Credit Card Cash Withdrawal

Difference Between Credit Card Cash Limit and Credit Limit

While the credit limit is the maximum amount that can be spent on a particular credit card, cash limit is the maximum cash one can withdraw using a credit card. Cash limit is typically included in the credit limit available on a credit card. Most banks offer 20% - 40% of the total credit limit as cash limit. For instance, if the total credit limit on a card is Rs.1 lakh, you can withdraw up to Rs.20,000 to Rs.40,000 as cash using the card. The rest should be spent for card transactions only.

The cash limit on a credit card are typically communicated by the bank to the cardholder at the time of card issuance.

The cash limit may not be the same across all the credit card variants offered by the bank hence varies from card to card or from customer to customer. The cash limit on a particular card is not fixed and is subject to change at any point in time at the discretion of the bank.

The banks may revise the limits periodically or by considering various parameters including spending patterns on the card, repayment behaviour of the cardholder, default payments and other credit information available from credit bureaus. Any such revisions will be communicated to the customers through messages or e-mails.

What is Credit Card Cash Advance Fee?

Credit card cash advance fee is a fee charged on every cash withdrawal transaction made using a credit card. Every time a credit card is used to withdraw cash, a cash advance fee, which typically is the percentage of the withdrawn amount, will be charged.

Typically banks charge 2.5% to 3% of the withdrawn amount subject to a minimum amount of Rs.300 to Rs.500 as a credit card cash advance fee. The fee will be reflected in the coming month's billing statement. Cash advance fee also attracts a finance charge at a rate similar to that charged on the withdrawn amount. It will be levied from the date of withdrawal till the amount is paid back in full.

Even when you conduct multiple cash advance transactions on a given day, you will be charged for every transaction based on the withdrawal amount.

Credit Card Cash Withdrawal Charges

Finance Charges on Credit Card Cash Withdrawal

Cash advances on credit cards also attract finance charges. The rate at which the interest is charged is at the monthly percentage rate and will be levied from the date of the transaction till the repayment is made in full. Banks typically charge a rate of interest of 2.5% to 3.5% per month on all cash advances.

The rate varies from one bank to another and from one card variant to another and the same will be communicated to the cardholder at the time of card issuance. Further, the rates are dynamic and are subject to change at the discretion of the bank. Besides the external factors that affect the overall interest rate on cash advances, usage of the card, frequency of spends, repayment behaviour, etc., are other card specific factors that impact the interest rates charged on a particular credit card.

Comparing Cash Advance Interest Rates from Top Banks

How to Withdraw Money from Credit Card

Withdrawing cash using a credit card is as simple as withdrawing cash using a debit card from an ATM. You just need to walk into any of your closest ATM kiosks to with your credit card and follow the instructions for cash withdrawal to get the money.

Credit card cash withdrawals can be done at ATMs of any bank irrespective of the credit card issuing bank. However, a few banks may charge a different cash advance fee for withdrawing cash using other bank ATMs. A few banks may also put a cap on the minimum and the maximum cash that can be withdrawn per ATM transaction or per day.

Hence, you need to know the terms and conditions applicable to your card along with the associated fees and charges before availing the cash advance facility. Also, it is important to know the available cash limit on the card before withdrawing the cash to prevent using over the limit. If the overlimit transaction is processed, the bank will also charge an overlimit fee along with the finance charges.

Impact of Credit Card Cash Advance on Credit Score

Cash advances on a credit card will not be reported separately to the credit agencies. The entire outstanding due and the non-payment of the same will be reported as a whole. Hence, taking a cash advance on your credit card may not impact your credit score. However, due to the high interest rates (accrued on a daily basis) and additional fees and charges levied on a credit card cash withdrawal, it may sometimes become difficult for you to keep up with the monthly payments.

When you fail to pay even the minimum amount due, it will affect your credit score and will reflect badly in the credit report. As long as you make timely payments there will be no effect on your credit score due to cash advance.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Credit Card Cash Withdrawal

The cash advance feature has both pros and cons just like any other feature. However, when used properly it acts as an emergency fund and saves you in times of cash crunch. Let's look at the benefits and drawbacks of the feature in detail.

Benefits of Credit Card Cash Withdrawal Feature

1. Instant cash: The primary advantage of the credit card cash advance feature is that it provides instant cash in liquid form. As ATMs are accessible 24x7 and available in every nook and corner in and outside the country, you can have access to cash at any time across the country.
2. No approval, no documentation: Unlike other forms of credit such as personal loan or other loans, the cash advance feature does not require any other approval from the bank, and you do not have to submit any documents to avail the facility. You just need to use your credit card at the ATM to withdraw cash.
3. Flexible limits: Consistent spending patterns, and a decent track record without any late payments or defaults will make you eligible for limit enhancement on your credit card. Once the bank approves your credit limit enhancement request, your cash limit will automatically be enhanced.

How to Repay Credit Card Cash Withdrawals

If the outstanding due on your credit card contains only cash advance, any payment made towards your credit card will be considered for cash advance. In case, the outstanding due contains other spends such as card transactions, EMIs, balance transfers and others, the payment received will be adjusted in a sequential order beginning with the minimum amount due, which includes EMIs on loans, all applicable taxes, 5% of total outstanding; fees and other charges, interest charges, outstanding related to balance transfer, purchases and finally cash advance. Hence, in order to make payment towards cash advance, you need to clear all your dues.

Drawbacks of Credit Card Cash Withdrawal

1. Fees and charges: Every time the facility is availed, a cash advance fee will be levied which further attracts finance charges which will be charged from the date of transaction till the repayment is paid in full.
2. Interest rate: Though the interest rate on a cash advance is similar to the interest charged on card transactions, the interest on cash advances will be charged from the date of transaction till the payment is made in full making it expensive.
3. Reward points: The credit card transactions involving cash advances are not eligible for any reward points. No matter how big the transaction is, you will get no reward points for credit card cash withdrawals.
4. Interest free period: Another factor that makes credit card advances expensive is that, interest will be charged from the date of the transaction till it is paid in full. There is no interest free period on cash advances and the interest will continue to pile up till you repay your outstanding completely.

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