Are you thinking of opening a new bank account and wondering which one is the best for you or looking for the Debit cards, which avails you upper cash withdrawal limit with limitless ATM access, or searching for the Debit cards which compliments your interest? Then you are in the right place. In this article, we will answer all your queries related to Debit cards, their features, and usage. We will also tell you about the different Debit cards available for you in the Indian market so that you can compare and choose the best card according to your needs.
The flexibility, security, and simple usage helped Debit Cards to gain popularity in India. We can easily get our Debit cards after opening the bank account.
Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards which one is better?
Debit Cards have both similarities and difference Credit Cards. As we have informed earlier, the Debit card helps us to access our money directly from our bank account, and when executing the transactions, the money gets deducted from our available balance in the account. Because of this reason, Debit cards are also known as check cards as the amount gets immediately deducted from the checking account. But in Credit cards, you technically borrow some amount which you need to pay in the future. So the basic difference is immediate payment in Debit cards and future payment in Credit cards. Debit cards have less risk involved as we can not make any transactions in the situation of lack of balance in the account. Credit cards involve the risk of overspending as in credit cards, and people need to pay the amount in the future.
Characteristics and merits of Debit Cards:
Debit Cards provides us with the convenience to achieve financial freedom and avoid the risk of getting into debts. If you know the different features of your debit cards, it will be more beneficial for your daily spending.
■ A debit card gives you the comfort to access money directly from your bank account. You can use your debit card for withdrawing cash, making online payments, paying bills at the merchant’s place, completing transactions and purchases, etc. Many banks give you the facility to use your debit card overseas without any obstruction.
■ The best feature of debit cards is the required financial flexibility it offers with simultaneously encouraging better financial management. If you are a person who travels frequently, you can opt for the debit card, which allows you to access your money anywhere around the globe with features like unlimited check and electronic transactions so that you can easily handle your account.
■ A debit card offers various levels of security measures to their customers. Visible features like the individual debit card number, PIN, OTP, three-digit card protection key ensures that no one other than you can access your account. Some banks offer you the facility of zero liability policy, where there will be no charges imposed for unauthorized transactions.
■ It also helps you to avoid overspending, unlike credit cards. Amount gets deducted from your bank balance directly, which encourages you to spend within your limits.
■ Like credit cards, debit cards also provide you with the benefit of rewards and offers. For instance, different merchants give you the cashback offers on debit card payments.
Factors to consider before making a decision
Before going into the main topic, let us have some ideas about the factors you should consider before asking your bank for a suitable debit card for you.
You should have a look at the following factors before deciding the best suitable option for you:
■ Right bank: We can get a debit card after opening our account in the respective bank; hence selection of the right bank for the best suitable debit card is an essential thing which we should always consider before applying for the card. Leading banks offer the best and feature-rich debit cards which can satisfy your need.
■ Different kinds of Cards: Visa, Maestro, RuPay, Mastercard are the most common and popular card network providers in our country. Here only RuPay is an Indian card network provider launched by RBI in 2012. You should know about the different card network providers in India so that you can compare and apply for the best.
■ Safety and security: Security is an essential element for everyone. Hence you should opt for the bank, which provides you with higher protection.
■ Advance features like Contactless payments: For the fast and simple payment process, many banks offer a debit card with features like contactless payment. Hence we should opt for the debit card, which provides us with features of Contactless payment to make our transactions smooth.
■ ATM transaction costs: Some debit cards give you the facility of unlimited free ATM transactions. Other card providers offer you limited transactions per month. You should choose the one which gives you unlimited ATM transactions if you are someone who regularly accesses their ATM.
■ Overdraft facility: Some providers offer you EMI features on online purchases. To start this facility, your provider instantly creates an overdraft account. Then they connect your savings account with your overdraft account and deduct money for your online purchases in installments. Only a few banks in India offer this feature.
■ Card renewal costs: It is an important element you should consider before choosing your debit card. Cards with premium features also charge high card renewal costs. But one can get the same facility with low renewal costs.
■ International payment facility: If you want to use your debit card overseas, you should consider debit cards with an international transaction facility.
1. ICICI Bank Coral Paywave International Debit Card
Best features of this debit card:
■ Bookmyshow, Inox, Carnival Cinema, and others offer free movie tickets to its users.
■ International payment facility.
■ Various online and offline benefits.
■ Low renewal fees with many facilities.
■ 2 free Lounge access for users of this card at different airports.
■ High withdrawal limit (1 lacs at domestic ATMs and 2 lacs for International).
■ High online payment limit.
2. HDFC Bank RuPay Premium Debit Card
Features :
■ Discount offers on different eCommerce sites.
■ High Online purchasing limit up to Rs. 2.75 lacs.
■ Cashbacks offer such as a 5% cashback offer on utility payment bills for selected sites.
■ Cashback on booking railway tickets.
■ 2 free Lounge access for users of this card at different airports.
■ Low ATM renewal fees.
■ Most suitable for grocery, utility bills, and online payments.
3. Kotak Bank PayShopMore International Chip Debit Card
Features:
■ Protection of up to Rs. 2.50 lacs for the lost card.
■ Protection of up to Rs. 50,000 for online payments.
■ Cashback offers.
■ Customize the look of your Debit card.
■ Free domestic and international airport lounge access.
■ Suitable for travelling and online purchasing.
4. Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card
Features:
■ High online payment limit.
■ High ATM cash withdrawal limit.
■ Cashbacks and free tickets offer.
■ For this debit card, the daily cash withdrawal limit is 3 lacs, and the online payment limit will be 6 lacs.
■ Louge excess with VIP facility at the airports.
■ Up to 6 lacs will charge for lost card liability.
5. SBI Platinum International Debit Card
Features:
■ International payments.
■ High online payment limit.
■ High cash withdrawal limit.
■ EMI on Debit card purchases for selected users.
■ Low card renewal charges.
■ Free lounge access facility at the airports
■ Reward points with the online purchase.
6. HDFC Bank EasyShop Platinum Debit Card
Features:
■ It offers a high cash withdrawal limit and an online shopping limit.
■ Customers earn cashback and rewards when payment is made using this card on Supermarkets, Groceries, or any online stores.
■ International transactions can also be availed once activated using HDFC Bank Net Banking
■ You can avail EMI facility from some popular eCommerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart if your card is eligible.
