CURewards Point Value Inconsistency

[ChazzieT]

I am currently working my way through the list in this thread ( https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/General-Credit-Topics/UNOFFICIAL-LIST-of-credit-cards-and-which-sco... ) to see if there are any new (or improved) cards out there, that haven't been noticed yet.

I'm almost to the U's and have so far seen 3-4 dozen credit unions offing CURewards points on their cards. Most of them have very little information concerning point value, but I found two that offer exchange rates for cash. The only problem is, one seems to peg them at one cent per point and tha other at a half cent per point (5000 points = $50 or 5000 points - $25)

"Redemptions for cash start at a minimum of 5,000 points for $25 up to a maximum of 50,000 points for $250.* Cash rewards will be deposited into your TruMark Financial savings or checking account seven to 10 business days after the request is submitted. To check your available CURewards points or other rewards available, visit www.curewards.com."

"Can I convert my points to cash?
Yes, login to your Visa Rewards Center in PC Connect (https://www.rifcu.org) to take advantage of this
option. The minimum cash option that can be redeemed at any given time is $50.00.
Example of points to cash: $5000.00 in CURewards card charges= 5000 CURewards points.
$5000 CURewards points= $50.00 cash that can be redeemed."

Does anyone have a card with CURewards points that can maybe shed a little light on which one (if either) is correct?

[Anonymous]

Generally these rewards programs can be customized to fit the needs of the CU offering them so both answers are likely correct for those CUs. I have avoided CURewards since they seem to be one of the catalogs that doesn't allow non-registered users to browse the catalog to find out value of their points where most will let you browse. 

[ChazzieT]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Generally these rewards programs can be customized to fit the needs of the CU offering them so both answers are likely correct for those CUs. I have avoided CURewards since they seem to be one of the catalogs that doesn't allow non-registered users to browse the catalog to find out value of their points where most will let you browse. 

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This is why I was hoping to hear from a few people that were already CURewards program members. I ran across a couple of cards that give 3 points per dollar on everything. If they redeem at $0.01 then these cards would be better than a Citi DC for non category spend. If it's $0.005, then, well, there are lot's of 1.5% cards out there. Very disappointing to hear that the programs are customizable down to point value!

[ChazzieT]

@Saeren:

I just saw in this thread( https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/National-Credit-Unions-credit-card-pre-qualify/td-p/59...your interest in USAlliance FCU. I just joined them a couple weeks ago and they have a card that gives 3 CUReward points on everything!

[Anonymous]

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@ChazzieT wrote:

@Saeren:

I just saw in this thread( https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/National-Credit-Unions-credit-card-pre-qualify/td-p/59...your interest in USAlliance FCU. I just joined them a couple weeks ago and they have a card that gives 3 CUReward points on everything!

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Yep. But they appear to be pretty conservative with their cards. There was a thread from 2016 where a bunch of people applied and only one got approved. That is the card I was looking at though. 

[ChazzieT]

Yeah, I just did the pre-qual (just for S&G's, I'm gardening for a US Bank Cash+) and they gave me the "MyLife checking account" (I only have a savings with them, so far) and "Financial Education" (Ouch!).

[Anonymous]

I prequalified but I'm gardening for Cash+ as well (it's kind of amusing how many of us are gardening for US Bank cards lol). They want a 740 EX2 for best rate and since I'm low income, I would like to be 740+ regardless. That means I will be gardening until October since I still want that Cash+ and this app is going to have to come first if I don't want to crash my EX2 score all over again so I'm going to app this one and then immediately app Cash+. That score doesn't like inquiries, doesn't like new accounts, doesn't like too many accounts with balances, doesn't like young files, and just generally is a hateful little score. My best shot at 740+ is going to be 10/13 when it's been a year without new accounts or inquiries. 

[ChazzieT]

I'll be right behind you on Dec 9. I hadn't thought about the double dip, but you make a good argument. Only problem is I think US Bank pulled EX for me last two times I tried for the Cash+, so I would have to app for both within seconds to not have a recent HP on one of them.

Luckily, you'll have had yours for a couple of months and I'll know by the time I app whether the USAlliance card works out to 3% or 1.5% 😋

[ChazzieT]

Wow! You weren't kidding! I just checked my EX2 and it's almost 70 points lower than my EX8...😱

And USBank pulled EQ on me, not EX, so that'll make the double dip a little easier😭😭😭

[ChazzieT]

Another description of CURewards that mentions "Participating Retailers":

" Florida Credit Union Visa® cards offer great rates, excellent security features and a lot of other great perks. They also make it easy to earn rewards.

• Earn! Shop at any in-store or online participating retailer with your FCU Visa® Credit Card and watch your points add up.
• Track! Your gift options and up-to-date point total are included on monthly statements available through FCU’s online banking. Visit curewards.com for a complete listing of benefits and gifts.
• Shop! Download the CU Mobile app to shop and earn Mall points at hundreds of participating online, in-store and local retailers.You can also track your mall points earned.
• Redeem! Combine your Mall points and CURewards points to get travel services, merchandise and more. "