Just recall the HUGE caveat that I made...you have to be sure that you'll be in full control...if you're not sure, stay away from a credit card for now.

I used them as a student - but never had more than about $800 on one.

When I went off round the world I put credit on a couple of them and as a result have $20k limits on those.

That said I haven't used one for anything in over 2 years (and more importantly nor has my wife). I keep them solely for emergencies - say I get run over in the States and need medical treatment - a couple of platinum credit cardswith $40k credit on them might pay for a couple of days before my insurers can confirm cover

I'm old school with money - I'll go into debt for an education (which can include travel in its broader sense) or a house but never for depreciating assets like a car or clothes.

I think going into debt for an education and stuff like food or even a holiday before you settle down to 40 yrs of work is OK especially if you know you have a good job lined up at the end.

It's those folks in work that are using it to live beyond their means that are in real trouble.