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Original poster

To think most people go on holidays they can’t afford?

127 replies

vacaaytion · 18/10/2023 19:10

I’m hearing more and more of folk putting hols on their credit cards as school holiday prices are crazy. It’s not something we’ve done, we usually pay monthly through a travel agent and sometimes cut back in other areas to afford it but I can’t imagine paying for something years after you’ve been on it - it would suck the joy from it for me - I think! Unless this is more normal now and anything else is the unusual way?

OP posts:
Original poster
vacaaytion · 18/10/2023 19:13

Sorry should’ve been an AIBU but works for chat!

OP posts:
Scottishskifun · 18/10/2023 19:14

I think it's increased since covid. We do it but not because we don't pay the card off but because the protection it provides via section 75 charge back if required.

We had a holiday cancelled due to the pandemic it's only because we had used a credit card that we got the money back via a section 75, the Company refused and so did our insurance company.

Isseywith3witchycats · 18/10/2023 19:14

not us we plan it around a year in advance look at the options then book it around ten months before and work out how much to put away each month to pay for it, we dont go for the cheapest or most expensive option on our chosen location we usually manage to find a middle priced one, Usually the med or europe so not in mega bucks territory and paid for before we go

TMess · 18/10/2023 19:16

One of my pet peeves is how “credit card debt” is the automatic response to “how does so and so afford such and such”. We don’t even have a cc…but it seems most people I know in real life who use one reserve it for emergencies or pay it off monthly just to get airline miles etc. Definitely don’t think most people go on holidays they can’t afford…or maybe they do and just don’t talk about it.

2chocolateoranges · 18/10/2023 19:17

I hate owing anyone money.

my mum brought me up to only pay for what you can afford. So putting a holiday on a credit card would be a huge no for me. We save and pay for it when we book it.

I don’t know anyone who puts heir holidays onto a credit card.

TwistedSisters · 18/10/2023 19:23

Seems to be the standard response on mumsnet when asked how people afford anything be it holidays, house renovations or cars!! 'Oh it's all on finance/pcp/credit cards/loans'. Although sometimes it might be, it's not necessarily the default option. there are plenty of people who simply can afford these things.

BibbleandSqwauk · 18/10/2023 19:24

I do this. I'm an SP, not by choice and work hard in a professional job. I earn ok but with costs as they are I can't save enough per month to afford a holiday all paid for by the time we go but my kids are growing up fast and I want them to have memories of doing things and going places. I manage the payments, move the balance around to 0% cards and have an excellent rating. In another ten years they'll be independent and I'll have lot more money to service the debt. I also have a house with equity in it. I also use it for needed home improvements, occasional day trip treats and things that make life a little bit nice and not just a slog. I'm not wading blindly into a debt trap. It's all planned and manageable.

DelurkingAJ · 18/10/2023 19:26

No, we wait until (if) I get a bonus in March and then cut our cloth accordingly. Yes, we pay for it by CC to get the protection (and JL vouchers) that offers but I pay my card off in full monthly. I assume people either budget or do as we do.

BastetsWhiskers · 18/10/2023 19:28

🤷‍♀️ none of my friends get into debt because of holidays. I only take short breaks within the UK so am not qualified on that.

senua · 18/10/2023 19:30

To think most people go on holidays they can’t afford?
I don't think that I know anybody who does that.Confused What a daft thing to do.

Scottishskifun · 18/10/2023 19:30

2chocolateoranges · 18/10/2023 19:17

I hate owing anyone money.

my mum brought me up to only pay for what you can afford. So putting a holiday on a credit card would be a huge no for me. We save and pay for it when we book it.

I don’t know anyone who puts heir holidays onto a credit card.

Really?
Most of my friends pay for them on credit card but all pay it off on the next statement mostly. Its done for protection purposes with my friends and I not a getting into debt thing or doing it because we are living beyond our means

YaraRocks · 18/10/2023 19:30

We have a dedicated credit card that we use for flights, hotels and car hire because we get points that we convert to air miles and hotel points. We pay it off in full though straight away. It’s a really good and frugal way to get upgrades and companion flights which serves to make holidays most cost effective. Everyone in my social circle also does this.

Is that what you mean?

Badbadbunny · 18/10/2023 19:31

Statistics may show more and more people put the costs on a credit card, but that's probably more for protection in case of the hotel/airline going bust or flights cancelled etc. Many, if not most of them may well pay off the credit card balance in full and therefore avoid interest charges etc., so the "debt" is only temporary, typically just a few weeks.

Jessforless · 18/10/2023 19:32

I don’t know anyone who put their holiday on a credit card… except me who was an absolute idiot and selected the wrong ‘auto fill’ details on my iPhone and was really confused when I couldn’t see the amount go out of my bank 😂 (might have had a couple of wines!)

Smartiepants79 · 18/10/2023 19:33

Using a credit card and not being able to afford it are not the same thing.
We use our credit card for large purchases and holidays. It all gets paid off. We only use 0% cards.
We don’t end up owing anyone any money.

Oakbeam · 18/10/2023 19:34

I’m hearing more and more of folk putting hols on their credit cards

I always pay for flights and accommodation etc by credit card because of the extra protection a credit card gives. Nothing to do with affordability.

GoodOldEmmaNess · 18/10/2023 19:36

What evidence is there that 'most people go on holidays they can't afford'? I've not ever come across evidence of this relating to anyone that I know.

Original poster
vacaaytion · 18/10/2023 19:36

I understand for the financial protection but two people I know of have used them akin to taking out a loan

OP posts:
Lovelynames123 · 18/10/2023 19:36

I always book holidays on a cc as per a pp, for the protection it affords, but I pay my cc off in full every month, I would never get into debt for a holiday. Having said that, my holidays are very important to me, I would cut back in other areas if I needed to to afford it.

Kitkat1523 · 18/10/2023 19:37

Surely everyone pays for holidays onCCs? ….it’s the protection factor….everyone I know does this….but it gets paid off in full then next month ….thinking that’s what you mean?

SaracensMavericks · 18/10/2023 19:37

I don't think most people do this. I'm sure some do, but not most.

Kitkat1523 · 18/10/2023 19:37

vacaaytion · 18/10/2023 19:36

I understand for the financial protection but two people I know of have used them akin to taking out a loan

2 people is not a lot

senua · 18/10/2023 19:38

vacaaytion · 18/10/2023 19:36

I understand for the financial protection but two people I know of have used them akin to taking out a loan

So we have gone from "most people" to "two people I know"?Hmm

mondaytosunday · 18/10/2023 19:38

Well I put our trip to US this Christmas on credit card but have paid it off now. I don't need an agent as it's just flights but it's still almost £3000 and booked a few months ago. I'll be putting a lot of what we do there on credit card too, but will have it paid off in about three months. I find if I have the money sitting in an account it gets used here and there for other things!

Itsboundtohappen · 18/10/2023 19:41

I think your post contradicts itself.

if someone puts the cost of a holiday on their credit card and pays it off monthly, how is that any different to you paying it off monthly through a travel agent? Surely that also means you can’t afford your holiday?

There are many excellent reasons behind using a credit card for large purchases - protection, loyalty points (if the CC is with a supermarket), vouchers, increase to your credit score if used correctly etc.

I am fortunate enough to be in well paid employment and I have savings. But I still put a holiday or any large purchases on my credit card for the above reasons.