What is a credit card?

A credit card is a payment card where the payment is not taken directly from the customer’s bank account but charged to a credit account with a predetermined limit. The card issuer – for example a bank or finance company – advances the money for the customer, who then pays it back in full or in part at a later date.

Credit cards differ from debit cards, where the amount is taken immediately from the bank account. Read more about the difference in our entry on debit cards

Customers in the hospitality industry often use credit cards as their preferred payment method, especially for larger parties or company payments. Credit cards from Visa, MasterCard and American Express are among the most widely used worldwide, and it is an advantage for your restaurant or café to accept them.

Example of use

Imagine a guest in your restaurant who, after a business lunch, wants to pay the whole bill with their company credit card. As your POS system accepts credit cards, the guest chooses card payment. At payment, your Flexybox POS system sends the transaction request to the card issuer, and the payment is approved even though the money is not taken from the customer’s account straight away.

Why is it important to understand credit cards in a POS context?

When you run a restaurant or café and use a POS system, it is essential to understand which payment methods you accept. Knowing about credit cards helps you give your guests a flexible payment experience. It also lets you attract more customers – especially business customers or international visitors – who often prefer credit cards to cash or debit cards.

Knowing the difference between types of payment card also helps with bookkeeping, correct transaction recording and understanding the fees that come with different card types. You can read more about the definition of payment card

How does Flexybox handle credit cards?

The Flexybox POS system accepts credit cards as a natural part of the payment solution in restaurants and cafés. This means you can seamlessly accept payment from guests with both debit and credit cards, which gives flexibility and ensures that you as a restaurant owner don’t lose a sale because of missing payment options.

Frequently asked questions

A credit card gives the customer credit, so the money is not taken straight away, while a debit card takes the money directly from the customer’s bank account at payment.

Yes, there may be fees, depending on the card type the customer uses and your agreement with the payment provider. Credit cards often have higher fees than debit cards.

Most modern POS systems, such as Flexybox, support credit card payment as standard – you just need an acquiring agreement in place.

Yes, Flexybox supports the most common credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, making it easy for your customers to pay.