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As a nation many of us in the UK like to make regular donations to our favourite charities, but with our busy lifestyles and schedules the actual task of making that important donation often gets pushed onto the back burner.
However, so many charities rely on donations from the public, and even the smallest regular donations can go a long way to helping these charities to provide valuable services and assistance to those in need.
So, how can we make it easier to remember to make our donations to our favourite charities?
One very effective solution is through charity credit cards.
Charity credit cards enable you to enjoy the convenience and flexibility of credit card spending, and they benefit charities by making donations in line with your spending. This means that you don't have to worry about making separate arrangements to donate to your favourite charity, and you can simply use your credit card as normal and enjoy the peace of mind that your chosen charity is also benefiting from your spending.
How do charity credit cards work?
There are a number of charities that are affiliated with credit card issuers, and these charities receive donations from the issuing banks or building societies based on your spending.
Some charity credit cards will even make additional donations when someone takes out the account as well as on an annual basis.
All of the banks and building societies issuing charity credit cards make a donation based upon a percentage of your spending on the card. In addition to this, some banks and building societies also make an annual donation to the charity for as long as the account is open and active.
These donations soon add up, and provide a valuable and convenient way for you to donate to the charity without any of the hassle and inconvenience that can often be associated with making donations.
You won't even have to think about it - you simply enjoy the convenience of shopping and spending on your card, and the issuing bank or building society will do the rest.
Will it cost me anything?
Charity credit cards generate donations for charities based on the cardholder's spending.
However, the donations are always paid by the bank or building society who issues the card - so it doesn't cost you anything extra.
How much is really paid out?
You may find that most charity credit cards don't pay as high a percentage to the charity as you might find on, say, a cashback credit card.
Of course, you could simply opt for a cash back credit card and then donate your cash back to charity at regular intervals.
But if you lead a busy life you could easily forget to do this, which would result in the charity getting nothing at all. In addition, if you decide to opt for a cash back credit card and make your own donations from your cash back, the charity will not receive any additional donations, such as any annual donation or a donation when the card is taken out.
Of course, the percentage of your spending that is donated to charity does vary from one card issuer to another, and you should compare the cards to see which one will best benefit the charity.
For instance, although most charity credit cards offer a lower percentage of your spending to charity than you would be earning with a cash back credit card, the American Express Red credit card actually offers over one percent donation, which rivals most cash back credit cards.
Applying for your charity credit card
Making an application for your charity credit card couldn't be easier, and with the power of the Internet you can make your application and get your decision in next to no time.
However, there is one thing that you should bear in mind when you make an application for a charity credit card, and that is that the charity will receive a far higher initial donation if you make your application directly through the charity's website than if you make your application through the website of the issuing bank.
In fact, the charity could receive an initial donation of up to six times more when you apply direct through the charity website, which can make a huge difference.
Compare the charity credit cards on offer
As with any other credit card there are a number of factors that you need to compare where looking for the right charity credit card for your needs.
This includes the interest rate charged, the cost of any fees and penalties, and the interest free period allowed. In addition to these areas, when you apply for a charity credit card you need to compare factors such as the percentage of your spending that will be donated to charity, whether any annual donation will be made, and whether the charity will receive a donation when you take the card out.
A fast, effective, and convenient way to compare charity credit cards to find the right card for you is through our charity credit card comparison page.
You can even enter your monthly spending and we will work out exactly how many funds your spending will generate for the charity!
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