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American Express Red Card

Charity credit cards are becoming increasingly popular and now American Express has brought out the Red Card to help raise funds for the Global Fund.

The Global Fund is a charity established to help combat 3 major diseases - AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. They aim to be a very efficient way of getting money to where it is needed most and can be most effective. You can be sure that money raised will directly help those in most need.

How Red Card Works

Each time you use your Red Card, American Express will make a donation to the Global Fund. The percentage donated will depend on the amount you spend on your card each year. For the first £5,000 you spend each year, American Express will donate 1% of your eligible spend. For amounts over £5,000 this will increase to 1.25%. This means that if you spend say £10,000 a year on the card, £112.50 will be donated at no expense to yourself.

American Express will also make an additional donation of £5 to the fund of you use your card within the first month of receiving it.

Red Card Extras for You

Not only are you giving to an important charity by using this card, there are also benefits for you as a card holder. Firstly, you will be eligible for REDpass. All you need to do is register online and use your card to make purchases and you are eligible for the chance to win an experience of a lifetime each 3 months. This could be anything from attending a film festival in New York, or an art trip to Africa.

You can also benefit from REDdeals. With this programme you can enjoy discounts on everything from entertainment to travel and shopping.

There is no annual fee for the life of this card and standard interest rate is fairly competitive with the current rate being a Typical 12.9% APR variable



Summary Table

Standard Interest Rate	Typical 12.9% APR Variable
Standard Balance Transfer Rate	12.9% p.a.
Cash Advance Interest Rate	23.6% p.a.
Rewards	Up to 1.25% donated to the Global Fund
Annual Fee	None
Customer Service	24hrs, 365 days a year
Online Account Access	Yes
Late Payment Fee	£8

Credit Sources Review

This card is for people who aren't looking for a standard rewards card to benefit themselves, but want to help others each time they use their card. Like many charity cards, 1% of your spend is donated to the charity. However, if you spend more than £5,000 a year, this rate increases.

You do, however, get some benefits yourself, although not a rewards program as such. The special deals may or may not benefit you, but there is a chance you could win that once in a lifetime trip.

It is, though, a good general card for most people with the added benefit that you know you're helping a worthwhile cause.

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