AIBU to have never had a credit card?

[Statsquestion1]

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 no debt but I use a credit card for everything, rack up airmiles, free plane tickets etc. Pay the card off in full at the end of every week. Also, how have you managed? There are countries where you can't even book into a hotel without a credit card, do you never travel?

I always pre book and usually prepay hotels. Never had an issue. When I don’t prepay before arrival and they ask do I have a credit card I say no debit card and they never bat an eyelid. The odd time they say I can’t have an open bill so I just pay the full price at check in.

I guess that just sounds so inconvenient to me. But you seem fine so I guess you don't need one. I'm on the other end of it, I absolutely love them, even to the point of paying for cards with certain benefits (which I use a lot).

Not really a bad thing to have never had one. DP is 30 and has never had one. I've had one for years but I only use it for larger purchases like holidays or insurance payments, just for the extra protection (which as you said you don't get in Ireland anyway). I've been on a low income for years and not been eligible for another one, but I've recently got a new M&S one which gives me rewards to use there, as I figured I may as well get something back. I'm not someone who's been in much debt for a long time though, I only spend if I can pay it off in full when the statement comes.

I’ve never had one either

That’s kind of her. 😝

I haven’t had one for years. I have no need for one.

I never have either,not one. I was brought up on the " if you don't have the money you can't have it" quote and just only spend what I have. Now in my 60s, I have never owed anyone anything and have a ( relatively) stress free life!
Please don't feel odd, everyone has their own opinion,I just don't like to spend money thats not mine then have to worry about paying later.

No such thing as needing a credit card,as I said before if you want something but don't have the money,you have to want on.

Totally agree. Once you start using money that's not yours,pay it back every month or not,you are always in debt and because you have to pay it back that makes you short of money for next month! The thought terrifies me.

They are very useful for getting car hire abroad where a credit or debit card is required. Not everyone wants to have large amounts available in their debit account. Also great for accumulating air miles for flights and upgrades

Just have a standing order set up to clear the balance in full - I’ve never paid any interest and I use my credit card daily

I would say you are very wise.

I get the large purchase protection etc., but so many people get into serious debt spending and spending on them, and then can’t afford to pay it back.

Sadly this in most cases.

Only it's not. Most people who have credit cards pay them off in full every month.

Millions of people have them for the benefits that have nothing to do with spending money they don't have.

Most people pay little or no interest and often profit from having a card.

Ive always used a debit card.

A quick look at the stats is shocking though…

-Outstanding credit card debt was £76.1 billion as of August 2025, showing sustained year-on-year growth.
-Roughly 65% of UK adults (35.3 million) own at least one credit card.
-The average credit card debt per household was £2,572, while the average debt per active card was £1,845 as of March 2025.
-Nearly half (48.6%) of credit card accounts do not pay off their balance in full, thus incurring interest.

Credit cards provide a useful facility and can be convenient and also a protection against purchases gone wrong. Credit cards do need to be treated with respect (as it's borrowed money to be returned within a specified period, which can be up to 50 days) to avoid paying punitive interests. Use a credit card but make sure that the borrowed money is cleared every month by automatic DD in FULL. This also means that you avoid spending if you feel you cannot pay back in full!!

This is MN.
Everyone will be lining up to tell you they either have never had one or they pay theirs 'by dd. In full every month'.
No one ever pays a penny of interest on MN

I don’t have a credit card, I have never had a personal loan, nor a car lease, and I’ve never signed an hp agreement. I had a mortgage 40 years ago but paid it off in the 1990s.

Very privileged point of view. Some people use them for emergencies like their car or boiler breaking down.

Good for you — I’m sure you bought a house when they cost £12,000 too right? Lol

Yep, and I don’t buy take away coffee or avocados 🫠

While I agree that the interest charged is obviously a money spinner, this is over-egging the pudding a bit. About half of people are paying the balance every month. Do you really think enough of them subsequently have a financial emergency requiring credit, as opposed to say use of savings or insurance policies, for it to be only a few who never pay interest?

It really is quite common in the UK to have a credit card to buy things you have cash available to cover, because you want the protection and/or points. I accept that the demographics of MN mean those of us in this cohort are over-represented, but we're still really common. The reason this isn't good advice to give OP is because it apparently doesn't apply in Ireland. If it did, I bet more Irish people who could afford to buy things in cash would get credit cards for the rewards.

You’re an idiot 😂