Let me say it loud and proud – hoorah for credit cards! I can almost hear readers' collective gasps at that. “Eh? Aren’t you the Money Saving Expert? Surely credit cards are bad – boo hiss!”

Well, no, their rap is unfair, and now’s the PERFECT time to pocket a cashback credit card and make real money out of it.

The problem is most people think of credit cards as a way to borrow, and that isn’t good.

Yet, used right, they’re also by far the best way to spend.

Now’s the time to take advantage as Christmas is around the corner, and some plastic gives 5% back on all your spending.

That’s right, they PAY YOU, and we’re not talking pennies.

As big spender Paul Ashurst tweeted me: "I put virtually everything on my card and got £1,458 cashback this year. Pay the balance off in full, and do some basic budgeting to earn a significant amount."

While most people won’t get close to that, many even with poor credit scores can still get big cash just for swapping plastic. Here are the 10 need-to-knows.

1. First, neuter the card’s interest-charging ability

Just set up a direct debit to repay IN FULL each month. That way you avoid any interest, so it's all profit (also, never withdraw cash, as then you pay interest even when you fully repay). If you’re not going to do this, please stop reading now. This isn’t for you and it’ll cost you large.

2. Now, you’ve a DEBIT card that pays you, so use it for everything

With the direct debit set up, the credit card's effectively like a debit card that’s paid monthly from your bank account. So provided you can always clear in full, use it for ALL normal spending (not an excuse to overspend) and possibly expenses, replacing other debit and credit cards, cash and cheques.

3. BIG 5% cashback over Christmas and January sales

Capital One’s Aspire pays newbies 5% back for the first 99 days (up to a maximum of £100 in that time). So apply now to get the 5% for the high-spend Christmas and January sales period (fail to repay IN FULL and it's 19.9% representative APR).

After the 5% ends, the rate's 'up to 1.25%' depending how much you spend. You need to own a home, have a decent credit score and earnings of over £20,000. If you already have a Capital One card, full best buys are at moneysavingexpert.com/cashbackcards.

4. Poor credit score?

Most cashback cards require a decent credit score, but if not, you needn't miss out. The Aqua Reward card offers 3% cashback, up to a maximum of £100 a year. As it's primarily a card to rebuild your credit, even some with past CCJs or defaults can get it.

Yet please only do this if you are sure you can afford the repayments. Fail to repay IN FULL each month and it's a hideous 34.9% representative APR.

5. Get big money back on petrol and train fares

The Santander 123 credit card pays a permanent 3% on up to £300 a month on petrol, diesel, rail and Tube spending. You also get 2% on department store spending and and 1% on supermarkets. Though there’s nothing on anything outside of that.

Combine that with a £2/month fee and this is a card that’s only best for heavy drivers/commuters who shop in supermarkets . Still, that’s a lot of people. It has another plus too. Unusually, it pays the cashback every month (but fail to repay in full and it’s 22.8% APR, including fee).

6. In a trusting relationship?

Up the gain with a partner. Let me use a true Janet and John example. Imagine Janet applies for a 5% cashback card. She can make John the second cardholder, so he can take advantage too.

After the three month higher rate ends, John can then do the reverse for a further three months at 5%. After that both partners should use one card, as cashback rates are tiered.

As Chris Ross told me, "I share cards with other family members: five months, £171 cashback. Splitting it four ways at year-end."

7. How's the cashback paid?

It's usually taken off the statement annually, so if you owe £400 that month and have £200 cashback, you're charged £200. Most cards do this on the anniversary of when you opened the account – though Capital One does it every January, and Santander does it monthly.

8.The impact on your credit score

Done right, it’s minor. Every application you make for credit marks your file. One isn’t a problem, but many applications in a short period of time can be damaging. So if you’re imminently applying for a more important credit facility, such as a mortgage, it’s best to wait until after.

9. Free consumer protection

By law, buy anything from £100 to £30,000 and pay, even in part, on any credit card (not debit) and Section 75 laws mean the card firm's jointly liable with the retailer for the whole amount. Therefore, if an item's faulty, or the retailer goes bust, go to the card provider for refunds. This can be valuable extra protection. I even helped some victims of the PIP breast implants scandal get money back using it.

10. Cashback on council tax, mortgages, energy bills & more

With the Santander 123 bank account (not the credit card) you get 1% back on water, council tax, Santander mortgage payments, and 2% on gas and electricity.

It's 3% on mobile, broadband, phone and TV bills. Plus there’s tiered interest up to 3%, beating savings.

There’s a fee of £2 a month (£24 a year), but for many pelicans (those with big bills), this is a winner earning £100s a year. Though its customer service rating is far from good.

Full info at moneysavingexpert.com/bankaccounts