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Best Credit Union Cards Credit Cards for Cash Back in 2024
Updated: November 5, 2024
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If you are looking for a cash back credit union credit card, you have multiple options. However, not all cards from this category come with the same features and benefits, so it's important to consider your unique requirements when making your choice.
A common feature among the top cash back credit union credit cards we’ve selected is they offer flat cash back rates across all categories, although the cash back rate varies from one card to the next. For example, while both Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards cards (Visa and Mastercard) let you earn up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases, you may earn up to 2.5% cash back with the Alliant Visa Signature Card.
Other factors that need your attention when choosing a card include intro APR offers, regular APRs, fees and added benefits.
OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE
Our experts go through the entire MoneyGeek database each month and select all the new and existing credit union cards that let you earn cash back. Then, they compare all available cards based on parameters such as cash back rates, welcome offers, APRs, annual fees and additional benefits. Only after carrying out an in-depth comparison do they come up with a revised list of the top credit union cash back cards.
MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 3 Credit Union Credit Cards for Cash Back
Quick Summary
- Alliant Visa Signature Card
- PedFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
The cash back rate you stand to earn might vary depending on the card you get. While this factor plays an important role in our selection of the top three credit union cash back cards, we also pay due attention to other aspects such as welcome offers, APRs, annual fees and added perks. Scrolling further down the page lets you view other good cards from this segment.
- Alliant Visa Signature Card
A great no-annual-fee card with cash back and added perks
- 1.5% – 2.5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 17.49% – 27.49% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Alliant Visa Signature Card is worth considering for frequent travelers who prioritize cash back rewards and have excellent credit. If you qualify, you can get up to 2.5% cash back on purchases up to $10,000 per billing cycle with no annual fees. However, it lacks an introductory offer and bonus cash back categories, which may be a drawback for some of those who prioritize balance transfers.
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back, higher if you qualify for Tier One Rewards
- No annual fee
- Long intro 0% APR for purchases and transfers
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No introductory offer
- Low balance transfer fees
- No bonus cash back categories
- Requires good to excellent credit
Rewards
- Earn 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 in purchases per billing cycle with Tier One Rewards. You qualify for Tier One rewards if you maintain an Alliant high-rate checking account with at least $1,000 in monthly deposits and opt for electronic statements.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back with Tier Two Rewards.
APRs, Fees and Penalties
- Regular APR ranges from 17.49% to 27.49% variable
- Penalty APR is set at 30.49%
- Balance transfer fees are 3% of the amount of each transfer
- Late fees can be up to $27
Perks and Benefits
- Enjoy no annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Benefit from $0 fraud liability
- Purchase security and extended warranty protection included
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Travel accident insurance
- PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
A good no-annual-fee balance transfer card with cash back
- 1.5%–2% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 17.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
The Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card from PenFed offers impressive value for the savvy spender. With no annual fees and the opportunity for elevated cash back rewards on all purchases, this card brings the savings directly to your wallet. New members are greeted with a warm welcome bonus, amplifying its charm. Consumers looking to manage existing debt can capitalize on a year-long balance transfer offer. Remember that you'll need to be part of the PenFed community and have good to excellent credit to access this card.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Potentially high cash back rewards
- Cash back on all purchases
- Comes with welcome bonus
- Offers 0% balance transfer APR for 12 months
Cons
- Need credit union membership to qualify
- Charges a balance transfer fee
- No annual fee
- PenFed Honors Advantage Members get 2% cash back on all purchases
- All other card purchases earn 1.5% cash back
- No caps, limits or gimmicks on cash back rewards
- Earn $100 bonus statement credit after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days
- Enjoy a 0% promo APR on balance transfers for 12 months; a 3% fee applies to each transfer
- Introductory offer applies to balance transfers made within 90 days of account opening
- After the promotional period, the balance transfer APR is a non-variable rate of 17.99%
- Purchase APR is 17.99% variable
- Requires PenFed membership
Summary of the Best Credit Union Cards Cards for Cash Back
Take a look at the other good cards from this category by checking the corresponding credit union cash back card comparison table. It highlights how they fare when it comes to the credit score needed to apply, cash back rates and annual fees.
- Credit CardBest ForAvg. Reward RateAnnual FeeCredit Needed
- Alliant Visa Signature Card
A great no-annual-fee card with cash back and added perks1.5% – 2.5% Cash Back$0 - PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
A good no-annual-fee balance transfer card with cash back1.5%–2% Cash Back$0 
No data availableNo data availableNo data availableNo data available- No data availableNo data availableNo data availableNo data available
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Cash back credit cards from a credit union can be a great deal for consumers. These cards typically don't have annual fees, and they offer lower interest rates in case you occasionally carry a balance. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.
How to Compare Credit Union Cards Credit Cards & Intro Offers
There are notable differences between the best credit union cards for cash back we’ve selected, so it’s important that you pay attention to what you need from your new card. Comparing your options across different aspects will help you make a suitable decision.
- 1
Cash back rate
How much cash back you may earn depends on the card you get. For example, Navy Federal Credit Union’s cashRewards Visa Signature Card and cashRewards World Mastercard offer 1.75% cash back on all purchases if you have a direct deposit with Navy Federal and 1.5% otherwise. Similarly, the Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers 2% cash back on all purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage members and 1.5% for non-members. The Alliant Visa Signature Card, on the other hand, offers 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 you spend on eligible purchases each month if you qualify for its Tier One rewards and 1.5% otherwise.
- 2
Welcome Offer
Many credit union credit cards do not offer welcome bonuses. However, when comparing your options, you'll discover a few that do. For example, the Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers a $100 bonus statement credit to cardholders who spend $1,500 within the first 90 days. If you get a Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Card, Visa or Mastercard, you stand to earn a $200 cash back bonus if you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days.
- 3
Intro APR offer
From time to time, some credit union cash back cards run intro 0% APR offers on purchases, balance transfers or both. For example, the Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card currently has a 0% APR offer on balance transfers for the first 12 months.
- 4
Regular APR
The regular APR requires your attention if you are unable to pay your balances in full each month. Of the credit union cash back cards we’ve selected, Navy Federal Credit Union’s cashRewards cards come with the lowest possible purchase APR. However, the APR you get depends on your credit score and other criteria.
- 5
Fees
All the top credit union cash back cards on our list have no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees. Both the Alliant Visa Signature Card and the Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card charge a 3% balance transfer fee. However, the cashRewards cards from Navy Federal do away with this fee.
- 6
Added benefits
Even though the cash back credit union credit cards we’ve selected come with no annual fees, you may still expect additional benefits. For instance, all these cards come with a zero liability policy to safeguard against unauthorized transactions. Other card-specific benefits include personal identity theft protection, purchase security, extended warranty protection, price protection, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, rental vehicle coverage and roadside dispatch. You might also get access to a concierge service and travel and emergency assistance services.
Further Reading
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.