Discover the difference between credit, debit and prepaid cards and choose the solution that best suits your needs with Banca del Piemonte
Last year, the transactions made in our country with personal credit cards were 1.262 billion, for a total value of almost 72.2 billion euros. Slightly lower figures were recorded for debit cards.
Five years earlier, the quantities had been millions less for each type of paper. Confirming the gradual spread of new payment systems, which offer various advantages. Let's find out these products and their advantages together.
CREDIT CARD: What it is and How it works
The credit card is a payment tool that allows not only to make purchases in shops equipped with POS (mandatory electronic device for merchants and freelancers) or online, but also to withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) and to make payments with periodic charges. It is called "credit" because the amounts that are spent or withdrawn are advanced by the bank that issued the card and therefore gives them on credit.
Unlike the debit card , therefore, the credit card allows you to buy goods and services even without having the necessary money in your current account; the sum spent, in fact, will be debited from the buyer's account on the 15th day of the following month.
The bank grants a maximum amount (credit line) which is the limit of money that can be spent within the month.
Credit cards can be equipped with contactless technology , which, up to 50 euros, does not require the insertion of the PIN or signature on the shopping receipt.
The credit card also allows you to avoid complicated currency exchange operations when traveling abroad.
All those who have a current account , an income and the ability to repay the sums advanced by the card issuing bank can apply for a credit card.
The main costs of a credit card are the annual fee , fees for ATM withdrawals, conversion costs for withdrawals or payments in foreign currencies other than the euro.
OUR CREDIT CARDS
Banca del Piemonte's credit cards are Nexi- branded : cards accepted all over the world, on the international Visa and Mastercard circuits.
They have contactless technology and are enabled to upload to mobile devices. They provide for insurance coverage and debit on the current account , in a single solution, on the 15th of the month following use, without interest.
In particular, the Nexi credit card provides for a usage limit from 1,300 to 3,000 euros per month , domiciliation of utilities and periodic payments, control of all movements at any time, security SMS service and notifications on the Nexi Pay app , additional and family cards, payment in installments, the loyalty program that rewards your purchases, the free policy on all purchases made by card, medical assistance on travel, baggage coverage, legal protection on cyber risk.
The Nexi Prestige card
In addition to all the benefits of the Nexi card, the Nexi Prestige card offers a usage limit from 3,100 to 10,000 euros per month , LoungeKey, the annual membership fee to the LoungeKey circuit that entitles you to access more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide (the cost of each access for the owner and his guests is 24 dollars) and, among other things, exclusive services, access to the most important events and shows, unique trips.
Nexi Excellence Card
As for the Nexi Excellence card , in addition to the benefits of the Nexi Prestige, it includes: ceiling from 10,100 to 25,000 euros per month , free family cards, Concierge Plus (a dedicated assistant to respond to the requests of the most demanding customers, available on the Mastercard circuit), insurance with higher limits.
Nexi Black card
Finally, here is the Nexi Black card , designed for those who want a credit card with exclusive services and privileges of the highest level : usage limit capable of responding to important spending needs (minimum 25,000 euros per month), extensive free insurance coverage also for family members and the Personal Planner Black, a 24-hour Customer Service with a dedicated toll-free number to book shows or restaurants, look for some gift ideas or organize a holiday.
DEBIT CARD (BANCOMAT): What it is and How it works
The debit card is a payment instrument that allows you to make purchases in shops belonging to the payment circuit indicated on the card itself, withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATMs) and make various payments.
In Italy, the most widespread debit card is commonly called by the name of the ATM circuit.
It is called a debit card because the amounts spent are immediately charged to the current account on which the card is placed. For this reason, the use of the debit card is only possible if there is an amount of money available in the account at least equal to the amount that you intend to spend, unless the holder can make use of a credit line or an account overdraft.
The card issuing bank recognizes daily and monthly limits on the amount for withdrawals and purchases, which differ from customer to customer. You can also pay online with
your debit card .
The debit card is a very practical tool: it allows you not only to withdraw cash from ATMs, but also to quickly perform various payment operations, such as a telephone top-up or the payment of a bill, and to obtain information about your account, such as list of the latest movements and the available balance.
If the card is connected to international circuits, it can be used abroad both for withdrawals of local currency on ATMs and for payments on POS of commercial establishments, in both cases by typing the same PIN used in Italy.
The main expenses related to the debit card can be: an annual fee (of a lower amount than that of credit cards), sometimes included in the fixed expenses of the current account associated with the card; fees for withdrawing cash from ATMs that do not belong to the issuing bank or for withdrawals abroad ; conversion costs for purchases or payments made in currencies other than the euro.
The Debit Card of Banca Del Piemonte
With BP-Card , the debit card of the Banca del Piemonte , you can make purchases without withdrawing, both in Italy and abroad, in all stores displaying the PagoBANCOMAT® and Maestro brands ; withdraw cash from any ATM both in Italy and abroad with the PagoBANCOMAT® and Cirrus® brands ; buy online on e-commerce sites affiliated with the Maestro® circuit by activating the function directly from the BPnow internet banking, pay parking lots and motorway tolls with FastPay.
PREPAID CARD: What it is and How it works
With the prepaid card, which can also be requested without having a current account , it is possible to purchase goods and services or withdraw cash from an ATM, within the limits of the amount paid in advance to the Bank that issued it.
It is like having an electronic purse from which the amount used is scaled. And if the card is connected to an international circuit, payment and withdrawal operations can also be carried out abroad.
The prepaid card can be used for in-person or online purchases. If used for internet payments, any losses due to fraudulent use of the card number are limited to the amounts loaded.
The prepaid card is a very convenient tool for people on the go or for young people, as, in case of need, it is possible to have a third party top up remotely. Furthermore, in the event of loss or theft, any fraudulent use will be limited to the amount remaining on the card.
The main costs of a prepaid card can be: the annual fee , the issuing cost , the commissions for reloading and withdrawing , the conversion costs for withdrawals or payments in foreign currencies other than the euro.
Named prepaid cards have a limit on the maximum top-up amount, but can be recharged as often as needed.
No comments yet