Unfortunately, could be tough getting through on the telephone during certain emergency situations (or, depending on your bank, even under NORMAL circumstance! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). If your own house burned down, you could call your CC before purchasing a new wardrobe, but if your whole home town went up in flames after an earthquake...

By the way, the story about your wife's experience with her CC sounds like a pain, although, like you said, it's probably better for the company to block the charges than not.

Actually, I have one of those "check cards"--an ATM card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. When making a purchase, I can either make a PIN-based transaction, or process it like a credit card and sign for it. In any case, both transactions immediately deduct money from your bank account. I never liked the idea that if someone got a hold of my check card, they could take money straight out of my bank account by simply signing for it. I know, there are laws to limit your liability to $50, but unlike a regular CC, when that check card transaction goes through, the money is GONE--and you have to jump through hoops to get it back. At least with a CC, you can contest the charge and not have to fork over the money until the matter is resolved.

My bank, and most, I assume, can issue you an ATM-only card without the Visa-capability. If that is lost or stolen, at least the thief will require my PIN to do anything with it. Just need to get off my butt and request it, though.