Chances are you own numerous credit cards but you may not have realized that they offer other methods of extending you credit. One such alternative is the credit card check. Not commonly used but it does have its place in certain circumstances. Another commonly used method of extending credit offered by the credit card companies is the cash advance.

Cash advances are simply industry speak for withdrawing cash directly from your credit card, either to your bank account or from a cash machine. However, both alternatives - credit card checks and cash advances should only be used as a last resort. The reasons are many and it's not feasible to delve into all the details here but I have outlined a few of the most compelling reasons below.

Much Higher Interest

Most credit cards will charge you a much higher interest rate on the money you borrow (the credit they extend you) when you utilize either the credit card check or cash advance options. Not only is the interest much higher but it starts to accrue or be charged against from day one. In other words, you often give up any interest-free period (which can be up to two months), meaning that you start paying interest on the money literally from the minute you spend the money. In addition, most cards will also charge a fee each time you use cash advances or credit card check and using an ATM may increase the fee even further.

Signals A Need

When selecting either option you are shouting to all - especially the issuing credit card company that you are no longer using your credit card for convenience but that you are using the credit card checks or the cash advance out of necessity. This sends a clear signal to them that you there's really no reason to give their best deal or even a good deal but that they can give you their worst deal because let's fact it… the likelihood of you going anywhere in the near future is nil.

A Simple Idea

Rather than using cash to pay for small things and finding you have to take advances or use the credit card checks to pay for bigger purchases, it's better to do it the other way around. If you're in a situation where you're relying on advances, you should start using your credit card to pay for all of your everyday smaller purchases like groceries and gas and then you'll be in position at the end of each month to put that money to pay off the larger purchases and be in a better position not to have to use cash advances and the checks in the first place. Try being more strategic in how you spend.

Remember that there are very few bills now that must be paid for by credit card check, so there are few reasons to ever use them and if you're willing to call them up and wait in their queue for a while, chances are that you can get them to accept a credit card payment just by having the clerk read them number.

Beware of Cash Advance Limits

If you find yourself relying on cash advances, sooner or later you'll probably run into a cash advance limit. The credit card companies don't advertise it, but many of them have limits on how much of your balance can be cash advances and how much must be in purchases. Try to find out these limits before you start taking advances because if you go over your preassigned limits then you'll incur fees and penalties and loan shark type interest rates.

You Always Pay the Balances With the Highest Rate Last

As you pay back your credit card balances, most lenders will put your payments towards the lowest-interest money (your purchases) first and then towards other lending. Clearly, this means that you keep paying the highest possible interest until you get your balance paid in full.

The bottom line is this: Credit cards are a convenient source of purchasing power and if used properly they represent a wise use of credit. On the other hand, don't use the credit card check or cash advance option unless you have too because these options represent how not to use credit wisely. They are simply a cleverly disguised marketing shell game used by the credit card companies to extract additional fees and interest.

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