Alliant Visa® Signature Credit Card Review: 1.5% Cash Back or Better if You Bank With Them

The Alliant Visa Signature Card earns a 4 out of 5 cash back score and is ranked 20th out of 52 among cash back cards, thanks to its unlimited 1.5% cash back and slightly lower regular APR. The card’s recommended credit score of ‘Excellent’ and lack of introductory APRs or sign-up bonuses hold the Alliant Visa Signature back in our scoring models.

If you bank with Alliant and keep a $1,000 daily average balance, you can earn the Tier One rewards rate, which is 2.5% on the first $10,000 annually.

Alliant's flat-rate card offers a simple cash back structure through Tier One and Tier Two Rewards. Tier One provides 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 in purchases per billing cycle, a competitive rate that sets it apart from cards like the Capital One Quicksilver, which offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Qualifying for Tier One is straightforward and automatic, but you must maintain an Alliant high-rate checking account with at least $1,000 in monthly deposits.

The Alliant Visa Signature Card is rated seventh in terms of its value among cash back cards we reviewed. It offers entry-level travel insurance and an extended warranty on purchases, which can be valuable if you ever need them.

We sorted through several online forum posts and found that users are generally satisfied with the Alliant Visa Signature's cash back rewards and lack of foreign transaction fees. Cardholders did cite the high credit score requirement and varying approved credit limits, often around $15,000, as potential drawbacks.

While many users value the Alliant Visa Signature Card's 2.5% cash back rewards, some are disappointed by its lack of a sign-up bonus and balance transfer options. In contrast, cards like the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offer a 21-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers, providing more comprehensive benefits for those seeking to consolidate debt.

The Alliant Visa Signature is less accessible than other cards because it requires you to be an Alliant Credit Union member. You also need an ‘excellent’ credit score in the range of 740 to 850 to apply.

The simplest way to join the Alliant Credit Union is to support Foster Care to Success, a charity aiding foster youth, with a $5 donation (covered by Alliant). Alternatively, you can qualify through work, family ties or living or working in a qualifying Chicago area.

It’s possible to upgrade to the Alliant Visa® Platinum Card from the Alliant Visa Signature. Keep in mind, though, that this upgrade typically requires an account history with Alliant and may involve additional credit and income verification.

We give the Alliant Visa Signature’s penalty fees a 1 out of 5 rating due to its high 30.49% penalty APR and late fees of up to $27. Though most credit union cards offer lower APRs, the Alliant Visa Signature’s 17.49% to 27.49% range aligns more with bank-issued rates.

If perks and straightforward rewards are more up your alley, Quicksilver’s 19.99% to 29.99% APR range brings plenty to the table with no penalty APR, making it easier to avoid harsh penalties in the long run.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Regular APR: 17.49–27.49% variable
• Penalty APR: 30.49%
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Late Fee: Up to $27

The Alliant Visa Signature Card is worth it for people who qualify for Tier One Rewards and can unlock its 2.5% cash back. It’s best for existing Alliant Credit Union members with excellent credit ratings.

The card offers exceptional value for those who meet the Tier One Rewards requirements, maximizing cash back potential on everyday spending. It’s an especially good fit for individuals who can maintain the required checking account balance and prefer straightforward, high-rate rewards with no annual fee.

We evaluated the Alliant Visa Signature Card by reviewing 78 cards, focusing on key features with specific weights to inform our final score:

• Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures rewards earning potential.
• Annual Fee (10%): Assesses the cost of the annual fee.
• Regular APR (5%): Evaluates the card's regular APR.
• Foreign Transaction (5%): Rates foreign transaction fees.
• Intro Purchase (5%): Assesses introductory APR offers.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Evaluates required credit score.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on customer satisfaction.
• Penalties (5%): Rates penalty rates and fees.
• Offer ROI (5%): Assesses introductory offer ROI.
• Perks Value (5%): Evaluates additional perks value.