Booking a flight

angwyn

Hi, I've never had a credit card but it's been suggested that it would be a good idea in order to book a flight to Australia. It's a big chunk of cash so it's very tempting to pay for it gradually. I can afford to repay so that's not a problem.
Is a 0% spending suitable?
Or is a credit card of any description not a good idea.
Any advice welcome.
Thank you

eskbanker

Paying by credit card is generally a good idea in terms of offering section 75 protection on your qualifying purchases, although chargeback is available with debit card payments too.

If you've never had a credit card, it's unlikely that you'd be offered a decent 0% one as your first card, so that's probably academic....

comeandgo

Credit card is good but also book your ticket direct with airline, not through Experian or any other agency.  

dr_adidas01

comeandgo said:

Credit card is good but also book your ticket direct with airline, not through Experian or any other agency.  

Since when did the Credit Reference Agency Experian become an Airline? Or did you mean Expedia? 

Ebe_Scrooge

As esbanker says, with little or no previous credit history, the chances of being accepted for a 0% card are slim.  An "ordinary" card is well worthwhile if you can get one with a high enough credit limit, for the added protection it gives you (although do remember, the Section 75 protection offered by credit cards is no substitute for proper dedicated travel insurance - this really should be high on your list of priorities).

If you do decide to pay by card, and it's an ordinary interest-bearing card, then don't be planning to "pay it off gradually" - doing so will incur some fairly hefty interest charges.  By all means use it to buy the tickets, but pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

comeandgo

dr_adidas01 said:

comeandgo said:

Credit card is good but also book your ticket direct with airline, not through Experian or any other agency.  

Since when did the Credit Reference Agency Experian become an Airline? Or did you mean Expedia? 

Yup, brain not engaged, it is Expedia.

angwyn

Ebe_Scrooge said:

As esbanker says, with little or no previous credit history, the chances of being accepted for a 0% card are slim.  An "ordinary" card is well worthwhile if you can get one with a high enough credit limit, for the added protection it gives you (although do remember, the Section 75 protection offered by credit cards is no substitute for proper dedicated travel insurance - this really should be high on your list of priorities).

If you do decide to pay by card, and it's an ordinary interest-bearing card, then don't be planning to "pay it off gradually" - doing so will incur some fairly hefty interest charges.  By all means use it to buy the tickets, but pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

Thank you.
The one I've applied for is 0% on spending for 15 months.
Does that mean I can make multiple purchases over 15 months but pay the statement in full every month?
Or can I pay for my flight and then have 15 months to pay it back with 0% interest.
Many thanks for your input

LaDerniereSemaine

angwyn said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

As esbanker says, with little or no previous credit history, the chances of being accepted for a 0% card are slim.  An "ordinary" card is well worthwhile if you can get one with a high enough credit limit, for the added protection it gives you (although do remember, the Section 75 protection offered by credit cards is no substitute for proper dedicated travel insurance - this really should be high on your list of priorities).

If you do decide to pay by card, and it's an ordinary interest-bearing card, then don't be planning to "pay it off gradually" - doing so will incur some fairly hefty interest charges.  By all means use it to buy the tickets, but pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

Thank you.
The one I've applied for is 0% on spending for 15 months.
Does that mean I can make multiple purchases over 15 months but pay the statement in full every month?
Or can I pay for my flight and then have 15 months to pay it back with 0% interest.
Many thanks for your input

Why would you pay the statement in full if you have 15 months with no interest?

Ebe_Scrooge

angwyn said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

As esbanker says, with little or no previous credit history, the chances of being accepted for a 0% card are slim.  An "ordinary" card is well worthwhile if you can get one with a high enough credit limit, for the added protection it gives you (although do remember, the Section 75 protection offered by credit cards is no substitute for proper dedicated travel insurance - this really should be high on your list of priorities).

If you do decide to pay by card, and it's an ordinary interest-bearing card, then don't be planning to "pay it off gradually" - doing so will incur some fairly hefty interest charges.  By all means use it to buy the tickets, but pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

Thank you.
The one I've applied for is 0% on spending for 15 months.
Does that mean I can make multiple purchases over 15 months but pay the statement in full every month?
Or can I pay for my flight and then have 15 months to pay it back with 0% interest.
Many thanks for your input

Assuming your application is successful - then you'd buy the flight and pay it off over 15 months, with no interest.  Two important points to bear in mind.  Firstly, you absolutely must pay at least the minimum amount each month, on time.  If you don't, you'll have broken the terms & conditions, and the 0% offer will be revoked, and you'll start paying their standard APR.  Set up a Direct Debit to make sure you never forget.  Secondly, make sure you clear the balance at the end of the 15 month promotional period, otherwise any remaining balance will begin to attract interest at the card's standard APR.

In terms of making further purchases, you need to check the T&Cs carefully.  Some cards will charge no interest on any purchases made during the 15 month promotional period.  But it's more common to have a time limit - for instance, no interest on any purchases made during the first 90 days or something like that.

angwyn

Ebe_Scrooge said:

angwyn said:

Ebe_Scrooge said:

As esbanker says, with little or no previous credit history, the chances of being accepted for a 0% card are slim.  An "ordinary" card is well worthwhile if you can get one with a high enough credit limit, for the added protection it gives you (although do remember, the Section 75 protection offered by credit cards is no substitute for proper dedicated travel insurance - this really should be high on your list of priorities).

If you do decide to pay by card, and it's an ordinary interest-bearing card, then don't be planning to "pay it off gradually" - doing so will incur some fairly hefty interest charges.  By all means use it to buy the tickets, but pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

Thank you.
The one I've applied for is 0% on spending for 15 months.
Does that mean I can make multiple purchases over 15 months but pay the statement in full every month?
Or can I pay for my flight and then have 15 months to pay it back with 0% interest.
Many thanks for your input

Assuming your application is successful - then you'd buy the flight and pay it off over 15 months, with no interest.  Two important points to bear in mind.  Firstly, you absolutely must pay at least the minimum amount each month, on time.  If you don't, you'll have broken the terms & conditions, and the 0% offer will be revoked, and you'll start paying their standard APR.  Set up a Direct Debit to make sure you never forget.  Secondly, make sure you clear the balance at the end of the 15 month promotional period, otherwise any remaining balance will begin to attract interest at the card's standard APR.

In terms of making further purchases, you need to check the T&Cs carefully.  Some cards will charge no interest on any purchases made during the 15 month promotional period.  But it's more common to have a time limit - for instance, no interest on any purchases made during the first 90 days or something like that.

Thank you so much, I don't want to make other purchases. I can definitely meet the terms regarding paying the right amount each month within the time. I just thought I must be missing something otherwise why would they give me basically a free loan?
Cheers

cx6

In the hope that you won't be able to pay it all back in the 18 months and thus start paying interest after that time!