Re: Affinity FCU Membership question

AndySoCal · ‎01-17-2025

I am thinking about joining this credit union. I am aware they will pull Chex Systems. One web site site said they were Chex sensitive I read the post and the poster had some very large number in the last 12 months. My Chex report is clean. Does Affinity pull a credit bureau as a part of the membership process?

My primary reason for the interest in Affinity is their Cash Rewards credit card with 5% at Amazon and bookstores. If Discover Capital One merger is approved I would close my Discover card and replace it with this one. I had Chase Amazon card and I closed it lack of use. The bookstore part is what is the interest. Some people have streaming services and cable TV I do not I would rather read. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

edited I changed the number of inquiries from fifty to a very large number since I cannot find the post I read.

FIC Scores XPN v8 808 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 803 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 800 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 11,100 State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Pelican State CU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank

MileHigh96 · ‎01-21-2025

I have a membership with Affinity and I've had it for awhile now, so I can't be 100% certain, but I'm 98% sure the did not HP a credit bureau report. I assume if they did pull one, it was only a SP at the time.

BK7 discharged - 06JUL2021
Loans:

Revolving Accounts (in the order they were opened):

Ally Everyday Cash Back Mastercard (converted from Ollo Platinum Rewards Mastercard) $4800 CL (opened 7/21/21)

Mercury Mastercard $4360 CL (opened 7/23/21)

Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa Card $17,500 LOC (opened 8/4/21)

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards $6000 CL (opened 11/9/21)

Dell Pay Credit (converted from Dell Financial Services account) $6500 CL (opened 12/6/21)

Capital One Kohls Visa (converted from Kohls store card) $4050 CL (opened 12/13/21)

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa Card $7,000 LOC (opened 3/17/22)

Capital One Quicksilver MC (PC'd from a Platinum card) $3200 CL (opened 5/6/22)

Capital One Savor One MC $5000 CL (opened 10/20/22)

Merrick Bank Double Your Line MC $2500 CL (opened 11/1/22)

NFCU cashRewards Plus $36000 CL (opened 3/17/23)

Affinity FCU Pure Rewards Visa $1500 CL (opened 5/18/23)

Bread Cashback AmEx $12500 CL (opened 5/23/23)

Canvas CU Platinum Elite MC $3000 CL (opened 5/25/23)

NFCU Go Rewards Visa $23000 CL (opened 6/16/23)

Petco Pay Mastercard $5100 CL (opened 6/29/23)

My GM Rewards Card Mastercard $5500 CL (opened 8/1/23)

Denver Broncos Extra Point Visa $9500 CL (opened 12/8/23)

NFCU More Rewards AmEx $17000 CL (opened 2/8/24)

Ally Unlimited Cash Back Mastercard $3000 CL (opened 4/3/24)

Service Credit Union Everyday Visa $2500 CL (opened 8/19/24)

BECU Cash Back Visa $16000 CL (opened 8/21/24)

Closed accounts:

Mission Lane Visa - first starter card after discharge (opened 7/7/21 - closed 4/1/23)

Capital One Quicksilver MC (downgraded from a Walmart Rewards MC and transfered CL to older QS card) (opened 11/4/22 - closed 04/09/25)

Best Egg Visa (opened 05/17/22 - closed 04/14/25)

0/6, 1/12, 5/24 new accounts
TCL: $164.5K

IcyCool7227 · ‎01-24-2025

Where does it say it gives 5% on bookstores? It doesn't show up - just the Amazon part and 2% on other things. Your best options are the Barclays Barnes & Nobles 5% card (https://cards.barclaycardus.com/banking/cards/barnes-noble-mastercard/) or the Wells Fargo 4% Attune card that gives 4% at all bookstores as part of it's categories (https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/attune-cash-rewards-categories/?sub_channel=SEO&vendor_code=G). It also includes digital media and a huge plethora of other categories as well.

