Now is the time to get your Christmas cards : Credit Card Guide

Now is the time to get your Christmas cards

With Christmas looming just around the corner it is important for anyone that is thinking is using plastic for their Christmas spending to get a move on and find the right card for your festive needs.

You should bear in mind that there can be massive delays in both processing and delivery as Christmas gets closer, and if you are relying on your credit card to fund Christmas you could face disappointment if your card does not arrive in time.

christmas bank

Two of the reasons why it is important not to leave it too late to get your card sorted out for Christmas include:

The higher level of credit card applications that are received by credit card companies at this time of year. This can result of delays with processing the application, and further delays with posting out your card and PIN number in the event that your application is accepted.

Postal delays that occur during the Christmas period. The increased level of post over the festive season can cause significant delays when it comes to receiving your post, and even if your credit card application has been processed and accepted, and the card company has dispatched your card, you may still experience delays because of the postal service.

Decide which card to opt for

You will first need to decide what sort of credit card you want to apply for ready for Christmas before you make your application, as there are so many to select from. Not everyone will find that the same sort of credit card works best for them, so it is important to review how you intend to use and repay the card in order to determine which card will best suit your needs. You can compare different cards with ease and convenience using the Internet, so finding a suitable card shouldn’t prove to be too much of an issue.

If you are the type of person that tends to pay off their credit card balance in full within the standard interest free period then you may want to consider opting for a rewards based credit card. This is because you won’t have to pay any interest on your credit card balance because you will be clearing it within the interest free period. You can therefore make the most of the rewards that you receive for spending on your credit card over the festive season. Amongst the rewards available are retail rewards, travel rewards, cash back, air miles, and more. However, do bear in mind that you will not receive any rewards for any cash withdrawals or transactions made on the card, and you will be charged interest and possibly other fees on such transactions.

If you are someone that wants to use their credit card for Christmas and then spread repayment of the balance over a longer period you will probably benefit from a 0% purchase credit card. This will enable you to spread your repayments over a longer period, so you can enjoy greater affordability without being charged any interest.

No matter which card you decide to opt for you will usually be able to make your application online, which can save you time and hassle. You should bear in mind, however, that even if you receive an instant decision it can still take time to receive your card, and you may even find that your application is turned down in which case you need time to think of an alternative means of funding Christmas.

Tom Smith
14th November 2007

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