Do millionaires use credit cards? Yes, and so should you.
If you use a rewards credit card, you're more like a millionaire than you may think. Although most adults have credit cards, millionaires are even more likely to use them. According to the Federal Reserve, almost all adults with incomes over $100,000 have a credit card in their name.
But if millionaires are so wealthy, why do they rely on credit? Credit cards provide plenty of benefits, even for the super-wealthy. However, you don't need a seven-figure net worth to take advantage of those benefits.
Millionaires use credit cards thanks to the convenience and perks they provide. These are some of the key benefits of using a credit card — even for people who can easily afford any purchase in cash:
Millionaires earn valuable rewards by using credit cards, from paying for groceries to buying clothing. For example, some cash-back cards offer 5% back on certain purchases, or you can use a travel credit card to earn points or airline miles that can be redeemed for travel.
Consider a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. This credit card offers a base earning rate of 2x miles on all eligible purchases. If a millionaire makes $50,000 in purchases, that's 100,000 miles (equal to $1,000 toward travel). That's not a bad return for purchases they're already making.
In the case of average consumers, we don't have to spend like millionaires to earn lots of rewards. If you have upcoming large expenses, you can time paying for them with a new card and earn a credit card sign-up bonus. This can immediately boost your rewards bank without any need to overspend.
Millionaires use credit cards because many credit cards automatically give you added protection and coverage. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers the following protections:
Auto rental collision damage waiver
Baggage delay insurance
Extended warranty protection
Lost luggage reimbursement
Purchase protection
Roadside dispatch
Travel accident insurance
Travel and emergency assistance services
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Trip delay reimbursement
Some cards, like the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Credit Card, offer cell phone protection.
It's one thing to make a lot of money, but it's another to hold on to that money in different ways with good money habits, such as protecting your purchases. And certain credit cards provide an easy way to make sure you have automatic protections in place on qualifying purchases.Despite their incomes, millionaires still face some of the same annoyances or stressors while traveling, such as long lines at the airport. By using a card like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, they can make the experience less stressful by utilizing the following perks:
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credits: You can receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Airport lounge access: Cardholders receive complimentary access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge locations.
Travel concierge: Credit card concierge services can assist you if you need help booking reservations or finding a good hotel. They can even help you secure event tickets, refer medical or legal services, and assist with other emergencies.One of the reasons why millionaires use credit cards rather than cash or debit is because of the protection against fraud they provide. In most cases, if a credit card is lost or stolen, your maximum liability for unauthorized purchases is $50.
By contrast — depending on how quickly you report the charges — you may be responsible for the entire amount of unauthorized transactions with a debit card.Tracking spending with cash can be difficult. Tax season can be especially challenging unless you keep diligent records and store your receipts.
Credit cards allow you to sync your accounts with your favorite budgeting or bookkeeping software. You can quickly view your records to see how you've historically spent money, trends in your spending habits, and even look up specific transactions from the past. These records can make finding your charitable donations, medical expenses, and other potential deductions easier at tax time.Credit cards are often much more convenient than cash or paper checks. You don't have to worry about stopping at an ATM to make a withdrawal with your debit card, and you can add your credit card to your phone to make contactless or mobile payments.Unique cards for wealthy people include the American Express Centurion Card (Amex Black Card) and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card. However, rich people use various types of credit cards that are generally available to anyone who qualifies, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Note that many popular travel cards typically require at least a good credit score.
Rich people have the money to pay off credit card debt and don't have to carry credit card balances, so they don't have to worry about high interest rates or annual fees. Rather, they can focus on the benefits of credit cards, like earning rewards to continue to build wealth, taking advantage of travel perks, and using card protections and insurance.
They get many of the same benefits that the average cardholder can get from credit card companies, including:
Opportunities to build credit
Rewards on eligible purchases
Card protections and insurance coverage
Travel perks, such as airport lounge access
Expense tracking
Convenient payment method
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
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