Charge cards
Charge cards? Credit cards? What's the difference? They're all the same,
aren't they?
No, there's a major difference between a charge card and a credit card.
Charge cards must be paid in full at the end of the billing cycle. Most
credit cards allow you to carry a balance from one billing cycle to the
next.
The balance on a charge card is payable in full when the statement is
received and cannot be rolled over from one billing to the next. Because
you cannot carry a balance, there's no interest to pay with a charge
card.
One of the advantages of a charge card is that most come with high
credit limits, and some with unlimited credit. Governments and some
large businesses use charge cards to keep track of their expenses. If
you are the type of person who always pays off credit card balances when
the bill arrives, a charge card could be the right choice for you.
The very fact that charge cards do not allow their holders to accumulate
balances is a benefit, too. It keeps expenses under control and avoids
interest charges.
Some cards even come in multiple currencies. HSBC American Express
International Currency gold and platinum charge cards offer the
financial flexibility to spend in US dollars or Euro, with the
convenience of repayment directly from HSBC offshore bank accounts. They
are of benefit to people living or working in Euro countries, those
whose income is paid in US dollars or Euro, and those who travel
overseas extensively.
“Use of these Cards reduces the exchange rate related costs to our
customers and enables them to have a full banking relationship in the
major currency of their choice without the inconvenience of having to
set up new bank accounts in other countries,” said HSBC's head of
international personal banking, when the cards were launched in 2004.
The annual fee for the gold card is US$/€200, and for the platinum card
it is US$/€400.
The Diners Club charge card is an excellent card for travelers. For
instance, it gives access to airport lounges around the world featuring
English-speaking staff, complimentary beverage service, flight
information, newspapers and television, and phone and fax services. In
addition, emergency medical, legal and travel referrals can be obtained
24/7. Lost or stolen passports, airline tickets or cards can be
replaced.
Eligible charges earn points that can be redeemed for hundreds of
options, including frequent flyer miles on every major U.S. airline and
select international carriers. What to make reservations for dinner,
golf, tennis, or the spa? Or order tickets for events worldwide, locate
reputable repair services, arrange personal services, or discover where
to shop for the perfect gift? There's a toll-free number for that.
Apart from travel insurance, rental car damage insurance and insurance
against loss or damage of bags when the charge card is used for booking
travel, Diners Club even helps cardholders to claim rebates of the Value
Added Tax paid on purchases made in the European Union.
Annual fee for all this? Just $95.
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