Credit card spending in the run-up to Christmas is topping last year's records, according to Sainsburys Credit Cards .
Last minute purchases charged to credit cards look set to break through £1.82 billion, as 8.9 billion credit card holders will use their plastic to pay for this shopping, Sainsbury's Credit Cards says.
A total of £9.58 billion will be spent across the country in the last seven days before Christmas, with men spending an average of £275.80 and female shoppers some £196.
"Credit cards provide a convenient way in which to do your Christmas shopping," says the credit card manager at Sainsbury's Bank, Donald MacLeod.
But credit card holders who are unsure if they will be able to clear the balance on their credit cards in January, might be better off spreading the cost with a credit card that offers an introductory rate of 0% interest on purchases, he adds.
Standard and platinum credit card holders at Sainsbury's Bank receive 0% interest on purchases for ten months, which is the longest 0% interest period currently available.
The annual percentage rate on balance transfers is 5.9 per cent, but transfers in the first six months are free.
New credit card holders will also receive an exclusive book with Sainsbury's discount vouchers .




