Final answer:
The difference between a store credit card and an ordinary credit card is that store credit cards are typically limited to use at specific retailers and may offer in-store benefits but often have higher interest rates, whereas ordinary credit cards can be used broadly and may have lower interest rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between a store credit card and an ordinary credit card lies in their usage and the financial benefits they offer. A store credit card is usually issued by a retail store and often restricts your usage to that specific store or brand, sometimes extending to its affiliate companies, and it might offer rewards like discounts, special promotions, or loyalty points to be used in-store.
On the other hand, an ordinary credit card can be used for purchases at a wide variety of merchants and not limited to just one retailer. Unlike debit cards which withdraw funds directly from your checking account, both types of credit cards provide a line of credit from the credit card company that you can use up to your credit limit.
When using either type of credit card, if the balance is not paid in full by the end of the billing cycle, interest will be charged. Store credit cards sometimes have higher interest rates compared to ordinary credit cards, making them costly if a balance is carried from month to month.