These days there are so many great reasons why you should use a credit card instead of cash when you shop for pretty much anything.
Many of these reasons are highlighted on your credit card agreement. You just need to take a look at the agreement to find out which benefits you qualify for when you shop with that credit card. This applies to online purchases as well.
Why You Should Use a Credit Card
Emergency Roadside Assistance
How many times have you taken a road trip and either run out of gas or had a flat tire? Of course these things happen when we least expect them and usually when we are miles away from a gas station. But if you have a credit card that offers roadside assistance you can simply phone their customer service line and a tow truck will be dispatched to your location to help you out.
Insurance for Rental Vehicles
Have you ever noticed the ads for car rental companies that say that you can rent a car for $19.00 a day? Wow, how cheap. But then you go to pick-up the vehicle and find out that the daily insurance rate is an additional $69 a day. Suddenly renting isn?t so cheap. What you should do in situations like that is check to see if your credit card company will cover any part of the insurance if you book the rental car using your credit card. This could save you a lot of money.
Cash Back Rewards
Credit cards offering 5% or 10% back on your purchases are popping up all over the place. If you do not already have a card with that option, contact your local financial institution to see what they offer. Check with a few companies that you do not usually use, as well, to see what your options are to save money.
Travel Rewards
Credit card companies have offered travel rewards for many years now but recently they have significantly increased their promotions. Quite often you will see incentives to sign up for new credit cards. Offers are anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 free reward points just for signing up for a new credit card. This can save you so much money on your next vacation.
Trip Cancellation Protection
If you book your next vacation and pay with your credit card, you will most likely automatically received trip cancellation insurance via your credit card company. This will come in handy should you suddenly need to cancel your trip due to an injury or an illness. Many times they will also include coverage for lost luggage. And we all know how easy it is for airlines to lose our luggage, don?t we?
