The 25 Best Credit Cards From Credit Unions
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Credit unions have come a long way from their local, affinity group roots. These days credit unions offer all of the convenience and service of their much larger brethren, but usually at lower cost — and often with more personal customer service. Joining a credit union has never been easier, as most credit unions make membership available to almost anyone through affiliated nonprofits and groups. Of course, credit cards are among the banking products a credit union will offer.
We've collected 25 of the best credit union credit cards on offer, many equal or superior to big bank cards. Have a look, and then decide if it's time to finally dump your bank and join a credit union.
Our Top 10 Credit Union Credit Cards
The 10 cards at the top of our list feature relatively low interest rates and familiar credit card features and perks.
State Department Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum Card
The SDFCU offers a pair of Platinum Visa cards with several attractive benefits, including no balance transfer fees, and a rewards program called "Flexpoint." Variable interest rates start as low as 8.74%, depending on credit score. The SDFCU is open to employees of the US State Department and their families, affiliated companies, and members of the American Consumer Council, which anyone can join.
GTE Financial Credit Union: Go To Card
The Go To from GTE Federal Credit Union offers attractive interest rates (8.49% for the best credit scores.) This card awards 1x point per dollar spent with the card. Visa Alerts and Travel and Baggage insurance round out the perks. Membership in the GTEFCU is through employers, family members, or by joining GTE's CU Savers club.
Air Force Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum Card
You don't have to be a pilot to enjoy the benefits of the AFFCU Platinum Visa.There's no annual fee for this card, relatively low interest rates (starting at 9.25% for those with excellent credit scores), and 2,500 bonus CURewards points just for signing up. Membership is open to military service personnel and their families, government employees and their families, DOD contractors, and members of the Airman Heritage Foundation, which anyone can join for a fee.
Navy Federal Credit Union: cashRewards Credit Card
This card features no annual fee and an attractive cash back rewards program that returns 1.5% for every dollar spent. Interest rates start at 11.40%, so be sure to take advantage of the rewards while keeping balances at zero. There are no annual fees, no balance transfer fees, and no foreign transaction fees with this card. Membership is open to current and former service members, DOD civilians, and their families.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card
The relatively high interest rates on this card (starting at 11.49%), make it an unwise choice for cardholders who carry a balance. For those who can keep balances low, the attractive rewards program can pay well, with 5x points for gasoline purchases and 3x for groceries. No annual fee and no foreign transactions fee keep the cost of this card down. PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, both of which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express
As with the other PenFed card on this list, interest rates aren't the lowest, but the rewards are attractive, especially for frequent travelers. This card features a 12 month 0% balance transfer APR, then a variable APR of 12.49% to 17.99% will apply. It also awards 25,000 bonus points if new cardholders spend $2,500 in the first three months. There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, members of affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Navy Federal Credit Union: Go Rewards Visa Signature Card
This Visa Signature card offers a decent rewards program — 3x points for restaurants, 2x for gasoline and 1x for everything else — at the cost of relatively high interest rates (10.74% to 18%, depending on credit score). There is no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and no foreign transaction fee. Membership is open to current and former service members, DOD civilians, and their families.
Affinity Plus Credit Union: Visa Premier Classic
This no frills card from Affinity Plus Credit Union offers relatively low interest rates (9.90% to 18%, depending on creditworthiness), no annual fee, and no balance transfer fee. Other perks include a rental vehicle damage waiver and Visa spending alerts. Membership is open to employees of the State of Minnesota, affiliate organizations, and members of the Affinity Plus Foundation, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
NASA Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum Advantage Rewards
This basic rewards card offers a point per dollar spent, which are redeemable for travel and merchandise. There is no annual fee and no balance transfer fee. Interest rates range from 11.65% to 17.99%, with a balance transfer rate of 9.9% on transfers made in the first 90 days. Membership is open to NASA employees and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of the National Space Society, which is free to join.
McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum Card
This Platinum Visa card features interest rates between 11.9% and 17.9%, which is middle of the pack for this collection of cards. There is no annual fee. The rewards program requires a separate login on the credit union's website. The card offers Visa services not every credit union card offers, such as roadside assistance and car rental insurance. Membership is open to employer groups, members of their families, and members of VOICE foundation, which anyone can join.
Other Credit Union Credit Cards to Consider
If none of the above suit your needs, consider one of these.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: Gold Visa Card
No frills, no fees, and relatively low interest rates (8.99% to 17.99%).
PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: Platinum Cash Rewards Visa Card
Cash back on gas of 3% or 5%, depending on which card you qualify for (Standard or Plus).
PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: Promise Visa Card
No fees, relatively low interest rates (11.49% to 17.99%).
PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Pentagon Federal Credit Union: Defender Visa Signature Card
Cash back on all purchases of 1.5% and $100 bonus credit if new cardholders spend $1500 in the first three months.
PenFed membership is open to service members and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of Voices for America's Troops or the National Military Family Association, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Lake Michigan Credit Union: Prime Platinum Visa Card
This card offers a relatively low interest rate (Prime + 3.00%) and no annual fee.
Membership is open residents of Michigan, family members, and members of the ALS foundation, which requires a one-time fee.
Lake Michigan Credit Union: Max Rewards Visa Card
Cash back of 3% on gas (up to $500 per month), 2% on groceries (unlimited) and 1% on everything else (unlimited), redeemable via the CURewards program. No annual fee and no balance transfer fee.
Membership is open residents of Michigan, family members, and members of the ALS foundation, which requires a one-time fee.
NASA Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum Cash Rewards
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. No annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees.
Membership is open to NASA employees and their families, affiliate organizations, and members of the National Space Society, which is free to join.
Affinity Plus Credit Union: Visa Premier Select Rewards
No annual or balance transfer fees. Earn one CURewards point per dollar spent, Visa Signature perks such as travel accident insurance and cell phone protection.
Membership is open to employees of the State of Minnesota, affiliate organizations, and members of the Affinity Plus Foundation, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
Apple Federal Credit Union: Visa Platinum
Low variable interest rates (9.74% to 18%) and no penalty APR. No annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees.
Membership in the credit union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in several Northern Virginia counties, their families, and affiliated employee groups.
Apple Federal Credit Union: Signature Reward Visa
No annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees. Earn 3x points on gas, 2x on groceries and 1x on everything else.
Membership in the credit union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in several Northern Virginia counties, their families, and affiliated employee groups.
Kitsap Credit Union: Visa Gold Card
Low variable APR (Prime +2.9%) and no annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees.
Membership is open to people who live work, or worship in the state of Washington.
Abri Credit Union: Visa Platinum Credit Card
Low interest rates (Prime + 3.9%), no annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees. Promotional balance transfer rate of 1.99% for six months.
Membership is open to people who live in select Chicagoland counties and their families.
Fort Community Credit Union: Visa Platinum Credit Card
Low variable APR (Prime + 3.99%), no annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees. Cash back of 1% on all purchases.
Membership is open to people who live and work in select counties in and around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their families.
America First Credit Union: Visa Platinum Credit Card
Cash back of 1.5% on all purchases, no annual or balance transfer fees.
Membership is open to those who live, work, or worship in select Utah, Arizona, and Nevada counties.
Suncoast Credit Union: Rewards Platinum Visa
Variable interest rates starting at 8.9%, one rewards point for every dollar spent, redeemable for travel and merchandise. No annual or balance transfer fees.
Membership is open to those who live or work in select Florida counties and their families.
Alliant Credit Union: Visa Platinum Credit Card
Introductory APR of 0% for 12 months; variable after (10.99% to 22.99%). No annual fee, no balance transfer fee.
Membership is open to select employer groups, people who live or work in select Chicagoland counties, or members of a nonprofit, which anyone can join for a one-time fee.
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