How do you choose your credit card? An everyday companion, the credit card is a very popular means of payment due to its convenience and ease of use. With a varied number of credit cards available, choosing between all the card offers can quickly become complicated, especially with the arrival of digital banks. So how do we choose the card that suits us best?

The criteria for choosing your credit card

Which credit card to choose? To answer this question, you must first learn about credit cards and the different options. Several elements must be taken into account:

• The type of card
• The price
• The range (classic card, Gold, Premier, etc.)

As a reminder, using a credit card is already a common routine for most Brazilians. Choosing the right bank card is therefore very important.

Bank card prices

If there's one thing you need to know before choosing your credit card, it's that they can be expensive. There are many options today that don't charge an annual fee, but only for the first year. Others will try to keep you spending more and more until you reach your limit. In this way, a free card will be expensive.

Price is therefore an important criterion when choosing your credit card. This can enable consumers to make significant savings.

The different types of credit cards

Even though most credit cards are offered by banks, they are not the only organisations to do so. Various types of credit cards are available, so a quick overview is necessary to segment and choose your credit card correctly.

The traditional credit card is a payment card offered for everyday purchases. Your goal? To obtain a credit reserve based on the revolving credit system. The problem: it presents a risk of over-indebtedness due to a very high interest rate.

The reloadable card is a new means of payment and withdrawal, aimed mainly at people who have been banned from banking or who wish to remain anonymous. This payment card works on the same model as phone top-ups and does not require opening a bank account in advance.

The withdrawal card is aimed mainly at young people aged 18 to 25, but also at people who are "at risk", as it only allows limited withdrawals. Emergency aid is one of the best examples of payment using this type of card.

The credit card is undoubtedly the most popular and widely used bank card.

The credit card is the bank card that most people use on a daily basis. To choose your credit card correctly, let's focus more precisely on it.

Variety of bank cards

There are several ranges of credit cards: classic credit cards and sophisticated credit cards, which are more expensive.

• Classic cards: classic cards allow you to withdraw money, make payments, use contactless or even pay online. They can be used abroad.
• High-end cards (Gold, Premier): high-end cards have certain advantages, such as higher spending and withdrawal limits. These cards also come with various insurances and assistance that are particularly useful for travelling.

When choosing your credit card, you should therefore take into account both your budget (the latest generation cards are more expensive) and your habits.

One Gold card or Premier (also called the bank's gold card) will be very advantageous for those who travel regularly.

Six tips for choosing the right credit card

1. Take your buying habits into account

Choosing the right credit card isn't very complicated. It's very important to choose the card that best suits your lifestyle and purchases. A good credit card is one that meets your needs exactly.

For example, if you know that many unexpected situations may arise, it would be better to choose a Gold bank card with higher spending limits. If you're the kind of professional who always needs to travel, this type of card will also allow you to benefit from numerous insurances and assistance.

On the other hand, if you live a more ordinary life, where most of your spending is planned, choosing a card with a lower limit can help you control your spending better.

2. Pay attention to payment card options

Payment cards are not all the same, the options differentiate them and allow each person to choose the bank card that best suits their profile. The options concern: the card's debit, its purchase portability (national, international), services (insurance and assistance), type (systematic authorisation or not) ...

Today, it's also important to check access to the latest technologies: contactless payment, virtual bank cards, etc.

3. Consider your ability to manage your account

A payment card can be debited immediately or added to your bank account at the end of the month. This option only applies to purchases made with the payment card. Cash payments must be made immediately.

With credit debit with automatic debit from the account, all purchases made during the month with the card are withdrawn from the bank account at the end of the month, while with immediate debit the withdrawals are "instant". So which option should you choose for your bank card?

Paying for purchases made seems like a very interesting solution to avoid being overdrawn too early in the month. But to do this, you need to make sure that you have enough money at the due date so that you don't need extra credit.

4. Also consider the need for an international card

Choosing a credit card without taking into account purchases from companies abroad is also a mistake that is often made. International credit cards are very useful and practical for frequent trips abroad, for example.

For example, an international cardholder benefits from many more insurance services (lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellation, etc.) as well as travel assistance (medical, repatriation, etc.) for him and his entourage, unlike a national card. There are also many advantages to Visa Premier or Gold MasterCardBut these cards are also more expensive than a traditional credit card.

5. Read and compare the insurance and assistance conditions of the cards

A credit card comes with many insurance and assistance guarantees. These services vary depending on the type of card. The higher the class of card, the more services are offered.

Before choosing your credit card, it's very important to find out about the various insurance and assistance services on offer, as some may be unnecessary since you may already have other insurances. To find out all about the guarantee offers included with your chosen card, read the general insurance and assistance conditions carefully.

6. Check the limits before choosing a credit card

Whether for withdrawals, payments or overdrafts, banks set a maximum amount not to be exceeded per month depending on your financial and life situation. Be aware that the maximum limits set by banks can be changed temporarily with certain payment cards that offer this service. Once again, read the bank card terms and conditions carefully before making your choice.

What to remember when choosing your credit card ...

Most credit cards are very similar in terms of services and offers. In order to make a decision and choose the most suitable credit card, it is necessary to match the needs of the cardholder and the services offered that will determine the final choice, as well as the price of the annual subscription.