topic Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE? in Credit Cards

3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:39:06 GMT

I am looking for a new credit card and my cousin recommended a card from USALLIANCE Financial that supposedly has 3% cash back on everything and no annual fee.

Has anyone dealt with this credit union before or have this card? Do you know if this is just a promotion or the regular rewards program? It seems a bit high and I don't want to have my credit pulled unless it is the real deal.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:42:56 GMT

It's real. They changed the program at the end of last month from the 1% it has been at for years (going back at least to 2016) to 3% now. It's anyone's guess how long it will stick around but seeing how they are seeming to be pretty picky, it will probably not be going anywhere.

If you don't have a 740 EX2 (unsure if this is auto or mortgage they use but a lot of CUs use the auto score and auto seems to be even fussier than mortgage is), I wouldn't bother. But it also appears if you have a lot of credit or have been seeking credit, you might not have a great chance either. There was a thread back in 2016 where a bunch of people applied for the card when it was at 1% and only one person in that thread got approved.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 19:43:51 GMT

They offer a card that gives 3 POINTS per dollar spent. They don't have a straightforward cash back card, however.

You'd have to seek the redemption rate per point to see what kind of deal this really is.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:08:01 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
They offer a card that gives 3 POINTS per dollar spent. They don't have a straightforward cash back card, however.

You'd have to seek the redemption rate per point to see what kind of deal this really is.

Nah I have spoken to them. It's 1cpp value for 3% cash back. That's also how I got their UW guidelines. 740 EX2 for lowest rates but they seem to be being extremely picky so I would say higher the better.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

ChazzieT — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:31:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
If you don't have a 740 EX2 (unsure if this is auto or mortgage they use but a lot of CUs use the auto score and auto seems to be even fussier than mortgage is), I wouldn't bother.

I got a phone call from a lovely young lady, yesterday, welcoming me to USAlliance and asked if they used Fico 2, Fico 2 Bank Card or Fico 2 Auto on their credit card apps and she answered "the regular one." I'm assuming that's mortgage, since that's the only choice I didn't state specifically enough.

She also advised me not to pay attention to the prequal tool, as it is famously inaccurate. She also mentioned that their UW are very big on looking at "the whole picture" and it would "help me out" that I already had an account with them.

Their "MyLife Savings" account offers 3% apy on the first $500. So sign up for membership and setup a $25-$50 recurring transfer into the savings account for a few months, then give it a shot!

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

kerplunk — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:39:50 GMT

When it seems to good to be true, it probably is (Uber Visa).

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

RehabbingANDBlabbing — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:46:45 GMT

You could pick up the Discover Miles card instead. It does 1.5% back on everything and they match that amount for the first year, which nets you unlimited 3% back for one year. The miles can be redeeemed for cash at 1cpm. Also, it would be much easier to get approved for compared to this CU.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:18:05 GMT

@RehabbingANDBlabbing wrote:
You could pick up the Discover Miles card instead. It does 1.5% back on everything and they match that amount for the first year, which nets you unlimited 3% back for one year. The miles can be redeeemed for cash at 1cpm. Also, it would be much easier to get approved for compared to this CU.

Yes, but that really is only for one year and cashback at year end. Plus it's a discover so slightly less acceptance. But as you say, almost certainly easier to get.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Taurus22 — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:47:13 GMT

Is US Alliance geo-fenced?

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Curious_George2 — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 23:53:20 GMT

@Taurus22 wrote:
Is US Alliance geo-fenced?

I couldn't find any hint of an answer on their (not great) website, but I found this undated document on the Google:

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/616968/documents/Mortgage_Docs/Membership_Acknowledgement_and_Certification.pdf

So... no?

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

ChazzieT — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:00:39 GMT

@Taurus22 wrote:
Is US Alliance geo-fenced?

From the Application:

It looks like you live outside of our field of membership. Help us qualify you for your USALLIANCE membership by selecting to join one of the following organizations. It's free for you. We'll take care of the rest.

