Credit Cards.

Hey all,

I am taking my vacation later this year and probably need to get a credit card to put most of it on. I will need a card for about 4 or 5K. Has anybody had any luck searching for a credit card and applying, or did you just wait until you got an offer in the mail and apply through that?




I need to start looking and find one so I can start booking things. Thanks!

Don't get a card through Chase or Wells Fargo. Those two will rip you to pieces with the APR. Citibank is okay, HSBC is also okay, but I'd recommend Capital One. i have one and it's a decent card, and they're a decent company. you're probably seen the commercials, "What's in yer wallet?"

Capital One.

*edit: I understand about trying to book stuff online. You get good deals online, but you need a credit card. Such is life. That's all you're trying to do. I gathered that from your initial message. You'll have cash or something else that's safer for the actual trip. But booking trips is one place you need a card. Another option: If you have a checking account, does your bank issue you a debit card with a MC/or Visa Logo on it? those work fine as well.*

there is NO GOOD CREDIT CARD. If you dont have one I highly suggest keeping it that way. If you were worried about carrying money with you, do a prepayed visa.....or a debit card

Travelers Checks are the best if you already have the money for that vacation, if not how about American Express card?

I have learned that if you can't afford to go on vacation without putting it on credit then you need to postpone it and go when you have the money saved.

Originally Posted by halfpint

Travelers Checks are the best if you already have the money for that vacation, if not how about American Express card?

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Traveler's checks are obsolete, truly. Your best bet is to travel with your debit card and be sure you have all the money you need prior to traveling in your account.

I actually just want to get a credit card to book everything on. I am booking my vacation online so it's not really a matter of money, I just want to book it that way.

I have mine thru Wells Fargo - and I haven't had any problems with it, can you get one thru your bank?

It is still so easy to over spend with credit cards. My dad has lectured me about credit cards since i was 10. I left a reciept from my visa check card on the counter when i lived at home and he called me at work to ask where the h*** i got a credit card from. Then he didnt believe that it was a check card until i got home and showed him!

I have mine through Wells Fargo... no problems, but I do only have a $1,500 limit .

Did you guys get something from Wells Fargo or just apply online?

I bank through them, so they offered it to me. For the first 6 months it was really good seeing as I had the low low introductory APR. Now it's a bit more dangerous to use.

My suggestion would be to get one through your local bank, like where you have your checking account- to me that's better than having a credit card through a company a thousand miles away

Originally Posted by Cougar

I bank through them, so they offered it to me. For the first 6 months it was really good seeing as I had the low low introductory APR. Now it's a bit more dangerous to use.

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Same here, they are so great to deal with, I do love Wells Fargo, I have an $800 credit limit, which is PERFECT for me, sometimes I wish it were lower, but I only use it for emergency's - I suggest to use your local bank

If you do not already have credit cards, I cannot warn you strongly enough AGAINST getting one. As others have said, save for the vacation beforehand and book the travel through an agent -- you can always pay cash that way. Agents are just as privy to special deals as you are, sometimes more so.

If you don't already have an established credit card, you are not going to be able to get one with that much of a credit line. I don't care who you go through.

Things to watch, though... On the offer (or website) they HAVE TO, by law, disclose their fees and APR. Watch the fees because they will kill you! Don't just look at Annual Fees either. Many times they will have a Setup Fee (one time, upwards of $200), Useage Fee (Annual - I've seen some where the Annual Fee doesn't look bad, like $20, but the Useage Fee is about $200), and a boatload of other fees that will eat up your credit line. My husband (admittedly this wasn't the smartest move he's done) got a credit card to "help boost his credit rating". He didn't look at the fine print. He got a $300 limit (first time card issued), and $200 was gone immediately in fees with like 25% APR.

Originally Posted by valanhb

If you don't already have an established credit card, you are not going to be able to get one with that much of a credit line. I don't care who you go through.

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not neccesarily true.... I apllied for a credit card online (Fleet) so that I could pay for my ex's and I's honeymoon (unfortunately didn't follow the advice of not going on vacation unless I could afford it) and they gave me $9,000 right out the chute! I almost fell out of my chair, but of course I happily accepted it and took off spending. What a trip though!

For many years I didn't have a credit card. But more and more, I am finding that I need one, especially for things like booking travel online.

I got a card from my bank. It the lowest limit you can have on a card. When I need to use it to pay for something, I go and deposit the amount of money I need, so I don't actually ever use the "credit" part of the card. And worst case scenario, if someone tries to use it illegally, they can't charge much before they reach the limit on the card.

ME+Credit Cards=

Originally Posted by menagerie mama

ME+Credit Cards=

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LOL i learned the hard way with credit cards. Those small purchases here and there sure do add up...then you add interest on top of that..its quite sickening. I finally got my finances in order and now i use my debit card which can be used as credit (as long as the money is in my checking acct) and i keep another 0.00 balance credit card on hand for emergencys only....and shoes are not considered an emergency LOL