I use whatever is handy... but usually I'll pay cash. Use the CC and then pay off that amount ... or pay in the amount of the buy and then make the charge. Same same, etither way.
I gave some thought to the supposed 'perks' from using CC as you stated... extended warranty coverage, shipping insurance, etc.
Truth be told, I've yet to have a great exp with a CC company. IF they say 'yada yada', and it's either outright false, unfair, unjust, or they won't listen/work with me on a dispute, or issue, (they normally do not anyhow) and do as they will. Consequently, I'll not rely on their claims or perks for using their money vs. using my own.
In other words... those claims IMHO, fall upon deaf ears here.... given how they've done business in the past... with me. I've not defaulted on an account in well over ten years, been late once on one account... nearly 3 years ago, yet each and evrey CC I own, escalated my rates from below 7% to now at an avg of 14%!
One by one each co raised the bar, from the initial time frame of the govt's pursute of the current regiems crack down on credit card companies.
Invariably each one cited the 'current economic climate', and not myself as the reason. I guess getting govt bail out money, Am Ex, Chase, etc., wasn't sufficient.
Pack it up really well and tight... declare the value and keep the receipts, if there's a shipping descrepency.
aS for extended warranties? yeah. good luck with all that. If they ain't in business any more... who's responsible? Are they paying the shipping costs as well? Seeing as how most things we buy around here need shipping for fixing?
CC perks ain't all they're cracked up to be IMHO. Just another come on and another possible bag of wet hair.
I will say in a positive frame, even my banks now honor and investigate or withold outright, payment to any entity which has made false claims, or has not delievered their goods as stated. So at least Bank Am, and my Credit Union are now taking those steps they had not taken previously to protect the members funds... even if it's just a debit card purchase at POS or online..