Can I Use A Debit Card As A Credit Card

Employ Debit Card equally Credit Card: What Happens & Why You Should Do It

We've all been at the checkout and asked the question: "Debit or credit?" Most of the fourth dimension, you don't recollect twice most it and but enter your Pivot for debit or make the signature for credit. But did you lot know in that location are a bunch of cardinal benefits for running your debit card equally credit when you make a buy?

If you lot have a checking account with a Visa^® debit card at Arsenal Credit Union, there are even more perks to running it as credit.

Here's why you should e'er choose debit equally credit at the point-of-sale

Choosing debit equally credit gives you more than security on purchases

Most reputable carte processors won't concord you liable for unauthorized credit transactions. If you enter your PIN and fraud occurs, you'll take to work out a solution with Arsenal (or other financial establishment) and expect before you get your coin back.

Many card processors have zero-liability policies in place when you run your debit card equally credit and care for your debit menu just like a regular credit card when you brand a credit transaction. If an unauthorized accuse is made, it volition refund all of your money back.

No signature required on smaller purchases

At most retailers, when y'all make a buy under $25, you don't even have to sign, getting you out the door quicker.

Earn rewards points (perk for Armory members)

Another reason for selecting credit over debit is to rack up rewards points. You can redeem these for merchandise, gift cards, etc. Yous practice not receive any rewards points when you enter your PIN. This is a unique perk that Armory provides for its members. See all of the absurd things you lot can earn here.

It's all about the networks

If running your debit as credit seems confusing, well… it is a bit at first. Choosing the "credit" option doesn't transform your debit bill of fare into a credit card at all.

The Visa logo at the bottom of an Arsenal debit card ways that retailers that accept Visa also accept your card. When you make a transaction on your debit carte du jour and run it equally credit, it processes through the Visa network. The same goes for cards that have MasterCard^®, American Express^® and Discover^® logos.

Flip your carte du jour over to come across a couple of additional logos at the bottom. The PLUS, STAR and other logos logos represent the debit networks that your transaction is processed through when you enter your PIN. When y'all choose this option, your transaction may process faster, but yous miss out on all of the benefits listed above.

You will never be charged interest for using your debit card

When you run your transaction as credit using your debit card, yous are withal authorizing a debit from your checking business relationship. You will never be charged interest or receive a neb for doing this.Of course, choosing credit at the point-of-sale will not help you build your credit.

What if I tin't choose "credit" at the betoken-of-sale?

Retailers frequently have to pay higher fees when you run your debit card as credit. Because of this, some make it hard for you to cull the credit option. Hither are a couple of tips that will assist y'all choose "credit" every time.

After you insert your card and the terminal asks for your PIN, just hit the "Enter" button (usually green). This will run your menu as credit.
If y'all're asked to choose betwixt "U.South. Debit" and "Visa Debit," cull "Visa Debit." This will run your card through Visa'southward credit network.
If y'all yet can't figure out how to run your debit bill of fare as credit, enquire the cashier. Some stores get in very hard and the cashier volition have to run it this style manually.

Demand a checking account with a debit carte du jour? We have three convenient options.

Learn More About Our Checking Accounts

Totally Free Checking

Most banks and credit unions are dropping this essential service. At Armory, there is no minimum remainder requirement. Ever. Continue as much or every bit piddling in your account and never pay a monthly fee.

Value Checking

This checking account lets you lot earn interest. If you lot maintain an boilerplate daily balance of $500, there'southward no fee! If y'all don't, the fee is an affordable $4 a month.

Advantage Plus Checking

This checking account is stacked! Earn interest. Get costless checks. Keep no minimum balance. It's as well only $4 a calendar month.

Arsenal checking accounts are easy to open up online. If yous make up one's mind to visit a branch to open, we'll give you lot an instant-consequence debit carte du jour on the spot. Utilise your debit card at more than 250 local and nearly 30,000 free ATMs nationwide.