| Britain is a nation of animal lovers, so it's not | | | | more than 1% depending on the deal. |
| surprising that there are many charities set up to | | | | How To Choose The Best Charity Credit Card |
| look after old, sick or neglected animals. Donations | | | | Deal |
| to these charities can be made by supporting | | | | Charity credit cards boast many of the same |
| events, by setting up bank direct debits and by | | | | offers as other credit cards. These may include: |
| using cash. Making credit card payments is | | | | 0% balance transfer rate |
| another way of supporting a charity. This has | | | | 0% purchase rate |
| been made even easier with the appearance of | | | | Low interest rate |
| charity credit cards. These are credit cards that | | | | Reward points |
| have the badge of a particular charity and are | | | | Other incentives |
| supported by well known banks. | | | | Consumers should note that 0% balance transfer |
| Credit cards for animal charities include the | | | | and purchase rates are likely to be for a fixed |
| Battersea Dogs Home, the British Horse Society, | | | | period of between three months and a year. Most |
| the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty | | | | card issuers will also charge a fee for balance |
| to Animals, the Scottish Society for the | | | | transfers (around 2%). This is designed to make |
| Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the People's | | | | sure that credit card companies do not lose out |
| Dispensary for Sick Animals. Charity credit cards | | | | on interest as consumers move from 0% card to |
| are backed by banks such as the Cooperative | | | | 0% card. |
| Bank, Halifax, the Royal Bank of Scotland and | | | | In addition to the charitable contributions, charity |
| others. | | | | credit cards may offer card holders incentives |
| Giving To Charity With Charity Credit Cards | | | | such as additional travel insurance, reward points |
| Most charity credit cards contribute to charities in | | | | that can be exchanged for cash or vouchers and |
| two ways. First of all, they offer a one-off | | | | much more. |
| donation of a fixed sum of money when a new | | | | Look online to find credit card comparison sites. |
| credit card account is opened. This sum can range | | | | These will help consumers decide on the best mix |
| from £5 to more than £40 | | | | of incentives, charitable contributions and interest |
| depending on the deal offered. If consumers | | | | rates to suite their spending habits. Once your |
| continue to use the credit card within a particular | | | | new credit card has arrived, just start spending to |
| period (for example six months to one year) a | | | | start giving to charity. |
| second lump sum contribution is paid at the end | | | | Charity credit cards offer an advantage for |
| of that period. | | | | people whose heart is in the right place but who |
| Payment is also made through ongoing | | | | just don't remember to dip into their pockets to |
| contributions to the chosen charity. This is | | | | make a donation. These credit cards make it |
| normally a percentage of any spending on the | | | | simple to donate to your favourite charity every |
| card. The percentage ranges from 0.25% to | | | | time you spend. |