NFCU [Seemingly] May upgrade FLAGSHIP card......

[ZackAttack]

I been debating about to change a card to flagship once I get my own place. Out of all the benefits/rewards ... I just don't see how the card would be better if the AF increase to $150. If the AF is $95 ... maybe if the rewards/benefits were better appealing.

In my case, I think they would should step up the card in another direction, such as:

1) 2X on everything (Direct Deposit increases it to something like 3X)

2) 2.5X/3X on everything then readjusting the other stuff -> like travel to 4X. not that I use travel

... dining is everywhere with 3X (3% CB) -> so they may want that increase to be more appealing

[kerplunk]

Flagship Rewards is the only credit card I use anymore. It's all-around great. The only change I wish they'd make is offering an optional metal version. 

[sonic-boom]

Are the point redemptions pretty good?

[CreditCuriosity]

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@sonic-boom wrote:

Are the point redemptions pretty good?

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think 1cpp 

[MachoHombre]

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@Citylights18 wrote:

You can't move the NFCU points to travel partners.

Citi Custom Cash gives you 5x in any category you want. No annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Preferred is 3x dining but then 10% points back so effective 3.1. Then 1.25 redemption so 3.875.

I woud consider downgrading if I had to absorb a $150 annual fee on this.

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*Correct on travel partners.   It's more of a cash back scenerio

*Citi Custom Cash is capped at 500month for max of $25 month return.   anything over 500month only yields 1%.   I agree a great card, but to get 5% you need to pay attention.    I personally only use the card for gas not bought at Costco, for *me* that amount rarely goes above the cap, if I get near the cap I switch gas to another card.

*The Chase reward ecosystem works great for some.  For *me* being trapped in having to book through their portal doesn't yield the better pricing that I can find elsewhere and reduces the value.   YMMV

*While I'm a fan of the the Flagship, if the AF went to $150 I would have a hard time justifying *UNLESS* Amazon Prime is included, if it is included then the card is a no-brainer IMO.

[800wannabe420]

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@summerterrace wrote:

Right now the prime membership isn't a yearly benefit.  I got it the first 2 years but didn't for the 3rd.  The $150 annual fee would basically cover the cost of Amazon prime. 

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@summerterrace 

I recently received my 3rd Amazon Prime credit (posted 12/4/2023).

Whether or not I receive a 4th remains to be seen, but fingers crossed 🤞

Maybe you might try calling?

[KillingThemGingerly]

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@summerterrace wrote:

Right now the prime membership isn't a yearly benefit.  I got it the first 2 years but didn't for the 3rd.  The $150 annual fee would basically cover the cost of Amazon prime. 

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I believe you're mistaken, and that the free Prime benefit is still in effect. I have had the card for over a year and already received one Amazon Prime credit and confirmed with NFCU I am eligible for another if I pay for annual membership again with the Flagship Rewards by 1/1/2025. Admittedly NFCU is weirly opaque about the annual Prime perk, not making it clear if it's a welcome bonus only or annual benefit. There is a whole thread on here about that. Why they're so opaque about it, I am unsure. 

Frankly the Prime benefit is the only reason I keep the card with the AF. It's my only card that has an AF. 

[ShadowFox]

Hmm if we are going to throw some ideas around....

Instead of dining have 3% back on streaming along with direct deposit allowing Ability to pool points w/ the other NFCU credit cards.  This would eliminate the overlap of cards.  Id say include a 5% with amazon w/ $6,000-10,000 yearly cap to encourage spend to stay on the flagship card.   Granted I understand the perks of having travel and dining on the same card.

Spend x,000 per year (between any points cards) and get a % point bonus(10-15%?)?  effective 2.25% everywhere, 3.33% streaming, 4.5% travel.  

[ShreksBFF]

If they do 4x travel, 3x dining, and 2x everything else this would probably become the only card I'd ever use tbh

[Wavester64]

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@KillingThemGingerly wrote:

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I do not personally see this potential upgrade as much better (maybe even worse), with the $101 increase in annual fee from the current $49 annual fee. There are several cards with no annual fee where you can get 3x back on dining (SavorOne for example). Perhaps the 4x on travel is better than you can get on a no annual fee card but I don't travel enough for it to matter. I already get 3x travel (slightly worse return than the 4x) on the annual fee free Wells Fargo Autograph. The only reason I keep the card as it is, is for the Amazon Prime credit that offsets the annual fee and then some. Although I am currently having a hard time getting access to that credit since I already have Prime and Amazon no longer allows the ability to gift yourself a membership to use later. 

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I agree with you 100%. If they move to $150 annual fee, I'll probably be dropping this card. Too bad too, its one of my highest SLs.