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 physical payment card that allows you to get credit from a financial institution. You can use the pre-approved limit to make purchases and repay the borrowed amount with an interest each month within your billing cycle. What exactly does a credit card do?

What is a credit card in interview questions? ›

A credit card is a payment card issued to users as a method of payment. Credit cards allow users to borrow money from a bank or financial institution to make purchases.

What does card benefit mean when applying for a credit card? ›

Many credit cards offer a welcome bonus, which means new cardholders earn extra rewards, such as cash back, points or miles, when they use their card.

How do you benefit from a credit card? ›

Below, we outline 10 key benefits of having a credit card if you're on the fence about opening an account.
  1. Build Your Credit Score. ...
  2. Track Your Purchases. ...
  3. Share Joint Expenses. ...
  4. Earn Credit Card Rewards or Cash Back. ...
  5. Have Money When You Need It. ...
  6. Book Ahead When Traveling. ...
  7. Protect Against Fraud and Theft.
May 25, 2023

What is the real purpose of a credit card? ›

Used well, a credit card is a secure, flexible way to pay. It can be a good way to borrow money to spread the cost of major purchases and comes with section 75 protection.

What is a credit card in your own words? ›

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.

What is credit card in simple sentence? ›

a small plastic card that you can use to buy goods and services and pay for them later. All major credit cards are accepted at our hotels. by credit card The safest way to pay for goods ordered online is by credit card. on your credit card I put the bill on my credit card.

What best describes a credit card? ›

A credit card is a line of credit that can be used to borrow money to make purchases, transfer balances and get cash advances, with the agreement that you'll pay back the money borrowed — plus any interest you owe on it — at a later date.

How do benefits cards work? ›

Is it a debit card or a credit card? Your Benefits Card is a debit card. You use it to access the money you set aside for your pre-tax purchases. When you make a purchase, the business will run it like a normal credit card.

How to see 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 are 3 benefits of using a credit card for purchases? ›

Key points about: advantages of credit cards

The advantages of credit card spending may include earning rewards, traveling, handling emergencies or unplanned expenses, and building credit.

What is the proper use of credit card? ›

Do not overspend. Charge to your credit card only what you can afford and pay. Maintain your credit card in good standing by paying the total outstanding balance or at least the minimum amount due on or before your due date to enjoy your credit card's full benefits.

What are the pros and cons of credit cards? ›

The pros of credit cards range from convenience and credit building to 0% financing, rewards and cheap currency conversion. The cons of credit cards include the potential to overspend easily, which leads to expensive debt if you don't pay in full, as well as credit score damage if you miss payments.

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