Last minute Christmas shopping!
This year people are planning to spend more on Christmas than they did last year. There’s just over a week of shopping days to go and analysts are saying around £12 billion will be spent in this last week before Christmas. £2.1 billion of the £12 billion will be spent on credit cards which equates to 18 per cent of the total UK’s spending this week, an incredible percentage! If all the calculations are accurate we’re spending approximately £3 billion more than was identified this time last year!
Credit cards are a very quick and easy way to pay for your Christmas shopping and can also provide good rewards if you use them wisely. Credit cards also provide a certain degree of security because they save you from withdrawing and carrying cash around whilst Christmas shopping.
You need to ensure you choose the right credit card for your circumstances because they all offer different incentives and have varying terms and conditions. For example some credit cards offer 0 per cent on purchases for an introductory period, ideal for last minute Christmas shopping. Some credit cards offer these 0 per cent deals plus cash back or reward points, so depending on how much you’re likely to spend, it may be worthwhile considering a cash back credit card if you’re planning on a very big spend. Some supermarket credit cards will offer higher cash back or rewards in store when you use the card to pay for goods bought from them – again if you’re buying your Christmas food, wine and beer from a supermarket that offers a credit card why not take advantage of them this year?
Virgin Credit card offers 0 per cent on balance transfers for 15 months (2.98 per cent handling fee applies). Typical APR is 15.9 per cent. Click here to apply now.
MBNA Platinum Plus credit card is 0 per cent on balance transfers for 12 months (3 per cent handling fee applies) and 0 per cent on purchases for 3 months, with a Typical APR of 15.5 per cent. Click here to apply
The Capital One Cash Back credit card offers 4 per cent cash back on all purchases for the first 3 months. You earn 1 per cent cash back on all purchases thereafter, no annual fee and FREE travel insurance and travel assistance for you and your family. (please read the full policy details). Click here to apply today.
Barclaycard credit card with cash back has 0 per cent interest on balance transfers for 12 months (2.5 per cent handling fee applies). 0.5 per cent cash back on all purchases plus 2 per cent cash back on supermarket shopping and petrol, up to a maximum of £15 per month. 14.9 per cent Typical APR. Click here to apply now.