How to Use a Credit Card with Maximum Benefit: 5 Tips

Credit cards often spark debate, but one thing is clear — they let you purchase essential items even when you don’t have the funds on hand.

A credit card means you’re spending the bank’s money. Interest is charged for using these funds — unless you know how to use your card effectively. So how can you do that?

1. Repay Your Debt Before the Grace Period Ends 

The key to avoiding interest charges is to repay your credit card balance within the grace period. During this time, no interest accrues. It typically lasts 30–60 days.
With #kartakarta from Bank CenterCredit, the grace period runs until the 25th of the following month.
For example, if you make a purchase on August 26, you can repay the debt interest-free until September 25.

Each new purchase starts a new grace period. Buy a smartphone on September 15? You’ll have until October 25 to pay it off.

Plan large purchases early in the month to get a longer grace period. A purchase made on September 1 gives you nearly two months; a September 30 purchase — less than one.

2. Don’t Forget About Minimum Payments 

Even within the grace period, a minimum payment (usually 2%) must be made. Skipping this can damage your credit score. Minimum payments go toward your balance — these funds aren’t lost.

You can make payments via bank branches, ATMs, terminals (Astana Plat, Qiwi, RPS Asia), or transfer between your own BCC accounts — all commission-free.

3. Pay by Card, Not in Cash 

Credit cards are designed for cashless transactions. ATM withdrawals usually incur a 3–4% fee and no grace period applies — interest accrues from day one.

Use your card for in-store or online purchases. Only withdraw cash in emergencies.

4. Avoid Making Transfers from Your Credit Card 

Transferring funds to another card from a credit card also incurs a fee, and usually disqualifies the transaction from the grace period.

5. Pay close attention to the categories in which you make purchases 

The fact is that some payment categories are not covered by the grace period. This usually applies to online games and casinos, betting services, cryptocurrency purchases, and lottery tickets.
Interest will be charged immediately on amounts spent in these categories, which means you won’t be able to get the maximum benefit. However, there are products where all card transactions are considered eligible for the grace period — #kartakarta is one of them.

Here’s another tip on how to get the most out of your bank’s credit card. Many programs offer cashback for certain types of purchases. For example, #kartakarta offers a base cashback rate of 1% — you’ll get this return when paying for public transport, kindergartens, utilities, internet, or mobile services. Cashback in selected “favorite” categories can go up to 10% — every month, users choose 3 categories based on their current needs. If you shop with partner merchants, the cashback can reach 30%. Bank CenterCredit has over 10,000 partners across the country, including official Apple and Xiaomi dealers and one of the largest travel agencies — Happy Travel. Cashback can help you save up to 240,000 KZT per year, which you can either spend or set aside.

Also note that credit cards offer savings in other ways. These products often feature free issuance and maintenance, and allow early repayment without penalties. For example, you can apply for #kartakarta online — either on the bank’s website or in the bcc.kz app. You can start using your credit card right away in the app, or pick up a physical card at any convenient branch — it takes just two days to be produced.

This article has been translated from its original language using neural network-based translation technology.