women wearing a santa hat and holding several gift bags

Installment Payment for Holiday Shopping

Spread the Cheer and Split the Payments: Smart Holiday Shopping with Installments

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the festive joy of giving. But it’s also a time when many of us face larger payments than usual for gifts, travel, or special outings. What if you could enjoy your holiday purchases now and manage payments on your own schedule? That’s exactly what our installment payment option is designed for.

What Are Installment Payments?

With your REAL FREEDOM credit card from Natco Credit Union, you have the option to convert eligible purchases into fixed monthly payments. In short, you’re taking a larger purchase and spreading the cost out over time. To qualify for installment payments:

  • The purchase must be over $100 and at a participating merchant.
  • You can choose a repayment term of 3, 6, 9, 12 or 18 months.
  • Your monthly payment is fixed—so you’ll know exactly how much you’ll owe each month.
  • The interest rate (APR) is transparent and shown in the mobile app or online.

Why Use Installment Payments for Holiday Shopping?

Here are a few reasons why this feature can make your holidays more enjoyable and less stressful:

  • Avoid a Big Lump Sum Payment: A holiday purchase—like a big gift, an appliance, or a celebratory outing—can hit your budget hard. Installment payments let you split that into manageable chunks.
  • Budgeting Made Easy: Since you’ll know your payment each month, it’s easier to plan and avoid surprise spikes in your credit card bill.
  • Stay in Control: Because the payment is fixed and transparent, you can see exactly how much you’re paying and when. No guess-work.
  • Flexibility to Use as Needed: Whether you’re picking up a standout gift, making a special purchase, or simply want to spread seasonal spending out, this gives you more options.

Things to Know Before You Choose

Installment payments are a great feature—but here are some important notes to ensure you use them wisely:

  • Your account must be in good standing to qualify.
  • You can have up to 10 active installment plans at a time.
  • Secured credit cards do not qualify for this option.
  • The transaction must be posted and you must set up the installment plan in the same billing cycle as the purchase.

Ready to get started?
Log in to the Natco Card Manager app and select Installment Payments to see which purchases qualify and learn how to turn them into fixed monthly payments. You can also view and manage your Installment Payments through Home Banking > Manage My Visa.

If you have any questions, we’re always here to help—making your season brighter and your finances smarter.