TikToker Says Treating Credit Cards Like Debit Cards Unlocks Free Travel, and the Comment Section Is Divided

A TikTok creator known as Abby (@savewithab) is going viral after posting a“Credit Cards 101”guide with one core rule: treat your credit card like a debit card. In her video, she explains that you should only spend money already sitting in your bank account, pay your full balance every month, and keep your credit utilization below 30%. On a $5,000 limit, that means spending under $1,500 before paying it off. Do it right, she says, and the points turn into free flights, hotels, and cash back.

The video racked up more than 231,000 likes and around 735 comments, and the reaction shows just how different people’s financial realities are. Some commenters shared disciplined habits and high credit scores, with one writing,“I use my credit card ONLY for gas.”Others pushed back hard, describing the reality of living paycheck to paycheck with maxed-out cards, where paying in full every month simply isn’t an option.

The debate highlights something financial experts repeat constantly: credit card rewards only pay off for people who can consistently avoid carrying a balance. For everyone else, interest charges can wipe out any points earned and then some. Whether you’re team“treat it like debit”or team“survival mode,”the conversation is a reminder that money advice hits differently depending on your situation.

So where do you land? Do you swear by the debit-card mindset, or does the advice miss the mark for real life? Drop your take in the comments.