Things to Consider When Making a Purchase

Three important decisions need to be made regarding your debit and credit card. The first is quite apparent, and it has to do with which type of card you should be carrying in your wallet or purse. A good rule of thumb would be to always carry both on you. That way, you can withdraw cash if needed (without a fee) and use your credit card to build credit or earn rewards.

The second big decision is to figure out which type of card to use on any given purchase. It’s recommended to use your credit card wherever you can. That way, you earn rewards and have more protection against fraud. Use your debit card in instances where you need to get cash or if the purchase is a low dollar amount.

The last decision is whether you should select debit or credit on the pin pad when using your debit card. When you use your BrightStar Debit Card and select credit, you will be prompted to sign for the purchase. This allows you to earn rewards if you’ve enrolled the card in our Scorecard Rewards.

 

When to use your Debit Card

  • Withdraw cash or make small purchases.
  • Avoiding debt. Some people can’t control how much they spend, so using a debit card can help them stay within budget. You can also set limits on the BrightStar Card Control App.
  • Some stores require that you use debit cards. For example, Costco will not let you make a purchase unless it’s with your Visa Debit.
  • Sometimes you can incur a fee for using a credit card. Why pay extra to use credit when you can use debit?
  • When buying from a small business. Businesses don’t set credit card minimums without reason. Often, they must pay extra to process the transaction.

When to use your Credit Card

  • Building credit! This is a huge one for most people and is something you should strive to do.
  • Making big purchases. If you need to finance something and don’t have all of the money upfront. You want to avoid doing this because of the interest you’ll pay on the purchase.
  • Most credit cards come with several consumer protections that people don’t realize they have. For example, BrightStar’s Credit Cards come with NortonLifeLock Identity Theft Protection, Travel Benefits, Accident Insurance, Auto rental, and luggage insurance.