Actually just the opposite for me. I detest Debit cards. This goes back 35 years to my youth when I incurred numerous fees due to my disregard for simple math. But my feelings about debit cards has stayed with me until today. I did go and get a debit card about 3-4 years ago with Schwab for use when traveling internationally as they waive all ATM and FX fees. Now that was a selling point as FX fees can run as high as 6%. The only time I dust it off is when I travel overseas. So in my case there is a time and place for everything, even a ATM (debit) card.

Having to pay fees to use my own money without any benefit other than convenience just doesn't make sense. No improved credit rating, no purchase protection, no fraudulent use protection, no auto insurance, no Marriott Rewards points. For my $65 annual fee I get all of those benefits, a free night at a category 5 hotel, and enough points from Marriott spending each year for another 5 nights at a category 6 or 7 hotel. Well worth the annual fee IMO. I also get the convenience of not going through what the OP went through.