Student Loans
Great Lakes Credit Union has everything you need to help manage your money and plan for the future.
Top 5 Must-Have Debit Card Features
Money SmartsNewsSeptember 8, 2025
A debit card is a convenient way to manage your daily spending needs. Whether you need to grab lunch, fill up your gas tank, pay for groceries, or handle unexpected expenses, a debit card gives you instant access to your money when you need it. There’s no need to carry a lot of cash around — just swipe or tap your card to complete transactions quickly so you can be on your way or focus on the next thing on your to-do list.
Debit cards have features that make spending easier and more secure. Not all debit cards are the same, however. Some have more or fewer features than others. That’s why it’s important to compare debit cards to find the best option for your needs.
Here are the top five best debit card features you should look for to help you save time, protect your money, and get the most out of your day-to-day banking.
1. 24/7 Access to Your Money
With a debit card, you'll have immediate access to the funds in your checking account, whenever and wherever you need them. You don’t have to wait for business hours to get cash. You can conveniently use your debit card with any merchant that accepts card payments—buying groceries in the evening, filling up your gas tank early in the morning on the way to work, or grabbing a late-night meal.
You can also use your debit card to withdraw cash at ATMs. Most banks and credit unions allow you to make withdrawals from their ATM network without incurring fees. Many also partner with nationwide ATM networks, which gives you access to thousands of ATMs across the country without additional charges.
2. Real-Time Fraud Protection and Alerts
The best debit cards feature security measures that operate continuously to safeguard your funds. Be sure to look for a debit card that has real-time alerts and zero-liability protection for unauthorized purchases to protect you from fraud.
With real-time alerts, you will receive a text message, email, or mobile app notification every time a transaction occurs. This offers an important layer of protection in case your card information falls into the wrong hands. If you receive an alert for a purchase you don't recognize, you can take quick action to protect your hard-earned money.
If a fraudulent purchase does occur, zero-liability protection ensures you won't be held financially responsible. You can contact your card issuer right away if you detect suspicious account activity to stop the fraud and begin the dispute process. Your card issuer will most likely cancel your card immediately to prevent additional unauthorized transactions and will issue you a replacement card with a new number.
3. Convenient Contactless Payments
Another important debit card feature to look for is contactless payment technology. This allows you to complete transactions by simply holding your debit card—or even your smartphone or smartwatch with a digital wallet—near a payment terminal. Payments are fast, secure, and don’t require inserting your card or handing it to a cashier., making the process more hygienic as well.
Contactless debit cards are equipped with modern EMV chips—tiny, embedded microchips. that offer stronger security than traditional magnetic strips. Unlike strips that can be easily skimmed, EMV chips generate a unique, one-time code for each transaction, making it much harder for criminals to clone your card or use it fraudulently.
4. Spending Controls and Budgeting Tools
With the right features, a debit card can help you manage your spending. This enables you to take control of your finances, monitor where your money is going, and help you save for a short- or long-term goal.
Debit cards with spending controls let you set spending limits, which helps you control how much you spend per day or in certain categories. You can also access your account online or with mobile banking anytime to check your balance. This helps to prevent overdraft fees, and it also ensures your transactions go through without a hitch.
Some banking platforms automatically categorize your debit card purchases into groups like groceries, dining, entertainment, and transportation. This simplifies expense tracking to help you stay on budget. Instead of wondering where your money went at the end of each month, you can see exactly how much you've spent in each category and make adjustments as needed.
5. Earn Valuable Rewards
Many debit cards offer rewards programs that let you earn points or cash back on your everyday purchases. Similar to credit cards, you can earn valuable rewards just for buying the things you need and buy anyway — like groceries, gas, clothing, and other essentials.
If a debit card offers reward points, they may be offered only for certain categories. Other debit cards offer points for everything you buy, depending on the card issuer. The points you earn can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, or other perks.
With cash back, you’ll earn a percentage of your purchase, often between 1% and 2%. The rewards can usually be redeemed as a gift card or applied directly to your account as a statement credit. Over time, points and cash-back rewards can really add up, offering a smart way to save money or treat yourself without tapping into your savings or overspending.
aThe Right Tool for Everyday Spending
Because of the many benefits that a debit card can offer, it's much more than a replacement for cash. It's a tool you can use to manage your finances. It can help you stay within budget, earn rewards, and make your everyday spending safer and easier.
Ready to experience the convenience and control that comes with a feature-rich debit card?
Discover GLCU Debit Card Features
The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service.