The holiday season is just around the corner! This year, the majority of Americans plan to spend up to $1,000 or more on holiday gifts, events, meals, and other activities.1 If you are among them and plan to shop by credit card, the following are ways to maximize your spending dollars – during the holiday season or anytime.
KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR CARD ACTIVITY.
Credit card fraud can happen anytime, but it can be especially pervasive during the holidays. The number of Americans who say they've experienced holiday fraud doubled in 2020, according to an Experian survey.2 To avoid being a victim, pay attention to how much you’re spending and check your accounts routinely to make sure everything looks correct. Sunward members can manage their debit or credit cards in online or mobile banking with our Card Controls widget. Learn more at slfcu.org/CardControls.
SHOPPING ONLINE? HELP KEEP YOUR INFORMATION SAFE.
More than half of U.S. shoppers (54%) plan to do at least three-quarters of their holiday shopping online in 2021.3 If you’re using your mobile device or computer to shop online, don’t use public WiFi networks if you’re entering your card information on a website. Change your passwords regularly, create strong passwords, and use different passwords for each site. Shop only on reputable sites and check that they have URLs starting with “https” (indicating a secure connection), not “http” to help keep your personal information secured.
CASH-BACK REBATES OFFER GREAT INCENTIVES.
It’s a “gift” for you: cards that offer rebates on purchases can put money back in your wallet after the holidays and all through the year. Our Visa Signature® card offers a 1.5% monthly rebate, and our Visa Platinum® Rebate card offers a 1.0% monthly rebate. These rebates can help offset the costs of your holiday purchases.
PROMO RATES ARE GREAT, BUT…
Credit card companies often make introductory “promotional rate” offers, but remember: once the promo period is up, the interest rate often spikes upward. Sunward members can get a card with a consistently low rate that won’t disappear once the holiday trimmings have been put away.
GET PRICE PROTECTION.
If you already bought that perfect gift for someone but are worried you’ll see it for a lower price somewhere else later, using a card with price protection can offer peace of mind. For example, if you buy an eligible item with your Sunward Visa Signature credit card and find it advertised for a lower cost within 60 days of purchase, you can get reimbursed for the difference (up to $500 per item and $2,500 a year).*
GET DOUBLE THE WARRANTY PROTECTION.
Be smart about how you get warranty protection for higher-priced gifts. For example, Visa’s Extended Warranty Protection can double the coverage on a manufacturer’s warranty for up to one additional year on eligible items purchased with your Visa card. You can also register your receipt and warranty information, which can be kept on file until you need them.*
1,3. QuantumMetric, 7/21/21. https://www.quantummetric.com/blog/2021-holiday-shopping-survey
2. Experian, 11/18/20. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/survey-some-consumers-would-risk-identity-theft-for-an-online-holiday-deal/
*Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. In order for coverage to apply, you must use your covered Visa card to secure transactions. Please refer to the Visa Signature or Visa Platinum Guide to Benefits for further details.
