Halifax Cancer Research UK Charity Card?

Legacy_user

I want a credit card with Halifax as I moved by bank account there, and have an ISA with them, so everything is all in one place.

On the Halifax sight I've seen the Cancer Research Charity Card with the following benefits

• We make a £20* donation when you first make a purchase on your card
• We donate 0.25% of every purchase you make**
• 0% on balance transfers for the first 9 months (3% fee applies)
• 0% on purchases for the first 9 months
• Typical 16.9% APR (variable)

Are there any downsides to this card?

I know there's one which offers £5 if you spend £300 but I probably don't spend that every month (I do have a stocks and shares ISA which I put £300 into every month, I don't know if I could do this through a credit card instead of direct debit?) and another which offers 0% for 12 months, but I'd rather have money go to charity than an extra 3 months at 0% (as I usually pay my credit card off in full every month anyway)

Anyway, what I will probably do is pay for everything with my credit card and make the minimum payment, put the rest into my ISA (3%) and then pay it all off after 8 months

Is there anything else I should take into consideration first, like hidden charged or anything?

opinions4u

LooieENG wrote: »

Are there any downsides to this card?

Could you earn more cashback on an alternative card and then donate the funds to charity, topped up with Gift Aid?

I know there's one which offers £5 if you spend £300 but I probably don't spend that every month (I do have a stocks and shares ISA which I put £300 into every month, I don't know if I could do this through a credit card instead of direct debit?)

Highly unlikely, although I like your thinking. Consider supermarket, petrol, other car expenses etc.

Is there anything else I should take into consideration first, like hidden charged or anything?

It's pretty much as stated. I'd personally look in to cashback cards and work out if that would allow you to decide how much to give to charity.

[Deleted User]

Agree with o4u - it's generally better to go for the most 'selfish' option in terms of cashback and then donate it. With the purpose built charity cards, you tend to be paying over the odds for the warm fuzzy feeling.

System

Yeah I looked at cashback cards but can't really see anything that would benefit me.

I don't spend £300 a month though, I don't drive, and most of what I spend I withdraw from cash machines with my debit card

rb10

LooieENG wrote: »

Yeah I looked at cashback cards but can't really see anything that would benefit me.

I don't spend £300 a month though, I don't drive, and most of what I spend I withdraw from cash machines with my debit card

... so why not put it on a credit card, rather than paying cash? That way you might be able to get cashback from it?

System

rb10 wrote: »

... so why not put it on a credit card, rather than paying cash? That way you might be able to get cashback from it?

Sounds good in theory but not everywhere accepts cards

I'm sure I could force myself to spend £300 but I'd rather not just to get £5

Do you think I could get accepted for both?

rb10

LooieENG wrote: »

Sounds good in theory but not everywhere accepts cards

The only place I use cash is in the pub. Everywhere else will take a card.

I'm sure I could force myself to spend £300 but I'd rather not just to get £5

It's definitely a false economy to spend more to save £5.

Do you think I could get accepted for both?

I know nothing at all about you, so couldn't possibly comment.

It's possible to have both, but depends on your credit history.

At the end of the day, this charity card doesn't have any hidden catches, just does what it says on the tin. But most people are able to get more money for charity by using one of the other cards already highlighted.