Imagine sitting through a fancy dinner with your significant other or a prospective client, only to have your credit card declined when it comes time to pay the bill. For many, there's no need to imagine – they've experienced an awkward situation just like this.

What they – and perhaps you – might not realize is that this situation is avoidable by opting in to your credit card's over-limit protection. But is saving yourself the embarrassment of a declined credit card transaction worth the cost of going over your limit? Maybe not.

Read more at US News.