Important update as of late 2022: This card is CLOSED to new applications. It isn’t currently available.
The AOD Visa Signature credit card (aka Anniston Ordnance Depot Federal Credit Union Visa) is a high-earning no-fee option for Alabama residents. Some people from out-of-state have been able to get the card, although the potential pathways aren’t guaranteed. AOD has the only credit card which earns an unlimited 3% cash back on everything. No category restrictions or other downsides, aside from the difficulty of getting credit union membership.
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- 3% cash back on all purchases
SIGN UP BONUS
This card doesn’t have a sign-up bonus (SUB) or other introductory offers. (This is expected since 3% cards are very rare. When SUBs do exist, the bank usually reduces the earn rate after a while, and/or adds other restrictions, like Alliant.)
OTHER BENEFITS OF THE AOD CARD
- Visa Signature benefits (reportedly more limited than most Visa Signature cards)
- APR as low as 7.49%
RESTRICTIONS AND CREDIT SCORE
Recommended credit score: 670+ (they reportedly pull scores from Equifax, and debt-to-income-ratio seems more important than credit score for approvals)
The primary restriction for AOD is credit union membership. Their website says “Any person who is employed by any company on the Field of Membership list (Select Employer Groups) is eligible to join AOD Federal Credit Union. Additionally, immediate family members of those eligible to join are also eligible to join.” AOD is primarily for people who have an association with the Anniston Army Depot, in northeast Alabama, but hundreds of companies are eligible, including large corporations like General Dynamics.
In general, you must be an Alabama resident (or possibly parts of Georgia) to join AOD. There are/were workarounds but YMMV on whether they’re effective. In 2020 and 2021, people joined certain organizations to try and get AOD eligibility.
- Calhoun Count Chambers Membership
- United Way of East Central Alabama
- Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association
- Purple Martin Conservation Association
Most people try the bicycle association, because it’s only a $5 minimum. Some people say that this loophole was closed for out-of-state AOD applications.
If you’re approved, you’ll have to open an AOD savings account and keep at least $25 in it to maintain membership.
MAXIMIZING REWARDS WITH THE AOD CARD
Rewards are automatically applied to your account as a statement credit. It’s a simple set-it-and-forget-it card. No minimum redemption amounts or other restrictions. Cash back is unlimited and doesn’t expire since it’s immediately auto-redeemed each month.
ALTERNATIVES TO THE AOD
Any of the best everyday credit cards could be an alternative. Only a few options earn more than 2% cash back on all purchases:
- US Alliance Financial Credit Union Visa (3% back for 2022, then 2% back)
- Alliant Cashback Visa (2.5% back)
- Ollo Optimum Mastercard (2.5% back but card is invitation-only)
- Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards or Travel Rewards or Premium Rewards card, paired with Platinum or Platinum Honors status for 2.25% or 2.62% on everything
- Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa (2.25% back or more when combined with a Chase Sapphire Reserve for the Chase Trifecta)
- Citi Double Cash Mastercard (2.2% back when combined with Citi Rewards+)
- Capital One Venture X Visa (up to 3-4% back with good travel partner transfers)
There’s also the Coinbase Debit Card, which can earn up to 4% cash back in select cryptocurrencies. However, it doesn’t have purchase protections like many credit cards do, and has other downsides (volatility of rewards, potential capital gains taxes, etc.)
Cards which broadly earn 3% cash back usually have category restrictions. Examples include the Capital One SavorOne and NFCU More Rewards.
CONCLUSION
If you’re able to get approved for the AOD card, it’s arguably the best general-use card on the market. It’s a 3% discount on every purchase. Other cards may have better earn rates in specific categories, but outside of those categories, anything above 2% on “other” transactions is great.
The downside is the difficulty of joining the credit union, and if too many people get this card, then AOD may reduce its earn rate or add restrictions. The card is likely unprofitable for them especially if it grows in popularity. The other downside is zero sign-up bonus. Cards with lower earn rates may outperform AOD in the short term.
We rate the AOD card 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: This review was last updated in November 2022. Details may have changed since then. Please do your own research where applicable, to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Or contact us directly to take advantage of our personalized consulting services!