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The Daily Insight Hub

Can you buy things with a credit card?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on February 13, 2026

Shopping online with a credit card can provide you with many protections. Your credit card is also a great protection against fraud. If you purchase something from a vendor site and never receive it, a lot of credit card companies will go ahead and refund you, then go after the merchandiser themselves.

How does buying something with a credit card work?

When you make purchases with a credit card, you’re not actually spending any of your own money at that moment. Instead, you’re spending the credit card company’s money which you then have to pay back, potentially with interest. Debit cards, on the other hand, are linked to your checking account.

What can you not buy using credit card?

Mortgage payments. If you’re low on cash one month, it might be tempting to make your mortgage payment with a high-limit credit card, but there are problems with this thinking.

  • Bail bonds.
  • Alternate payment methods.
  • Medical bills.
  • College tuition.
  • Your taxes.
  • Automobiles.
  • Down payments of any kind.
  • Can I use my credit card to buy groceries?

    Yes, you should use a credit card for groceries. Using a credit card for grocery shopping is a good idea because it is convenient, secure, and a great opportunity to earn rewards – with the potential to save you up to 6% every time you buy groceries.

    Do you have to buy things with credit card?

    There’s no need to buy large items or go into debt – charging inexpensive items you have to buy anyway works just fine. “Making small purchases on your credit card can be convenient and helpful if used responsibly,” Smith says.

    Is it safe to use a credit card for online purchases?

    Credit cards provide a convenient, secure payment option and the process for making online purchases is typically the same across most websites. This guide outlines the payment process step-by-step, security features and other factors that come up when you want to use a credit card for online purchases.

    When to use credit cards for small purchases?

    Older seniors primarily use cash for purchases of $5 or less,” says Natasha Rachel Smith, a personal finance expert at TopCashback.com. According to a 2017 CreditCards.com poll, the number of consumers who use credit cards for small purchases varies dramatically by age.

    Where can I buy things on Amazon without a credit card?

    Luckily, there are several ways you can make purchases on Amazon without one. Gift cards and prepaid credit cards can be purchased at most major grocery or convenience stores, and if you have a US-based checking account, you can pay directly from it.