Credit Score

History Of Credit Card

 Advantages of having a Credit Card.

The Chinese are credited with coming up with numerous inventions including gunpowder, umbrellas, chopsticks, paper and paper money. Lamentably, (from Chinese point of view) the honors of coming up with plastic money went with early American capitalists.

From the time John Biggins, the inventor of a first bank issued card, had his first eureka moment in 1946, credit cards have evolved to become one of the most versatile ways of paying, and this is why. Once issued with one, the need to carry around unsafe, dirty and bulky cash is significantly diminished. I say diminished because some small scale merchants (who perhaps are scared of technology) will still insist on being paid in cash. Further, credit cards enables you to build up a credit history, but only if you always pay on time.

In some countries such as UK, if you buy goods using a credit card and the goods turn out to be faulty, they are usually insured for a period of time, say two months, and you can be indemnified even for total loss. Credit cards are safe, and even if gun-totting  bandits help themselves to your wallet, you can make hit back by simply calling the credit card company and canceling the stolen card. Another thing going for credit cards is that you can keep track of your transactions, and it’s thus easy to keep track of your expenditure. I could go on and on, and whatever the doomsday prophets say, plastic money is here to stay.                                                                          

Types Of Credit Cards

There are three main types of credit cards that are common in North America. They are travel and entertainment cards such as American Express or Diners Card. These have to be paid in full at the end of the month and are liberal on spending limits.

The second major cards are the bank cards such as Master Cards, Visa, GM, and Ford cards sponsored mainly by the banks. The bank defines spending limits, which in the bank jargon, is known as the credit lines, and each offers differ in terms and conditions. Banks offer a choice of payment methods, either pay the balance in full with no interest or pay a minimum part or some part of the balance with a finance charge.

The other major type of card is the retail store cards such as Sears, J.C. Penney, Shell or Mobil. These cards, known in some countries (the ones from gas companies) as fuel cards are only accepted in specific countries and usually do not have annual fees. There is a wide disparity in the terms and conditions for the cards.

Different types of credit cards offer several different options, depending on what your needs are. Some are geared toward individual consumers, while others are set up in ways that work best for small business needs. To know what type of credit card fits your needs, you should review a few of your options.