I defer to the Prof concerning use of a credit card, although I am surprised. However, I would like to add one thing regarding paying for PPL training; I would imagine that training organisations like to get the money up front in order to lock you in, as much as anything else. I suggest that the best way is to make sure that you have the money available so that you can fly whenever you want. Save it up, get a loan, whatever. If you try to fly when you can afford it, you might find that you are not flying enough and it will take a long time.