Who has gotten rid of debit cards?

[albireo13]

I am considering stopping using debit cards, for reasons of security mostly.
I have a Master Card which I could use instead. Pros and cons of switching:

Pros:
better transaction protection with CC
earn points with CC
consolidating spending onto one card

Cons:
fees ... must be diligent about paying off CC monthly
debit card is better for ATM cash


Anyone else do this? ... thoughts or opinions

Thx

 

[CardsFan]

I have never used my debit card for purchases of any kind. Security and transaction protection being the prime reasons. I have always paid off CC's monthly.

I only use it at an ATM for cash.

 

[braumeister]

I think usually when you use a credit card to get cash you start paying interest from that day, regardless of when you pay the bill. That's the main reason for using a debit card instead at the ATM.

 

[Nemo2]

Our Bank Cards, for ATM cash withdrawals at any branch, can also (apparently) be used as a Debit Card.

We've never used them as such and cannot envision a time that we might; we use credit cards for 'everything' and receive cash 'rewards'. And, of course, pay the bills in full monthly.

 

[audreyh1]

I have occasionally used a debit card overseas for purchases at a kiosk for transportation tickets. This is from an account not used for anything else. Now I have a very reliable pin-priority credit card, so I haven’t had to use the debit card in years. Only ATM cash withdrawals now and I only use bank facilities during open hours in case the machine takes my card. I haven’t used a US ATM in a year. I get enough cash back from Costco to fund our annual cash needs.

 

[CDRE]

Until Fido's HSA debit card, never owned such. Use Discover card and choose cashback at vendors that offer that convenience to get cash if I need some. Never any fee or interest charged. Not much need for cash lately. Never have used an ATM.

 

[MichaelB]

We have a debit card used only for overseas ATM cash. Our bank ATM card is also a debit card, but we only use it for infrequent ATM transactions. All other transactions are credit card.

Regulations and consumer protections are more rigorous for credit cards.

 

[VanWinkle]

I use my debit card only at local stores to get 10 hits per month and earn 1.75% on up to 30,000 on my rewards checking account. After the 10, it is all CC paid off monthly.

 

[Aerides]

I think usually when you use a credit card to get cash you start paying interest from that day, regardless of when you pay the bill. That's the main reason for using a debit card instead at the ATM.

Correct, plus a fee in most cases.

I have a debit card but use it very rarely, only as an ATM card. CC for everything else.

 

[scrabbler1]

The last time I used my debit card for a POS purchase was back in 2008, and I used that only a few times before that. Nowadays, other than to get cash at ATM (or when a local branch teller asks me to insert it when making a transaction) it serves only as a back-up to my CC in case something goes wrong with the CC or I happen to misplace it when I am away. (My back-up CC I leave at home.)

 

[finnski1]

Our Bank Cards, for ATM cash withdrawals at any branch, can also (apparently) be used as a Debit Card.

We've never used them as such and cannot envision a time that we might; we use credit cards for 'everything' and receive cash 'rewards'. And, of course, pay the bills in full monthly.

+1
Same here

 

[razztazz]

I've been using the debit card for all routine transactions for about 15 years. Have had no problems. Maybe it's just my bank but if I notify them that its missing or that a transaction is fraudulent it, just like a credit card, it gets expunged and I'm off the hook. Also, I have it set for a fairly low limit for a single transaction and a 24 hr period so it's hard for somebody to just run a way with it.


Most of life's business is "You do --> I pay" / cash-on-the-barrel head." I buy it. I pay for it. Go home. Clear the books. Just like old fashioned money.

PS: I do not use it online, at stores that are unfamiliar to me/where I am a first-timer, or at gas stations.

 

[audreyh1]

I think usually when you use a credit card to get cash you start paying interest from that day, regardless of when you pay the bill. That's the main reason for using a debit card instead at the ATM.

