I think another key point - debit cards expire. Checking accounts don't. So if you set up all your automatic payments thru your checking account you don't have to worry about going thru and changing your card info. You don't realize how many payments you might have - it's a pain in the ass. mortgages, car payments, health - car - life insurance. credit card payments. and on and on.. my debit card expired once and it was a nightmare. forgot to change some of them and things got shut off and went on my credit.. totally just forgot about it