To think it’s fairly normal to put a holiday on a credit card?

[isobelok]

And pay it off over the year?

I’m not talking maxing out the credit card and letting the interest build, more putting it on a 0% credit card and paying it off over the year, even if you’re still paying it a couple of months after your return from holiday

Talking to a friend who said they’d never go on a holiday that they couldn’t pay for outright and that they would save up first. We are in a different situation where holidays will be cheaper until baby turns 2 as they will travel free so it kind of makes sense to do it now rather than wait and save and inevitably pay hundreds and hundreds more when we do go. I also think it is easier to travel with a non-mobile baby so will probably make the most of going abroad in the first year, and then maybe just enjoy UK holidays whilst they are very little and reconsider going overseas when they’re slightly older

I’ve never put a holiday on a credit card, but you seemed to have thought it through and it doesn’t matter what others do, as long as it works for you…

I've never put one on a credit card, but I often book early and then pay interest free monthly instalments (with jet2 etc). I prob would if I didn't have the money upfront but knew I could pay it all off going forward.

I agree with your - I wouldn't go on holidays I couldn't afford to pay upfront.

I buy on credit card because of the protection it gives, but I do always pay it off on the first bill. Nothing wrong with doing it your way, though. It’s quite sensible.

Yep I do this. Still paying off my holiday from earlier this year on a zero percent card. I paid for the flights upfront, hotel and spending is on the card.

No I wouldn't do that. I got a credit card as I needed £3000 of dental work. I had that done and cut the card up. I will be paying it till April 2026. Credit cards are for emergencies to me.

I agree with your friend. I would only use the CC if I had the savings to pay it off immediately.

It’s not something I would do but lots of people do.
My car is on finance lots of people wouldn’t do that but I think it’s normal.

Sounds fine it’s on a zero percent and you thought it through so just ignore your friend

Same here - my credit card gets paid off out of my account every month AND using it to pay for everything gets me lots of points to exchange for shopping vouchers (I do a Tesco shop with them).

My concern with this would be that it’s easy to say now that it’s because it’s cheaper when baby is under 2. However, I do think it would be easy to then continue doing this and always be owing money for the holiday.

Also, the thought of still paying off a holiday once you’re home would make me miserable.

The danger of putting it on a credit card is things might change, eg you lose your job, become ill etc, and are then stuck paying something off when you are struggling money wise. You may also need to put another purchase that can't wait on a credit card, eg your boiler breaks, and you may not be able to afford both. So it depends on your financial status and how risk adverse or not you are.

I wouldn’t but lots of people do

If it works for you, same as booking and paying off over year.

I think a car on finance is different. That’s a big expense but arguably an essential one (for most people). A holiday abroad is not essential and is unlikely to be just a one off purchase

On here it won't be common, because posters tend to have more disposable income than most. A lot of people I know have built up their credit rating and lending amout by using 0% credit cards. They do put holidays on the CC. I, like a pp use the monthly Jet2 payment scheme. Make your CC work for you. My eldest DD has built up to £8k on 0% but she has good critical etc cover .

Normal but for many, but shouldn't be.

Wouldn't personally do it. Using debt for luxuries is treating yourself to something you can't afford. But financial incontinence seems to be the fashion.

We always used to pay for holidays by credit card, partly because of the extra protection but also because we couldn't afford to pay upfront.

No, I wouldn't do that. I understand your reasoning but I would do it the other way and save first

Personally I wouldn't, no. But I doubt it's unusual either and if you're not paying interest then fair enough.

If you have the money in your account so that you could instantly clear it, then put it on a credit card and use your 0% facility.

If you don't, then you are gambling.
You cannot guarantee that one of you won't lose your job, your car won't break down and need expensive repairs, boiler need replacing, someone needs surgery/dentistry you have to pay privately for etc...

Don't spend what you don't have on something so unessential.

That kind of frivolous spending is why people get into debt spirals. A holiday is not a necessity.

I do utilize 0% interest cards, but I have the money in the bank to pay them off in full. I am just earning interest by keeping my money in the bank. The only two payments I allow myself that are real debt are my house and my car.

I have extremely low-interest credit available to use in an emergency as well, but that is because I haven’t used it for something I don’t need.

I put every single transaction on a credit card...food , going out, clothes, holidays, petrol, everything! But I pay it off in full each month

Putting it on credit card, as long as you pay it off so that you don’t pay interest, is actually the smartest thing to do because of the extra protection. If something goes wrong with the holiday, you have the might of the credit card company on your side