Charge cards are a means of transacting and being able to pay for things without the need to carry cash with you everywhere. There are a few types of charge card and the concept has been around for many years.
Credit cards are technically a type of charge card that has the facility for borrowing. Usually the distinction with a charge card is that there is no overdraft facility on it and the card either has money loaded onto it already or needs to be periodically topped up. Historically, such cards were given out by gas or electric companies to allow consumers to more easily pay their bills.
The pre-paid charge card has a raft of applications in that it is a safe and effective way to pay for things throughout the world but also there is no credit function so the owner will never need be worried about monthly bills, being charged or getting behind with payments. In addition, these cards are ideal for parents to give their children some spending power. The benefits are that it is a safer means to carry money as the cards are password or PIN protected and can be replaced if lost, unlike cash. In addition, a credit card could potentially be a disaster if a teenager used it without authorisation but with a charge card there is no danger of this happening as when the money is gone - it's gone.
There are many companies in the marketplace offering charge cards and it is certainly worth doing some proper research into which sort of product is right for you. For example, some offer air miles (like credit cards) and others may give cash back or rewards.
When looking at the benefits also pay close attention to the availability of the card. Many will work anywhere you see the VISA or Electron signs but you must be sure that there is a wide enough network as there is no point having a card that you cannot use in all the places where you spend your money.
The best place to start is certainly online at price comparison websites. Here you will get an unbiased and clear run down of all the different products on the market and their benefits and any limitations that they may have. Once you have done this research, speak to the suppliers themselves and see what they tell you about the benefits of their particular charge cards.