Debit and credit cards: Which option is more optimal?

icon calendar04/04/2025

Debit and credit cards are two popular types of cards today. Each card will have its own functions as well as advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the characteristics and differences of these two types of cards will help you make the optimal choice and use bank cards more effectively.

Note: The data and information in the article are compiled from general market sources and do not apply specifically to SeABank's products or services.

1. What are debit cards and credit cards?

To compare the differences between debit cards and credit cards, it is necessary to first clearly understand the concepts of these two types of cards. Specifically: 

1.1. Debit card

Debit card is a type of payment card issued by a bank, allowing the cardholder to perform transactions such as withdrawing cash, paying for goods and services using the existing balance in the bank account linked to the card. In other words, you can only spend the amount that is already in your account.

There are 2 types of debit cards:

  • Domestic debit card: Issued by domestic banks, mainly used domestically and issued by the Napas system.
  • International debit card: Issued by domestic banks by card issuance system International (Visa, Mastercard, JCB,...) and can be used worldwide at international card acceptance points.
Thẻ ghi nợ là loại thẻ mà chủ thẻ chỉ có thể chi tiêu số tiền đã có trong tài khoản của mình.
A debit card is a type of card where the cardholder can only spend the amount of money already in their account.

1.2. Credit card

Credit card is a type of payment card issued by banks, allowing cardholders to perform shopping and service transactions in advance and pay later within a certain period of time. In other words, when using a credit card, you are "borrowing" money from the bank to spend.

There are 2 types of credit cards:

  • Domestic credit card: Is a card product that performs domestic transactions. 
  • International credit card: The scope of card usage is wider, cardholders can make transactions in all countries that accept international cards. 
Thẻ tín dụng cho phép chủ thẻ được chi tiêu trước, trả tiền sau.
Credit cards allow cardholders to spend now, pay later.

2. Distinguish between credit cards and debit cards

Credit cards and debit cards have similarities and also certain differences. Specifically as follows: 

2.1. Common points between credit cards and debit cards

Debit cards and credit cards have the following similarities: 

  • Card structure: All have parts such as: chip, magnetic strip, card number, cardholder name, expiration date, CVV/CVC code.
  • All are non-cash payment methods: Both credit and debit cards have payment functions at point of sale/POS machines, help customers Make shopping transactions and pay for services quickly and conveniently, instead of carrying a lot of cash.
  • Can be used to withdraw cash: Depending on the card type and bank policies, both credit and debit cards allow you to withdraw cash at ATMs. However, cash withdrawal fees and withdrawal limits may vary.

All payments can be made online: Both types of cards are accepted for online payments on shopping, ticket booking, bill payment websites,..

Thẻ ghi nợ và thẻ tín dụng  giống nhau đều là phương thức thanh toán không dùng tiền mặt.
Debit cards and credit cards alike are both cashless payment methods.

2.2. Difference between credit cards and debit cards

Credit cards and debit cards have many differences. Understanding this difference will help you make the right choice.

CriteriaCriteriaCriteria

Scope of use

Domestic and international

Domestic and international

Mechanism of use

Consume first, pay later based on credit limit

Spend equal to the available balance in the account

Transfer feature

Yes

Yes

Credit history

Great impact on opening a loan card later

Little impact on opening credit cards and loans later

Outstanding features

Spend now, pay later

Flexible, many incentives, credit building

Deposit money first and spend later

Safe, simple, limited risks

Function

Has installment payment and point accumulation features...

There is no installment payment feature

Registration conditions

Stable income, good credit record

Conditions are simple, over 18 years old and have a bank account

Fee schedule

Annual fees, foreign transaction fees, cash withdrawal fees, interest rates...

Annual fee (can be waived), foreign transaction fee, cash withdrawal fee (but lower than credit card fee)

Interest rate

There is interest on the outstanding balance

Usually no interest

Card limit

Decided by the bank based on the customer's financial ability

Equal to the balance in the account

Promotion

Many attractive promotions

Fewer incentives

Thẻ tín dụng và thẻ ghi nợ có nhiều điểm khác biệt và phù hợp với từng mục đích sử dụng riêng.
Credit cards and debit cards have many differences and are suitable for each specific purpose. 

