Yes, they are usually similar rectangles of plastic, but charge cards and credit cards are actually very different financial products.
Charge cards, unlike credit cards, do not charge interest. Nor do they allow you to carry a balance over from one month to the following one.
In addition, charge cards often feature uncapped spending limits and considerable reward benefits to cardholders. However, it’s not all positive: They typically come with relatively high annual fees.
There are likely pros and cons of using a charge card vs. a credit or debit card. If you learn how each of these payment systems work, it can put you in a better position to decide which card you may want to use at various times and in different situations.
Key Points
• Charge cards differ from credit cards by requiring full payment each month and not allowing interest charges, avoiding potential debt spirals.
• These financial products often come with no preset spending limits, allowing for larger purchases, but they usually involve high annual fees.
• Cardholders enjoy generous rewards, like points on purchases, especially for travel and dining, making charge cards appealing for frequent travelers.
• Late payments can severely impact credit scores, and charge cards lack the flexibility of credit cards, which allow for minimum payments to avoid late fees.
• Alternatives to charge and credit cards include saving in advance for purchases or using high-interest savings accounts to avoid annual fees and interest altogether.
What is a Charge Card?
A charge card is a branded payment card that can be used anywhere the brand is accepted for electronic payment.
Charge cards require a credit application for approval, and typically are only approved for borrowers with good to excellent credit.
Like a credit card, charge cards allow the cardholder to make purchases that can be paid for at a later date.
However, unlike a credit card, which allows the cardholder to carry a revolving balance by making minimum payments each month, charge card balances must be paid in full at the end of each statement cycle.
If you don’t pay the balance at that time, you may not only face hefty late fees (often considerably higher than those you’d see with a credit card).
However, this strict repayment requirement does come with some benefits.
For one thing, most charge cards don’t have a preset spending limit like credit cards do.
That doesn’t mean you can spend an unlimited amount, however. It means that the max amount you can spend changes, depending on your card usage, credit history, financial resources, and other factors.
These limitations can change frequently. You can find out what your spending limit is on the spot online, with a mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card.
Charge cards are also known for their generous rewards, including purchase points and/or credits for making a purchase, and sometimes offer double or triple points on dining and travel expenses.
The benefits of a charge card aren’t free, however. Although charge cards don’t charge interest on purchases, since they’re paid off in full at the end of each billing cycle, almost all charge cards do require an annual fee. These fees can range from $95 to $5,000 for a super-premium American Express Black Card.
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Charge Card vs. Credit Card
Although charge cards and credit cards are similar, the differences between them can make one payment system more appealing than another, depending on your financial situation and spending habits.
Credit cards, like charge cards, allow purchases to be made today and paid for tomorrow — but in this case, “tomorrow” doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end of the billing cycle.
Credit cardholders are able to carry a balance from month to month, sometimes called a revolving balance, which allows the flexibility to pay when you’re able.
However, it’s important to note that credit card companies charge interest on these revolving balances — and the compound nature of that interest means that interest can also be assessed on the interest itself over time.
That’s one reason it’s so easy for credit card debt to spiral–and one reason being forced to pay the bill in full each month, as charge cardholders are, can be an attractive option for those working on their financial self-discipline.
That said, those who have the discipline to pay their credit card bill in full each month can avoid paying interest entirely, since credit card companies only charge interest on revolving balances.
If your credit card doesn’t assess an annual membership or maintenance fee, that means you can use the card to your heart’s delight and never pay a dime more than you spent on your purchases, provided you’re diligent about paying the statement off in full each and every time.
Both credit cards and charge cards often offer additional bonuses and benefits, such as cash-back rewards, points you can use towards purchases, concierge services, and statement credits.
The value of these kinds of rewards often scales with the annual membership fee in both credit and charge cards, so you’ll want to always be sure to read the fine print before signing any paperwork.
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Charge Card vs. Debit Card
Since a charge card isn’t an extension of long-term credit in the same way a credit card is, it might be tempting to compare it to a debit card. But there are significant differences between these two types of electronic payment systems too.
A debit card, unlike either a charge card or a credit card, is linked to a spending account with real money in it.
Therefore, in most cases, the cardholder can’t spend more than the amount they’ve put into that account. If they do, they may face pricey overdraft fees and have the difference taken out of the next deposit they make.
Debit cards, however, generally don’t involve interest charges or annual fees. They’re simply a shortcut for taking money out of a spending account.
Debit cards are also used to withdraw money from the ATM and can be used at certain point-of-sale terminals to get cash back when the cardholder needs actual dollars in hand.
Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score
Pros and Cons of Charge Cards
Charge cards, like any other financial product, have both benefits and drawbacks.
While some consumers may enjoy having and using a charge card, others may feel the annual fee is not worth the benefits.
Pros of Charge Cards
• Because they have to be paid in full each month, charge cards can help avoid a credit card debt spiral.
• Charge cards have no preset spending cap, which may allow cardholders to make large purchases without having to worry about “maxing out” the card.
• Charge cards don’t require paying interest (though high fees can be assessed for late payments).
• Charge cards often offer generous rewards and benefits, such as purchase points, statement credits, and sometimes double or triple points on dining and travel (which can make them a good option for business travelers).
Cons of Charge Cards
• Many charge cards carry high annual fees, while many fee-free credit and debit cards are available.
• Charge cards are offered by a limited number of issuers, so there are typically far fewer to choose from than credit cards.
• As with credit cards, late payments can ding your credit history. With charge cards, however, consistently late payments can be more detrimental to your credit than late credit card payments.
• You have to pay the whole balance to avoid a late fee (with a credit card, you can typically pay the minimum payment to avoid the late fee).
Alternatives to Using Charge or Credit Cards
The buy-now-pay-later model of purchasing has its advantages, since you can have something in hand before you actually have the funds to cover the cost.
But if you’d rather avoid hefty annual fees and/or paying interest, another way to afford a significant purchase is to start saving ahead of time. You may also want to consider setting up a separate savings account earmarked for that particular savings goal.
For something major you’d like to buy within a couple of years, consider opening an account that offers higher interest than a traditional bank account, but will allow you to access your money when you need it. Good options include a savings account from an online vs. traditional bank, money market account, or a checking and savings account.
To make sure you stay on track with your savings goal, you may also want to set up automatic payments between your spending account and your savings account. For example, you could select a dollar amount (and it’s fine to start small) to be sent each month after your paycheck gets deposited.
The Takeaway
A charge card is a financial product that, like a credit card, allows the cardholder to make purchases now that they then pay for later.
However, unlike credit cards, charge cards don’t allow cardholders to carry a revolving monthly balance — all charges must be paid in full at the end of the billing cycle.
Charge cards also don’t carry preset spending caps (though there may still be some spending limits), and typically assess annual membership fees. But if you enjoy perks, travel frequently, and make the occasional high-ticket purchase, a charge card might be a good fit for you.
If you’d rather avoid annual fees and/or paying interest, you may want to simply save up for that next big purchase.
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