Credit Cards 101

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Last updated on September 20th, 2023

Owning a credit card offers a convenient way to pay for purchases of all varieties, and, if used wisely, it can reflect favorably on your financial reputation. But how well do you know credit cards? Whether you are a beginner thinking about applying for your first credit card, or a seasoned cardholder with several years’ worth of experience, it is crucial to have a firm understanding of what a credit card is and does. Welcome to credit cards 101.

Credit Cards 101: What is a Credit Card?

A credit card is a payment method in the form of a plastic or metal card. It can be used to pay for goods or services in the same way one uses cash or a personal check. Credit cards are issued by financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions. They offer customers a line of credit that they can borrow money from, and for which a credit card serves as physical proof.

While a credit card is primarily used for buying, it can also be effective in shaping how you look as a borrower of money. When you use a line of credit, you develop a credit score: a number that financial institutions use to judge how much of a risk they take when lending you money. As you borrow and pay back money responsibly, your credit score increases. Likewise, if you pay back what you have borrowed late, or not at all, your credit score will decrease. Having a high credit score will make it easier for you to get approved for high-end credit cards or loans with the lowest interest rates.

When you use a credit card, you are paying for something with the issuing bank’s money. All purchases that you make with a credit card will grow the balance owed for that card’s account, and you are responsible for paying back what you have borrowed. You will have a grace period – about a month – to pay off your balance. your bill in full, you will incur a finance charge. Finance charges are usually a percentage of interest added to the amount that you owe. Credit card issuers also require that you make a minimum payment if you are going to carry a balance.

Credit Cards 101: Types of Credit Card

Understanding the different types of credit cards is essential;l to passing credit cards 101. Credit card companies offer multiple types of credit cards. Although all serve the same purpose – to act as a form of payment – they differ in the additional benefits they offer as well as who can use them. Some credit cards are better for making purchases in a certain category, while others are aimed at specific types of borrowers.

  • Business Credit Cards: Business credit cards are offered to companies of all sizes, from fledgling startups to multinational enterprises. Issuers restrict customers from using these cards solely for business expenses, but they also include incentives like cash back or points reward programs. In addition, cardholders can usually request multiple additional cards for their employees to use under the same account.
  • Rewards Credit Cards: Rewards cards are some of the most attractive in the market and for obvious reasons. In addition to giving customers all the features of a traditional credit card, they also feature perks in exchange for making purchases. Rewards credit cards usually have a trade-off for all the benefits they offer, however; you will see this in the form of higher interest rates or fees to own the card.
  • Travel Credit Cards (Airline/Hotel): Travel rewards cards allow you to earn points or miles that you can later redeem for rewards such as free flights or hotel stays. As such, they are some of the most popular credit cards. There are general travel rewards cards as well as cards that are co-branded with airlines or hotel companies. The latter also net you rewards, but only for use with the specific carrier or hotel chain linked to the card.
  • Retail Credit Cards: Like airline and hotel cards, retail credit cards are offered in partnership with specific stores or brands and feature retailer-specific rewards programs. Some retailers offer cards that can only be used at their locations (or their online stores), while others also issue more accessible cards that are accepted at other locations.
  • Cash Back Credit Cards: Cash back credit cards give you more freedom when you want to redeem your earned rewards. When you use a cash back credit card, you earn back a small percentage of each transaction. Some cards earn cash back at a flat rate for all purchases, while others multiply rates when used in specific categories like groceries or gas stations. You can redeem the cash back you have accumulated for gift cards, credits toward your credit card statement, or even to make entertainment bookings.
  • Student Credit Cards: As you might guess, student credit cards are aimed at high school and college students. Since students are usually just starting to build their credit history and test the waters with their first credit card, they will not be the most favorable candidates for issuers. As such, student credit cards usually have low credit limits and a limited set of additional perks.
  • Secured Credit Cards: Issuers offer secured credit cards to individuals looking to improve or rebuild their credit standing. Since these persons may be risky borrowers, issuers take an additional safeguarding step and require cardholders to make a security deposit. By depositing their own money and using that as a line of credit, cardholders are forced to be more responsible with their finances. Over time, if customers manage their spending wisely, issuers may raise their cards’ credit limit. Secured credit cards are also a good choice for first-time borrowers.

Other Uses for a Credit Card

Credit cards do more than just let you make purchases. If you have a credit card account with an existing balance and a high-interest rate, you can apply for another credit card at a lower interest rate and transfer the balance from the first card. This is known as a balance transfer, and it is a popular method of paying less when it comes to interest rates. This is credit cards 1010.

You can also use a credit card to withdraw cash if you need to. This is known as a cash advance. Just like paying with a credit card, the amount you borrow through a cash advance has to be paid back. While cash advances can get you out of a jam, they often have higher interest rates that will make it costlier to pay them back over the long term.

 

Other Types of Cards

Credit cards are not the only piece of plastic you could carry in your wallet. Though they are the most flexible in terms of spending power, other options exist to suit your needs or preferences.

  • Charge Cards: Charge cards are similar to credit cards, with the major difference being that charge cards require you to pay off your balance in full every billing cycle. Charge cards are not as common as they used to be, and nowadays they signify borrowers who are very responsible with their finances and avoid paying interest charges.
  • Prepaid Cards: A prepaid card allows you to deposit money into its account so you can use it repeatedly to make purchases. Prepaid cards will most likely not raise your credit score, but they can still be a convenient payment option.
  • Debit Cards: A debit card is linked to a bank account, and so it uses a cardholder’s own funds when making a purchase. Debit cards will not raise your credit score.

Cover photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

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About: Cory
Cory Santos

Cory is BestCards.com's "Jack of all trades" and resident credit expert, covering all facets of the credit card space. Cory holds academic degrees in both the U.S. and U.K. In addition to credit cards, Cory finds that jogging, cats, and memes are essential parts of a balanced day.

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