What is a credit card?

The plastic credit card with a magnetic strip many people carry in their wallets or purses is the end result of a complex banking process. Holders of a valid credit card have the authorization to purchase goods and services up to a predetermined amount, called a credit limit. The vendor receives essential credit card information from the cardholder, the bank issuing the card actually reimburses the vendor, and eventually the cardholder repays the bank through regular monthly payments. If the entire balance is not paid in full, the credit card issuer can legally charge interest fees on the unpaid portion.

Individual banking institutions have their own policies when it comes to credit card applications. Customers may seek either a secured or unsecured credit card, depending on their individual repayment histories. A secured credit card requires the applicant to deposit an amount of cash equivalent to the credit limit desired. A deposit of $1500 USD, for example, should be enough to be issued a credit card with a $1000 to $1500 spending limit. If the customer fails to make sufficient payments, the deposited money will be used to satisfy the credit card debt.

An unsecured credit card, on the other hand, is generally issued to those who have a good and have demonstrated an ability to repay the accrued debt on time. Credit limits are determined on an individual basis, and may be raised or lowered based on performance. An unsecured credit card is essentially a pre-approved loan, with higher than a similar personal bank loan. The main benefit of any credit card is instant access to more cash than you may have on hand. A recent college graduate, for example, may have to purchase a business suit for employment purposes. Earning the $200+ USD needed for an average suit could take weeks, and he or she needs the suit in order to earn the income. Putting the suit on a credit card would be the ideal solution; the borrower could repay the balance with his or her first paycheck and few interest charges would accrue.

Credit card use often becomes problematic when the holder accrues more debt than a regular monthly payment can cover. The issuing bank does allow credit card users to carry over balances every month (revolving credit), but significant interest rates may also accrue on those balances. Missing a scheduled payment can also prompt the bank to raise interest rates on a delinquent account. If a credit card holder can only afford to pay the minimal amount due every month, he or she will not be reducing the actual debt incurred. The minimal payments may only apply to the accrued interest. This is a financial spiral many credit card users may experience if they don't use proper spending restraint.

A credit card does give the holder an immediate credibility for services such as hotel reservations, car rentals and airline ticket reservations. Those without a credit card often have to guarantee their reservations with cash deposits or several forms of identification. Many credit card plans also include insurance coverage for theft fraud . If a credit card is reported stolen and then used illegally, the cardholder would not be held responsible for unauthorized charges. A credit card holder can authorize other people to use the card for purchases or services, however. Ultimately, the primary cardholder is responsible for all charges placed on his or her account.

A credit card is not a requirement for successful living, but even those who only pay for goods or services with available cash often find a credit card to be a convenient form of identification and instant credibility. In order to avoid excessive credit card debt, the holder must decide if the goods or services are worth the added expenses.