Everything you love about your checks without all the paper
Get instant access to your checking account with a United Texas Debit Mastercard. No annual fees, no finance charges, and no monthly payments. It’s more convenient and secure than cash, and widely accepted everywhere.
With options for signature purchases, chip purchases, and PIN purchases, you can also enjoy surcharge-free access to nearly 30,000 ATMs nationwide in the CO-OP Network. Say goodbye to carrying cash or a checkbook – just swipe your card and go!
For a faster, more secure way to pay online, check out the convenience of Click to Pay today!
"Debit or Credit?"
After spending all that time deciding what to buy, now comes the decision of how to pay for it. But wait, what’s the difference between debit and credit? Aren’t they both from the same account? Well, not exactly. There are some key differences between debit and credit that you should know. Here are a few important ones that will help you make smarter spending choices.
Why choose debit?
When you use your debit card for a purchase, it sets off a series of steps. First, the merchant asks your bank to withdraw money from your checking account. Then, the bank checks if you have enough funds and transfers them to the merchant. Lastly, the merchant pays a small processing fee, usually less than 1% of the total transaction. Here are the advantages:
- Never spend more than you have.
- Spending your own money means you owe zero interest.
- Get cash back with your purchases.
- Make free withdrawals at participating network ATMs.
Why choose credit?
When it comes to credit purchases, the process is slightly different. Instead of directly deducting funds from your checking account, the merchant requests payment from your card issuer. The card issuer verifies that you have sufficient credit available and transfers the funds within a few days. Then, when you make your payment, you repay the card issuer for the transaction, while the merchant pays a credit processing fee of approximately 2% of the total amount. Let’s dive into how buying with credit actually works:
- Earn cash back.
- No holds on purchases like hotel rooms or gas.
- Get insurance for travel purchases and rentals.
- Never have overdraft fees.
