2% charge with credit card is it worth it?

emmy_lou_2

newbie here! I hope someone can help, I'm in a bit of a quandry! The balance of my summer holiday is due next week, which is approx £5,000 for all of us, and I had planned to use my M&S credit card, for the extra security. I have now realised that the travel agent charge 2% of the balance to use the credit card. I know £100 is a small fraction of the balance, but when you've saved hard all year, £100 is £100. Should I still use the credit card for the extra security and pay the 2% charge or take a chance and pay with a visa debit card?? Thank you in advance for any replies!!!

williham

Can you pay part credit card? As long as the entire purchase is over £100, it doesn't matter how much you put on your credit card for the protection.

jonesMUFCforever

IMO a small price tp pay - others might have different opinions.

udydudy

Pay £100-200 on credit card (which will cost £2 - £4)and the rest by debit card. that way you will still be covered by the protection if I ma not wrong. that is if the travel agent is willing(though i do not see why not)

dylanuk

Unless the travel agent is directly selling the holiday, e.g. they are providing the holiday as a travel operator - it doesn't matter what card you pay with.

Section 75 only works if there is a direct connection between supplier and buyer. So buying flights or accommodation or a holiday through a travel agent cuts the direct relation and Section 75 no longer applies. UNLESS you are buying a holiday from a travel operator.

You can read more here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases
http://www.choosemoney.co.uk/guide/credit-cards/features/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act-guide.html
http://www.credit-card-comparison-online.co.uk/articles/section-75-purchase-protection-cover.html

jd87

If you are talking about an ABTA member travel agent, then you don't need to worry about section 75 because ABTA will provide all the protection you need.

emmy_lou_2

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have checked, my travel agent is a member of ABTA. Thank you dylanuk for the link, I'm not sure whether I have a 'direct connection' or not. Therefore I'll cover all angles, pay a fraction of the balance with my credit card, and pay a smaller charge, (as advised by udydudy, thank you for that!) and use my debit card for the remainder!! Problem solved! Thank you all yet again for your speedy replies. x:T

KTF

As previous posted there is no advantage to pay by credit card (unless you dont have the money available at the time) if the holiday company is ABTA\ATOL certified.