A second chance credit card is geared toward people who have for various reasons, purposely or not, made mistakes related to their credit card usage. The issuers of this type of card believe that the consumer deserves a second chance in order to prove their creditworthiness.

These cards are also called “bad credit” credit cards. The whole reason behind this concept is to provide the consumer with an opportunity to improve their credit by practicing good spending habits. They normally offer the same benefits as a “standard” card.

There are several types of second chance cards. Which one you will qualify for depends on how good, or bad, your credit is. Some people will qualify for an unsecured card, while others may qualify for a secured card or possibly even a prepaid card.

It is wise to contact a credit provider prior to applying for one of the cards. A credit provider will be able to guide you to the best financial product. It is important to know which type of card to apply for because any denied application will adversely affect your credit score further.

An unsecured second chance card is very much like a typical MasterCard or Visa. The main difference being that these cards normally carry with them a much high annual percentage rate (APR). This means that the cardholder will pay a higher rate of interest if the cardholder does not pay the bill in full each month. The reason these unsecured second chance cards carry such a high APR is that the cardholder presents a higher risk to the credit company because of the cardholder’s past spending and payment behavior.

A secured card is different from an unsecured card in that a deposit is required before the secured card may be used. The deposit which the cardholder provides to the credit company then becomes the credit limit. If the cardholder misses a payment, the credit company will make the payment from the deposit on hand. If the cardholder is in good standing when the account is closed, the deposit will be returned

Both secured and unsecured credit cards can help a consumer to rebuild their credit score by reporting to the three major credit reporting agencies. This, of course, will require the cardholder to maintain good spending practices. After a while, the consumer will be able to qualify for better APRs and lower fees and charges.

Prepaid credit cards require the cardholder to “load” their credit card with funds through direct deposit or by going to specific locations which offer this service. Prepaid users will not see an increase in their credit score by using these because the provider is not offering a line of credit.

Second chance credit cards are beneficial for people who cannot qualify for “standard” credit, but who need the benefits. When searching for a second chance credit card, be sure to study the charges, fees, and APRs of each one so you can choose the best deal.

Prepaid credit cards appeared in Australia about three years ago. Ever since they are gaining popularity among users or all ages. The fact that users require no credit history and absence of monthly repayments makes it a very attractive way to organise your plastic money.

Different Types of Prepaid Credit Cards

There are two different types of prepaid cards: charge cards and gift cards. A charge card is normally linked to your other savings or cheque account. It gives you a Visa or MasterCard access to your own funds. So, each time you make a purchase with this card, the funds are drawn from your own account. There is no credit from the bank and there is no balance to repay.

But once you run out of your own money, that’s it. You’ll need to deposit (or “prepay”) more funds before you can use this card again. The second type is a Gift Card. It’s like a normal gift card that you can get from a retailer, but with Visa or MasterCard functionality attached to it. So, if you have a $100 Prepaid Credit Card, you can spend this money at any retailer accepting credit cards. Once you run out of credit, there is usually no way to “recharge” it.

Benefits of Prepaid Credit Cards

1: Convenience

Cardholders can use prepaid cards to pay for shopping, petrol and utility and household bills, basically anything and anywhere credit cards are accepted. It can also be used for making payments on the phone or online and, in some cases, withdrawing cash at ATMs.

2: Safety

Cardholders can make purchases and withdraw cash when they need it. Access to funds is the same as with any other credit card. Use your pin or sign the receipt.

3: Protection

A prepaid card can be replaced if lost or stolen and carries the same liability protections against unauthorized purchases as other credit cards.

4: Financial management

Itemized card statements and online reporting that is available to charge cards, make tracking expenses and monitoring spending activity easy. Manage your spending by loading a limited amount of money on the card. You can only spend what is available on the card.

Prepaid Credit Cards in Australia

Back in 2006, Visa’s executive vice-president for Australia and New Zealand, Bruce Mansfield, said that he expects a strong take-up of prepaid cards in general. “Australians are pretty savvy money managers and a prepaid card is a perfect money management tool,” he says. “Australians have lapped up prepaid and disposable mobile phone cards and I expect similar long-term results in Visa prepaid.” (Money Magazine’s June 2006 issue).