@HonnyBrown wrote:
It sounds like your mind is made up. I would recommend having a credit card if you can use it responsibly, ie don't pay interest. If your card bill is due on the 12th of the month for the charges you made last month, and the MSC doesn't pay until the end of the month, you are paying interest. It's better to use your debit card.
@shopper8 wrote:
begriffin I was told by the bank awhile ago that the protection was not the same. I would double check with your bank to verify. Maybe it depends on the bank. I will double check myself. I am talking about a debit card, not a credit card.
Why doesn't anyone listen to me, been saying that over and over, debit cards all have the chips protecting your #.@bgriffin wrote:
@shopper8 wrote:
begriffin I was told by the bank awhile ago that the protection was not the same. I would double check with your bank to verify. Maybe it depends on the bank. I will double check myself. I am talking about a debit card, not a credit card.
Your banker was likelu trying to sell you a credit card. Visa and MastetCard both give the same fraud protection to both debit and credit cards.
But SPG points are worth 3x Marriott points so it's a wash. IHG has a better deal (unless you regularly stay at Marriott properties.) Free hotel night at --any-- of their properties every year. Marriott limits it to Cat 5 and under. AmEx treats you far better than Chase or Capitol, but it isn't taken everywhere.@Hoju wrote:
Did you know that if you switch to the SPG Amex card, you're earning Marriott points at 3-times the rate you do with the Marriott card? Iiiiiit's true!@mtsakach wrote:
I have the Marriott rewards Visa and mainly use it to earn free hotel stays.
@iShop123 wrote:
But SPG points are worth 3x Marriott points so it's a wash. IHG has a better deal (unless you regularly stay at Marriott properties.) Free hotel night at --any-- of their properties every year. Marriott limits it to Cat 5 and under. AmEx treats you far better than Chase or Capitol, but it isn't taken everywhere.
My local mall lets you register your card with them and then when you spend $250 there, you get a $10 credit. That includes four restaurants that I regularly mystery shop so it adds up quickly.
Cash still reigns. I don't like every purchase of mine being recorded and analyzed. For things like utilities, though, where it's already a matter of record, I'll take the points.
@mystery2me wrote:
I did not have a credit card until I began mystery shopping. Don't like them in general, but it has been useful for car rentals and hotel reservations. I always pay off my card each month. I think reward points programs are just a gimmick, unless you put in a lot of effort making sure you spend every single dollar using your card; then you become one of those annoying people who tie up the line buying a soda or snack using a credit card.
@jdoj wrote:
[www.nerdwallet.com] is a good site that will explain the details of the cards. I have opened many credit cards for mystery shops.
You are missing out on some money by not having a card.
@Hoju wrote:
I recommend all you pointsmongers jump on Award Travel 101 on Facebook. The Points Guy is a big sellout at this point. AT101 is where it's at for the hard details on how to make this work.
Is there an alternative for those of us who dumped Faceberg? [www.salimvirani.com]@Hoju wrote:
I recommend all you pointsmongers jump on Award Travel 101 on Facebook. The Points Guy is a big sellout at this point. AT101 is where it's at for the hard details on how to make this work.
@Tarantado wrote:
Flyertalk and Slickdeals is all you need
@shopper8 wrote:
Did you know that a credit card is protected. A debit card is not protected. A bank could close your account and hold it until the debt is solved. I think you should have a credit card, as long as you can control it. Get the lowest interest rate possible. I was just compromised with my Amazon Chase account. Chase is great at notifying you. Someone in Florida tried to purchase items at Target for $500 and $900. Chase contacted me and closed the account until I get my new card. Those who have credit cards should add a code to get into your account instead of your mother's maiden name etc. Equifax has all the information the Scammers got.
@whosear wrote:
On debit card protection, what I have found is that it does not have the same term and conditional limit of either $0 or $50, depending when it was known and reported lost or stolen. If either card is reported lost or stolen before any authorized purchases are made, the limit is $0. If after, $50 max for CC, and maybe up to all of your money in your deposit accounts tied to the debit card was well as any line of credits tied to the accounts or card. The rules state that your liability is limited to $50 if reported within 2 days of knowing it was lost or stolen; over 2 days but less than 60 days after: $500. After 60 days is when you could lose it all. It does not specifically address unauthorized charges used with your PIN, so I don't know
If using a debit card, check with a banker or better yet, loss preventiion to see what the financial institution's policy is.