As of: 8/15/25:
EQ: 783 (prev. 798 on 1/10/25; 794 on 12/19/24; 781 on 9/20/24; 747 on 8/7/24; 781 on 7/1/24; 785 on 3/28/24. 778 on 2/6/24; 773 on 1/26/24; 750 on 1/7/24; 626 on 6/7/23 & 652 in April 2023) - FICO 8
EX: 766 (prev. 769 on 1/10/25; 767 on 10/26/24; 751 on 9/20/24; 729 on 8/7/24; 752 on 7/1/24; 761 on 755 on 2/6/24; 753 on 1/26/24; 732 on 1/7/24; 643 on 6/7/24; 619 in April 2023) - FICO 8
TU: 773 (prev. 768 on 1/10/25; 771 on 12/3/24; 756 on 9/6/24). - FICO 8.

Have:
- Amazon Prime Store Card: $10,000
- Amex Blue Cash Everyday (AU): $10,000
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards: $3,600
- Chase Freedom Flex: $1,000
- Citi Custom Cash: $9,200
- Citi Double Cash: $8,000
- Citi Rewards +: $5,800
- Discover it Cashback: $2,500
- Kohl’s Charge: $3,000
- Mercury Rewards Visa: $4,390
- PayPal World Cashback MasterCard: $5,500

- Super Cash: Limit varies based on debit balance - doesn't show up in accounts anymore though on CRs.

GZG · ‎01-24-2025

@IcyCool7227 wrote:
Where does it say it gives 5% on bookstores? It doesn't show up - just the Amazon part and 2% on other things. Your best options are the Barclays Barnes & Nobles 5% card (https://cards.barclaycardus.com/banking/cards/barnes-noble-mastercard/) or the Wells Fargo 4% Attune card that gives 4% at all bookstores as part of it's categories (https://creditcards.wellsfargo.com/attune-cash-rewards-categories/?sub_channel=SEO&vendor_code=G). It also includes digital media and a huge plethora of other categories as well.

the tiny terms at the bottom still have the bookstores language, no idea if they forgot to remove it or if they just removed it from the top portion

membership will be a soft pull

they've definitely gotten more chex-sensitive

I'm also unsure if referrals are needed if you're outside of their geofence or not

Starting FICO 8:

Current FICO 8:

4/6, 4/12, 8/24 new accounts

IcyCool7227 · ‎01-24-2025

To be on the safe side then, I would call Affinity and confirm that bookstores is still part of the cashback. It's odd that that is only in the fine print.

As of: 8/15/25:
EQ: 783 (prev. 798 on 1/10/25; 794 on 12/19/24; 781 on 9/20/24; 747 on 8/7/24; 781 on 7/1/24; 785 on 3/28/24. 778 on 2/6/24; 773 on 1/26/24; 750 on 1/7/24; 626 on 6/7/23 & 652 in April 2023) - FICO 8
EX: 766 (prev. 769 on 1/10/25; 767 on 10/26/24; 751 on 9/20/24; 729 on 8/7/24; 752 on 7/1/24; 761 on 755 on 2/6/24; 753 on 1/26/24; 732 on 1/7/24; 643 on 6/7/24; 619 in April 2023) - FICO 8
TU: 773 (prev. 768 on 1/10/25; 771 on 12/3/24; 756 on 9/6/24). - FICO 8.

Have:
- Amazon Prime Store Card: $10,000
- Amex Blue Cash Everyday (AU): $10,000
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards: $3,600
- Chase Freedom Flex: $1,000
- Citi Custom Cash: $9,200
- Citi Double Cash: $8,000
- Citi Rewards +: $5,800
- Discover it Cashback: $2,500
- Kohl’s Charge: $3,000
- Mercury Rewards Visa: $4,390
- PayPal World Cashback MasterCard: $5,500

- Super Cash: Limit varies based on debit balance - doesn't show up in accounts anymore though on CRs.

AndySoCal · ‎01-25-2025

@GZG The website says I can join by making a $5.00 to the affinity foundation. Regarding Chex I have 3/12 and 6/24. One of three was a credit union who declined me because they could not verify my ID and I have proof. if I wait til May I would have 1/12 which is the decline. Will this work for Affinity? Do you know which bureau they will pull.

