Booking flights, car hire and hotel on credit card !!!

popsy20

I've never had a credit card and don't really want one but have been told that I will need one to book flights, car hire and hotel when I visit Italy next year. Why is this?

If I do get one where do I start?

Can someone help ?

Thanks x

Crabman

Hello and welcome to MSE there's an article that'd be perfect for you:

Credit Cards Newbie MoneySavers Guide: How to choose what you need?


As you're planning high value purchases, you could benefit from a cashback card, see this article for details:

Best Cashback Credit Cards: Get £4 back per £100 spent


Additionally, have a browse of the Credit Card Articles section for further information you may find helpful.


I'll move this to the Credit Cards Board where I'm sure someone will be able to help you out

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Crabman

TomsMom

If you want to book anything online you'll need a credit card as there's usually no other way to pay (except debit card).

When you hire a car the company usually take a swipe of your card so that if you take it back without filling up with petrol (if part of the deal is to return with a full tank) they can take the necessary amount to cover this. Also if there's been any damage no covered by the insurance.

Not sure about hotels.

Credit cards aren't all bad though, just use them for what you need and pay off the bill in full when it arrives.

ManAtHome

You're almost certain to need one for the car hire (so they can charge you if you trash the car), but flights and hotel can be booked with a debit card (preferably a VISA one as you get more protection than Maestro).

Best debit and credit cards for use abroad are Nationwide - have a look at their site, you can aply online http://www.nationwide.co.uk/default.htm

exel1966

As has already been said you might find you run into problems trying to hire a car without a credit card as it will be used as a guarantee if any inncident occured with the car. However, there are one or two that will let you leave a cash deposit (Maybe £500 or more).
Much better to use a credit card for purchases over £100 as you are protected under the Consumer Credit Act if for any reason things went wrong (i.e airline/car hire company go bust etc).

Read this to get familiar with how credit cards work :-

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/credit-cards-main-guide