Credit Cards Good, Credit Checks Bad

I hate credit checks – specifically, the "say-it’s-free-but-really-it’s-not" kind. I went on to freecreditreport.com to get, surprisingly enough, a free credit report. Although I’m usually aware enough to identify the catches, one must have slipped by, as a couple of months later I realized an errant recurring charge had been on my credit card statement starting from a month after I secured the credit report. Luckily, my wife peruses our statements for things like this and once she found them, I knew reimbursement would be quick and easy.

Why? Because credit card companies are great. Finding their contact information online is straightforward – in contrast to a trend I’ve noticed among others, particularly utility companies, to bury their customer service number behind a wall of very unhelpful "self-help" online options. Once I make the call, the menu is user-friendly and logically organized. I also am able to actually talk to someone very quickly as I don’t have to dig through 7-10 menu levels or spend a long time waiting in line.

Finally, and most importantly, when a customer service representative does answer, they live up to their name. In this case, not only were they quick to refund the errant charges (even before they investigate them), they also spoke at a normal speed, were adept at working their system, and actually sounded interested in helping me.

After hanging up, it clicked: I pay these people absolutely nothing (as I never carry a balance), and yet they provide me the best customer service around. I also get rewards (e.g., cash back, miles, etc.) for spending money I would be spending anyway, as well as nicely organized/categorized online statements and services. The security of not having to carry cash and an expanded spending power for emergencies is nice to have, too.

Sure, there is some risk if you don’t have self control, and there isn’t a need to have more than a couple of them, but as someone who avoids the service charges and interest, I love credit cards.