Most people have at least one credit card in their wallet. In fact, the average number of credit card accounts per cardholder was 3.84 in 2020, according to data from credit bureau Experian. However, the rate of credit card use is actually lower than you might expect.
Consumers are most likely to use a debit card or cash at the register, even if they have a credit card. According to a 2021 study from the Federal Reserve, shoppers used cash in 19% of transactions, debit cards in 28% of transactions, and credit cards in 27% of transactions.
While credit card use lags behind some other payment methods, it’s actually better to use a credit card for certain purchases. From rewards to purchase protection to zero fraud liability, credit cards come with several benefits that make them the best method of payment for some major expenses.
