Using Credit Cards

Why bother with a credit card when you can just as easily use the debit card that you got with your current account? One good reason is that a credit card gives you access to free and flexible credit. Another is that because of the Consumer Credit Act, buying with a credit card provides you with a valuable line of defence if something goes wrong with your purchases. The downside of owning a credit card is that it can be a passport to unmanageable and expensive debt.

In this section, we look at the benefits of owning and using a credit card, with some advice on making the most of it. There's also a guide to the credit card traps you will want to avoid.