If you are a debit cardholder and want to use it as a credit card, you must look. Is it possible to use a debit card as a credit card? When you go to pay for purchases, you are given the option to choose a debit card as a debit card. In this guide, you will know how the payment is processed when you choose this option and the details about the other aspects.
Let’s Start!
How to Use a Debit Card?
You can only use the money present in your banking account when using your debit card. Because the debit card links with your bank account. Most people choose a debit card because they cannot use the money they don’t have, and in this way, a debit card proves a budgeting tool.
When you go for the debit card option, you must enter the PIN to purchase. When all the PIN is correct, your payment is approved right away, and the amount is deducted as soon as your payment is approved. But when you go for the other option, to debit card as a credit card, the payment processing method is different.
How to Use a Debit Card as a Credit Card?
Is it Possible to Use a Debit Card as a Credit Card? For most people, it is pretty strange when they know that they can use their debit card as a credit card. When they are at the counter, they are asked to select either a debit or debit card as a credit card, but they are not aware of what they are asked.
The debit card transaction and debit cards as a credit transaction are entirely from each other, so we have discussed a few things to understand that you must know before using a debit card as a credit option. We will discuss using a debit card as a credit card and the factors that lead to more fees.
When you use your card as a debit card, you enter the PIN, and your payment is approved, and at the time, the amount with funds is deducted from your bank account, but when you choose a debit card as a credit option, then there is no need to enter you PIN, but you have to sign for your purchase. When you use your debit card as a credit card, the whole payment process is like a traditional credit card.
When You Get Charged with Higher Fees?
You get the grace time to make your payments when you go for it because the transaction does not happen in real-time. This will take 2-3 days to make the transaction from your account, and it does not mean you can use the money present in your bank account. You will get higher funds when the transaction hits the bank account if you do this.
If there is not enough money present in your account, you cannot use your debit card as a credit card because the credit card processing network will deny the request during the verification process.
Misconception about Credit Option
When you choose a credit option while using your debit card, you cannot borrow the amount to purchase the items, and it means you cannot use your debit card in the same way as the credit card in many manners.
Your transaction cannot happen immediately; and instead, it takes 2-3 days to happen. In this case, a transaction occurs offline, and when the merchants batch all the receipts and harmonize them with the credit card company, your charges go through your bank account.
In the case of the credit card, you get the bill every month that you have to pay every month. You can also decide how much you want to spend, and if this exceeds a specific limit, you will have to pay a higher fee.
Does Debit Card Include Fees to Pay?
It is more effortless to use a debit card than a credit card because you only need to swipe your card to make purchases. But there is also a debit card bill that you pay as per transaction, which is about a quarter of your transaction.
This fee is not a burden if you seldom use your debit card, but if you use your debit card on a day-to-day basis, the costs start adding up, and this sounds no good for any debit card user.
When you make a PIN debit transaction, you have to pay a debit fee, and this consists of a specific percentage depending upon flat fee, switch fee, and annual fee. These fees are similar in various aspects to Visa and Master Cards fees.
Difference Between Credit Card and Debit Card
In the case of credit cards, you borrow the money to buy things at zero interest if you pay back the total amount every month. But when you use a debit card, you are paying for your purchase from the linked bank with your debit card.
The benefits of credit cards are unique, like it uplifts the credit score that a debit card cannot do—credit card reward programs like cashback and saving when using your credit card. The debit card doesn’t offer any reward program to boost your credit score, even if you select a debit card as a credit card option.
Benefits of Using Debit Card as a Credit Card
- If you don’t remember your PIN, then you can use this way to use your debit card.
- There are also rewards for debit cardholders like the credit cardholder. You can get the reward when you sign for your purchase rather than entering the PIN.
Cons
- It may take longer to clear the payments in the credit option, and there are chances that the holder will have to pay slightly higher fees in some cases.
- Keep track of your transaction daily; otherwise, you will have to pay $35 for every transaction if your account goes negative. So using debit as a credit may prove a significant challenge to your budget. The credit card offers you overdraft protection, and if you sign for it, you can avoid being excessively charged.
Which is Better Option Debit or Credit?
- Choose the credit option. If you don’t want to change your budget at any cost is good for you because you don’t need to enter your PIN on every purchase.
- If you are not sure you will daily track your receipts, then the debit option is better for you.
Final Verdict
Depending on your relaxed lifestyle and purchasing limit, you can either go for Debit Card or Credit Card. When using a credit card, you get fraud protection and many other benefits that you cannot get using a debit card. But in some cases, such as when you forgot your PIN, using a debit card as a credit card proves a blessing in disguise.
There is no complicated process to switch the credit option. In this guide, you will know, Is it Possible to Use a Debit Card as a Credit Card? And how you can use a debit card to make payments like on a credit card.