A purchase rate on a credit card is the interest rate applied to regular purchases made with the card. It is the most common interest rate borrowers pay on their credit cards. The purchase rate is applied to any unpaid purchase balances at the end of the billing cycle and does not apply to other incurred interest charges. The purchase APR is the rate of interest the credit card company charges on purchases you make with the card if you carry a balance on the card. If you pay off your full statement balance on time each month, you can avoid paying any interest on those purchases. The purchase rate for a credit card may begin at 0% if the credit card offers a 0% introductory rate. The length of time an introductory rate may apply varies by credit card, typically ranging from 12 to 21 months. Once the introductory time frame expires, the purchase rate will apply. Credit card companies are required by law to disclose the purchase APR associated with each credit card. Every credit card’s website contains a link to that card’s cardholder agreement document, which includes a chart called a Schumer box that shows the purchase APR.