Give as you spend

It’s not every time you open up a credit card statement and have something to smile about. But you do with an Amex RED credit card. You see, every month there’s a little bit on your statement showing you how much money you’ve contributed this month to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa and how much you’ve donated since you took out the credit card. It’s amazing how quickly it adds up.

(Product) RED was launched in a blaze of publicity a few years ago by Bono and Bobby Shriver to help raise funds to fights AIDS in Africa. I remember loads of things like RED iPods, Motorola phones, GAP t-shirts etc. It’s all gone a bit quiet and I did struggle to find a link to the card on the Amex website, but you could still join in.

Basically, every time you use your Amex RED card to buy something, they donate 1% to the Global Fund on your behalf. Admittedly, it’s usually only the bigger outlets that take Amex due to the high retailer charges, but whenever you spend, the credit card company donates to charity on your behalf using money from the fees it charges the big boy retailers.

There are hundreds of other charity credit cards besides Amex RED. I also carry a Woodland Trust Visa card. It’s ever so pretty – lovely pictures of a bluebell wood. Gets people talking and they think you’re very nice when you tell the retailer that a % goes to charity when you pay with this card. OK, the Co-op monthly donation is less generous than the Amex per pound spent, but they do plant a tree when you take out the card!

Next time you’re thinking about swapping credit cards, have a look and see how your favourite charity could benefit if you took out their card.


Debbie Griffiths www.idealCSR.co.uk