And compared to a debit card? You have all the advantages you listed (except the rebate), but you're spending your own money.
For consumers, credit vs debit is in theory about the same, in practice it's slightly different. The main difference though is consumer vs business. A business debit card attached to a checking account, is the same problem with fraud as the checking account itself, the burden is almost entirely on the business not the bank.
Regardless of debit or credit the CC company always has responsibility if there is fraud. With debit I might risk having an empty account for a longer period of time after an incident though (Refunds might take a while).
> How do you pay the rent?
I'd use credit.
How is spending your own cash an advantage over spending someone else's?
You must be speaking of something different such as "Visa electron" debit cards.
We model credit worthiness largely on past payments of credit; which means that we are incented to use the system.
I don't see using my credit card as really "using credit." I use it as a charge card and pay every bill as it comes; so it's merely a (30-59 day) float. I, of course, have a difference financial capability than much of the US, and recognize that privilege. For many people, CC float is what let's them live paycheck to paycheck and is the first brick in Americans penchant for debt.
That being said; there is a huge benefit to many consumers having a short term credit facility. It's as if the CC industry made a micro loans initiative. (And then proceeded to abuse it).