FinTech Ukraine Weekly: Telecoms Cut Roaming Charges for Ukrainians; Amex Rewards Members Can Donate Points

This week in the FinTech Ukraine: European telecom companies have agreed to cut roaming charges on Ukrainians, and American Express is allowing U.S. card members enrolled in the Membership Rewards to put their points toward a Ukrainian relief donation.

Deutsche Telekom, the German telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, and other European telecom companies have agreed to cut roaming charges on Ukrainians for 90 days to help refugees keep in touch with families, Reuters reported.

The move, which also included Orange, Vodafone and others, allows free calls to Ukraine and waives roaming fees.

Commissioner for Competition and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager has asked other companies to do the same.

“We encourage for more similar measures that can make a real difference in these extraordinary circumstances,” Vestager said in a statement.

American Express announced that U.S. card members enrolled in the Membership Rewards program can put their points towards a donation for Ukrainian relief.

The effort is made possible in partnership with the PayPal Giving Fund. Donations made using Amex points go to support select charities that are providing humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and affected parts of Europe.

Epic Games has raised $144 million for the humanitarian effort in Ukraine after the developer of Fortnite pledged to donate the proceeds from the game for two weeks to the relief, The Daily Mail reported.

In collaboration with Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox, the company promised to donate games revenue to Ukraine for two weeks, starting March 20.

The charities that received the charitable donation included UNICEF, Direct Relief, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Program.

On Twitter, Fornite posted: “Our deepest thanks to everyone who joined us in supporting humanitarian relief efforts for people affected by the war in Ukraine.”