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It’s almost always better to pay with a credit card to earn rewards and take advantage of purchase protections, but sometimes it doesn’t make sense.

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I have over 20 credit cards and use them for almost every purchase to earn valuable rewards and take advantage of purchase protections.
There are some situations where it just doesn’t make sense to use a credit card, so I use cash or debit instead.
It’s sometimes cheaper, more secure, or more private to pay with cash.
Read Insider’s guide to the best cash-back credit cards.

With over 20 credit card accounts to my name, I use a credit card to pay for almost every purchase I make. This approach serves me well, as transacting with the best credit cards helps me earn valuable rewards, and offers benefits and protections I wouldn’t get from other payment methods.

But years of swiping, tapping, and inserting my cards have taught me that, despite those advantages, there are times when I’m better off not paying with plastic. Here are seven scenarios where I recommend looking for an alternative.

We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

1. To pay less

I believe that price is almost always negotiable, and one strategy I …read more

Source:: Businessinsider