Should You Get a Credit Union Credit Card? (2024)

FAQs

Is a credit union credit card worth it? ›

Many credit union credit cards come with travel insurance, extended warranty protection, or even price protection. These can be valuable benefits, particularly if you use your credit card often. You can even access your account information and make payments online, either through the website or mobile app.

Is It Easier to Get a Credit Card From a Credit Union? When you apply for a credit card through a credit union, you may expect the credit union to check your credit score. However, as a member with less-than-perfect credit, you might find it easier to qualify for a credit card through your credit union than a bank.

Credit unions tend to have fewer branches than traditional banks. A credit union may not be close to where you live or work, which could be a problem unless your credit union is part of a shared branch network and/or a large ATM network such as Allpoint or MoneyPass. May offer fewer products and services.

Often, credit union credit cards come with no annual fees. They also usually help you avoid other fees, such as balance transfer fees. Additionally, where there are fees, they can be lower than a traditional bank fee.

While the individual options may differ from one to the next, most credit unions offer custom loan programs designed to help borrowers establish credit for the first time or rebuild damaged credit. Some credit unions use aptly-named “credit builder loans” that function much like secured credit cards.

Credit limits for credit union credit cards are often lower than the limits that traditional banks offer, at least when you first open the card. Your limit should increase, though, once the credit union you're banking with sees that you are able to make your payments on time.

Centurion® Card from American Express

A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive. Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.

It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.

You need a credit score of 700+ to get a credit card from most credit unions, though some credit unions have options available for people with bad credit or no credit history. There are credit union cards for every credit level, and some of the best credit union cards are only available to people with excellent credit.

While joining a credit union likely won't affect your credit score in and of itself, some of the financial products offered by credit unions can have an impact on your score.

Why do banks not like credit unions? ›

First, bankers believe it is unfair that credit unions are exempt from federal taxation while the taxes that banks pay represent a significant fraction of their earnings—33 percent last year. Second, bankers believe that credit unions have been allowed to expand far beyond their original purpose.

One question that often arises is, "Are Credit Unions Safer than Banks?" If you're looking for a short answer, you'll be happy to know that we're not making you read the whole post: Credit Unions and banks are roughly identical in safety because deposits at both are insured by the Federal government to $250,000.

While credit union credit cards might not have some of the added perks and rewards, they're definitely worth considering because of their super competitive rates, no annual fees, and better service.

People choose banks primarily because of the convenience of multiple branches across the country, along with better technology. On the flip side, people choose credit unions primarily because of discounted loan rates, higher interest rates and better customer service.

You need a credit score of 700+ to get a credit card from most credit unions, though some credit unions have options available for people with bad credit or no credit history. There are credit union cards for every credit level, and some of the best credit union cards are only available to people with excellent credit.

Why Choose a Credit Union? Lower interest rates on loans and credit cards; higher rates of return on CDs and savings accounts. Since credit unions are non-profits and have lower overhead costs than banks, we are able to pass on cost savings to consumers through competitively priced loan and deposit products.

Credit unions are nonprofit organizations that allow members to borrow from pooled deposits at low interest rates. Major credit card issuers, on the other hand, are for-profit banks that must always keep their stockholders in mind when making decisions.

Just like banks, credit unions are federally insured; however, credit unions are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Instead, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the federal insurer of credit unions, making them just as safe as traditional banks.