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

[vacaaytion]

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?

I don't even think you have got the right end of the stick here. I love how people THINK they know about others peoples personal business. YABVU.

@Chelsealocke @Torganer I always book my holidays 18 months inadvance. I know I can afford to pay it however I don't necessarily have the £1800/£2000 on the spot to pay. However I place a deposit down and my balance is always cleared 3 months before we fly. There is no interest added where have you got that idea from? If you don't pay the balance off you simply would loose all your money and you wouldn't be going on holiday. I think its odd to jump to conclusions!

I only know one person who does this but she’s really open about such things. She also goes on about 4 holidays a year and complains about being in debt. It’s possible there are others who go into debt but wouldn’t want others to know.

Like most of the previous posters we put holidays on credit cards for the protection and the airmiles and pay off in full each month.

We use the CC to pay because of the protection. But we normally book, put money on a separate account and pay when it's due. Normally that's a deposit straight away and then the rest 1-2 months prior.

Ive never owned a credit card in my life if i cant afford it outright i wont have it.

I think the pandemic made some people think « fuck it »!

Yeah deffo

Is what way is it any different to what you do though? If someone has a 0% credit card, and they book a holiday and pay off £200pcm til it's paid, how is that actually any different to you booking via a travel agent and paying them £200pcm til it's paid?

I don't do either, but I'm baffled at your suggestion that someone who pays for something in full "can't afford it".

Can I ask what the difference is between booking a holiday for next summer now and paying the travel agent monthly until you go, which is what you've said you do, or putting it on a 0% credit card and paying that off monthly until you go?

I've never paid off a travel agent monthly, but I have used a credit card in this way, I always have plenty in savings to cover it, but if it's not accruing interest I don't see the issue in using a card. I also get Barclaycard reward points and cash back.

I didn’t jump to conclusions, some of those payment plans do charge interest. Glad yours doesn’t. But, you could put £2000 on the credit card, get the points/guarantee/vouchers etc. Most do 0% interest for 18m anyway.

I think it's the only option some people have to go on holiday and that's absolutely fine.
It's maybe not ideal and not something you would do but it's a personal choice isn't it.

You are a long time dead and some can never ever raise their earning potential and situation out of needing to use credit cards for luxuries so why shouldn't they?

I don't know the details of people's finances enough to know how they pay for holidays.I do wonder about some family members with fairly modest jobs but went on long haul holidays this year.

We put holidays on ccs but just to get legal protection - we have the money banked and pay it off in full. We don't spend every penny coming in so don't really consciously save towards a holiday, but generally build up enough surplus that we can pay for holidays out of that.

There is none in my circle done that. I certainly never done that. I bought my flight ticket via credit card but paying it straightaway. I pay with C because want to collect the airmiles poin

I wouldn't pay for a holiday anyway other than a credit card. It is stupid to do otherwise.

Paying on credit card doesn't mean you can't afford something

There is a huge difference between paying for a holiday by credit card which you pay off with your statement, and paying with a credit card and paying for over a period of time, so paying lots of interest.

I think it's pretty clear that the OP is referring to that second one!!!

I know people who do that. My best friend is still paying her card off for a holiday that another friend persuaded her to go on, 2 years ago.

I don't, but I've moved to a sunny climate where we can have days out during school holidays and go to the beach after school on hot days, so don't feel my DSs are deprived.

We did travel a lot when they were younger and I was still married though so they do have some of those memories.

I agree most people can’t actually afford to go on holidays, that’s why it drives me mad on mn when people use someone going on holiday as a sign they have more money than them, no, they’re probably in more debt!

I haven't a clue how other people pay for their holidays; I wouldn't expect them to discuss it with me, and why would I care?

@OrderOfTheKookaburra how do you know people are paying lots of interest for their holidays? I imagine most people book with someone like TUI, place a deposit and then just clear the balance off before they fly. I think its really bizarre to assume otherwise. MN are always very sour grapes about holidays in general though.

I pay for holidays on credit cards for the protection factor. I think you are just guessing what most do and you are probably wrong.

*There is a huge difference between paying for a holiday by credit card which you pay off with your statement, and paying with a credit card and paying for over a period of time, so paying lots of interest.

I think it's pretty clear that the OP is referring to that second one!!!*

I know a few people who are still
paying off holidays taken last year - and have added this years holiday to that debt too. They’re quite open about feeling the need to get away after the Covid years and feeling a bit “fuck it” about the whole thing.

I tend to book when I know I have a chunk of money due for some freelance work so I know I can afford to pay it at the time, but I’m in a fortunate position to be able do that.

I only put holidays (scant few of them) on the credit card, because then I'm protected

Not us - we only go if DH gets a bonus!

I don't think putting it on a credit card means you can't afford it unless your debt is getting out of hand. Obviously it would be better to save up instead and not pay the interest, but it depends on timing, and you might miss a bargain or miss out altogether, and there are additional benefits as others have said. There are also still 0% balance transfer deals out there if you are paying something back longer term.

Or both. They have more money and more debt.