Given that credit card companies charge 3% (varyingly), when I make big purchases from my (local) double reed supplier, or when paying for yearly maintenance, I write them a check, even though they say they're quite OK with me paying by credit card, because that way I can give them a little more and help them stay in business. Other infrequent big purchases were the last two times I bought a car (7 years ago and 12 years before that), and made a substantial business loan. I also write checks for my fairly regular music lessons, and to a couple of 501©3 organizations I support.