| eople who are organized and careful, using a credit | | | | interest free periods on balance transfers for up to |
| card can be a good way of managing debt and | | | | nine months. Some also offer 0% on spending for a |
| handling spending. And there are other advantages | | | | certain period. Others offer a fixed low interest rate. |
| that can make credit card use even more appealing. | | | | People can shop around for the best incentives and |
| Many credit cards can now be used to contribute to | | | | still make a charitable contribution. Standard interest |
| people's favourite charities. This means they can | | | | rates for charity credit cards have the same range |
| spend as usual, secure in the knowledge that they | | | | as normal cards, ranging from below 9% to over |
| are also contributing to a good cause. | | | | 17%. |
| How Charity Credit Cards Work | | | | What Charities Can I Support? |
| The way charity credit cards work is simple. Every | | | | There are many charity cards available, supporting a |
| time people spend on the card, the card issuer gives | | | | wide range of charitable causes. These include the |
| a proportion of their spending to the chosen charity. | | | | RSPCA, NSPCC, and cards supporting animals, |
| The charitable donation can range from 0.25% of the | | | | diabetes, cancer and a wide range of medical |
| amount spent on purchases to 1% or more, | | | | conditions. Charities always need more cash to |
| depending on the card chosen and the particular deal. | | | | support the work that they do. Using a charity credit |
| The amount donated may increase if spending goes | | | | card means that people can help their chosen |
| over a certain threshold. | | | | charities while doing what they would have done |
| Many card companies also offer a one-off donation | | | | anyway. |
| when the card is first issued. Again, this sum can | | | | How Else Can I Help My Charity? |
| vary considerably depending on the card chosen. | | | | Another strategy that credit card holders can use is |
| There are also rewards for using the card within a | | | | to choose a credit card that offers a cash back |
| set period and for continuing to use the card over | | | | facility. This means that holders get a percentage of |
| months and years. | | | | their spending as cash at the end of a given period. |
| Some credit cards contribute to specific charities and | | | | This is usually once a year, often on the anniversary |
| are branded with the name of that charity. There are | | | | of taking out the card. Cash back percentages can |
| also credit cards that allow card holders to nominate | | | | be quite high, depending on the level of spending. |
| the charity their donations will go to. | | | | Organized borrowers can spend on their cards and |
| Other Incentives | | | | donate the cash back reward to charity as well. This |
| Having a charity credit card does not mean giving up | | | | is another good option for lending support to a |
| on some of the other incentives new credit card | | | | favourite charity. |
| holders normally get. Many charity cards offer 0% | | | | |