Holiday Shopping with Credit

This season, American shoppers plan to spend an average of $762 on holiday gifts. That may seem like a lot, but did you know 75% of consumers will use their credit cards to pay for those gifts?¹

There are advantages (and pitfalls) you'll want to consider when using your credit card this holiday season. Here are four simple tips on how to protect your credit score and save money:

1. DO stick to a budget - Before you take your first trip to the mall or begin browsing online, make a list of the people you want to treat and the gifts you plan to buy for them. Creating a budget helps ensure your purchases are within the limits of your monthly income and keeps your expenses on target.
   
   
2. DO rake in those rewards - Look over your credit card agreement or talk to a service representative to find out how you can earn the most points, miles, or cash back on your purchases. Don't forget to ask about holiday promotions! These may help you earn bonus rewards or cash prizes, like our Spend to Win promotion.
   
   
3. DO set up alerts - Setting up alerts in Mobile and Online banking can help you stay on budget. It'll also give you a heads up in case there is suspicious activity on your account.
   
   
4. DON'T max out your card - Try to keep your balances on each credit card below 30% of your available credit limit. Doing this will help protect your credit score from decreasing due to a high utilization rate. 

Watching your spending can be tough around the holidays, but there are plenty of ways to keep fees low and earn rewards. As you go about checking off that holiday list, keep these things in mind to maximize your spending power.

Mastercard Credit Cards

Earn 2% cash back on balance transfers²

Option	FEES	APR3	OFFER2	Apply
Platinum Preferred Mastercard	No Annual Fee	13.74 % - 22.74 %	New Cardholders: Earn 2% Cash Back on balance transfers. No balance transfer fee.	Apply Now Card Agreement Learn More
World Rewards Mastercard	No Annual Fee Earn 1.5 Points Per Dollar Spent	16.74  % - 24.00  %	New Cardholders: Earn 2% Cash Back on balance transfers. No balance transfer fee.	Apply Now Card Agreement Learn More

 

* Article content courtesy of SavvyMoney. 
¹According to the Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet.

²New Credit Card holders enjoy a special 2% cash back on balance transfers with no balance transfer fees.
³APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to credit approval. Approval is based on several factors, including borrower’s credit history.