What are Credit Card Processing Fees?
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What’s the Difference Between a Charge Card and a Credit Card?
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Last Updated: October 29, 2025
Key Takeaways
- A charge card requires you to pay off the full balance each month.
- A credit card lets you carry a balance that you can pay off over time.
- Both cards allow you to make purchases in person and online, and many offer rewards.
| Credit Cards | Charge Cards | |
|---|---|---|
| Earn rewards | Yes | Yes |
| Carry a revolving balance | Yes | No |
| More commonly offered by card issuers | Yes | No |
| Can help build credit | Yes | Yes |
| Interest charged on purchases | Yes1 | No |
| Credit utilization counted in credit scoring models | Yes | No |
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