生活英语 Everyday English 
 
need to renew my card

THIS week we'll continue our discussion of credit cards and their use. In the previous issue, we talked about annual fees (年费), credit limits (信用额度) and late payment (未按时还款). So, let's move on to other topics.

1. Asking about a cash advance (询问预借现金)

Customer: If I need to get some cash with my credit card, what is the limit?

Clerk: That depends on your credit limit. Generally, you get 50 percent of your credit limit.

Customer: Oh, that's not bad. Is there a charge for that?

Clerk: Yes. There's a 3 percent service charge.

Cash advance: 取现 (从信用卡提取现金)，预借现金. Service charge: 手续费; also, "service fee".

2. Renewing a card (补办新卡)

Customer: What's the charge for a replacement if I lose my card?

Clerk: There's a 15-yuan charge for a replacement due to loss or damage.

Customer: What about when my card expires?

Clerk: We replace it for free.

Renew a credit card: 补办新信用卡. The noun form is "card renewal". Expire: 满期，中止. Expiry date: 信用卡的有效期.

3. Paying in dollars (美金支付)

Customer: I need to pay my application fee for an American university. Can I use this card?

Clerk: Yes, you can. It is a dual-currency card and allows you to pay in both US dollars and RMB.

Customer: But do I have to pay that off with dollars?

Clerk: Not really. You can pay it back in RMB or dollars. The exchange rate depends on the date of payment.

Application fee: (大学的)申请费. Dual-currency card: 双币卡，可以使用美元或人民币支付的信用卡. Exchange rate: 汇率.