topic Re: NFCU and USAA in Personal Finance

NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 15:39:20 GMT

Hello All - Happy Thanksgiving!

I have lurked for a long time, but only posted a couple. I was hoping someone had some answers for me. I have been trying to join NFCU and USAA for quite some time now, but I seem to keep getting a run around. My father was Navy and did 3 tours in Nam. He passed away on 1977, so I do not know all the nuances of service or discharge time. After applying for each, both told me I am not eligible to join. USAA stated that my father did not have any accounts or policies with them, so I am not eligible. I explained to them what I saw on the TV commercials that is not what is stated, but they would not budge. I thought, screw them, I will just go with NFCU. Well after they denied me with his SSN, I called and spoke to them. They said I could get his DD-214 and they would look it over. I did that and got all three of them, plus his re-enlistment papers. I called once again and was told that the DD-214's need to say he was retired from the Navy. I am totally floored by this as none of them say "Retired". Once again, they say I am not eligible. How is it possible to be the son of a man that spent 14 years in the Navy, re-enlisting 3 separate times, all discharges being honorable, not warrant me eligibility in this credit union?

I hope someone has an answer that can point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 19:50:51 GMT

Have you gone back to USAA with the DD 214s? If he had USAA insurance while he was in, then you are elligble. Here is the web link that tells you what is required.https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/why_choose_usaa_main?wa_ref=pub_global_usaaandu

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:39:14 GMT

ranger2992 wrote:

I have not as they looked him up by his SSN. However, I keep seeing the commercials where it states "For military members and their families". The commercial does not state anything about needing to have previous products with them. Just ventng.....

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 22:20:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I have not as they looked him up by his SSN. However, I keep seeing the commercials where it states "For military members and their families". The commercial does not state anything about needing to have previous products with them. Just ventng.....

I'm pretty sure the current way to join is to be in the military or be the immediate family of a military enlisted or veteran. How I got my membership was I signed my husband up for an account (he's an Army vet) and then gave myself an account through his.

Is there any way to find out if he used USAA bank previously (besides them running his SSN)? Can you ask your mother maybe? Or do you have any siblings? Or does he have any living siblings?

Re: NFCU and USAA

OdessaTX — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 03:20:38 GMT

I have worked for USAA and it really isnt all that great. They claim to care about the military but they really dont. All they care about is getting money from their "members" by any means neccesary. You are better off joining a local credit union than wasting your time trying to get a membership. Based on your situation I dont think that you will qualify for a membership

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 23:30:13 GMT

@OdessaTX wrote:
I have worked for USAA and it really isnt all that great. They claim to care about the military but they really dont. All they care about is getting money from their "members" by any means neccesary. You are better off joining a local credit union than wasting your time trying to get a membership. Based on your situation I dont think that you will qualify for a membership

That's unfortunate to hear. I've had accounts with them since June of this year and I haven't had any major problems. Just that they hold your posted credit card payment for a week whereas FNBO clears my available balance the very next day. Thanks for the information.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 23:41:10 GMT

I agree that they are not great for banking, but they can't be beat for car insurance!
At least in my experiences.

Re: NFCU and USAA

msbia — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 00:50:31 GMT

OP I really hope that you can go back with the information provided and get resolution. I do not see why you would not qualify. If a representative is rude, hang up and call again. I have never experienced rudeness from one, but there usually are bad pennies everywhere. With that said, I LOVE USAA. I have been with them since 2011 and I have all of their products, credit cards, personal loan, life insurance, car insurance, auto financing, checking, savings, youth checking for my son, everything. Never had an issue. When i started my rebuild last year, they approved me for a secured card with 9.9% APR which is unheard of! Two months later, approved for unsecured card $7,000, refinanced my car that was at 26% to 7%. IMO USAA is great, so is NFCU. Again, I wish you much success!

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 01:42:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

I have not as they looked him up by his SSN. However, I keep seeing the commercials where it states "For military members and their families". The commercial does not state anything about needing to have previous products with them. Just ventng.....

I'm pretty sure the current way to join is to be in the military or be the immediate family of a military enlisted or veteran. How I got my membership was I signed my husband up for an account (he's an Army vet) and then gave myself an account through his.

Is there any way to find out if he used USAA bank previously (besides them running his SSN)? Can you ask your mother maybe? Or do you have any siblings? Or does he have any living siblings?

Both parents are deceased, so no way to find out if he had any USAA products. Also NFCU states that in order for me to be eligible, he would have had to retire Navy, but the DD-214's don't state that, just Honorable Discharge. He would have had the time in to retire Navy, so not sure why he would not have. Oh well, I will keep trying.

