Charlie and the Credit Factory

Visa Debit Card

Reasons to Have a Visa Debit Card

Ever get tired of writing checks? When you're in line at a store, it seemingly takes forever to write a check. And paying with a credit card is tedious because after the time you spend getting approved, you have to sign your name. Well now you have another option--a Visa debit card. Instead of swiping your credit card and waiting, you swipe your Visa debit card and type in your 4-digit PIN number. You don't have to sign your name or write a check. Plus, you can get cash back.

You can use your Visa debit card to pay at the pump, or you can use it like a credit card at places that don't accept debit cards. (You swipe it, as usual, but you don't enter your PIN. You sign your name instead, just like you would with a credit card.) And if you're the kind of person who doesn't want to get a bill at the end of the month, no worries! Visa debit card purchases are automatically deducted from your checking account, which prevents you from overspending--and you also don't end up paying interest like you would with a credit card.

Another thing you can use your Visa debit card for is getting cash from an ATM. Some banks will allow you to withdraw up to $1,000 daily. (Check with your bank to see what your limit is.) Just remember--some ATM machines charge a usage fee that's separate from any fee your bank may charge, and you're still responsible for that fee. Although you can get cash with your Visa debit card, it's actually safer than carrying cash. And it's accepted worldwide at any place that accepts credit or debit cards. (That's why it's good to have it when traveling, too.)

Speaking of traveling, you can use your Visa debit card to buy an airline ticket or reserve a hotel room. However, you cannot use it to rent a car. And if you go on a cruise and need to register a credit card to bill your onboard purchases to, some cruise lines will not accept a debit card. This is probably because most people have a higher limit on their credit cards than on their debit card. A lot of people don't keep extra money in their checking accounts either, which makes it risky for a car rental company or cruise line to accept a Visa debit card since they don't really know how much you'll spend.

Ever been in this situation? You notice that a bill is due and it will be overdue if you mail it. Many places will allow you to pay online or by phone if you keep your debit card information on file. You can just call or go online and pay your bill. It's as fast and simple as that! And as an extra added bonus, you don't have to buy stamps! (This is particularly nice since the price of a stamp just went up yet again!)

Generally, Visa debit cards are easy to get. When you open a bank account, it's pretty standard for your bank to issue you one. In fact, they are starting to replace ATM cards since they do double-duty. Clearly, it's the wave of the future. Get your debit credit card today!