| ing to good causes is a great way to help people | | | | - Cancer charities such as Cancer Research UK and |
| who are less fortunate. People have always been | | | | Breakthrough Breast Cancer Trust |
| able to help good causes by giving up their time or | | | | - Children's charities such as the NSPCC, Great |
| handing over cash. Now the process is even easier. | | | | Ormond Street Hospital and Barnardos |
| Many charities now have branded credit cards that | | | | - Animal charities such as the RSPCA and PDSA |
| enable consumers to donate to the charity every | | | | - Aid agencies such as Christian Aid and Oxfam |
| time they spend. These charity credit cards are | | | | - And many more. |
| backed by major UK banks. The Royal Bank of | | | | To find out if the charity you want to support has a |
| Scotland, Halifax and the Cooperative Bank all support | | | | credit card, telephone them or visit their websites. |
| several charity credit cards. | | | | There are also several credit card comparison sites |
| Learning About Charity Credit Cards | | | | to help consumers decided among the different |
| When consumers first sign up for a charity credit | | | | credit card offers. |
| card, the issuing bank makes a donation to the | | | | What Incentives Are There For Using Charity Credit |
| relevant charity. This sum ranges from £5 to | | | | Cards? |
| more than £40. The actual sum donated will | | | | Charity credit cards offer the same incentives to |
| depend on the terms of the particular credit card | | | | new cardholders as other cards. This means that, |
| deal. If consumers keep and use the card, then card | | | | depending on the offer, cardholders can benefit from: |
| issuers usually make a second donation at the end of | | | | - Low annual interest rates |
| six months or a year. | | | | - 0% balance transfer rates for a fixed period |
| Charity credit cards also give ongoing support to | | | | - 0% interest on purchases for a fixed period |
| charities by paying a percentage of any spending on | | | | - other rewards and incentives. |
| the card to the nominated charity. For example, most | | | | Some credit card issuers may charge a one-off |
| cards contribute 0.25% of spending to the charity. | | | | balance transfer fee. This should be considered when |
| This means that 25 pence is donated to charity for | | | | deciding on the right card. |
| every pound spent on the card. Some charity credit | | | | As with all credit cards it is essential to make |
| cards offer a donation of as much as 1%, so the | | | | payments regularly and on time to avoid attracting |
| amount given to charity increases to match. This is | | | | any penalty fees. |
| worth thinking about when deciding which charity | | | | Once people have selected the right charity card, |
| credit card to go for. | | | | making a donation is as simple as doing what they |
| What Causes Can I Support With Charity Credit | | | | would do anyway. All they have to do is spend |
| Cards? | | | | money in the usual places and their favourite charities |
| There are cards for almost every good cause. These | | | | will get the benefit. |
| include: | | | | |