Doing the shopping online is not only convenient. It’s also quicker than shopping in the city. And more and more people are using the credit card as a means of payment – for good reason.
A few years ago, using a credit card for online shopping was not standard, but now this payment method is becoming increasingly popular. Why? Because it is easy to use and safe for the customer. While other means of payment such as invoice, direct debit or advance transfer involve certain lead times for buyers and sellers, paying by credit card works in a matter of seconds. The result is faster shipping – so the goods usually arrive faster. In addition, there are no individual payment steps, because thanks to the credit card, the buyer receives a collective invoice. Most services are automatically debited by direct debit. But there are other advantages that a credit card brings with it when shopping online.
Important features of a credit card for online shopping
In order to find the right credit card, consumers should pay attention to the following points:
- Annual fee: For almost every credit card, the cardholder has to pay an annual fee. How high this is depends on the provider. Apart from paid models, there are also free variants, but their range of services is often lower.
- billing period: This can be a month or longer and varies from provider to provider. In some cases, the billing period is important for exchange campaigns, because it gives the user a certain freedom of action, which can last up to two months.
- Foreign currency fees: If you often shop abroad, certain fees apply, whenever the seller uses a currency other than the euro. How high the respective foreign currency fee is also varies from provider to provider.
These three properties are basics for every credit card, provided it is mainly used for online shopping. They are so important because each individual point results in a cost factor that can be higher or lower and should therefore not be underestimated. There are significant differences, especially in the area of foreign currency fees, which may only mean a few eurocents per action, but sometimes add up to horrendous sums in the billing. Therefore, you should keep these features in mind when choosing the right credit card.
How important is the support of loyalty programs?
You may already be familiar with bonus programs in the form of payback points or as Miles & More from Lufthansa. Such programs are available from more and more credit card issuers, and they pay off when shopping online. Because every purchase is rewarded with points or other benefits, in that a certain number of points are booked on the credit card account for every euro spent. Once you have reached a certain number of points, you can exchange them for prizes.
This includes not only non-cash bonuses, but also rewards that pay off, for example, when booking the next holiday. For example, you can pay for part of the flight ticket with points, or you can receive a status upgrade during the flight or in the hotel.
Although it usually takes a while before the specified number of points is reached, participation sooner or later pays off if you make frequent online purchases. If you value the use of the bonus programs, the list of participating partners can be decisive when choosing a credit card. If you shop more frequently from some of the specified partners, the points will accumulate almost automatically.
Tip: It is best to choose a credit card where the points do not expire after a certain period of time. As part of the American Express Membership Rewards bonus program, for example, you are guaranteed that you can still exchange the points you have collected years later.
Online shopping: Which credit cards are particularly recommended?
Not every credit card is necessarily suitable for online shopping. Credit cards that are mainly available free of charge are often recommended, but their range of services is often limited. Accordingly, the user cannot use the full potential and advantages associated with the credit card. Therefore, we would like to present two credit card models below that are ideal for online shopping.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is a credit card that is very suitable for people who use it mainly for private purposes. A big advantage: If you apply for the card, you save the annual fee in the first year, as you receive an initial credit of up to 144 euros. After that, a monthly fee of twelve euros will be charged. The credit card also offers the following advantages:
- Membership Rewards: American Express’ loyalty program that allows you to collect points and convert them into rewards without expiring points.
- Insurance coverage: In addition to travel cancellation insurance and travel comfort insurance, there is also a breakdown cover for domestic and foreign countries, transport accident insurance and health insurance for trips abroad.
- Additional cards: It is possible to issue an additional card with the same properties.
- Mobile payment: Services such as Apple Pay or Google Pay can be used without any problems.
- Contactless payment: Up to an amount of 50 euros possible without a PIN.
- billing period: Monthly, amounts are debited from the account by direct debit.
- Foreign currency fee: Up to two percent.
- Maximum security: thanks to services such as American Express SafeKey, 90-day right of return and special Amex app
Here it goes to offer from American Express
American Express offers customers a high level of security when shopping online. In addition, other services can be used that are only found in the high-priced range with other credit card models. Overall, the American Express Gold Card is therefore worth considering.
1822direct Visa Classic
This credit card is only available in connection with the opening of a classic current account from 1822direkt Bank. Your benefits at a glance:
- Annual fee: Free of charge in the first year with the first order, then 29.90 euros per year.
- billing period: Monthly, is debited from the linked current account by direct debit.
- Contactless payment: Up to an amount of 50 euros possible.
- Additional services: Free app, desired PIN.
Here it goes to offer the 1822direkt Bank
The 1822direkt Visa Klassik primarily benefits users who can do without elements such as bonus programs. It is also an advantage that cash withdrawals in other EU countries are free of charge. The card is accepted worldwide in stores, for online shopping or to pay for hotels.
The best credit card for online shopping
If you want to use the credit card mainly for online shopping, it can make sense to choose a model that supports bonus programs, for example. You should also pay attention to elements such as foreign currency fees and the billing cycle when choosing the right credit card. Because these factors give you additional leeway, which you can use to your advantage in connection with the credit card when shopping online.
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