Thinking of getting a credit card for a big purchase

hm2k

I'm about to buy a new TV, for just under £300.

I hear that Martin always recommends that you purchase anything over £100 on a credit card.

I've also heard there's lots of other reasons to buy on a credit card, including cash back, freebies, extended warranties, etc.

I'm trying to work out which credit card would be best for such a purchase?

I always pay on-time and never pay interest, I'd only use it for a few major purchases through the year.

I'd probably prefer to stick to MasterCard as it seems to be accepted at most places.

I was looking at the Tesco MasterCard, is this any good for me?

Any ideas which card would be best?

Thanks.

pre123

i think the tesco one has the longest interest free on purchases atm (10 or 12 free months.. but cant remember) but ive just purchased a tv using my new play.com credit card.. 9 months interest free plus £15 gift voucher for spending more than £150 in the first 90 days.. cant be bad

McKneff

Find out if the company you are purchasing from takes American Express.

It offers a cash back of 5% for 3 months. At least i think the offer is still on but
you could check.

Haliffax do a cc with ipoints where you get points and claim gifts.
Argos do a cash back where you get vouchers to get things from Argos - where else eh.

Karl.H_2

Everywhere I have seen accepting credit cards except (edit: accept) MasterCard and Visa.
Where are you buying the TV from because you might be able to sign-up for their own CC and get an initial discount.

Just doing a little research and noticed an announcement on Amazon's CC page:

Amazon.co.uk wrote:

The Amazon.co.uk MasterCard is no longer available for new applicants. If you have already applied for the Amazon.co.uk MasterCard, your application will be processed as normal. The terms and conditions for existing Amazon.co.uk MasterCard customers will not change as a result. Please see help pages for more detail.

hm2k

Hmm, if I bought the Toshiba i'm looking at from Play.com on their credit card, for £30 more, i'd get £15 back in vouchers and a DVD player... not bad.

Although 5% is good, Amex doesn't interest me. I'd rather have a Mastercard I can use almost anywhere.

Plus I looked on rewardschecker.com and it said from £300 i'd only get £5 back with Amex, where as with Tesco i'd get £3 back to spend on their deals or £1 in store. I can spare £4 for a card I can actually use.

Argos also offers £3, but I wouldn't be seen dead with an Argos credit card (sorry).

That sucks. I was looking at buying from Amazon.co.uk, if I didn't find anywhere cheaper this weekend.

Sorry to shoot you guys down, don't let that you put you off giving your advice, I just expected something more...

Quite frankly with the economy the way it is, I don't understand why credit card companies and retailers aren't doing more to get us spending...

d123

Karl.H wrote: »

Everywhere I have seen accepting credit cards except MasterCard and Visa.

Am I misreading this, or is this inaccurate?

Is there actually any credit card that isn't either Mastercard or Visa, I cant think of one.

CannyJock

d123 wrote: »

Am I misreading this, or is this inaccurate?

Is there actually any credit card that isn't either Mastercard or Visa, I cant think of one.

American Express?

hm2k

d123 wrote: »

Am I misreading this, or is this inaccurate?

Is there actually any credit card that isn't either Mastercard or Visa, I cant think of one.

I think he meant:

Everywhere I have seen accepting credit cards accept MasterCard and Visa.

But I can only speculate.

I'm still none the wiser about which card to choose though...

Karl.H_2

d123 wrote: »

Am I misreading this, or is this inaccurate?

Is there actually any credit card that isn't either Mastercard or Visa, I cant think of one.

That's correct. I said any shops, bars, etc. accepting credit cards have always accepted Mastercard and Visa - but not always American Express. Sorry for confusion.

alidai

hm2k wrote: »

Argos also offers £3, but I wouldn't be seen dead with an Argos credit card (sorry).

Seriously, is the name on the credit card you use to buy one TV (over the internet) that damaging to your status?

hm2k

alidai wrote: »

Seriously, is the name on the credit card you use to buy one TV (over the internet) that damaging to your status?

Heh perhaps, yes, plus I'm not bothered for £3 of Argos vouchers...