What is the difference between debit or credit when you use your check card?

Thank you in advance, my friends, to clear the confusion. I am not a financial whiz at all. Also, if you wish to explain, what is the difference between a check card and an ATM card? I personally thought they were all the same, meaning your check (or debit) card can be used at an ATM machine. :-)|||Your card issuer (the bank that holds your checking account) prefers that you choose "credit" at the payment terminal rather than "debit" because they make more money on something called the interchange fee if you do so. So, the only major difference to you is that you could be eligible to earn reward points or cash back for choosing credit instead of debit.





Either way, the money will be deducted from your checking account for the amount of the purchase. Debit transactions usually clear your account in real time (immediately) while credit transactions done with a debit card can take two or three days to clear your account, but the authorization hold will immediately hit your account.





The difference between an ATM card and a debit card is that an ATM card can only be used at an automated teller machine (ATM). It can be programmed to access your savings and/or checking accounts, but you cannot use it at a point-of-sale terminal to buy merchandise or services. A debit card can be used at both ATMs and at point-of-sale terminals. Some banks will restrict you to an ATM card if you have had credit problems in the past or trouble managing your checking account. Aside from those circumstances, it is always in the best interest of the bank to issue you a debit card because the bank makes more money on the interchange fees associated with point-of-sale transactions.|||There difference is if you SIGN the ticket (credit) or enter your PIN # (debit). YOUR bank treats both exactly the same. The difference between a check card and an ATM card is that an ATM card, which is practically extinct, can ONLY be used at an ATM. You can identify an ATM card by the LACK of a Visa or MasterCard logo.|||With debit you have to key in your pin number and the amount that is being charged is deducted from your account immediately, also the merchant will charge you a fee.





The credit portion of your card requires you to sign your receipt and the charge will be deducted from your bank account within 2 or 3 business days, without an additional fee.|||there is no difference to you the consumer. other than a debit requires no signature.





there may be a different fee the merchant but i am not sure. but the consumer does not see the difference. the amount is immediately a pending transaction in your checking account no matter if a debit or credit.