Credit cards usually get a pretty bad rap, especially if they are misused. They can lead to crippling amounts of debt and even bankruptcy if abused. However, to their “credit,” they CAN be used responsibly and be put to work for you. One often overlooked feature of credit cards are the many “benefits” that come with them (but are rarely actually used). These benefits can help a lot any time you need some extra cash (for example, around the holidays). Jenna Lee at Credit Karma has a few ways that credit cards can actually help you this holiday season:
Purchase Protection: guard eligible purchases against accidental damage or theft for a certain amount of days from the date of purchase
Price Protection: Like price matching at stores, only your credit card will cover the difference if you find something cheaper elsewhere
Unique Experiences: With many cards, you can use your bonus points to purchase tons of experiences, from VIP access at must-see events, to culinary experiences.