Debit, Credit, or Charge Card? Here Are the Key Differences

In this day and age, there’s ample talk about moving to a “cashless society” as people more frequently skip cash in favor of paying with cards you can swipe or tap. There are many different types of cards you can use to pay for in-person and online purchases, each with some important differences.

When deciding which is right for you, it’s important to understand the similarities and differences between a charge card, credit card, and debit card. This guide can help you better understand these financial products.

Charge card vs. debit card vs. credit card

How charge cards work

Like credit cards, charge cards can be used to make purchases that you pay for later when you receive an account statement in the mail.

Charge cards typically have no preset spending limits, but card issuers could decline transactions if they think you’re charging too much. You also can’t just make minimum payments when you have a charge card; you’re required to pay the card off in full each month when your statement comes.

American Express is one of the only issuers of charge cards. 

Pros of charge cards:

• Pro: You can score generous rewards with many of the charge cards on the market.
• Pro: You won’t have to pay interest on purchases because your card must be paid in full each month.
• Pro: You can’t carry a balance from month to month, so you won’t get stuck in credit card debt for potentially years.
• Pro: Your charge card doesn’t report credit utilization ratio, so you won’t hurt your credit if you charge too much. But payment history is reported, so you can help your credit if you pay on time.
• Pro: Charge cards have no preset spending limit, so you can usually charge as much as you’d like — so long as you can afford to pay your bill at the end of the month.

Cons of charge cards:

• Con: You have limited choices — Amex is one of the only issuers of charge cards — and most cards carry a hefty annual fee.
• Con: You can have your account closed or face very high costs if you can’t pay off your balance in full.
• Con: Charge cards (particularly those issued by Amex) may not be accepted everywhere. You may need to carry a backup payment method.

How credit cards work

Credit cards allow cardholders to swipe or tap to make a purchase, then make payments toward those purchases when you receive a statement every month. You can charge up to your credit limit, which is set by the credit card issuer.

You also don’t have to pay off your balance in full every month; you have the option to make only small minimum payments. But if you don’t pay off your balance in full each billing cycle, you’ll be stuck paying high interest fees.

There are a wide array of different credit cards catering to different people from a variety of credit card issuers and using different credit card networks such as Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. Some cards are reserved for people with excellent credit; these often have the most generous rewards and best terms.

But people with fair or even poor credit can almost always find some type of card they’ll be approved for, even if it’s a secured card that requires a deposit to serve as collateral. For example, the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is one option for people with bad credit.

Many credit cards offer some type of rewards for spending. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example, provides 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services; 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply); 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® provides 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases.

Other perks, such as statement credits and airline lounge access, may also be available. The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides a $300 annual travel statement credit, along with complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges.

Some credit cards have annual fees, just as most charge cards do. The Sapphire Reserve described above charges $550 per year and an additional $75 for each authorized user.

There are also cards with no annual fee — although the rewards and perks they offer typically aren’t as good. The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee but provides 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).

Pros of credit cards:

• Pro: There’s a wide selection of credit cards, so almost everyone can find a card that’s a good fit.
• Pro: Many credit cards charge no annual fee, and both free cards and cards with a fee often provide rewards for spending.
• Pro: Credit cards often run special promotions that can help you save on interest. For example, some cards offer 0% interest on purchases for several months when you open a new card.
• Pro: You’ll know up front how much credit is available to you and may also have the opportunity to request credit line increases. Knowing you have access to a large line of credit can be helpful in case you need quick cash to handle an emergency situation.

Cons of credit cards:

• Con: You don’t have to pay your balance in full each month, so you could end up carrying a balance and paying a fortune in interest charges (known as the annual percentage rate or APR).
• Con: You can only spend up to your credit limit, which may not be as high as you’d prefer. Plus, your credit utilization ratio is reported to the major credit bureaus, so you could end up hurting your credit score if your card balance exceeds 30% of your credit limit.
• Con: You can’t use a credit card for every purchase. Some places don’t accept credit cards or charge an added processing fee if you pay with a card.
• Con: While you can typically get access to cash with a credit card, the cash advance fee and interest rate are often very high.
  
• Con: Credit cards often charge additional fees, such as foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside of the U.S. or charges if you exceed your credit limit. You could also pay a late fee for making a late payment after your monthly due date.

How debit cards work

Debit cards work differently than credit cards or charge cards. You aren’t buying now and paying later with a debit card — even though you can swipe your debit card just like a credit or charge card.

Instead, your debit card is linked to your checking account at your financial institution of choice, and money is pulled right from your account whenever you make a purchase. If you try to use your debit card to buy something you don’t have enough money in the bank to cover, your card could be declined, or you could be charged with an overdraft fee for going negative in your bank account.

Debit cards are issued by the bank you have your checking account with, so there are many choices. There are no fees for having a debit card in most cases.

There’s usually no rewards for shopping with a debit card, although a few debit cards do reward you for spending. Discover, for example, has a Cashback Debit Account that allows you to earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.

Pros of debit cards:

• Pro: You’re paying with your own money, so you don’t need to worry about paying interest or making a monthly payment.
• Pro: Your credit score doesn’t determine if you’ll be approved for a debit card; all you need is an eligible checking account.
• Pro: Most banks offer debit cards, so you have a wide selection of options.

Cons of debit cards:

• Con: You could overdraft your account and get hit with big bank fees.
• Con: Your debit card doesn’t report to the credit reporting agencies and won’t help you build credit.
• Con: Only a few debit cards offer rewards, and most aren’t as generous as credit card rewards programs.

FAQs

Bottom line

Now you know the key differences between a charge card, credit card, and debit card and can decide which payment method is right for you and your personal finance goals.

Remember, no matter which one you pick, you should shop around carefully to find the best bank, best charge card, or best credit card issuer that offers the most generous rewards with the lowest fees.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.