 TITLE: Should You Use a Credit Card to Pay for Wedding Expenses? CONTENT: Benefits of Using a Credit Card to Pay for Wedding Expenses\n-----------------------------------------------------------\nUnless you can afford to pay them all off immediately, you shouldn't charge every wedding-related purchase to your credit cards. Credit cards are still a great tool to have at the ready, however. Generous credit card benefits could help you finance your big day interest-free, and even reward you for your spending with points, miles or cash back you can put toward your honeymoon.\n*   *   **Save money with 0% intro APR periods.** You can pay for your wedding over an extended period (typically 12 to 18 months) without racking up interest charges if you get a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR). The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is one option, with 15 months of 0% APR on purchases (14.99% - 23.74% variable APR after that)—plus, it includes some excellent perks, such as 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase.\n*   **Maximize rewards with intro bonuses.** Rewards cards may incentivize you with a substantial intro bonus in the form of cash or points—that is, if you charge enough on the card during the allotted time. So, why write a check for the caterer or photographer when your purchase can instead go toward earning a bonus? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, rewards you with 100,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months you have the card. That's enough for $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Travel rewards like that can be a great way to save—or justify a honeymoon upgrade or two.\n*   **Personalize your advantages.** Cards with benefits that fit with your spending can save you money on the wedding and beyond. If travel is in your future, you may want to secure a hotel rewards card that can help you save on hotel bookings, or a card without foreign transaction fees for when you're abroad. You can strategize with multiple cards to reap the most rewards.\n*   **Protect your purchases.** The Fair Credit Billing Act allows you to file a dispute for products or services charged to your card that weren't \"delivered as agreed.\" Imagine, for example, a vendor stiffs you and doesn't deliver what they promised on your wedding day. When paying with a credit card, you'll have some additional recourse through your card issuer.\n*   **Borrow no more than you need.** With credit cards, you'll only owe what you charge to the card (plus interest if you carry over a balance). Some couples opt for a loan to cover wedding expenses, but they risk getting stuck with unnecessary debt if they borrow more than they end up needing. END