経済｜年会費無料クレカの落とし穴 / Economy | The Pitfalls of No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Summary

Even with a credit card that has no annual fee, you may incur a “service fee” if you leave it unused for an extended period.

In particular, cards that haven’t been used for a long time can lead to unexpected costs. Experts recommend consolidating to about two credit cards in this cashless era. While it’s common to hold multiple cards to maximize point rewards, it’s important to reconsider how efficiently you’re using them.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Chako: Hey Log, does it cost money if you don’t use your credit card?
Log: Yeah, even with a no annual fee card, you might get charged a “service fee” if you don’t use it.
Chako: Really?! I didn’t know that! Why does that happen?
Log: The credit card companies have maintenance costs for cards that aren’t being used, so they try to generate some revenue in one way or another.
Navi: Just to add, experts recommend keeping your credit cards to about two. It’s more efficient to focus on one card for earning points rather than spreading out over multiple cards.
Chako: I see! So it’s better to get rid of the cards I don’t use!

Admin’s Note

This article highlights some very important points about the hidden costs associated with no-annual-fee credit cards. Younger generations, in particular, tend to make the most of cashless payments, which can lead to neglect in managing their cards. I also sometimes overlook my statements, but I’ve been reminded of the importance of regular checks. The expert opinions on how to efficiently accumulate points are especially interesting. I encourage everyone to review their cards and strive for smarter usage.