Search Results for: elan

Review: Elan Travel Rewards+ Visa Signature

⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

The Elan Travel Rewards+ Visa Signature is a mid-tier card for travel and vacationing. Issued by Elan Financial Services, it was released around mid-2023.

This credit card is available at dozens of credit unions, including Spectra and Valley Bank. Card details are the same regardless of which bank you work with. Other Elan cards include the Max Cash Preferred and Everyday Rewards+.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $99 annual fee (waived the first year)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 4x points on travel
  • 4x points on gas (and electric vehicle charging stations)
  • 4x points on entertainment and recreation
  • 1.5x points on everything else

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Review: Elan Reserve Rewards+ Visa Infinite

⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

The Elan Reserve Rewards+ Visa Infinite credit card is aimed at being a relatively high-end all-in-one card. It’s a newer Visa Infinite, issued by Elan Financial Services, released around mid-2023.

This credit card is available at dozens of credit unions, including Spectra and Valley Bank. Card details are the same regardless of which bank you work with. Other Elan cards include the Max Cash Preferred and Everyday Rewards+.

Considering the high annual fee, people will wonder if this card is right for them, and if the benefits outweigh the costs. It’s very subjective in this case.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $390 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 6x points on travel booked through their Rewards Center (flights, hotels, car rentals)
  • 2x points on everything else
  • $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (usually once every 4-5 years)

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Review: Elan Everyday Rewards+ Visa Signature

⭐⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

The Everyday Rewards+ Visa Signature credit card is a trimmed-down version of the U.S. Bank Altitude Go card for regional banks. It’s good for restaurant-related expenses.

In general, the Altitude Go is much better. The Everyday Rewards+ is only an alternative for people outside of U.S. Bank’s footprint. Because of U.S. Bank’s regional restrictions on applications, not everyone can get their credit cards. Elan cards function as a workaround. Many credit unions and other small banks carry Elan-issued cards. For example: A+ Federal Credit Union, Kearny Bank, Trustco Bank, and Webster Bank. Check your local area to see what’s available.

Also see: the Max Cash Preferred, which is an alternative to the U.S. Bank Cash+ card.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 4x points on dining (including delivery and takeout)
  • 2x points on groceries (including delivery)
  • 2x points on streaming
  • 2x points on gas (and electric vehicle charging stations)
  • 1x points on everything else

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Review: Elan Max Cash Preferred

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

The Max Cash Preferred Visa Signature is a “choose your own category” card which offers up to 5% cash back on purchases. You can choose two categories (out of 9 options) to get the 5% earn rate. It’s a slight variation on the U.S. Bank Cash+ card and may be easier to apply for. Max Cash Preferred is available at dozens of credit unions, including Spectra and Valley Bank. Card details are the same regardless of which bank you work with.

Also see: the U.S. Bank Altitude Go and the Elan Everyday Rewards+ Visa Signature.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • 2% foreign transaction fee (when paying in U.S. dollars overseas) or 3% foreign transaction fee (when paying via foreign currency)
  • 5% cash back on two categories of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined quarterly spending)
  • 2% cash back on an “everyday” category of your choice
  • 1% cash back on everything else

5% categories:

  1. Recreation – gyms and sporting goods stores (24 Hour Fitness, Equinox, Planet Fitness, Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s, REI, etc.)
  2. Fast Food (Burger King, Chipotle, Subway, etc.)
  3. TV, internet and streaming services (Charter, DISH, Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
  4. Cell phone providers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.)
  5. Home utilities (Duke Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Waste Management Co., etc.)
  6. Entertainment – select tickets plus theme parks and movie theaters (Ticketmaster, StubHub, Universal Studios, Six Flags, AMC, Fandango, Regal, etc.)
  7. Furniture Stores (Ashley, Ethan Allen, Ikea, etc.)
  8. Department Stores (Bon-Ton, Kohl’s, Macy’s, etc.)
  9. Electronics Stores (Apple Store, Best Buy, Newegg, etc.)

2% categories:

  • Restaurants and Fast Food (IHOP, Outback, Red Lobster, etc.)
  • Gas Stations and Ground Transportation (7-Eleven, QuikTrip, Amtrak, Greyhound, etc.)
  • Grocery Stores and Grocery Delivery (Albertsons, Kroger, Publix, Trader Joe’s, etc.)

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Review: Redstone Federal Credit Union Visa Signature

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

Redstone Federal Credit Union (RFCU) is based out of Northern Alabama. Their Visa Signature card offers high cash back rates for restaurant and gas spending, plus a decent amount of cash back in other categories. This obscure no-fee credit card offers a lot to consider. The main downside is that it’s no longer possible to join the credit union if you don’t live within their area of service (AL/TN).

