July 28, 2009
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News: Linux Offers New Affinity Card
There is a growing phenomenon in the credit card industry; it's called an affinity card. The affinity card lets individuals support their favorite charity or organization. With an affinity card, a small percentage of each credit card purchase transaction is donated to charity. Affinity cards are growing in demand and organizations have begun to seek partnering up with credit card companies to market their organization. The most recent offering of a co-branded affinity card comes from the Linux Foundation, a non-for-profit that promote, protects, and standardizes Linux, a computer operating system. In an announcement on the organizations website, the Linux Foundation introduced their new Linux-Branded Affinity Visa Platinum card. The new card will carry the cuddly organization mascot the Tux penguin. Jim Zemlin, the organization's Executive Director said the card is being offered in response to numerous requests from consumers who want to aid in the preservation of Linux code.
The Linux Foundation has partnered with CardPartner, Inc. in offering the new affinity credit card through the UMB Bank. CardPartner is the leading affinity card program. The Lenux affinity will contribute to other funding sources including member dues, special events, and advertising. Like most affinity cards, the Linux card comes with some rewards and benefits that include: No annual fee, 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months, purchase and credit card fraud protection, 24 hour roadside assistance, and lost luggage replacement. The Linux Foundation will receive $50 for each new account along with an additional percentage for each purchase transaction.
Most affinity card have the advantage of consumer rewards; however, few offer a "no annual fee" card. The new Linux Foundation affinity Visa credit card is only available in the U.S. at this time. According to the Linux organization, funds raised from the new card will be allocated directly to "technical events and travel grants."