Can I get a card too?

[Anonymous]

I was wondering as I read this board.  Is everyone here in or related to the military?  I have seen a lot of people saying that CUs like Penfed and USAA are great at giving cards with high CL, but can a person like me who's closest tie to the military is having watched GIJoe occasionally as a child?

But really, is everyone here in the military?

[Anonymous]

Yes there are other options for joining Credit Unions. Most Credit Unions offer different options for joining, such as your employment, where you live, joining some other organization for roughly $5-$20, even a few free organizations. You just have to look what they offer. Good Luck

[john398]

USAA is a bank and does not require you to be in the millitary for banking just insurance

[Smug]

USAA Rocks

[MarineVietVet]

To add to what JM-AM said if you are interested in any particular CU go to their website and see what the qualifications for joining are. That way you won't waste your time trying to join one you are not eligible for.

Local CU's are a very good resource. I use mine for all my financial needs.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 10/10-813, TU - 10/10-774

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

[Travis-84]

I just joined PenFed, and I'm not military. 

If you are an Red Cross Volunteer (defined so loosely to include somebody who has donated blood), or a member of National Military Family Association, or Voices of Americas troops (which require a 15.00, or 20.00 donation to join), then you can join Penfed.  Also, you only have to be a member of these organizaitions to join, you do not need to keep the membership active. 

The reason credit unions have these requriements is because they are required to by law.  The difference between a credit union and a bank (besides non profit status) is a credit union seves people with similar background (which they are required to by law).  They still want as many members as possible, since it helps keep them stable and increases profits (which are then returned to members, so they make you join an organiztion to comply with the law, but they don't make it too difficult.  If you find a CU you want to join, chances are joining will be a piece of cake. 

[trumpet-205]

So in the future if I (without military connection) want to join Penfed, all I need to do is do a one-time donation to one of the organization. Join Penfed, and don't need to renew membership for the organization?

[Anonymous]

Credit Unions usually state once a member always a member so you would not have to keep renewing with any affiliate organization.

Edited to add; Unless it states otherwise.

[castlefox]

I joined Alliant Credit Union around thankgiving and after only having gas card for 4 months (20% utilization).  I also have been paying off student loans but no other true revolving credit accounts. 

They approved me for my first real credit card with a 1000 CL at 10.3APR last friday.  I cant wait for it to come in the mail.      The loan dude said I had a credit score of 700 but idk if that was a FICO or not.     I dont have any 'rent/morage' costs right now b/c im living at home.   I had to send the dude a check stub show I only made 18,000 after taxes this year.

While alliant you get a free fako score every quarter from Experian - Advanced Risk Score 2.0 (NextGen)   Score ranges from 150 to 950    My score was just updated today and it is 793.            

I hope this helps

[Anonymous]

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@trumpet-205 wrote:

So in the future if I (without military connection) want to join Penfed, all I need to do is do a one-time donation to one of the organization. Join Penfed, and don't need to renew membership for the organization?

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In case of Penfed, you do not even have to search for how to join. This just happens during your PenFed application.