Generation Plastic Questionnaire

Screening Question: Which of the following applies to you? (Could potentially use quotas for each generation for equal representation, would increase cost)

• I currently have at least one personal credit card (not a debit card)

• I do not currently have a personal credit card (Disqualify)

1. What is your primary reason for using a credit card?

• Building credit history/score

• Earning rewards/cash back/points

• Convenience for everyday spending

• Safety/fraud protection

• Financing large purchases over time

• Emergencies only

• Other (Please Specify)

2. “How much do you agree or disagree with each statement about credit card strategy?” (Select one per row)

3. Which generation do you think has the healthiest relationship with credit cards?

• Gen Z (18–27)

• Millennials (28–43)

• Gen X (44–59)

• Baby Boomers (60–78)

4. Compared with two years ago, how has your credit card use changed?

• Increased significantly

• Increased a small amount

• About the same

• Decreased a small amount

• Decreased significantly

5. Which best describes how you paid your credit card balance in the past 12 months?

• Paid in full every month

• Usually paid in full (missed a few)

• Sometimes carried a balance

• Usually carried a balance

• Always carried a balance

6. Carrying a credit card balance month to month creates anxiety for me.

• Strongly agree

• Somewhat agree

• Somewhat disagree

• Strongly disagree

7. Which best describes how APR factors into your credit card choice?

• It’s one of the top factors I consider

• I consider it, but other features usually matter more

• I consider it only if I expect to carry a balance

• It doesn’t factor into my decision

8. How appealing are each of the following rewards options for your main credit card? (Select one option per row)

9. Have you ever paid a credit card late fee for a missed payment?

• Yes — once

• Yes — 2-3 times

• Yes — 4-5 times

• Yes — 6 or more times

• No — never

10. Which of the following have you personally used AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot) for? (Select all that apply.)

• Choosing a credit card

• Improving my credit score

• Budgeting or spending analysis

• Negotiating bills/fees or canceling subscriptions

• Disputing charges or fraud monitoring

• Investing/retirement decisions

• I have not used AI for money decisions, but I’m interested

• I have not used AI for money decisions and I’m not interested

11. Who do you trust most for credit card advice?

• Myself

• Family/friends

• Bank or credit union representatives

• Independent comparison/review sites

• Government/consumer watchdogs

• Social media influencers

• AI tools

12. I would be comfortable with my card issuer using AI to adjust my credit limit or APR in real time based on my spending and risk data.

• Strongly agree

• Somewhat agree

• Neither agree nor disagree

• Somewhat disagree

• Strongly disagree

13. Credit card companies should market differently to different age groups (e.g., different offers or messaging).

• Strongly agree

• Somewhat agree

• Neither agree nor disagree

• Somewhat disagree

• Strongly disagree

14. Which would you choose for your main card?

• 2% cash back with a higher APR

• 1% cash back with a lower APR

• I always pay in full, so APR doesn’t matter to me

15. Before getting a first credit card, should a short financial-literacy course be required?

• Yes—mandatory for all first-time applicants before approval (with a brief quiz)

• Yes—mandatory only for applicants under 25

• Yes—mandatory only for applicants with no credit history

• Optional, but offer a signup bonus/perk for completing it

• Optional, with enhanced disclosures replacing a course

• Waived if the applicant has documented prior coursework (e.g., high school/college personal finance)

• No—no education requirement

Explore key insights from this questionnaire in our detailed article. For more data and survey results, click here.