3. Advantages and disadvantages of credit and debit cards

From the above comparisons of the similarities and differences between credit cards and debit cards, each card will have its own advantages and disadvantages. Specifically as follows: 

CriteriaCredit cardDebit card

Advantage

  • Flexibility in spending: Because you can spend first and pay later, it is very convenient when you need to spend unexpectedly. 
  • Many attractive offers: Often comes with many attractive promotions such as points accumulation, refunds, discounts.
  • Building history credit: Using credit cards properly helps you build a good credit history, which is beneficial for borrowing money in the future.

  • Safe: Only spend the amount available in your account, limiting the risk of debt.
  • Easy to manage: You always know exactly how much you can spend.
  • Low Fees: Card usage fees are usually lower than credit cards.
  • Simple registration: No need for too many procedures to register and use.

Disadvantage

  • High fee schedule: Annual fees, foreign transaction fees, cash withdrawal fees... can be quite high.
  • Need to control spending well so as not to lose the ability to pay.

  • Less incentives: There are usually not many attractive promotions like credit cards.
  • Amount restrictions: You can only spend the amount available in your account.
Thẻ tín dụng và thẻ ghi nợ có những ưu, nhược điểm riêng và phù hợp với các mục đích sử dụng khác nhau.
Credit cards and debit cards have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different uses.

4. You should choose to use a credit card or debit card

Demand Opening a debit or credit card for each customer will depend on each customer's needs. If customers only need to pay for basic daily needs and want to proactively use their own money, they should use a Debit card.

If you want to own a flexible card, always have a clear financial plan, have a stable source of income and want to take advantage of capital from the bank, you should use Credit card (Credit card).

Lựa chọn sử dụng thẻ ghi nợ hay thẻ tín  dụng sẽ tùy thuộc vào nhu cầu của mỗi khách hàng
Application will depend on each customer's needs.

5. Opening SeABank credit and debit cards is simple, with many attractive incentives

SeABank is one of the prestigious joint stock commercial banks in Vietnam and is trusted by many customers to choose to open credit and debit cards. Opening a card at SeABank has easy conditions, simple procedures and a good security system to help customers feel secure in using the card. 

5.1. Open a debit card

Opening a domestic debit card or international debit card at SeABank, customers will receive many great benefits because of its extensive transaction network, convenient withdrawals, payments, and transfers. 

  • Condition: Customers aged 18 and over. 
  • Form: Open card directly at the transaction counter and open card online on internet banking. 
  • Endow: Earn interest on card account balance.

5.2. Open a credit card

  • Simple conditions: Customers 18 years old or older, can prove income or open a card for customers under 18 years old in the form of a secondary credit card through the main card requested by the account owner.
  • Form: You can open a card in many flexible ways, opening a card online, opening a card at the transaction counter.
  • Great incentives when opening a credit card at SeABank: Countless attractive incentives for each card type. For example: SeALady Cashback international credit card, customers receive incentives such as: free issuance and lifetime annual fee refund, refund of all payment transactions up to 2%, discounts up to 70% at partners...

You can refer to more information about these endow credit card, debit cards to get the optimal choice for yourself.

Thẻ tín dụng SeALady của SeABank - người bạn đồng hành tuyệt vời của phái đẹp.
SeALady credit card from SeABank - a great companion for women.

So, debit and credit cards have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Understanding each type of card will help you make the most suitable choice. If you want to learn more about SeABank's cards or programs and products and services, you can contact the nearest transaction points or call Hotline 1900 555 587 or visit the website. www.seabank.com.vn for more information chi details.

Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank SeABank

  • Address: BRG Building, 198 Tran Quang Khai, Ly Thai To Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi 
  • Call Center: KHCN 1900 555 587 / (024) 39448702 – KHDN 1900 599 952/ 024-32045952
  • Customer care email: contact@SeABank.com.vn 
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