Every happy camper, of all people, should know the concept by heart. In out-of-the-way places, where most beautiful outings are bound to happen, the commercial establishments are as small as their needs. The people here need real currency, no mater how small?and no matter how big the emergency. Indeed, even the most awesome odyssey has its share of stealthy, unforeseen situations, e.g. lost money, wild animal attacks, insect bites, bouts of disease, food poisoning, lost first aid kits, thieves. And these scenarios are not even limited to vacations in remote places; a trip to Vienna may just be as pernicious.

Fortunately, most companies give their customers the alternative to take out cash from their credit cards as they would through ATM cards. This is the hallmark of a credit card cash advance, an option for card holders to borrow money?real, paper currency?against their credit limit.

Unlike ATM debit cards however, credit cards can dispense money for more than their current credit card balances. Plus, cash advances are not only obtained through ATM machines; one may obtain the cash advance over the counter as checks. They also have equivalents in certain gambling transactions.

Most banks give their credit card holders a fairly good idea of their cash advance limit vis-?-vis their credit limits. The bank statements, more often than not, indicate the limits, as two numbers. In any event, the threshold is smaller than the total credit limit and may waver over time, at moment's notice. Upon payment of the borrower, the bank would nonetheless replenish the cash advance limit. For payments made through check, the bank would replenish it after clearing the funds.

Granted, an ATM can dispense an amount bigger than the cash advance limit, but the machine would flag this transaction and pass corresponding penalties. Again, credit cards may provide paper money, so long as the account holder defers to the credit limit.

Still, cash advances can be expensive alternatives for many credit card holders. When one takes out a from a credit card, he or she has to cough up finance charges and interest fees on top of the obligation.

In fairness to credit card cash advances, their benefits far outweigh the costs. They are the best options available for credit card holders in light of an emergency, above all.

Cash advances ferret out money when all other means fail; loans and overdrafts require investments on time and energy. In fact, have lower APR than most other financial alternatives e.g. bank loans. In times of financial hardship, these options can help buy the grocery, pay the bills, extend the rent, and so on. With just a quick trip to the ATM machine, a cash advance can veritably save a life.

Such financial alternatives are also recommended for people with bad credit scores. Despite their morose credit scores, card holders can still partake of a cash advance.