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No balance transfer or cash advance fees
  • 5% cash back for restaurants ($7,000 annual spending limit)
  • 5% cash back for gas ($7,000 annual spending limit)
  • 3% cash back for groceries, discount stores, wholesale clubs, utilities, phone and streaming services ($7,000 annual spending limit each)
  • 1.5% cash back on everything else

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Review: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

In March 2024, Wells Fargo launched their new “Autograph Journey” Visa Signature credit card, meant as a more premium version of their no-fee Wells Fargo Autograph card. Which in turn was based on the old Wells Fargo Propel card (since discontinued). Unfortunately, the Autograph Journey doesn’t have a clear value proposition compared to other credit cards. It can be okay for some people, but most people will either (1) prefer an actual premium travel card, or (2) prefer the no-fee Autograph card.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $95 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 5x points on hotels
  • 4x points on flights
  • 3x points at restaurants
  • 3x points on other travel (auto rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, and campgrounds)
  • 1x points on everything else
  • $50 annual credit with your first airline purchase (per cardmember year)

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Review: Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature

⭐⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

The Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature is a straightforward card for earning cash back on everyday purchases. It gets an unlimited 2% back on everything, without category restrictions or fees. The card is offered in partnership with Elan Financial Services. As of September 2023, the card no longer has a foreign transaction fee (previously 1%).

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 2% cash back on everything

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Review: Chase DoorDash Mastercard

⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

In March 2023, Chase launched a Doordash Mastercard. It gives cash back on most food or delivery-related purchases. The immediate value of the card is unclear. Whether or not you’ll personally benefit depends on your budget and spending habits. Most people probably won’t benefit, especially since it rarely makes financial sense to use Doordash on a regular basis.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 4% cash back on DoorDash and Caviar orders
  • 3% cash back at restaurants
  • 2% cash back at grocery stores
  • 1% cash back on everything else

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The Top 10+ No-Fee Cards For Health: Pharmacies, Drugstores, Gym Memberships

Credit Card Roundups /

Americans spend more on pharmaceuticals than any other country. More people could also benefit heavily from consistently going to the gym. As such, let’s explore some credit cards to maximize rewards in these health-related categories. What’s best?

 

1. Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa or Chase Freedom Flex Mastercard

Both cards earn 3% cash back at drug stores, pharmacies, and restaurants. Unfortunately, gyms and fitness clubs aren’t included here.

They have the potential to earn more through The Chase Trifecta. This can easily become 4.5% cash back (or more) when combined with a Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Sapphire Reserve is also one of the only known cards to include some health/medical insurance when traveling (100+ miles from home). It’s not much, but it’s something, in case insurance doesn’t cover all your expenses. (Or if you have zero insurance.) The Chase Sapphire Preferred can also increase the value of points, but it’s inferior to the Sapphire Reserve in this case. The downside is that annual fees become involved with this strategy, so you’ll have to do the math and see if it makes sense beyond a year or so.

 

2. American Heritage Credit Union Cash Reward Mastercard

AHCU Cash Reward gets an unlimited 3% back at pharmacies, home improvement stores, gas, and groceries. Earning cash back in four categories is always a good deal. Anyone can join this credit union with a $5 donation during the member application process. Gyms and fitness clubs don’t seem to be under the 3% umbrella here.

 

3. Venmo Visa

Venmo earns 3% cash back in your top spending category each billing period. One of the valid categories is “Health and Beauty” which includes “Drug stores and pharmacies… and cosmetic stores that sell beauty products. This category also includes sports and recreation facilities that require membership such as health clubs, tennis, golf and swimming clubs.” This may not cover all gym memberships. It’s still a fairly flexible category.

 

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Review: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Card

⭐⭐⭐⭐, Credit Card Reviews /

In late October 2022, U.S. Bank released a new credit card, the Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature. It has a small annual fee and potentially high cash back for shoppers. The flexibility of the card to choose your own categories is both a pro and a con. Is the card for you? Let’s examine the features and benefits.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • $95 annual fee (waived the first year)
  • 3% foreign transaction fee
  • 6% cash back on your choice of 2 retailers ($1,500 quarterly spending limit)
  • 5.5% cash back on hotel and car rental reservations booked through U.S. Bank’s website
  • 3% cash back on your choice of an “everyday” category ($1,500 quarterly spending limit)
  • 1.5% cash back on everything else

Eligible retailers for the 6% cash back category:

  • Ace Hardware
  • Apple
  • Amazon.com
  • Anthropologie
  • Bed, Bath, & Beyond
  • Best Buy
  • Chewy.com
  • Crate & Barrel
  • Disney
  • Home Depot
  • Ikea
  • Kohl’s
  • Lowe’s
  • Lululemon
  • Macy’s
  • Menards
  • Nordstrom
  • Pottery Barn
  • QVC
  • Restoration Hardware
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Wayfair.com
  • Williams Sonoma

List of retailers is subject to change.

Eligible “everyday” categories for 3% cash back:

  • Bills and home utilities
  • Gas and EV charging stations
  • Wholesale clubs (including Costco and Sam’s Club)

This list is also subject to change.

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