Payment cards streamline purchases and travel while offering exclusive financial advantages. Faced with diversity, choose the one that suits your needs. Discover the types of cards in Switzerland, their advantages, disadvantages, and tips on how to use them in the best possible way.
In Switzerland, three main categories of payment cards dominate the market: debit, credit and store cards. Each has its own particularities and is suitable for specific uses.
The different types of cards: advantages and limitations
The debit card is directly linked to your bank account. When a payment is made, the amount is immediately debited from your balance.
It's a simple and reliable option for day-to-day expenses, with a modest annual fee, usually between CHF 5 and CHF 50. However, its use may be limited for certain international or online payments, especially in platforms requiring a credit card.
The credit card offers increased flexibility. It allows access to a reserve of money to be repaid at the end of the month or in several instalments, in exchange for interest. It's the perfect tool for traveling or shopping online.
Additionally, it often comes with loyalty programs, such as points or discounts, that can reduce your costs or provide additional benefits.
However, these benefits come at a price: the annual fee is higher (around CHF 100), and late repayment can result in interest rates of up to 14%.
The payment cards of commercial brands, such as the Cumulus from Migros or the Supercard from Coop, are designed to reward customer loyalty.
These free cards allow you to benefit from discounts or points redeemable in partner brands. However, their use is limited to these specific stores, which may limit their interest for multi-purpose use.
The Milenia Credit Card: A Flexible and Advantageous Solution
At Milenia, we offer a credit card designed to meet the specific needs of our customers. In addition to offering the flexibility of revolving credit, our card stands out for its many advantages.
You benefit from competitive rates, simplified management and personalized service to adjust your credit limit according to your situation.
Whether it's for online payments, major purchases or trips abroad, the Milenia credit card supports you in your everyday needs and long-term financial planning.
What type of card should I choose?
The choice of a bank card depends mainly on your lifestyle and priorities.
If you value simplicity and tight control over your spending, a debit card is ideal. Frequent travellers or online shopping enthusiasts will appreciate a credit card more, thanks to its flexibility and many advantages.
Finally, fans of a particular brand will find what they are looking for with a store card, which will offer them tailor-made rewards.
Optimal use to avoid pitfalls
When used properly, credit cards are valuable tools. However, they must be managed with discipline to avoid the pitfalls of over-indebtedness.
For example, it is essential to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid often high interest charges.
In addition, loyalty programs can be used to the fullest to reduce your costs or obtain advantageous rewards.
Why Trust Milenia?
With extensive experience in creditworthiness assessment and financial services, Milenia is your partner to simplify and optimize your finances. We support you in the redemption of your credit cards at advantageous rates and in the in-depth analysis of your financial situation.
Our personalized services allow you to regain peace of mind and better manage your finances.
To learn more about the different types of credit cards available in Switzerland, check out our in-depth article: Which credit card to choose?