Thanks for all of your responses.

Re: NFCU and USAA

OdessaTX — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 19:27:22 GMT

It really depends what tier you fall under for car insurance. There are 4-5 tiers, if you fall into the top tier the coverage and price on the insurance is excellent. If you are not in the top tier the insurance rates are so/so and you can do better by shopping around.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 18:00:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

I have not as they looked him up by his SSN. However, I keep seeing the commercials where it states "For military members and their families". The commercial does not state anything about needing to have previous products with them. Just ventng.....

I'm pretty sure the current way to join is to be in the military or be the immediate family of a military enlisted or veteran. How I got my membership was I signed my husband up for an account (he's an Army vet) and then gave myself an account through his.

Is there any way to find out if he used USAA bank previously (besides them running his SSN)? Can you ask your mother maybe? Or do you have any siblings? Or does he have any living siblings?

I don't know about USAA, but for NFCU - currently the ONLY ways to qualify is being Active Duty, Retired Veteran, or family member of either of those, or family member of a CURRENT NFCU member regardless of the members military status. I have been told by them that they are currently reviewing the possiblility of opening up to all veterans. Its frustrating that they won't even re-open accounts for prior members.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 00:47:30 GMT

I am a member of USAA and NFCU. I have been with USAA for some time (ove 20 years for their insurance products) and recently got a secured card from them. I am trying to recover from a lengthy divorce process (3 years to get the divorce) and all the fallout from that. You mentioned after 2 months you were appoved for an unsecured card with a $7K limit. I would love to get a NFCU or unsecured card from USAA, but my scores are only in the mid 600s. Do you think I could get a card from either or should I wait a lite longer? I would have had my secured card a year in June. Do you know which bureau either pull? I am a resident of Illinois and I know it varies sometimes depending on where you live.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Momof5 — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:42:16 GMT

One other way into NFCU is if you are a "household member" of someone with a membership.

I went to get accts for my sons. Both have a different last name from me so the fact that I am their mother is not obvious. Both boys still use my address as their address. The lady at the membership desk said that I didn't need to prove that I am their mom since they are "household members" and those qualify. So, if your SO is a member, you can be.

Anyway, I know this doesn't apply to OP, Just thought I would share for those who may have a way in they didn't realize.

And yes, it is sad but true. If your military parent was not a USAA member, you can't get in. As well as, you have to be retired or active duty or fam thereof in order to get a NFCU acct.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:16:15 GMT

I love USAA for so many reasons...but other things really piss me off. I have been told if I remarry I lose all of my accounts. They are annoying sometimes.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Momof5 — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:46:41 GMT

Never heard that before.... I'd check that out before I believed it.

It doesn't matter for me....dad is retired AF that got me my first USAA insurance acct, I am an AF vet and had USAA while in the service and I am currently married to retired Army who has USAA, so I had 3 doors in.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:20:39 GMT

Ahhh. That's a valid point. My dad was in 28 years and retired in 2008. So I could always keep my accounts under him.

I just found it ridiculous that if I remarry I lose all my accounts. I already lose my husband's retirement/health insurance/gi bill and VA loan if I remarry. Which I also find ridiculous.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:37:00 GMT

If you were entitled to your own account because you had been in it long enough with your ex husband, it's crazy to say remarrying disqualifies you. I was told because we were married 23 years I was eligible for my own account, so if it's mine remarrying shouldn't matter. Yes before you were in because of him, but the account was also in his name. If I have a member number of my own, it should no longer be linked to him. I would ask again and have them explain why. It's a terrible policy if that's the case and they can save money with all these commercials for joining I see lately if anybod just can't use them.

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 19:38:56 GMT

Also, if household members qualify why wouldn't a spouse be considered a household member? Why would you all of a sudden be ineligible?

Re: NFCU and USAA

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 06:56:47 GMT

I called today.

I am only eligible as long as I am an unremarried widow.

So yeah. If I ever want to remarry I will have to change my rentals, cars, home, personal property and PUP insurance policies, 3 bank accounts, credit cards and brokerage accounts. Lovely.

I guess it's a good thing I'm never getting married. Ha!

"Hi...you seem lovely...but I love USAA so I'm never getting married!"

Re: NFCU and USAA

Momof5 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:05:09 GMT

You can always do that which many SS recipients do..... get "marrried" in their church with no recorded marriage with the state. You keep all your bene's that way.