What is a Credit Card? - Meaning, Benefits, Uses & Details (2024)

31 AUGUST, 2021

Having a credit card is a great way to manage your finances during a cash crisis. It allows you to access funds, make purchases, and repay the amount at a later stage. The best part is that credit cards are widely accepted and offer great financial freedom if used judiciously.

If you are new to credit cards, keep on reading to know more about them and their benefits.

What is Credit Card

A credit card is a type of credit facility, provided by banks that allow customers to borrow funds within a pre-approved credit limit. It enables customers to make purchase transactions on goods and services. The credit card limit is determined by the credit card issuer based on factors such as income and credit score, which also decides the credit limit. Bonus tip: use the free credit score checker tool to check your current score.

The credit card information includes credit card number, cardholder’s name, expiration date, signature, CVC code, etc. The best part about a credit card is that it is not linked to a bank account. So, whenever you swipe your credit card, the amount is deducted from your credit card limit, not your bank account. You can use it to pay for food, clothes, take care of medical expenses, travel expenses, and other lifestyle products and emergency services.

Advantages of Best Credit Card

After knowing what a credit card is, let us find out the benefits that come with it. Depending on your needs, a credit card comes with a host of features and benefits to save money while making transactions. Here are the top benefits to help you to know more about credit cards:

  • Hassle-free shopping experience

The benefit of having the best credit card is that it has made shopping easier and convenient. You no longer need to visit malls or stores to make purchases. With your credit card, you can make big purchases from the comfort of your home. It can help you avoid putting any burden on your monthly budget with a credit card.

A credit card allows you to buy products and services on low-cost EMIs. Another option that has become popular is the Buy Now, Pay Later, which is ideal for salaried borrowers with fixed monthly incomes.

  • No need to carry cash

Credit cards are the best alternative to cash, as it eliminates the need for carrying cash. Credit cards are accepted almost anywhere you go. If you do not have cash, you can simply use your Kotak Mahindra credit card to cover your expenses and repay the outstanding amount at the end of the month. The process of making a transaction is simple. All you have to do is swipe your card at the PoS terminal or enter your card details to make online payments.

  • Rewards, cashback, and offers

The best credit card comes with rewards and cashback that fits your needs and requirements. Depending on your credit card issuer, your credit card comes with a host of special discounts, cashback, or rewards points for purchases made through it. Before getting a credit card, it is imperative to assess your needs. For instance, if you are a frequent traveller, it would be wise to choose a credit card that offers free airport lounge access or have travel insurance. Also, there are credit cards that offer special discounts on shopping, travel tickets, and accommodation.

  • Easy cash withdrawal

Another benefit of having the best credit card is that it allows you to withdraw cash whenever the need arises. However, it is worth noting that using your credit card to withdraw cash follows a small fee that you will have to bear while repaying your outstanding amount.

  • Widely accepted

The best thing about a credit card is that it is accepted worldwide, as it is the most common mode of payment across the world. You can use your Kotak Mahindra credit card to make international bookings and payments at airlines, restaurants, hotels, stores, and petrol pumps with ease. It makes your travels around the world convenient. However, using your credit card abroad can cost you high foreign transaction fees and high foreign exchange rates.

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  • Meet emergencies

If you are wondering what is a credit card, it is a type of loan that offers to cover the cost of emergencies for you and your family. For instance, you can use your credit card to pay your medical bills. It eliminates the worrying of arranging funds for your medical bills. Keep in mind that you will have to make on-time payments to avoid hefty interest charges and higher APR%.

  • Improves credit score

Some people also use credit cards to improve their credit scores. Your credit score is a three-digit number that indicates whether or not you are a creditworthy borrower. It is considered as one of the crucial parameters to determine a borrower’s eligibility. When you repay your credit card bills on time, it leaves a positive impact on your credit score, allowing you to secure loans in the future.

So, apply for a credit card to make your life convenient and manage your finances easily.

What is a Credit Card? - Meaning, Benefits, Uses & Details (2024)

FAQs

What is a Credit Card? - Meaning, Benefits, Uses & Details? ›

Credit Cards work as convenient financial tools. They provide a predetermined credit limit to the users, allowing them to make purchases up to that amount. Each transaction carried out with a Credit Card basically means borrowing money from the card issuer.

