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29-01-2020
For those who have plans to travel abroad, there may be a question, between debit cards, credit cards, and cash cards, which one should be used. Let’s find the answer in this article.
Firstly, let’s see an introduction of each card as follows.
Debit Card
Debit Card is a card issued by the bank by binding the card with the cardholder's deposit account which can be used in various financial transactions via electronic systems or ATM. You can withdraw money, transfer money, request of balance inquiry and pay for various products and services through this debit card
Mostly, a debit card works like an ATM card. But there is another special method that can be used to spend like a credit card. But it will deduct the remaining funds from the account linked to that debit card instead.
Advantages of debit cards
Disadvantages of debit cards
Credit Card
Credit Card is a short-term personal loan that the bank will give a certain amount of credit as specified by the bank. And you can use that credit every month to buy various products and services. There is a condition that you will have to pay the money spent on those purchases within the specified period (Interest-free period) and must pay interest and fees at the rate specified by the bank in case you pay later than the bank stipulates.
Advantages of debit cards
Disadvantages of debit cards
Cash card
The cash card is a type of personal loan which is in the form of cards, like credit cards. Cardholders can withdraw cash from the ATM only and cannot use to buy goods and services like credit cards. Calculation of interest for cash cards are different from credit cards which will calculate interest on a daily basis immediately and there’s no interest-free period. The cash card can be used as a revolving fund at all times when paying the refund amount into the account, then the money will be back.
Advantages of cash card
Disadvantages of cash card
Card type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Debit card |
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|
Credit card |
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|
Cash card |
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How to calculate the fee when using the cards abroad
Example of calculations
Mr. Mangkhang used the SCB Visa credit card to buy goods in England for £ 500 on 14 August 2019. Therefore, the money that Mr. Mang must pay back to the SCB credit card can be calculated as follows:
• Convert GBP to USD first by looking at the table in https://www.visa.co.th By looking at the exchange rate according to the day we made the transaction (14/8/62), where 1 USD = 0.831 GBP, so 500 GBP = 500 / 0.831 = 602 USD
• Convert the exchange rate from USD to THB, where 1 USD = 30.917 THB, therefore 602 USD equals 18,612 baht.
• The SCB Visa Credit Card specifies that the risk from currency conversion is no more than 2.5%. Therefore, take 18,612 baht multiplied by 2.5% equals 465.30 baht.
• The amount charged using the £ 500 SCB Visa credit card will be charged at 18,612 + 465.30 = approximately 19,077.30 baht.
The spending via each type of card has different advantages and disadvantages. If you have to travel abroad, please consider spending that is suitable for your lifestyle. Most important, do not forget to check the conditions of each card well before traveling abroad.
Nipapun Poonsathianrasap CFP,
Independent Financial Advisor, Writer, and Lecturer.