” why are these needed if people can get a checking account with a debit card?”
I think for online shopping and for travel, where the risk of identity theft is high (gas stations/convenience stores/shady hotel clerks). A debit card links directly to your funds and if the pin is discovered I don’t think there’s the same protection as a credit card where you have to sign.
There is no doubt that a credit card is better than a debit card wrt that, heck on top of cash rewards I can contest my own purchases because I didn't get the service, and false purchases are easy to contest.
Another reason I love credit cards.
My question was comparing debit cards to prepaid cards.