A credit card is a financial instrument issued by banks and non-banking financial institutions. You can use it to purchase products and services from both online and offline stores, and pay for them at a later point in time. This sums up the definition of a credit card.
However, it is important to note that all credit cards come with a pre-set credit limit. Once you’ve exhausted your credit card limit entirely, you will not be able to use the card for purchases until you repay the amount that you’ve used up on your card. When determining the credit limit for your credit card, the issuer takes into account a host of different factors such as your credit score, credit history and income, among others.
Your credit card issuer also sends you a credit card statement each month, which contains details of your transactions, the amount that you would have to pay, and the due date of payment. It is important to pay the amount as per the statement on or before the due date. If you do not repay your credit card dues, you will be liable to pay interest on the unpaid amount.
So, you now know the answer to the question ‘what is a credit card?’ Let's take a look at the difference between credit card and debit card.
When you use a credit card, you essentially borrow money that has to be repaid. However, when you use a debit card, you basically use existing funds from your own bank account.
Since credit cards come with a limit, your usage is restricted to the pre-set credit limit. On the other hand, with debit cards, there are no such limits and your usage is restricted only by the amount that you hold in your bank account.
With credit cards, you will have to repay the amount that you borrowed on or before the stipulated due date. However, since debit cards use existing funds, you don’t have to make any repayments as such.
If you don’t pay your dues within the stipulated due date, you will be liable to pay a penalty and interest on the unpaid amount. With debit cards, there are no such obligations.
Credit cards offer exciting rewards, offers, and discounts when you use them for purchases. Although debit cards also offer rewards, they are comparatively fewer.
Debit cards have no impact on your credit score. Credit cards, on the other hand, impact your credit score positively or negatively depending on how you use them.
It is not enough to just know what the meaning of a credit card is. In fact, it is equally important to also be aware of the components that make up a credit card. Here’s a quick look at these aspects.
The bank or the NBFC issuing the credit card has its logo printed on it along with details about its payment network.
Your formal name, as registered with the bank, is printed on the credit card along with a 16-digit card number. That said, American Express (AmEx) issues credit cards with only 15 digits.
The magnetic strip on a credit card contains the credit card data. It is read by point-of-sale (PoS) machines when you swipe your card to pay for a purchase or make any other payment.
The EMV chip is a small and square computer chip that can be found on your credit card. Its primary function is to authenticate the card data and produce a unique code for each transaction carried out with the credit card. This makes it difficult for fraudsters to counterfeit your credit card.
The credit card issued to you is valid only for a set period. Both the month as well as the year of expiry are mentioned on your credit card.
At the back of the credit card is a box where the cardholder is required to affix their signature.
The Card Verification Value (CVV) number is a three-digit number that can be found at the back of a credit card. It acts as an added layer of security, especially during online transactions.
A credit card offers the following advantages:
Eliminates the need to carry cash
Widely accepted as a mode of payment
Provides hassle-free shopping experiences
Allows easy cash-withdrawals
Comes with a host of discounts, offers, rewards, and cashbacks
Useful in case of financial emergencies
Helps to improve your credit score
Two terms that are likely to come up when you are talking about credit cards are credit score and credit history. This is because the maximum you can spend on the card, i.e. your credit card limit, is mainly based on these two factors. The credit score is a numerical depiction of your ability to honour your debt. In simple terms, it measures how easily you can repay the borrowed amount. Thus, it follows that a higher credit score begets a higher limit.
Credit scores range from 300 to 900 and anything above 750 is considered excellent for availing credit at affordable rates. Credit history, on the other hand, refers to the history of credit payments in the past. If you have been consistent and timely in your repayments, you can get yourself a higher credit limit. It is also a virtuous cycle: honouring your credit card payments in time can help you improve your credit score, thereby increasing your chances of getting approvals on loans or credit cards in the future.
Credit cards intend to make cashless transactions a smooth, hassle-free experience. If you are excited about the opportunities they provide to fund your dreams, you must check out the range of credit cards available on the Finserv MARKETS platform. You can understand the features of each card in detail, compare among your favourite choices, and apply for a credit card in an informed way.
Yes. You can apply for a credit card online by visiting the website of a bank or an NBFC. Alternatively, you can apply for credit cards through online platforms like Bajaj MARKETS.
The minimum credit score required for applying for a credit card tends to vary from one bank to another. However, applicants with a credit score of at least 700 and above have a greater chance of getting a credit card.
There are many banks and NBFCs willing to offer credit cards for first timers as long as they satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria set by the financial institution.
If you’re an eligible individual, all that you need to do is apply for a credit card online through online platforms like Bajaj MARKETS or from the financial institution’s own website.
In simple words, the meaning of a credit card is that it is a financial tool that comes with a predefined credit limit. This card can be used in both offline and online transactions. You can use this card to make a purchase now and pay for it later.
Depending on your financial needs, you can choose from a variety of credit cards such as a regular credit card, rewards credit card, travel credit card, and shopping credit card, among others.
The primary difference between a credit card and a debit card is that when you pay with a credit card, the amount gets deducted from the predefined credit limit as set by your card issuer. In the case of a debit card, the amount gets directly debited from the funds in your bank account.
Using a credit card is very similar to using a debit card. If you’re making a purchase offline, simply insert your credit card into the POS machine and enter your PIN.
On the other hand, if you wish to use your credit card for online purchases, enter your card details in the payment page and authenticate the transaction by entering the OTP that you receive on your registered mobile number.
You can use a credit card at all retail outlets that have a Point of Sale (PoS) machine. You can also use it to pay for your purchases online on websites that have a payment gateway. Additionally, you can even use your credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash as well. However, remember that you will have to pay interest and an additional fee on such cash advances.
If you’re wondering what is the use of a credit card, here are some of the advantages of this financial product.
It eliminates the need to carry cash
It’s widely accepted as a mode of payment
It provides hassle-free shopping experiences
It allows easy cash withdrawals
It comes with a host of discounts, offers, rewards, and cashbacks
It’s useful in case of financial emergencies
It helps improve your credit score
There are different types of credit cards that you can apply for. Here’s a quick look at a few of them.
Secured credit cards
Balance transfer credit cards
Prepaid credit cards
Rewards credit cards
Premium credit cards
Shopping credit cards
Travel credit cards
Cashback credit cards
Lifestyle credit cards
Fuel credit cards
Credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900. It is used to denote the creditworthiness of an individual. The higher the number, the more creditworthy the individual is.
Credit history, on the other hand, is a record of the debts and other loan obligations that you repay. Financial institutions typically tend to favour individuals with a long credit history and an impeccable record of repayments.
A few of the key things that you should be aware of before applying for a credit card are as follows.
The type of credit card that you require
The maximum credit limit that you’re eligible for
The fees and charges associated with the card
The interest-free period on the card
The kind of rewards that the card offers