Posted on 10/14/2009 3:32:59 PM PDT by SilvieWaldorfMD
Q: Is it true that if I use my credit card at fast food places, my credit score will decrease or that it will affect my score in some way because it looks like I cannot afford to buy food? I pay my bill in full every month. -- Burger and Fries Lover
A: Dear Burger: The fast answer is no, where you eat doesn't have an impact on your credit score, but that's not the full story. Your credit score is just one of the many factors that issuers use when making lending decisions, and while paying plastic for that Big Mac won't hurt your credit score, it might raise issuers' eyebrows for just the reason that you described.
Historically, consumers have turned to fast food in tough economic times, and these times are no different: The National Restaurant Association expects a 4 percent increase in sales at fast food restaurants in 2009. The fare is often belly-warming, feel-good and inexpensive. One fast food meal can cost between $5 and $7 or so, cheaper than other, more high-brow dining options.
(Excerpt) Read more at creditcards.com ...
Try Wendy’s new Bacon Deluxe. Best sandwich they’ve had in a while. Course it’s all in their new bacon.
I splurge once a year and got down to “Mount Pilot” and I get a double quarter pounder and large fries. mmm-mmm-mmm
I go to the Whole Foods prepared section/salad bar/soup bar for lunch all the time. It’s like the disney world of food! My credit must be excellent!
In and Out is the ONLY edible fast food burger out there.
: Is it true that if I use my credit card at fast food places, my credit score will decrease or that it will affect my score in some way because it looks like I cannot afford to buy food? I pay my bill in full every month. — Burger and Fries Lover
Why the heck would anyone use a credit card for that?
Just had a Double Double there yesterday.
Fast food places started accepting debit cards and also credit cards because people buy on cards because why....the card does not feel like hard cold cash and it is easy to rack it up. If you truly want to save do not deny yourself, simply carry cash and only pay cash and you will see that you start to deny yourself and its a good thing.
Some folks don't like to carry cash and bother with coins.
Others on expense account find it easier to submit claims electronically that way.
I think that’s the point. People who are using credit cards to pay for $5 meals are, statistically speaking, bad news in the credit department.
Especially with the people who work in fast food joints these days, where just making the correct change is a serious challenge.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
I pay my card off each month. I don’t like to carry a lot of cash. And the correct change thing is a big problem these days. Oh, and it’s a “reward card”.
Ok a reward card is good. Game the system don’t let the system game you.
............eat at home.
Bring your lunch to work. Shop the sales at two supermarkets and only buy sale stuff.
Paying the bill should be the only determining factor on credit rating, not where you bought stuff at anyways.
Exactly. Discover pays me to use my card. I use the reward points to give gifts to people who help me do things around the house that I can’t do by myself (like take out dead trees!)
Every few months I get to craving a Chick-Fil-A sandwich and, as a fond memory of my teenage years, I enjoy an Arby's roast beef a couple of times a year. Our best meals are at home though.
There is ONE better burger than In and Out, but you have to be in the Houston area. Becks. It was so good that the memory of it remained for a week.
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