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I only use my debit card to obtain cash from ATM's or occasionally cash back where this is offered. I and the DW have a number of credit cards but we only use two most of the time. Our reason for doing this is to protect us from one or the other card becoming unusable due to network problems, loss, damage to the magnetic strip or theft etc. I try to keep at least $100 of cash on hand. Winter storms, blackouts, fires at key network points etc. have caused electronic banking transactions including credit cards to be unavailable for varying periods. Not all merchants will take a credit card for payment when the "system" is down. On a recent business trip my AMEX corporate card could not be read at a car rental agency in Boston. They refused to accept the card. Luckily I had my second card and it was OK. The other option which is opening up in many places is the pre-loaded card. They work something like a pre-paid phone card.
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