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We probably all have our favorite charities to which we make contributions. Perhaps sometimes we think we would like to give more, or give on a more regular basis, than we actually do. If that thought strikes a chord with you, consider applying for a foundation or charity credit card. Using one of these cards is a great way to consistently and automatically support the cause or causes you believe in.
Financial institutions have been using the technique for nearly 20 years through products called affinity credit cards, which benefit nonprofit groups.
LATEST: Campaigning rocker BONO today (01MAR06) launched a "sexy" new credit card aimed at tackling the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The U2 frontman and supermodel ELLE MACPHERSON are the faces behind the Red American Express card - which will donate one percent of the total funds spent on it towards combating the continent's HIV problem. The VERTIGO singer is convinced working alongside global brands is the key to alleviating suffering in the developing world. He says, "This is really sexy to me. It is sexy to want to change the world. Red is a 21st-century idea. I think doing the Red thing, doing good, will turn out to be good business for them. "We got a long way with Make Poverty History (charity organisation combating the income gap worldwide) but we need to keep the heat on these issues. Some people will be offended that activists like me are working with big companies, but when you see people queuing up to die from a disease which is curable, it makes you want to do something."
Taking out a Barclaycard Charity Card today will help you and others too. We'll make a one-off donation of £5 when you make your first transaction on your Charity Card then a further 0.3% of the amount you spend. These donations are divided equally between Marie Curie Cancer Care, Save the Children, Samaritans and the Woodland Trust.
As a supporter of the National Trust, you'll be pleased to learn there is now a simpler way you can help the Trust continue its essential work. With the unique National Trust Credit Card you will not only receive some fantastic financial benefits - which could save you money - but every time you use your card, the National Trust receives a contribution from the card's issuer, MBNA Europe Bank Limited. All without costing you a penny extra!
The Bottom Line A charity credit card is an Affinity card that makes a charity a small amount of money. It's for people with no balances only.
We'd all love to be able to give a bit more to our favorite charities, but a pay cheque only stretches so far. Wouldn't you like to be able to contribute to your favorite cause - without it taking an extra penny out of your pocket? A charity credit card can allow you to do just that. A charity credit card uses a reward or loyalty scheme just like a cashback credit card - but instead of paying the reward into your pocket, the credit card company contributes it to the charity listed on the face of the credit card. It's a painless way of pouring regular money into the coffers of some of the agencies and services that do good work in the UK.
Police at Scotland Yard's computer crime squad are investigating the hacking of a UK charity website that has resulted in the theft of almost 3,000 credit card details.
A rewarding result of flawless payment behavior and wise credit card use is good credit score. The score can be evaluated by means of several scoring systems, as you know. According to the most popular FICO system, good credit history varies between 660-750 points. Other scoring systems maintained by other credit reporting bureaus can present some other number. And the real value of these precious points can be understood when you see what deals you are eligible for with a good score.
The cards in this section require a good to excellent credit rating for approval. There are many benefits to maintaining an excellent credit rating. The higher your credit rating, the lower the interest rate that you may be offered. For cards with 0% introductory APR's, applicants with higher credit ratings may be offered longer introductory periods.
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