Any guidance is appreciated.

FIC Scores XPN v8 808 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 803 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 800 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 11,100 State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Pelican State CU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank

GZG · ‎01-25-2025

@AndySoCal wrote:
@GZG The website says I can join by making a $5.00 to the affinity foundation. Regarding Chex I have 3/12 and 6/24. One of three was a credit union who declined me because they could not verify my ID and I have proof. if I wait til May I would have 1/12 which is the decline. Will this work for Affinity? Do you know which bureau they will pull.
Any guidance is appreciated.

same as the bookstores thing, I'd call to confirm that's still the case, I thought something changed awhile back with them.

pretty sure it's a SP on experian and a chex pull

Starting FICO 8:

Current FICO 8:

4/6, 4/12, 8/24 new accounts

ptatohed · ‎01-25-2025

I remember when Bookstores was in big bold font and Amazon was not listed but people had figured out that Amazon coded as a bookstore so it worked for 5%.

Andy, public library?

https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/credit-card/cash-rewards-visa

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

AndySoCal · ‎01-25-2025

@ptatohed Public Library is solved the app is called Libby. Been there and checked out a few books and magazines. It helps lower my reading costs.

If you scroll all the way to the bottom below the google play icon there is a series of footnotes. Footnote number 2 relates to the cash rewards visa. In your opinion it is Amazon and bookstores. Am I correct?

FIC Scores XPN v8 808 V2 831 (SDFCU) TUC V 8 803 07/25 EFX Bankcard v8 822 EFX FIC0 v8 800 Vantage score 4.0 817 via JC Penney
JC Penney 10/2008 4,700 US Bank Cash 08/2010 12,000 Citibank Custom Cash 5/2015 11,100 State Dept. FCU 06/2023 25,000 02/2024 Redstone FCU Signature VISA 10,000 08/23/2024 Commonwealth Credit Union 15000 07/25
Banking: Lafayette FCU Fortera FCU State Department FCU Pelican State CU Redstone FCU Hughes FCU Commonwealth FCU
My personal blacklist Axos Bank, Bank of America, Synchrony Bank Capital One TD Bank Comerica Bank BMO US Bank

ptatohed · ‎01-25-2025

Andy, I have always known this card to be Amazon and bookstores and I do agree with you about footnote 2. I think you are good! My only worry is their now seemingly deliberate burying of bookstores. Why did they do that? Are they trying to ween out the bookstores category?

Do your bookstores accept mobile wallet? Could you get one of the Kroger/sister cards for 5% at checkout?

Wells Attune does 4% at bookstores and lots of other cats.

[Until I can make a pretty signature, here’s an updated draft]

Everyday 5% CB:
Chase prime Visa // citi CUSTOM CASH “A” // citi CUSTOM CASH “B” // citi SHOP YOUR WAY (5% gas (in points), lucrative spending offers) // mylowe’s Rewards // Target circle card

5% CB rotating:
Chase “OG” freedom Visa // DISCOVER it Cash Back // nusenda CU Platinum Cash Rewards

Everyday 4% CB:
US Bank Smartly (v1.0)

Everyday 3% / 2.2% CB:
AOD FCU Visa Signature (3%, sockdrawered) // upgrade Cash Rewards Elite (2.2%, sockdrawered)

Welcome Offer / credits only:
Chase SAPPHIRE PREFFERED (grabbed my $1,000, sockdrawered, will cancel) // NFCU FLAGSHIP REWARDS (elevated Welcome Offer, annual prime credit, sockdrawered)

Hotel card:
Chase IHG ONE REWARDS PREMIER (elevated Welcome Offer, 1 free night/yr)

On my radar:
Langely FCU Signature Cash Back (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // Safe CU Cash Back+ (Quarterly rotating 5% CB cats plus bonus cats) // upgrade MyFive Cash Rewards (5% CB monthly selectable cat) // US Bank Kroger (and family) World Elite Master Card(s) (5% CB Mobile Wallet)

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Affinity FCU Membership question