AIBU to have never had a credit card?

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Has anyone else never had a credit card? I have literally never had one. Surely I’m not the only one?

Edited to add- I’m in Ireland so the “extra protection” they provide in the uk under section 75, does not apply here

I have them - simply because they give a certain amount of protection with large purchases. But, I never sit interest - they are cleared every month. It works for me. 👍

They are useful for payment protection and large purchases.
Historically Its helpful for mortgages.

CC doesnt = debt.

Most people have them but im sure some people dont.

Oh yeah I get it, I know they don’t mean debt, I have just never had one. Surely there’s lots of people who don’t though?

@Boomer55 @SalmonOnFinnCrisp I have edited my OP, I’m in Ireland so no “extra protection” here.

What on earth would be unreasonable about that?

I do to get rewards and stuff - especially air miles for cheaper flights!

It’s just a question.

Now this I would do it for but alas there’s no good options for this in Ireland really

I’ve just got my first one in my 50’s as I’m going abroad with friends and not with DH, as it’s him who has always had a card for our hoildays.

I have 5. They are currently all at zero balance (one is actually in 11p credit). I use each one once a month to maintain a decent credit rating and clear them all on payday.

I have one that’s paid off automatically in full every month.

I can see my credit score improve slightly if I use it rhe right amount every month 😄, but it has to be a relatively small amount and not too much. I get cashback as well.

I’ve never had one.

its so funny, Ireland just doesn’t have a credit rating system where you “build” credit. A default = bad credit. Other than that you have good credit.

Hello my no credit card friend!! 🤣🤣

I put absolutely everything on my CC and the balance is paid by DD.

So I never pay interest but I get lots of air miles.

YABU to miss out on the points and free stuff you can get. I use a credit card for absolutely everything I can, pay it off every month so no interest then get vouchers that I use to pay for Christmas.

I am only in my 20s but never had a credit card. I watched my mum fritter away money on credit and then moan she was in debt when she hit her limit. It would be mostly paid off by an annual lump sum (bonuses etc), never fully though. Then rinse and repeat for years. Put me off from having a card unless absolutely necessary.

Not unreasonable, but very fortunate I’d say. Many rely on them or need them at some stage in their lives.

DH has one that only exists to guarantee hire cars on holiday. They often want a credit card in the lead driver’s name so we were paying additional driver fees in order to use my credit card but then add him on (as he does the lion’s share of the driving).

Do you not have access to credit cards such as BA where you earn air miles for everything you spend. We pay for absolutely everything on our credit cards, fuel, cup of coffee, holidays, food shopping, new car - the balance is paid off in full each month and the air miles go towards flights and upgrades.

I don't have one (but I had one just after uni which I transferred a CD loan onto as it was 0% and them was able to pay off really quickly). I haven't had one for years.

I've got one but it's only ever been used when hiring a car abroad.

Exactly. I do wonder what people think AiBU means

I can't imagine not having one. I use it for everything and then pay it off fully by DD every month.

I've never had one either. I had an interest free overdraft for about 5 years and used that when I needed to borrow money instead of opening a card. Then once I was mostly keeping a positive balance I never really saw the need.

I know technically you are more protected with a CC but I have a visa debit card which offers pretty much the same, and despite 100% of my transactions being online I've never actually needed it in over 25 years.