Right, I never use CCs for cash. But I don’t know if there is an exception for “cash back” at a grocery store, for example. Is it disguised as part of a purchase? Or is that really for check writers or debit card users? Discover card perhaps has an exception, but they still charge interest on it.

https://www.cardratings.com/can-i-g...uy-something-with-a-credit-card.html#discover

 

[flyingaway]

I only use debit cards to withdraw cash at casinos, and use credit cards for everything else.

 

[pb4uski]

Also, with one of my credit cards I get complimentary extended warranty coverage for major purchases in addition to 2% cashback.

On the first con... mine is on autopay so that issue goes away.

The only think I use an ATM card for is to get cash... and my last ATM withdrawal was February 28, 2020.

 

[CDRE]

Right, I never use CCs for cash. But I don’t know if there is an exception for “cash back” at a grocery store, for example. Is it disguised as part of a purchase? Or is that really for check writers or debit card users? Discover card perhaps has an exception, but they still charge interest on it. https://www.cardratings.com/can-i-g...uy-something-with-a-credit-card.html#discover

Example: Used Discover to purchase $0.26 of produce at Kroger and selected $40 cashback. The machine spit out two twenty dollar bills and the receipt reflects a total purchase for $40.26 with change provided as $40. When the transaction hits Quicken, it has a separate line that states Cash Over Purchase (or something like that; I just delete those lines) and the line for Kroger has $40.26

 

[USGrant1962]

Like most here, I've never used a debit card for anything other than ATM withdrawals. Cash coming straight out of my checking account always seemed like a horrible idea compared to getting a bill at the end of the month, looking it over, and paying it in one transaction.

Then again, we still keep a check register.

 

[EastWest Gal]

Only for ATM withdrawals. Does anyone use the HSA Debit card for medical expenses?

 

[jazz4cash]

Only use debit card for cash at ATM and use cashback CC for everything else so I hardly ever go to ATM anymore. Plus I think I can draw cash at ATM with the bank app on my phone, no physical card required.

 

[donheff]

Like others, I have a bank ATM card that can also be used as a debit card. I have never used it for a debit purchase and can't understand why anyone would use a debit card. Use a credit card, get your points, pay by autopay. I haven't incurred a CC interest charge in decades.

 

[Time2]

Like most here, I've never used a debit card for anything other than ATM withdrawals. Cash coming straight out of my checking account always seemed like a horrible idea compared to getting a bill at the end of the month, looking it over, and paying it in one transaction.

Then again, we still keep a check register.

I've also never used a debit card, I think I have one on my HSA account, but I'm not spending from my HSA, saving it. I haven't used an ATM since the 80s.


When I went to online banking, I gave up on the check register, we only write 4 to 6 checks a year and pay 6 to 8 bills online. I do look over the statement to see that everything seems proper.

 

[CDRE]

Only for ATM withdrawals. Does anyone use the HSA Debit card for medical expenses?

Yes, Fidelity's HSA debit card works well for medical/eye purchases. I have yet to try it on over-the-counter medicine/supplies since the CARES act now allows for such.

 

[audreyh1]

Example: Used Discover to purchase $0.26 of produce at Kroger and selected $40 cashback. The machine spit out two twenty dollar bills and the receipt reflects a total purchase for $40.26 with change provided as $40. When the transaction hits Quicken, it has a separate line that states Cash Over Purchase (or something like that; I just delete those lines) and the line for Kroger has $40.26

[-]But you are charged the APR for that cash starting immediately.[/-]

 

[CDRE]

But you are charged the APR for that cash starting immediately.

I have never paid any Fee or Interest for using the Discover cashback feature because the monthly balance is paid in full each month. Since I let Discover autodebit my checking account, I have never been late or paid any interest or fee in decades.

 

[audreyh1]

Only for ATM withdrawals. Does anyone use the HSA Debit card for medical expenses?

Yes, DH used his for the first couple of Medicare premium payments before we got the billpay set up.