Credit cards: are you familiar with these functions?

Just made a purchase, but not sure everything was billed correctly?

You purchased an electronic gadget in an American online shop and paid using your credit card. Then you wonder if the correct amount has been debited.

Credit card gone astray? Act quickly

On the way to the mountain station, you suddenly realize that your wallet is no longer in the outside pocket of your backpack. It must have been lost or stolen, along with the credit card inside.

Unsure whether your credit card limit is high enough?

You try on a jacket in a shop. It fits perfectly and you want to buy it. But you’re not sure whether you have enough credit available on your credit card.

Topping up credit cards, settling accounts and transferring money: what’s possible?

Many users wonder whether money can be transferred to a credit card or transferred from a credit card to an account. As a general rule, you can pay money onto a credit card or prepaid card to balance the card account or increase the amount available. However, it isn’t usually possible to transfer money directly from a credit card to a bank account.

Traditional credit cards are usually settled via a monthly credit card bill. You can pay this by transfer (e.g. via IBAN or QR code), by eBill or by direct debit order. Many card providers also allow partial payment of the outstanding amount.

Prepaid credit cards work differently: they must be topped up with credit before use, for example by transfer, QR-bill or in e-banking. You can then spend up to the amount of available credit.

In summary, while purchases can often be paid for by credit card, traditional bank transfers directly from the credit card are uncommon. Credit cards are primarily designed for making cashless payments in daily life, when shopping online and while travelling.

Useful to know: why using a credit card can be worthwhile

Depending on the credit card, you can enjoy additional benefits when making payments. These include cashback, for example, or bonus programmes where you can collect points with every payment. Depending on the provider, these can be used for vouchers, merchandise or discounts, for example.

Many credit cards also offer other value-added services, such as discounts on rental cars, travel offers and insurance. With a PostFinance credit card, for example, you can take advantage of discounted conditions for Avis rental cars.