The changing face of our planet has brought interest in environmental issues very much to the fore, and nowhere more so than in the world of credit cards. Customers are looking to do something for the greater good in every aspect of their life now, which is why there is now a Co-op credit card that helps do just that.
The Co-op Think credit card donates 25 pence from every GBP100 spent to Cool Earth, an environmental charity that works to help regenerate the planet. Also, upon signing up for the card, the Co-op buys half an acre of rain forest in Brazil that will be protected and help manage carbon dioxide.
The Think credit card from the Co-op is also competitive financially, with an Annual Percentage Rate of only 12.9 percent. Ultimately a credit card should best suit financial requirements first, taking care of other matters are secondary. However this new Co-op credit card appears to have both bases covered.
Sainsburys Bank believes that credit card users are not claiming the rewards being earned through loyalty point schemes, ultimately costing themselves money.
Looking at the last year the Sainsburys Bank study found that, of over 8 million earned rewards on their credit cards. However only 3 million people claimed their rewards. The biggest reason cited for not claiming was that the value of the reward was too small, this being the reason for over 40 percent. Over a quarter of people felt the process to get the rewards took too long and just under a quarter said it was too difficult.
A Sainsburys Bank spokesman suggested that credit card companies should look addressing these issues since both card provider and consumer would both benefit.
Having looked at the half term travel market Abbey National has found that prices can be as much as 80 percent higher than when the children are in school, meaning credit cards will be used to take some of the strain.
It came as no surprise to find higher holiday costs when the schools are off but 80 percent was quite extreme thought the Abbey National, especially when the economic climate is such that parents are looking to save money where they can, whilst still doing the best for their children. Scottish parents will fare better than their English counterparts thanks to their school holidays being at different times.
Abbey National found that Spain will offer the best value for families and also suggested ways to save money, including booking in advance, finding the best offer on currency or perhaps using a credit card that saves foreign exchange costs.
Compare the Abbey National credit card rate for yourself at Moneygossip.co.uk.