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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 9:47:00 GMT
I've had too many problems with my debit card with my traveling. My bank then tried to tell me it would be better to get a credit card, and then I had a go at them telling them that it's my money and I get to choose where and when I spend it, and it can be anywhere in the world as I do enjoy my travels.[ It really is worth getting yourself a credit card, though. It can help your credit rating in the long term and can provide payment protection on large purchases, not to mention that if there's a problem with a fraud flag you don't get your bank account frozen. And then there's the perks on cards like Amex - like 5% cashback on ATG tickets purchases, priority booking, frequent flyer points/cash back. The trick is to set up a direct debit to clear the card each month - that way you never pay any interest - and just use it like it's a debit card, i.e. Don't spend money you don't have. I agree, I've long had a credit card but never really used it for actual 'credit' I have direct debits set up on the two cards I use so it immediately gets paid off without interest. It builds what would be a non-existent credit score otherwise, and gets perks (ie my Amex currently and 'points' on other credit card)
I also like to have a credit card handy while travelling in case of expensive emergency, I've never had the luxury of having a lot of funds spare in my bank, but knowing I could if needed charge a couple of grand to a card and deal with the consequences later is a useful 'safety net' in travelling and in life.
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Post by Jan on Apr 20, 2017 10:03:19 GMT
It is. Not the first time it happens. If you make several online purchases quite quickly it triggers an alarm but since this is all automated there is a complete absence of common sense. A human would see the pattern - theatre tickets being purchased by a regular theatregoer - but a computer just sees volume of transactions. If on the other hand my details had been compromised and someone bought a £5,000 ring with my card Mr Computer would happily wave it through. No, you are wrong, you have obviously never bought jewellery worth £1000s with a credit card - I have several times and each time after the transaction went through the bank phoned me directly to check it was valid - jewellery is one of the big red flag items for them. I can't get that outraged by the banks being over-cautious on debit card payments - remember that fraud protection for debit card purchases is weaker than for credit card purchases and if you use a debit card the money disappears from your bank account immediately - I never use them on-line (I use credit cards only). |
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Post by kathryn on Apr 20, 2017 10:08:24 GMT
I feel like everyone should know how much you can actually get from a credit card if you're canny. Here's my current crop of Amex statement offers: http://instagram.com/p/BTGlfYCD9Gc This is on a free credit card that I use to collect Avios. Hilton hotels do a credit card that gives you a sign up bonus of one free hotel night anywhere with reward room availability once you've spent £750. I used that for a night in a hotel in New York last year (I went for a Hampton Inn as I was still going to have to pay for a night in cash and didn't want to faff about moving hotels, but I could have had a free night in the Waldorf Astoria). A couple could get a card each and use their free nights one after another for a weekend away. |
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