credit union

Review: Elan Everyday Rewards+ Visa Signature

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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: NIH Federal Credit Union Cash Rewards

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The Cash Rewards Visa from NIH Federal Credit Union is a no-fee card aimed at covering everyday home expenses. It has fair cash back rates for groceries, gas, streaming, and more. It isn’t a go-to option for some people, but it’s definitely worth a look. It covers multiple useful categories.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • 1% foreign transaction fee
  • 3% cash back for groceries and wholesale clubs
  • 3% cash back on utilities and streaming
  • 3% cash back on gas ($6,000 annual spending limit), EV charging, and rideshare/taxis
  • 1% cash back on everything else

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Review: NIH Federal Credit Union Travel Rewards

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The Travel Rewards Visa Signature from NIH Federal Credit Union is a no-fee card which earns decent cash back rates for travel and restaurants. It’s good for both domestic and international trips. The only big quirk is a spending limit on gas purchases, so you may want to consider other cards for that category.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • 3% cash back on travel (airlines, hotels, trains, buses, car or boat rentals, tours, tolls, rideshare, taxis, etc)
  • 3% cash back on gas ($6,000 annual spending limit) and EV charging
  • 3% cash back on dining
  • 1% cash back on everything else

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Review: Penfed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature

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The Penfed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature credit card is primarily for gas and electric vehicle charging. It can be alright for other categories, but isn’t the best option outside of gas. If you want to maximize your cash back, other credit cards are needed to supplement the Platinum Rewards. Its sign-up bonus is also lower than some competing cards.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 5x points on gas and/or electric vehicle charging
  • 3x points on groceries (may include Target and Walmart)
  • 3x points on restaurants/dining
  • 3x points on TV, radio, cable, and streaming services
  • 1x points on everything else

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United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU): Credit Cards and How To Join

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The United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) is a New York based cooperative which is somewhat open to everyone. Membership is primarily for United Nations employees or volunteers and their families, but unaffiliated people can join UNFCU by simultaneously joining an affiliate organization. As of 2021-2022, there are two options:

  • The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) costs $0 if you’re 25 or younger; otherwise it’s at least $50 per year ($25 for the first year). UNA has a Lifetime membership for $1,000 (equivalent to $20 per year for 50 years).
  • Kilimanjaro Initiative USA (KI-USA) costs $0 if you’re a student, otherwise it’s $25 per year.

You can join during the UNFCU application process or do it on your own. We haven’t verified yet if UNA/KI membership can be a one-time cost or must be maintained indefinitely to retain UNFCU membership.

UNFCU’s checking account has no significant fees or minimum balance requirements, and can earn up to 1% APY. There’s an inactivity fee for accounts that have 2+ years of zero transactions.

The main benefit we’ll explore here is their two credit cards. Both have a $100 sign-up bonus (SUB) after spending $2,000 in 4 months, plus 0% APR for 6-12 months.

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Review: AOD Federal Credit Union Visa Signature

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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

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Review: Elan Max Cash Preferred

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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: Vantage West Connect Rewards

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Vantage West Connect Rewards is a Visa Signature credit card which can earn 5% cash back in select categories. Unfortunately, the card seems to be for southern Arizona residents only. If you’re eligible for the card though, it’s a strong offering for long-term use. The main downside is that 5% cash back is limited to $1,500 in spending per quarter, and you need to manually choose categories each quarter. This is the same limitation of rotating-category cards like the Discover It Cash Back and Chase Freedom Flex.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • 1% foreign transaction fee
  • 5% cash back on a category of your choice (9 options, see below)
  • 3% cash back on gas
  • 2% cash back on groceries
  • 1% cash back on everything else

5% eligible categories:

  1. Travel
  2. Restaurants
  3. Utilities (water, cell, electric, etc.)
  4. In-Store Wholesale Purchases (Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.)
  5. Department Stores
  6. Hardware & Home Improvement Stores
  7. Charitable Organizations
  8. Pharmacies & Drug Stores
  9. Amazon.com

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Review: PSECU Founder’s Rewards Card

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PSECU Founder’s Rewards (Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union) is a basic cash back credit card for everyday spending. It can earn 2% without any annual fees or foreign transaction fees, which is slightly better than competing cards. The only drawback is that it requires credit union membership, and a free checking account with direct deposit enabled.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 2% cash back on everything (with eligible direct deposits, otherwise 1.5% cash back)

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Review: PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature

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The PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature is one of the best travel cards. Although this card technically has an annual fee, it’s so easy to avoid, Pathfinder should be considered a no-fee card. It includes essential benefits plus a variety of credits to make the card a continuous net positive.

FEATURES AT A GLANCE

  • No annual fee ($95 if you’re not a PenFed Honors Advantage Member)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 4x points on travel (3x if you’re not a PenFed Honors Advantage Member)
  • 1.5x points on everything else
  • $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (once every 4 years)

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