Arc of Westchester: Help empower children and adults with developmental disabilities achieve their potential based on personal choices, abilities and interests.

Tread Lightly!: Support a national initiative to protect and enhance recreation access and opportunities by promoting outdoor ethics to heighten individuals' sense of good stewardship.

American Consumer Council join a non-profit membership organization dedicated to consumer education, advocacy and financial literacy.

Council of Community Services Help provide leadership for organizations and individuals in the areas of planning, information, and referral services to improve the quality of life in our communities.

Do you have a promotional code?

Has someone given you a referral code?

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Taurus22 — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:01:55 GMT

Oh wow. I was going to join the American Consumer Council anyway. I think this just hit my target list.

@ChazzieT - Do you know what bureau they pulled from? And their account/inquiry sensitivity ?

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

ChazzieT — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:05:58 GMT

American Consumer Council is also a way in to several other CU's and there is usually a sign-up fee for ACC unless you have a promo code. I assume the free membership I got from this app can be used for other CU's as well.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

ChazzieT — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:37:40 GMT

@Taurus22 wrote:
@ChazzieT - Do you know what bureau they pulled from? And their account/inquiry sensitivity ?

I haven't applied for the card yet, just a savings account to build relationship.

@Anonymous and I have both spoken to CSR's at length and I believe the following to be true:

They pull EX2 Mortgage
They want a 740+ for best apr
The pre-qual tool is useless
The are very conservative
A prior banking relationship helps with a credit app
They need chexsystems unfrozen for the mebership app and will call you to unfreeze instead of canceling your app
No HP for Membership or Savings Account

Hope this helps!

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Gmood1 — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:23:24 GMT

Try the promo code without quotes "consumer" or "Andrews". They might still work. If you want to join the American Consumer council for free.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 00:51:09 GMT

@ChazzieT wrote:
@Taurus22 wrote:
@ChazzieT - Do you know what bureau they pulled from? And their account/inquiry sensitivity ?
I haven't applied for the card yet, just a savings account to build relationship.

@Anonymous and I have both spoken to CSR's at length and I believe the following to be true:
They pull EX2 Mortgage
They want a 740+ for best apr
The pre-qual tool is useless
The are very conservative
A prior banking relationship helps with a credit app
They need chexsystems unfrozen for the mebership app and will call you to unfreeze instead of canceling your app
No HP for Membership or Savings Account
Hope this helps!

Yep although I'm not positive on EX2 mortgage. I didn't specifically ask for it to be further clarified past EX2 and I don't want to call him back til I'm ready to actually join.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

coldfusion — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 01:36:41 GMT

They definitely pull EX and they value prior checking/savings when applying for CC.

They also asynchronously send out valid preapprovals to qualified members.

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

WowCool — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 03:18:33 GMT

Thanks for the info everyone!!!

I may just check the savings out for now!! Card could be

a sweet future app. Conservative huh? All the cards left I want are from consevative FIs whats 1 more!!!

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Rockysocks — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 07:09:24 GMT

I feel like anyone who isn't a member with them is basically auto-denied lol. My only worry is that a sudden wave of people building a small relationship with them just to get the card will make them 1) devalue the card, 2) make it nearly impossible to get no matter what, or 3) go on a geofence rampage as many credit unions end up doing. But, alas, that's the way the credit card world works.

Sincerely,

An Uber Visa owner (lol)

Re: 3% Cash Back on Everything with USALLIANCE?

Kforce — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:07:01 GMT

@Rockysocks wrote:
I feel like anyone who isn't a member with them is basically auto-denied lol. My only worry is that a sudden wave of people building a small relationship with them just to get the card will make them 1) devalue the card, 2) make it nearly impossible to get no matter what, or 3) go on a geofence rampage as many credit unions end up doing. But, alas, that's the way the credit card world works.
Sincerely,
An Uber Visa owner (lol)

I have jumped on a couple of great cards early in life and they got nerfed.

I did enjoy the rewards and cards however.

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Just a mater of time.