Credit cards have been used for the last fifty years, but there are major credit card companies that have led the way. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, and MasterCard were the initial major credit cards, going nation-wide in the 1960's. The credit card itself has an individual credit card number which identifies which company or bank issued the card, and the cardholder's individual credit card account number.

The back of your major credit cards have a magnetic stripe that is called a magstripe. The magnetic particles that make up the stripe can hold a lot of information. Different major credit card companies put different information in their magstripe. The information can be pin numbers, currency values, account limits, or country of origin. The information on the magstripe can be lost if the magstripe is erased by exposure to a magnet or by the strip becoming scratched or dirty.

When looking at which major credit card to get, compare all of the offers and look at all of the fine print. Many major cards compete for your business by offering rebates, frequent flier miles, gifts, low interest, and higher limits. For example, one company may offer a low interest rate on current balances where as another card issuer may offer some sort of bonus scheme etc. Another way the companies may draw you in is by offering a 0 percent interest scheme for 6 months or so on balance transfers. So, if you transfer some form of current debt you won't pay interest for 6 months. If you have a good credit rating, you can haggle between different cards never paying interest on what you owe.

Be sure to use the many review sites online and shop wisely for the major credit card that will best suit your needs.