Debit Card vs Charge Card: Make The Right Choice For Your Singapore Business

‍What is a charge card and how does it work?

A charge card is often confused with a credit card but the two are not the same.

A charge card does work like a credit card as it allows you to make a purchase on credit. However, you must pay for the purchase in full by a stipulated time, which is usually by the end of the month. Some charge cards might give you the option of making payments over time, but this is not the norm and you will have to check with your card provider for this. In contrast, a credit card allows you to pay a minimum amount at the end of the grace period (usually 25 days) and carry the balance forward until your next credit card statement and payment due date arrive. The credit card provider charges an interest on the balance amount. Because a charge card requires payment in full at the end of the month, it does not charge interest like a credit card.

Also, unlike a credit card with a set credit limit, a charge card has no preset spending limit. This does not mean that you have an endless line of credit to pay for your business needs. It simply means that the charge card provider adjusts your spending limit every month based on your spending and payment history, credit record, and business finances.

What a charge card and credit card do have in common is that both incur a late fee if you fail to pay by the due date. This might even get your charge card deactivated.

What is a debit card and how does it work?

A debit card is linked to your bank account and allows you to make purchases by drawing on funds you already have. Whenever you open a personal account or a business account, the bank or financial institution will provide you with a linked debit card.

When company executives make purchases on their corporate debit cards, the amount is instantly deducted from the linked business account. Unlike a charge card or credit card, a debit card is not a credit instrument. This means that it does not invite interest charges. However, a debit card allows you to buy only what can be covered by the funds in your account. Or, even if you succeed in making a purchase for which the funds in your account are insufficient, you will incur an overdraft fee (a bank charge when you spend more than you have).

You can use your personal or corporate debit card to buy items, pay bills, and withdraw cash at ATMs.

How are debit cards and charge cards similar?

1. Both are issued by banks and other financial institutions. However, there are more financial institutions that provide debit cards whereas only a handful offer charge cards. In Singapore, the most popular charge card providers are American Express and DCS (formerly Diners Club). So, you have more choices when selecting a corporate debit card than a corporate charge card.
2. You can use both cards to fund your business purchases. While your debit card draws on money you have in your business account, your charge card offers a line of credit that you need to pay back in full by the due date (month-end).
3. Both debit cards and charge cards do not charge interest.
4. Debit cards and charge cards are equally convenient to use. You can use them offline, online, over the phone, at ATM machines, and abroad during your travels.
5. Finally, debit cards and charge cards are similar to look at. Both feature the card holder’s name, an expiration date, and a card verification code (CVC). A debit card usually has a 16-digit number while a Singapore charge card bears a 15-digit number. Both types of cards require a personal identification number (PIN).

How are debit cards and charge cards different?

1. The way they work is different. A transaction on a debit card is paid for directly from your linked business account. On the other hand, a charge card allows you to make purchases on credit, which must be fully paid by the month-end.
2. Most charge cards don’t have a preset spending limit. (As an exception, some Amex charge cards in Singapore come with spending limits if the user’s annual income is below the SGD 120,000 threshold). Debit cards allow you to spend only what’s in your account.

3. You need an excellent credit score and must meet the eligibility criteria (which varies from provider to provider) to receive a charge card. A debit card, on the other hand, is easier to get hold of. All you need is an account with a bank or any other financial institution.
4. A charge card can affect your credit score because your payment history is reported to credit reporting agencies such as Credit Bureau Singapore. However, a debit card does not affect your credit rating at all.
5. Charge cards come with more perks and rewards than debit cards.
6. Debit cards and charge cards attract different types of fees. Charge cards come with an annual fee, which might be waived off for the first year. They also incur hefty late payment fees. Debit cards might or might not have an annual fee but they generally charge processing fees for foreign transactions and overseas ATM withdrawals as well as overdraft fees and a card replacement fee, among others.
7. A charge card traditionally has a much higher annual fee than a debit card. The Amex Platinum Charge Card fee is SGD 1,728 per year, for example. Compare this to the DBS Business Advance Debit Card, one of the best debit cards in Singapore, which charges no annual fee.

Pros and cons: Charge card vs debit card

Debit card vs charge card: What do you need to sign up for one?

Most financial institutions will give you a charge card only if you have an excellent credit score. You might have to undergo a credit check before your card application is approved. As a major charge card provider, American Express has strict eligibility criteria. To qualify for the Amex Platinum Charge Card, a personal charge card, you must be 21 years of age or older, meet its minimum income requirement, and pass its internal assessment. Similarly, to receive a Diners Club charge card, also a personal card, you must be a) between 21 and 65 years of age, b) a Singaporean, Permanent Resident, or Employment Pass holder, and c) earn between SGD 15,000 and SGD 60,000 in a year. Eligibility criteria for corporate charge cards, such as the DBS Corporate Charge Card and the Amex Corporate Gold Card, might differ.

It is comparatively easier to own a debit card. All you need is a bank account (savings or checking, personal or business) and the bank/financial institution will provide you with a linked debit card. And as a debit card is not a credit instrument, most institutions do not conduct a credit check of their customers.

Debit card vs charge card: Which has better rewards?

Charge cards are the outright winner in this category. They offer premium and exclusive benefits such as welcome bonuses, travel and dining perks (free access to airport lounges, free hotel room upgrades, etc), and reward points if you spend beyond a specific limit. The Amex Platinum Charge Card offers complimentary hotel stay, spa treats, free access to top restaurants, clubs, and golf greens, and more. And with the Amex Corporate Gold Card, you’ll get reward points for foreign transactions and insurance coverage for business travel accidents, overseas medical expenses, and lost or stolen luggage among others.

In contrast, debit cards do have rewards programmes but on a more modest scale. Most cards offer a small cashback on purchases up to a certain amount.

Debit card vs charge card: Which is more secure?

Debit cards are known to have fewer protections than charge cards. If a debit card holder falls victim to fraud, there is a chance that their bank account might lose a considerable sum of money or, worse, be emptied. There is no chance of this happening with a charge card. Also, most banks offer limited protection on lost or stolen debit cards. The card holder is not held liable for unauthorised transactions only if the bank has been notified of the loss or theft of the card immediately. If they fail to notify the bank on time, they will have a hard time getting their stolen money back.

In contrast, charge cards offer protection not only against theft but also damage. American Express’ ‘Purchase Protection’, for example, provides insurance for the theft or accidental damage of items bought on its Platinum Card within 90 days of the purchase, subject to certain conditions.

Debit card vs charge card: Which one is right for your business?

The choice boils down to your needs. A small business that cannot afford an extravagant annual card fee, has no large purchases to make, wants to remain debt-free, and has no need for fancy travel and lifestyle benefits might be happier with a debit card. But a charge card might be the answer if you’re looking to expand your business, have the finances to meet the minimum income requirement, and want greater fraud protection.

Then there’s the Aspire Corporate Card

A frequent entry in the ranks of best debit cards in Singapore, Aspire’s Corporate Card is a virtual, multi-currency debit card powered by Visa. The Aspire Corporate Card doesn’t charge for card activation or transactions and has no minimum balance requirement. It boasts of some of the lowest foreign exchange rates in the market and even offers 1% cashback on digital spend, which is promptly deposited in your Aspire Business Account. What’s more, you can have unlimited virtual cards and customise the spend limit on each one, making it the ideal payment solution for your company.