A credit card is a payment card that allows you to borrow money from your issuer. Usually, credit cards are issued by banks and credit unions. The cards function like debit cards in that, you can buy goods and services online, you can even send money to others as long as you know the transfer process. I will show you how to transfer money to someone else’s credit card later on in this article.
Transfer of money from your account to another person’s account can happen either online or at a physical branch. For a credit card, you can transfer money online if your card issuer allows you to open an online account. You can also transfer money at an ATM point as we shall see later. However, online transfers are more convenient since you can access your account any time of the day.
The only problem with credit cards is that as soon as you borrow money your card issuer starts counting interest on the borrowed amount. Therefore, you will need to pay large amounts of money later after the end of the month. However, credit cards play a big role when you have no money left in your bank or credit account. You can borrow funds to cater to your needs.
How do I get a credit card?
Getting a credit card is not a walk in the park and especially if you do not have any credit history. Most credit card issuers require you to have a credit history. A credit history shows how you have been paying your loans over the years. Also, they check your credit scores to determine the ability to repay your loan as per the terms and conditions. Interestingly, not all types of credit cards require you to have a credit history.
Before getting a credit card, you must open a checking account with a bank or credit union. There are also some mobile money platforms that issue credit cards in collaboration with some banks or credit unions. After opening your account, you must use it for some time to qualify for an unsecured credit card. If you do not have a credit history, you can opt for a secured credit card to increase your credit scores.
For your information, there are two types of credit cards. These include;
- Secured credit cards
- Unsecured credit cards
Secured credit cards are the ones that require you to make a small deposit to act as security, and then borrow against them deposited money. In case you are unable to repay the loan you take with your card, your card issuer will take the deposited amount to cover the loan. Secured credit cards help you to increase your credit scores. After using the card for some time, it reaches a point where you qualify for an unsecured credit card.
An unsecured credit card does not require you to deposit any amount of money to act as security. You can get the card if you have a credit history. That means you have some credit scores that can help your card issuer to determine the kind of credit card to issue to you.
Credit scores range from 300-850. 300 is the lowest and represents poor credit scores while 850 represents excellent credit scores. If you have very poor credit scores, you get a credit card for bad credit scores. Such cards have a high interest rate compared to those issued to people with high credit scores.
So now back to getting a credit card. Once you decide the kind of card to get, you can then proceed to apply for it from your banking institution. Once you get your card, you must activate it to start using it for various kinds of transactions.
You can activate it at a branch with the help of the officers or activate it online by following the laid down procedure. You can even call the customer care of your bank or credit union and get started with your activation. During activation, you should set your PIN and sign the card to make it valid. Once the card is ready you can then start using it.
How do I use a credit card?
There are various ways you can use your credit card. As I mentioned earlier, you can use your credit card just the same way you can use your debit card. The following are ways you can use your credit card.
i) Buy goods and services
You can pay for your goods at physical or online stores. Similarly, you can pay for your services such as medical expenses, legal services, transport services and many others. When paying online, you can enter your card number, the card’s expiry date and the CVV to authorize your transaction. You can also use the direct deposit option to send money to a business account.
ii) Withdraw money at an ATM or over the counter
Credit cards, just like debit cards allow you to withdraw money from ATMs. you just need to insert your card into the machine, enter your PIN and then navigate to withdraw money. Enter the amount in denominations that are easy to withdraw since ATMs do not dispense coins.
When withdrawing money over the counter, you only need to visit the nearest bank or credit union account that allows your card service provider with your identification document and you can withdraw money within the shortest time possible.
iii) Send money
You can send money from a credit card to a bank account, a credit union account, or to a debit or credit card account. You can carry out the process online or at an ATM point.
How to transfer money to someone else credit card
One of the ways you can use your credit card is to send money to others. You can send money to a bank account, a debit card account, or even to a credit card account using your credit card. You can either send it online over the web or at an ATM point.
1) Sending money online
As I said earlier, some card issuers allow you to transfer money online when you create an account. In most cases, you create an account when activating your card. To send money online to someone else’s credit card account, you can follow the procedure below.
- Log into your online account using a browser or open your app.
- Navigate to send money option
- Enter the recipient’s details
- Enter the amount to send
- Agree to send by tapping send
- Review the transfer details and authorize the transaction with your Touch ID, password, or PIN, whichever is convenient.
If you are sending the money to a recipient of the same issuer as yours, the money will reflect in their account within minutes. Again, you require just the account number only for such a transfer. If you are sending money o a credit card of a different institution to yours, then you will need both the routing and account numbers of the recipient.
Sending money to a recipient of a different card issuer other than your institution takes several businesses to complete. It is just the same as when you transfer money to someone else’s bank account. It can take several days for the funds to appear in the recipient’s account.
2) Sending money using an ATM
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are not only useful when it comes to withdrawing money from others since you can easily transfer money using the machine. All you have to do is to insert your card into your ATM machine and put your PIN. A menu will display where you will need to move to the money transfer section. You can then enter the recipient’s details and follow prompts.
How is a credit card different from a debit card?
Many people are always confused about the difference between a credit card and a debit card. In physical appearance, the cards look alike. However, there is a big difference between the two. Some of the major differences between a credit card and a bank account are;
- Credit cards allow you to borrow money from your issuer and debit cards allow you to use money from your account.
- Credit cards and especially unsecured credit cards require you to have some credit history to get them while debit cards require you to open a checking account with a bank or credit union to get them.
- Credit cards have a spending limit while debit cards allow you to spend as much as possible as long as your bank account has enough money.
What are the similarities between a credit card and a debit card?
Credit cards and debit cards have various similarities. They include the following.
- Both cards have card numbers, expiry dates, and the CVV.
- They allow you to withdraw money from ATMs.
- You can open an online account for any of the cards.
- They both link to checking accounts.
Can someone else use my credit card?
Yes. someone else can use your credit card to withdraw money at an ATM from your card account if they have your PIN. Also, someone can pay for goods and services online if they get hold of your card. They can use your card number, the expiry date, and the CVV and move large amounts of money from your account.
Therefore, if you lose your card, you should have it locked as soon as possible.
Bottom line
A credit card is a kind of payment card that allows you to borrow money from your issuer. You can use the card to pay for goods and services. When you borrow money using the cards, you pay it with interest at the end of every month.
Furthermore, the card allows you to send money to others, just as you can do with a debit card. Someone can use your credit card to pay for goods and services and thus you should keep it safe.
