Summary
Banks will forgo their usual transaction fees so that 100 percent of the money donated for Japan relief reach its destination
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards, or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.
Your credit cards journey is officially underway.
Keep an eye on your inbox—we’ll be sending over your first message soon.
Visa, MasterCard and Discover announced they were waiving their usual transaction fees on donations to a number of U.S.-based charities. The charities vary, depending on the credit card you use, but include the American Red Cross, Save the Children, Habitat for Humanity and Doctors Without Borders.
American Express will rebate charges for donations to Japanese relief organizations listed on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) website.
Discover is also allowing cardholders to donate their cashback bonuses to the American Red Cross. Capital One sent out an e-mail blast to its customers Thursday encouraging them to donate their rewards. The e-mail reminds cardholders that donating rewards creates a tax deduction whose size “is determined by the cash equivalent of your rewards donation as detailed in your receipt, not the quantity of No Hassle Miles or Points redeemed.”
Banks and credit card companies have also stepped forward with relief donations of their own. MasterCard is donating $250,000 and says it will double-match employee contributions to disaster relief.
Meanwhile, American Express is donating $100,000 to the American Red Cross and Save the Children, and matching employee contributions to those organizations.
JP Morgan Chase has committed $5 million to Japanese relief and said it will also match employee contributions. The company also said customers with Chase Sapphire, Ink from Chase and Chase Freedom credit cards will be able to make relief donations through the company’s Ultimate Rewards program.
Wells Fargo pledged an immediate $500,000 donation and said it will match employee contributions up to $500,000.
Banks did not waive their fees immediately after the Haiti earthquake in January 2010, but quickly did so after some public scolding.
See related: Credit card scams rise after Japan disaster, Charitable charging fees come under scrutiny after Haiti disaster
Editorial Disclaimer
The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.
Join the Discussion
We encourage an active and insightful conversation among our users. Please help us keep our community civil and respectful. For your safety, do not disclose confidential or personal information such as bank account numbers or social security numbers. Anything you post may be disclosed, published, transmitted or reused.
The editorial content on CreditCards.com is not sponsored by any bank or credit card issuer. The journalists in the editorial department are separate from the company’s business operations. The comments posted below are not provided, reviewed or approved by any company mentioned in our editorial content. Additionally, any companies mentioned in the content do not assume responsibility to ensure that all posts and/or questions are answered.