Christmas season is once again here. And as a tradition, gift giving is also just around the corner. Most consumers prefer to use their credit cards when shopping for gifts. They are safer to carry around when shopping and more convenient as well. Nevertheless, credit cards should also be used with care. Consider the following credit card tips for your Christmas shopping and get the most of what your credit cards have to offer:

Take advantage of 0% rate offers. When shopping for a season, it’s best to use a credit card that has a low interest rate or even a zero APR. Most credit cards offer 0% APR from six months to a full year so if your current credit cards don’t give you that flexibility, it’s smart to get a credit card with a low interest advantage.

Gather your rewards. A reward credit card is best for shopping for the holidays. Since you’ll be making a lot of purchases, you might as well get incentives out of them. A cash back reward credit card gives you the opportunity to get more savings and more value for your money. If you’re thinking about going on a Christmas vacation, you can save a great deal from your travel expenses if you’re going to apply for a credit card with a Travel Miles Reward program early in the year.

Check your billing statements. Check your credit card statement for accuracy and make sure that all the charges in your account are purchases that you did make. If you have any disputes about the charges, don’t hesitate to inform your bank right away. Remember, you have the right to dispute claims under the Federal Law. If you do have disputes, don’t just inform your bank by phone. Send a follow up dispute letter via registered mail as well.

Create a shopping list. Just because you’re using your credit card in purchasing gifts means you can splurge all you want. It’s best to write down your exact budget for the gifts you plan to give. It will also allow you to think about the best gift that will make someone happy.

Write down all the people who you want to give gifts to and beside each person’s name, write down the estimated amount of gift you’re willing to spend. Add up the total of all the gifts you’ll be purchasing so you can have an idea of how much you’ll be charging on your credit card. Fight the temptation to go over the amount you’ve already listed in your list.

Don’t take out cash from your credit card. Never use your credit card for debiting cash. Always remember that cash advances automatically charge you with interest because it’s not included in the grace period of the card.

Pay your bills on time. After the shopping is over, make sure that you’re prepared to make your repayments. Submit your credit card payment on time and never ever make the mistake of delaying or putting off with your payments.