- 25/10/2023

Debit or credit card: optimal payment

3 min

Debit card, credit card, online payment, contactless payment... So many cards and payment solutions. Are you having trouble finding your way around? Here's a quick recap to help you choose the optimal solution everywhere and at any time.

WHICH PAYMENT CARD TO USE AND WHEN

What is a debit card?

A debit card is the ultimate payment card for your daily purchases. The amount you pay is immediately debited from your account. You always have a clear idea of your budget. Anyone with a payment account receives a debit card from their bank.

With the Bancontact-Mastercard Debit or Bancontact-Visa Debit card, you can pay anywhere in the world as long as you see the Bancontact, Visa, or Mastercard logos (also displayed on your card), and do so securely. At the bakery on Sunday morning, at a restaurant, for your weekly shopping at the supermarket, an order in your favourite online store, or for your streaming service subscriptions (thanks to the CVV code on the back of your card).

What is a credit card?

A credit card is a payment card that is also linked to an account, but the total monthly amount spent is only debited from the account at the beginning of the following month (maximum limit per month depending on the type of card). Practical for important and/or unexpected expenses. A credit card is also the ideal means of payment for blocking a car rental or hotel reservation guarantee. Are you going on a trip? Before you leave, compare the fees for payments and cash withdrawals with your debit card and credit card to always choose the most advantageous option.

In-store, at a restaurant, online... With a credit card, you can easily pay for all your purchases, anywhere in the world, and with complete peace of mind. Moreover, it is the ideal card for preparing your holidays (booking a hotel or car rental, booking a flight...). Depending on the type of credit card, you benefit from additional comfort thanks to the included insurance (e.g. travel cancellation insurance due to illness or purchase insurance for damage to your purchase after delivery).

Please note that the acceptance of your credit card application or your request to spread the repayment is subject to certain conditions.

Fast and secure online payment

With a debit card A new outfit in your favourite online store, a personalised birthday gift... With the Bancontact-Mastercard Debit or Bancontact-Visa Debit card, you can easily and securely make online purchases. To pay with the Bancontact function, scan the QR code on the screen or enter your card details. To pay with the Visa or Mastercard functions, enter the cardholder's name, the card's expiry date, and the CVV code. Then confirm the payment with Easy Banking App or your card reader. Please note: before transmitting your card details, check if it is a one-time or recurring payment. In the case of a subscription, the payment is automatically debited from your account every month.

With a credit card With a Visa or MasterCard credit card, you can easily and securely pay online. You enter your card details: cardholder's name, card number, expiry date, and CVV code. Once your purchase is paid, the amount will be debited from your account at the beginning of the following month. Please note: before transmitting your card details, check if it is a one-time or recurring payment. In the case of a subscription, the payment is automatically added to your credit card expenses each month.

Contactless payment with your smartwatch, smartphone, or payment card

The new standard Contactless payment was already on the rise. During the coronavirus pandemic, it became the new standard. At the bakery, in a shop, at a restaurant... Nothing is easier than paying with your payment card (debit or credit card) with a single gesture! Don't have your payment card handy? Thanks to Google Pay, Apple Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, and Payconiq by Bancontact, you can pay contactless with your smartphone, smartwatch, or activity tracker. Wherever you see these logos, you can pay contactless.

Beep... and it's paid! All our payment cards are equipped with an NFC chip (Near Field Communication). If you see the three-arc logo on the payment terminal, it means you can pay contactless. You don't need to insert your card into the terminal: just place it near the device. You hear a beep... it's paid! Contactless payments are processed in the same way and through the same network as payments for which you insert the card into the device. If the amount you need to pay is less than £50, you don't need to enter a code. Have you spent £100 or more in several purchases throughout the day? In this case, your code will be requested for your next purchase. And this will also be the case if you reach the total amount of £100 or more again. This is an effective security measure!

Manage your payment cards yourself

Easy Banking App and Easy Banking Web allow you to manage all your payment card settings in real-time. You can thus adapt your cash withdrawal and payment limits yourself, activate or deactivate contactless and online payment options, and activate the possibility of paying outside Europe. Have you just arrived in New York and forgotten to activate your debit card for use outside Europe? No problem. Via your smartphone, you can immediately make the necessary changes in Easy Banking App. The changes take effect immediately. Stolen or lost card? You can block your card directly from Easy Banking App and order a new one at the same time.

Learn more about Easy Banking App

Debit or credit card: optimal payment

Debit card, credit card, online payment, contactless payment... So many cards and payment solutions.

Here are all the possibilities that will allow you to choose the optimal solution everywhere and at any time.

Find the card that suits me