Regardless of the current climate, I would use a credit card anyway for obvious protection.
As you say the money is there, so no problem. You will be protected anyway with a package holiday but this gives extra protection.

Robby

I appreciate how many people feel about credit cards - and the fee charged but it really is the sensible way for people to pay, particularly in the current financial climate. Simply pay your cc bill when you get it.We use ours on a regular basis but never incur any charges.

Remember that providing you have paid at least £100 by cc then your protection applies to the full cost up to a value of £30,000 even if the balance is paid by cash.

fwh

Thanks, guys, thought as much, would rather pay a small fee to pay by cc and know we are covered as we don't pay the rest till march .

FWH, can you just clarify this for me? I've paid a low deposit on my booking for Aug 2009 of £124 on my credit card. I've got to pay the rest of the deposit by end of the month, so is it right that even if I pay this and the remaining balance on my debit card I'd still be covered for the full amount of the holiday (£1900)? Surely I need to pay the full amount on the credit card for the full cover?

Thanks, Nic.

Yes - It is all covered by The Consumer Credit Act 1975 and court rulings since.

Some information here - http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/after_you_buy/making-complaint/template-letters/consumer_credit/

fwh

Thanks for the reply FWH, think I'll pay rest by debit card and save myself the additional 2.5%.

I have a Thomas Cook credit card you don't get charged a fee when booking through TC also you get travel pounds for all other purchases this year I have aquired £270 which I have just redeemed off my next holiday in November

Still a bit confused between this thread and the previous one on this subject here.

Should we pay the low deposit by credit card, the full deposit, the balance, the full amount or a minimum of £100.

Nickmacuk, the Thomas Cook card idea sounds good assuming that you travel with them. Does it work for their assosociate companies too? eg Direct Holidays.

Just booked a Thompson holiday with TC and was allowed to use my travel pounds as far as I am aware it covers all holidays booked via TC.

i used my thomas cook card to pay for Direct Holidays final balance in June last year and they didn't charge me a credit card charge and i've just checked my statement and i did get the double points for it too!!

Also - I'm looking at a Thomson holiday for next year and it's £998 on Thomson and £1020 on TC but on the TC I'll earn 2% in travel pounds instead of the normal 1% and also not have to pay 2.5% card fee, altogether a 3.5% saving or about £35 which means it's actually cheaper to book a Thomson holiday through TC !!