Credit cards

**sligoman** · 06/11/2006, 11:37 PM

I'm thinking of applying for one. People that have them, what do ye think are the best? I was thinking of an MBNA Ryanair card but MBNA charge a fee on gambling transactions and that is mainly what I'd be using my card for(online betting a/c)

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**dahamsta** · 07/11/2006, 12:06 AM

Two words: Direct Debit. Clear it every month religiously. Don't get into debt, particularly not now.

Personally I use a Tesco card for personal stuff, because it can double as a ClubCard, and a BOI Business Card for business stuff. I wouldn't recommend or discount either. Apart from what you say above, a card's a card if you clear it every month. Did I mention you should clear it every month?

adam

**sligoman** · 07/11/2006, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by dahamsta

Two words: Direct Debit. Clear it every month religiously. Don't get into debt, particularly not now.

Apart from what you say above, a card's a card if you clear it every month. Did I mention you should clear it every month?

Way ahead of you on that front. DD is been set up straight away

. Won't be using it much anyway just for online stuff mostly.

**strangeirish** · 07/11/2006, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by sligoman

but MBNA charge a fee on gambling transactions and that is mainly what I'd be using my card for(online betting a/c).

That's not a good reason to get a credit card, but I ain't your Daddy. Can't offer advice as to which one would be better, but DH makes a good point about paying the balance every month. This is how people get into trouble with credit cards, by floating the balance. 'Ah sure I'll pay it when I win a few bob'. Don't start off on the wrong foot, whatever you do. I could tell you some horror stories, but I know you're smarter than that, so I won't bore you with the details. Did I mention I ain't your Daddy?

**drinkfeckarse** · 07/11/2006, 7:51 AM

I regularly change my credit card to ones which offer 6-9 months with 0% interest on purchases or balance transfers. I always recommend that people do the same as it's no hassle at all to cancel your existing one and to set the new one up.

I don't think I've paid interest for about 2 years

**Peadar** · 07/11/2006, 8:24 AM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

I regularly change my credit card to ones which offer 6-9 months with 0% interest on purchases or balance transfers.

Very few companies in Ireland offer that. I think Halifax Bank of Scotland have introduced it now though.

Credit Cards are one of the most expensive ways to carry personal debt. They're so easy to use that many people get in over their head very quickly.

I have an American Express Corporate card, on which you must pay the balance in full every month. You're limited in the number of outlets which will accept it though.

**the 12 th man** · 07/11/2006, 8:29 AM

[QUOTE=sligoman;569745 but MBNA charge a fee on gambling transactions and that is mainly what I'd be using my card for(online betting a/c)

.[/QUOTE]

There's no fee for Laser transactions in or out of your betting account with betfair and even better, you can't lose what you don't have.

**Dawn_Run** · 07/11/2006, 8:31 AM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

I regularly change my credit card to ones which offer 6-9 months with 0% interest on purchases or balance transfers. I always recommend that people do the same as it's no hassle at all to cancel your existing one and to set the new one up.

I don't think I've paid interest for about 2 years

Only problem with that is you get stung (in ireland anyway) for the 40 euro Govt Duty on the new card every time.

**Dodge** · 07/11/2006, 9:02 AM

Most gambling sites (probably all but I can't presume that) won't pay back onto a mastercard (I have one). You can lodge money in with it but they'll pay you out by sending you a cheque. Debit cards accepted at betfair and paddypower (You can withdraw onto a debit or Visa card - dunno about the others). Betfair charges a commision on all lodgements made by CC too.

I've an AIB card, went with them as I wanted to check my account online and of course internet banking means I can pay it off anytime (AIB show transactions as they're added to the account where as BOI show them only after monthly statement is sent). When I go away I usually load up on the CC beforehand. Handy thing to have for booking flights and hotels etc. Usually use the Laser card for shopping in Ireland and gambling

Oh and I'm not committing one way or the other on the whole sligoman's father deabte

**drinkfeckarse** · 07/11/2006, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by Dawn_Run

Only problem with that is you get stung (in ireland anyway) for the 40 euro Govt Duty on the new card every time.

Definately don't pay anything extra over here. Surprised (although I shouldn't be really) that very few banks/companies offer this back home.

I cancelled my old one a few weeks ago after transfering the balance to a new card and they practically begged me to keep it open and also offered me a similar deal if I returned to them once the new one's interest free period expired

Plus I'm only average Joe I'd say because I rarely have more than �700-�1,000 owing on it which makes it all the more surprising. Seems to be the run of the mill thing over here to offer those kind of deals.

**paul_oshea** · 07/11/2006, 9:23 AM

here if you do get into trouble, heres a nice word for ye kiting. it works wonders

**Dawn_Run** · 07/11/2006, 10:39 AM

Is it illegal to have three credit cards, pay one off with the other in 30 day cycles? Seems like money for nothing, too good to be true, etc etc

**Dodge** · 07/11/2006, 10:44 AM

Not illegal, just foolish.

**dahamsta** · 07/11/2006, 10:50 AM

I've never seen a credit card bill that can be paid by credit card

**wws** · 07/11/2006, 10:51 AM

on the subject of card and cheque frauds (Paul's Kiting post) just read this - "The scammer (who refer to eachother as "guyman") then proceeds to ask the potential victim (known in Nigeria as a "Mugu"; a Lagos pidgin word for "fool")"

Those Nigerians have a word for everything....