The unsecured credit card is the most popular type of credit card for general public use. Though both secured and unsecured are accepted virtually everywhere, the unsecured credit card is both more convenient and usually less costly to obtain for the consumer. The company issuing the unsecured credit card will run a security check to insure that you will be responsible to pay for the purchases that are charged and they are offered to the consumer who has good credit history and reliable employment.
This is an important difference between an unsecured and a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, the cardholder deposits a designated amount of money into their account with card holding company. They will then draw off this deposit when purchases are made. The credit card company is not required, by contract, to supply any of the funds for any transaction that is made, so they are not at risk of loosing the costs of purchases. As your account runs down, periodical deposits allow you to have more funds available.
With an unsecured credit card, the cardholder is actually borrowing the funds from the company supporting the credit card. Sometimes an annual fee is charged, and of course you are required to pay on your balance every 28 days, after which finance charges and interest apply. Those are the total fees incurred by the consumer with an unsecured card. Most people do not have a problem with this agreement, and bills are paid promptly. Remember that ALL information is automatically recorded to the credit bureaus, and establishes either a good credit rating or a poor one.
With the unsecured credit card, the issuing company will typically start with a lower limit on the balance in order for the company to establish the consumers? reliability in making payments. This gives the cardholder a chance to prove that they are accountable and a good risk for the loan.
You could do this in two ways: 1) by making timely payments and 2) never exceeding your limit. This establishes a good repoire between you and the company and at certain intervals, the company will evaluate your account, and will offer you a higher spending limit.
Unsecured credit cards are an efficient way of handling your credit as long as you stay within the above boundaries and do not over extend. The credit card company will maintain your account and send out a statement each month. Always keep in mind that any credit card is reflected on your credit report and ultimately on your credit score, so you will want to maintain good payment habits.
If you are just starting your credit history or you have mismanaged your credit card account in the past, or if you have declared bankruptcy recently, the secured credit card is a great way to establish your credit rating again.
Copyright (c) Greg Aldrich
Greg Aldrich helps match consumers to the appropriate credit cards. His site, http://www.FindYourCard.com, allows anyone to compare credit cards sorted by features and apply online.
