Should You Use Credit Cards to Pay For Your Vacation?
Posted in Finance on 06/30/2010 05:22 pm by
Tammie J asked:
When is it okay to pay for your vacation with a credit card? Is there a time when you should use credit cards? Are there reasons that you would want to use your credit card over cash to pay for air fare, car rental, hotel stays, or other travel related expenses? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “yes!”
First, and foremost, the biggest reason to use a credit card to pay for vacation expenses is the obvious one: you do not want to carry that much cash when you travel! Carrying lots of cash is literally asking for trouble. There are too many opportunities to lose the cash, for it to be stolen, or worse, you could even be robbed. So, even if you use a prepaid card, you and your money are both safer with a credit card.
Secondly, using a credit card offers you more protection in the event that you are overcharged, that your card number is stolen, or in the event that you need to dispute a charge. If you pay cash, you simply do not have the option to dispute a charge for which you have already paid. And, how many times have you arrived home, only to find that you were charged for something you did not agree to, a service you did not get, or worse?
Also, using a credit card enables to to purchase goods and services online…meaning you can book that vacation home, hotel room, or air fare in advance. There is almost no way these days to book anything in advance with cash, unless you send a check or money order well in advance of the booking, and even then, an additional deposit of some type may be required in addition to the actual charge for the goods or services you are purchasing.
And, finally, depending on the particular card that you use to purchase goods or services for your vacation, you may be able to actually save up to 5% of the cost of your purchases, simply by using a cash back reward card! And 5% of the cost of your vacation could really add up! So, even if you have to get a prepaid card, paying for your vacation with a credit card is not just a mere consideration these days, it could actually be considered a necessity!
Colleen
When is it okay to pay for your vacation with a credit card? Is there a time when you should use credit cards? Are there reasons that you would want to use your credit card over cash to pay for air fare, car rental, hotel stays, or other travel related expenses? The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “yes!”
First, and foremost, the biggest reason to use a credit card to pay for vacation expenses is the obvious one: you do not want to carry that much cash when you travel! Carrying lots of cash is literally asking for trouble. There are too many opportunities to lose the cash, for it to be stolen, or worse, you could even be robbed. So, even if you use a prepaid card, you and your money are both safer with a credit card.
Secondly, using a credit card offers you more protection in the event that you are overcharged, that your card number is stolen, or in the event that you need to dispute a charge. If you pay cash, you simply do not have the option to dispute a charge for which you have already paid. And, how many times have you arrived home, only to find that you were charged for something you did not agree to, a service you did not get, or worse?
Also, using a credit card enables to to purchase goods and services online…meaning you can book that vacation home, hotel room, or air fare in advance. There is almost no way these days to book anything in advance with cash, unless you send a check or money order well in advance of the booking, and even then, an additional deposit of some type may be required in addition to the actual charge for the goods or services you are purchasing.
And, finally, depending on the particular card that you use to purchase goods or services for your vacation, you may be able to actually save up to 5% of the cost of your purchases, simply by using a cash back reward card! And 5% of the cost of your vacation could really add up! So, even if you have to get a prepaid card, paying for your vacation with a credit card is not just a mere consideration these days, it could actually be considered a necessity!
Colleen