It's an open-ended type system and it is in the interest of your credit card company to let you pay only the minimum amount, because they get high interest on the outstanding amount month by month.

It is in their interest that you are in debt, because this is their business. Once you pay back your debt, they no longer have an income. Most credit card companies will let you pay off your credit card balance forever if you let them.

In fact, a lot of credit card companies do not like you to have your credit card at a nil balance from month to month because it slashes their income considerably.

The fine print (which is so small that you need a magnifying glass to read it) clearly sets out the conditions, and one of these is that the rate will increase. Be careful, because like any other offer or business opportunity put before you ? if it sounds too good to be true, it generally is.

It is very difficult for you to win with your credit card in this type of scenario. The moral is to make sure you pay your credit card off so there is a nil balance each month and if you cannot afford to do that, then always pay the minimum amount and pay it by the due date.

With some cards, if you don't charge something new on the new card each month, the interest jumps up to the regular rate for that credit card, which is usually very high. If you make a late payment, the promotional rate disappears and you will be hit with the regular high rate. You have to carefully check out what's in the offer, and if necessary ask questions before you accept the proposal put before you, however attractive.