We're nearing the time of year a lot of us go crazy with credit card debt and card experts say -- don't do that! Don't use credit to book vacations home to see the family -- if you can avoid it.
Ted Rossman of Creditcards.com says you need a card to book a flight, but treat it like cash and pay it off immediately.
"Try to avoid credit card debt if at all possible; the average interest rate is 17% -- if you have good credit and a lot of people are paying 20 or even 25%."
Rossman says the way to do it is get the reward points and don't pay it off over time.
"Use a credit card and bank the points and immediately pay it off before accruing interest."
Rossman says now might be a good time get a new card, because introductory offers usually have the most reward points.
"A lot of the most lucrative credit card sign up bonuses will require you to spend a few thousand dollars in the first three months and that makes the holidays a great time to get a new card because we're probably spending that money anyway on travel and meals out and gifts."
But Rossman says it's important you treat travel-home expenses as cash and pay off the credit card immediately. A Creditcards.com report finds the average flyer will spend about $1,000 for Christmas and just over $800 for Thanksgiving.