What is credit card uses and benefits? ›

So, whenever you swipe your credit card, the amount is deducted from your credit card limit, not your bank account. You can use it to pay for food, clothes, take care of medical expenses, travel expenses, and other lifestyle products and emergency services.

What is the definition of a credit card? ›

A credit card is a payment card, usually issued by a bank, allowing its users to purchase goods or services, or withdraw cash, on credit. Using the card thus accrues debt that has to be repaid later. Credit cards are one of the most widely used forms of payment across the world.

What is card benefit for credit card? ›

Credit card benefits

Rewards such as cash back, miles, or points. Protection against fraud. Increased purchasing power. Not linked to a checking or savings account. Rental car or hotel room holds.

Which of these is a benefit of using a credit card? ›

Credit cards typically offer all kinds of perks and benefits, including a one-time signing bonus for a new cardholder, cash back for purchases, rewards points, and frequent-flyer miles. Credit cards provide a level of safety for the user that a debit card and cash can't: fraud protection.

How do I find out my credit card benefits? ›

You can check your credit card benefits by accessing the summary of benefits document on your card issuer's website or by calling your card's customer service line.

What is the real purpose of a credit card? ›

Credit cards are plastic or metal cards used to pay for items or services using credit. Credit cards charge interest on the money spent. Credit cards may be issued by stores, banks, or other financial institutions and often offer perks like cash back, discounts, or reward miles.

How do benefits cards work? ›

Instead of getting checks, recipients receive a type of prepaid card called a government benefit card. Each month the benefit amount is loaded onto the card. The federal government uses prepaid cards to pay certain federal benefits, such as veterans' benefits or Social Security benefits.

Do credit cards come with benefits? ›

Some credit cards also come with an interest free purchase offer. This means that by paying at least your minimum payments every month, you could enjoy an extended interest free period on purchases you make. You could reduce your balance quicker if you pay more than the minimum payment each month.

What is the biggest disadvantage of using a credit card? ›

Credit cards often come with several hidden costs that can add up quickly and cause you to go into debt even faster. These include late fees, annual fees, cash advance fees, or balance transfer fees (if applicable). There are also penalty fees for exceeding your credit limit (over-limit fees) and more.

Is it good or bad to use a credit card? ›

Credit cards offer benefits such as cash back rewards and fraud protection. But if mismanaged, credit cards can lead to debt, interest charges and damage to your credit. Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions.

What is one risk of a credit card? ›

One of the most significant risks associated with Credit Cards is the potential for accumulating debt. Credit Cards make it easy to overspend, and if you're not careful, you can quickly accumulate debt you may struggle to repay. This can lead to high-interest rates, late fees, and damage to your credit score.

How to use a credit card for maximum benefit? ›

The Smart Way to Spend Through Credit Card
  1. Big Purchases and Impulse Buying. ...
  2. Pay Off Charges. ...
  3. Credit Card Information. ...
  4. Shopping Alternative. ...
  5. Knowledge of Credit Cards. ...
  6. Secured and Unsecured Accounts. ...
  7. Try to Stick to a Single Card.

What are credit cards most used for? ›

Rewards credit cards are best for everyday purchases, earning you cash back or points on your spending. Travel credit cards are a solid fit for frequent travelers and include co-branded airline and hotel cards. For those new to credit, a secured or student credit card can be a useful tool to build your credit score.

What are the uses of credit? ›

Using credit can let you make purchases you may not be able to immediately afford. This can be helpful for household items such as televisions, refrigerators, or sofas, as well as for bigger expenditures like a house or a car. Without the option of taking out credit, it can take a long time to save up for these things.

What is the proper use of credit card? ›

The best way to use a credit card is to avoid paying interest by paying off the balance every month on time. Interest rates, known with credit cards as annual percentage rates, apply to purchases, cash advances and balance transfers for most credit cards.

What are 5 disadvantages of a credit card? ›

5 Disadvantages of Credit Cards
  • High-Interest Rates. If you carry a balance on your card, the interest rate can be as high as 30% or more. ...
  • Potential for Overspending. It's easy to get caught up in the moment when using a credit card instead of cash or a debit card. ...
  • High Annual Fees. ...
  • Hidden Costs. ...
  • Credit Card Debt.
Jul 29, 2024

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