The festive months of the year are always a great time for shoppers. You get deals and offers on leading brands, and having the right tools only makes this experience better. While you can rely on an instant loan, a credit card is also viable, especially those designed to offer rewards for shopping.
Read on for tips on how to get the maximum benefits from your credit cards during this season.
1. Accumulate and Redeem Reward Points
During the festive season, a majority of banks and NBFCs launch special reward programs. While you can always accumulate reward points, now may be the best time to spend your money. In doing so, you get discounts and cashback on top brands.
Moreover, these reward points have an expiration date. As such, the festive season may be the best time to redeem them, even if you opt to get the cash value. Alternatively, if you don’t wish to shop but intend to travel, you can convert these points into air miles and get discounts on airfare.
2. Enjoy Promotional and Seasonal Offers
Many stores and merchants offer attractive promotional and seasonal credit card offers to attract customers. You can leverage this opportunity to earn cashback and discounts when shopping. Card issuers may also give you additional reward points if you spend on specific categories or via their dedicated platforms.
3. Convert Your Purchases into EMIs
Besides the festivals during this time of year, you also have weddings and other celebrations. As such, your expenses can get quite high, and EMIs are an efficient way to handle them.
Credit cards offer this facility, and effectively increase your purchasing power. You can avail it for big-ticket purchases such as gold, electronics, gifts for relatives, etc., and other minor expenses such as your bills.
4. Build Your Credit Score as Your Spend
A notable benefit of using a credit card for shopping is that you can improve your credit score every time you pay your dues. All credit cards have a variable interest-free credit period for which issuers do not charge interest.
When you pay your complete billing amount within the interest-free period, you build your credit score in tandem.
5. Look Out for Co-Branded Card and Deals
Co-branded credit cards are an outstanding payment option to get the best deals. When a brand offers such cards in partnership with a credit card issuer, you get special benefits on the brand’s outlets and stores.
During the festive season, there are additional offers available for their customers. However, the perks are not limited to specific retailers, and you can also use the card like a regular credit card to earn rewards and cashback.
Tips to Shop Smartly with Your Credit Card During the Festive Season
While deals and offers add value to the shopping experience, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Tip 1: Keep an eye on your billing cycle and stick to your budget.
Tip 2: Avoid handing over your credit or sharing the card PIN.
Tip 3: EMI facilities will attract interest charges, so choose wisely.
Tip 4: Use the right credit card and shop for specific products to earn better rewards.
Tip 5: Pay attention to your statement to minimise errors and report fraud.
Tip 6: Turn on your SMS alerts to check your transaction details and monitor for unauthorised transactions.
Armed with this knowledge, you are all set to enjoy the festive shopping experience with your credit card. If you don’t have a credit card, apply for one from leading issuers on the Bajaj Markets App. On it, you can explore a host of financing options and find cards that suit your profile.
This platform also serves as a personal loan app, wherein you can find and avail an instant personal loan offer within minutes. Download the app from the Google Play Store or the App Store to get started.
