent to you.

You can keep track of your balance at any time via ANZ Internet Banking or the ANZ goMoney mobile app.

If you have money available in a bank account, try and use your EFTPOS or debit card, rather than your credit card, to take out cash.

If the option is available, buy something from a shop using your credit card, rather than using your credit card to take out cash from an ATM to make the purchase.

Remember, there's no interest-free period on cash advances. Interest is charged until the cash advance is paid off in full. You might also get charged a cash advance fee. So it pays to avoid making cash withdrawals on your credit card.

Paying your credit card bill on time each month means you’ll avoid late payment fees and pay less interest. Check the due date on your credit card statement to find out when you need to pay it by.

Setting up a direct debit could help avoid late payment fees. You could set it up for at least the minimum amount due. But paying as much as you can, or even the full amount due, will help reduce your interest costs.

If you’re paying from another bank, allow enough time for electronic payments to be processed before the due date – they can take up to two days.

Many ANZ credit cards offer up to 44 or 55 days' interest-free. This means if you pay off your credit card balance in full each month, you can buy things on your card and pay for them up to 44 or 55 days later, interest-free.

It’s important to understand this doesn’t mean every purchase is interest-free for 44 or 55 days. It depends on when each purchase is made. Purchases made after the statement opening date will get fewer interest-free days.

Remember:

• Interest-free days apply on purchases (not cash advances or balance transfers) and only if you pay off the closing balance in full by the due date each month.
• Interest applies to cash advances and balance transfers immediately.

Things don’t always go to plan, and circumstances can change. Make sure you reach out to us as soon as possible if things get tough – we have options to help you stay on track.