In 1949, businessman Frank McNamara forgot his wallet while dining at a New York City restaurant. It was an awkwardness he resolved never to face again. February 1950, McNamara returned to Major's Cabin Grill with his partner Ralph Schneider. When the bill arrived, McNamara paid with a small cardboard card, known today as a Diners Club® Card. This event paved the way for the world's first multi-purpose charge card. Forward a few years and now we’ve got the credit card.
Always give credit where credit is due! So, why not get a credit card. But – let us first educate ourselves on some of the benefits and the disadvantages of using one:
+ Convenience
If you need to buy something expensive or cover an emergency that you can’t afford to pay for all at once, a credit card is ideal.
+ Building Positive Credit
If you have no credit or if you’re trying to improve your credit score, using a credit card responsibly will help your credit score - as long as you stay within your means and pay your bills on time.
- Beware the debt trap
Remember that a credit card is a form of borrowing. You buy now and pay later, and there are risks. If you don't pay off your balance in full within the timeframe, you’ll rack up interest at a high rate.
- Other costs
The interest rate is not the only cost of a credit card. A fee will be charged if you are late at making your monthly payment, or miss it altogether. You'll also pay a penalty if you exceed your credit limit.
Here’s a list of 5 popular places to get a credit card in South Africa:
ABSA
With ABSA, you qualify for a vast range of benefits and lifestyle enhancing offers such as travel insurance and interest-free periods.
Standard Bank
With one of South Africa’s big banks, you can enjoy benefits including interest-free periods and many more. With a Standard Bank credit card, you have a safe and easy way to make purchases at over 30 million merchants worldwide.
Virgin Money
With a Virgin Money credit card, you can benefit from unique offerings such as zero service fees, competitive interest rates, a simple fee structure, and free automatic travel insurance.
Discovery
With a Discovery credit card, you qualify for cash back, travel rewards, Discovery Miles, and rewards for healthy living.
African Bank
With an African Bank credit card you can enjoy the convenience of worldwide acceptance, and credit life insurance for peace of mind for unexpected events and much more.
Fincheck trusts that this will help you in finding the perfect credit account and card tailored for your specific needs!
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