Why would anyone use a credit card instead of a debit card?

Why would anyone use a credit card, when they could be super cheap for a couple of months and from then on actually HAVE the money that they're spending using a debit card?|||A couple of reasons. Firstly, there are no surcharges for using your credit card, within reason. You usually get charged for just having a debit card, and even more for using it more than you should. Usually the interest you have to pay on a credit card, if the amount isn't massive, is reasonable.





Secondly, credit cards used correctly build credit. Debit cards cannot do this. The real world needs a your credit report for you to do big things: buy a house, a car, etc.





Thirdly, you need a credit card to do basic things such as: reserve a hotel, shop online (mostly), rent a car, get a cellphone plan, etc.





I agree with what you're saying. Using cash only does have it's benefits. Credit card abuse can be an ugly thing. But used wisely, and keeping the balance low, you can use one to your advantage.|||A financial guru -





First you have to have some money in the bank to use a debit card





Second - if you're broke and no money in the bank you use a credit card





Third - No one WANTS to be super cheap -it's totally UN-AMERICAN|||30% of us carry what the cc companies disparagingly call "convenience cards." We already have the money in the bank (or are sure it will be there, thanks to a good job) when the bill comes due, at which time we pay it off in full every month. In the meantime our money in the bank is earning interest and we are earning bonus points or rebate dollars while not worrying about debit card overdrafts. Sometimes we get special offers and discounts related to the cc.





Plus everything the others said.