3 Tips for Using Your Credit Cards for Last Minute Holiday Shopping
December 15, 2011
If you still haven’t finished your holiday shopping, you’re probably rushing to take care of last minute gifts. You’re far from alone. But in that rush to get things finished, you may overlook some things related to credit card transactions.
Here are three tips for those last minute shoppers who plan to use their credit cards for any of their further holiday shopping.
1. If a deal seems too good to be true, don’t give out your credit card details.
You can find amazing deals this time of year. But sometimes a deal seems too good to be true. In some cases, they are. If something feels even slightly shady (from a television ad or telemarketing call to an offer you’ve received in your email), run.
Don’t give anyone your credit card information if there’s a possibility the offer is a scam. Stick with companies you trust. Credit card thieves count on people being careless while they’re focused on getting those perfect presents. Don’t let yourself fall for it and become a victim of credit card fraud.
2. Don’t lose sight of your spending during the holiday rush.
Also keep an eye on your holiday spending. Overspending now could lead to a credit card hangover as you get hit with the bills in the New Year. Shopping with a credit card as while rushing from one retailer to the next could lead some consumers to spend more than they realise at the time.
3. Pay close attention to shipping policies and prices.
You might still be able to place online orders for gifts and have them arrive in time for the holidays. This is a great perk of using credit cards for gifts — you can find whatever you want online, whether or not it’s available locally.
To avoid having items purchased online with your card arrive late, carefully check shipping policies before ordering. Make sure items are in stock, and verify expected delivery dates with the retailer. Also pay attention to shipping prices, especially if you have to have an item rushed. Credit cards cease being beneficial if the purchases end up costing you far more than the item is worth.
Credit cards can be wonderful tools for holiday shopping, from letting you buy online to offering more security than cash. But these are some things you should keep in mind as you use them to avoid scammers on the lookout for your credit card information, stay on budget, and get your gifts on time.
Below are 3 of our most popular and recommended credit card offers:
Purchase Rate (p.a.) |
Cash Rate (p.a.) |
Balance Transfer |
Interest Free Days |
Annual Fee |
||
Citibank Clear Platinum |
11.99% | 21.74% | 2.9% for 12 months | up to 55 days | $49 | More Info |
ANZ Platinum Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 44 days | $0 first year | More Info |
Westpac Low Rate Credit Card |
0% for 6 months | 21.49% | 0% for 6 months | up to 55 days | $45 | More Info |
