How do you feel about credit cards?
William Jenkins
Updated on February 16, 2026
While respondents generally value their credit cards as important financial and credit tools, the majority aren’t as satisfied with their credit cards as they feel they could be. Many also feel the process of finding and applying for a new card is difficult or overwhelming.
Why is it good to use credit?
Credit is part of your financial power. It helps you to get the things you need now, like a loan for a car or a credit card, based on your promise to pay later. Working to improve your credit helps ensure you’ll qualify for loans when you need them.
What happens when you use credit?
Using credit means you borrow money to buy something. You borrow money (with your credit card or loan). You buy the thing you want. You pay back that loan later – with interest.
What are 3 benefits of using credit?
The Benefits of Using Credit
- Save on interest and fees.
- Manage your cash flow.
- Avoid utility deposits.
- Better credit card rewards.
- Emergency fund backup plan.
- Avoid and limit financial fraud.
- Purchase and travel protections.
- Don’t underestimate the power of good credit.
What are the pros and cons of using credit?
Biggest Pros and Cons of Credit Cards
| Rank | Top 10 Credit Card Pros | Top 10 Credit Card Cons |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Rewards | Fees |
| 4 | Pay Over Time | Fine Print |
| 5 | Theft Protection | Vague Approval Requirements |
| 6 | Online Shopping | Harmful When Misused |
How do Americans feel about their credit cards?
A recent Experian survey revealed these and other insights into how Americans feel about and use their credit cards. While respondents generally value their credit cards as important financial and credit tools, the majority aren’t as satisfied with their credit cards as they feel they could be.
How does revolving credit affect your credit score?
Revolving credit, like credit cards, can certainly hurt your credit score if it is not used wisely. However, having credit cards can be great for your score if you manage both credit utilization and credit mix to your best advantage.
How does credit card use affect your credit score?
Credit card purchases have a direct impact on the credit utilization portion of your score. This factor is second only to payment history in importance to your FICO score (worth about 30 percent) and is “extremely influential” to your VantageScore. Credit utilization looks at how much of your available credit you have used.
What to do when someone takes credit for your ideas?
Taking action in the moment creates a strong boundary that will pay off in the future. If someone takes credit for your ideas in a meeting you can say, “That’s exactly the strategy I suggested we try yesterday. Let’s revisit the plans.”
