Christmas credit card splurge hits $17bn

AUSTRALIANS will give their credit cards a going over this Christmas, toting up more than $17 billion in the shops, according to research out today.

Research group Cannex said the country's 13.1 million plus credit cards would swipe about $1300 each.

Cannex research analyst Garfield Wright said people spent up to 25 per cent more in December than they did for the other 11 months of the year.

"For the past three years, Australia's annual pattern of credit card usage has been predictable, with spending soaring in December as credit cards are well and truly given a workout," Mr Wright said.

"This year, though, the figure will be through the chimney and well into the $17 billion realm."

January, however, was a different story with consumers coming to terms with the credit card debt that needed to be paid off.

"What is certain is that there will be a completely different kind of new year's resolution made this January and if a reshuffle of the cards is needed, there are 15 credit cards on the market offering zero interest on balance transfers and 106 offering under five per cent," Mr Wright said.