vs. 

Shield Insurance

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Both the Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card and the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards World Mastercard® offer enticing cash back rewards without the burden of annual fees, appealing to those with fair to good credit. While both cards are strong contenders, the Navy Federal cashRewards World edges ahead with a slightly higher cash back rate for those with direct deposit.

However, the Navy Federal cashRewards Visa Signature card should not be overlooked, especially for those who may benefit from its Visa-specific perks and the absence of foreign transaction fees.

Neither card has an introductory APR offer, and both require a military affiliation to apply. The Mastercard version stands out with a special offer for Walmart+ members, making it particularly attractive if you frequently shop at Walmart.


Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Navy Federal cashRewards if you value straightforward cash back on all purchases without the need to manage direct deposits. Its 1.5% cash back on general purchases and lack of annual and foreign transaction fees make it a hassle-free option for everyday spending.

You might prefer the Navy Federal cashRewards World if you already have or plan to set up direct deposit with Navy Federal, as this will boost your cash back rate to 1.75%. This card is also free of annual and foreign transaction fees, making it a strong contender for those who can maximize the higher rewards rate.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and additional features will clarify which card aligns with your financial needs. For instance, if avoiding foreign transaction fees is important, both cards meet that criterion. However, specific offers like the Walmart+ membership credit may sway your preference towards the Navy Federal cashRewards World.

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    Regular APR: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and the Navy Federal cashRewards World offer a variable APR range of 14.90% to 18.00%. There is no difference in the regular APR between these two cards.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and the Navy Federal cashRewards World offer the advantage of having no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    Neither the Navy Federal cashRewards Card nor the Navy Federal cashRewards World offers introductory 0% APRs on purchases or balance transfers. For those seeking cards with introductory APR offers, consider exploring other options.

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    Rewards: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards Card and the Navy Federal cashRewards World offer identical rewards structures. Cardholders can earn 1.75% cash back on all purchases with direct deposit and 1.5% without. There's no difference in the reward-earning potential, making either card a suitable choice for those looking to maximize cash back.

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    Welcome Offers: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and the Navy Federal cashRewards World offer the same welcome bonus of $300 cash back for spending $3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening, making them equally attractive in terms of welcome offers.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and the Navy Federal cashRewards World are designed for individuals with credit scores ranging from 580 to 740, indicating a fair to good credit requirement. This makes both cards equally accessible to a similar demographic of cardholders.

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    Penalties and Fees: Navy Federal cashRewards

    When it comes to penalties and fees, the Navy Federal cashRewards offers more favorable terms. Both cards have a late fee of up to $20 and a penalty APR of 18.00%. However, the Visa Signature cashRewards card has no cash advance or foreign transaction fees, making it the better choice for avoiding extra charges.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Since both cards are from Navy Federal Credit Union, they have the same issuer satisfaction score.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and Navy Federal cashRewards World offer valuable perks. The Visa Signature cashRewards card includes an auto rental collision damage waiver. The World Mastercard® goes further with a complimentary collision damage waiver, zero liability policy and free access to your credit score. While each card has unique benefits, the choice will depend on which perks align best with your personal needs and preferences.

Rewards Comparison

Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and cashRewards World offer up to 1.75% cash back for those with direct deposit. Without direct deposit, both cards offer a standard 1.5% cash back on purchases.

Below is a table of bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards at a glance.

Category
Navy Federal cashRewards
Navy Federal cashRewards World

General Purchases

1.75% with direct deposit/1.5% without direct deposit

1.75% with direct deposit/1.5% without direct deposit

Redeeming Rewards

After accumulating rewards on either card, you'll find flexibility in redemption. Neither card imposes an expiration date on rewards, ensuring you can redeem them at your convenience. Options for redemption are similar across both cards, with cash back being redeemable for statement credits, gift cards and other cash-equivalent items.

Methodology

In assessing the Navy Federal cashRewards and Navy Federal cashRewards World cards, MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates multiple use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers.

For this comparison, both cards are highlighted for their performance in the cash back category. The most significant factors influencing their cash back scores include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. For a deeper understanding of our comprehensive ranking process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Navy Federal cashRewards vs. Navy Federal cashRewards World

What are the cash back rates for each card?
Are there any annual fees for either card?
Do either of the cards offer a welcome bonus?
Are there foreign transaction fees associated with these cards?
What credit score is required for each card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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