Getting pre-approved for a Navy Federal credit card is a great way to gauge your chances of approval and even get a head start on the application process. You can request a pre-approval online or by phone.
To get pre-approved, you'll need to provide some basic information, such as your income and credit history, which will be used to determine your creditworthiness. This process typically takes just a few minutes.
Pre-approval doesn't guarantee approval, but it can give you a good idea of whether you qualify for a Navy Federal credit card. You can also use this opportunity to explore different card options and choose the one that best fits your needs.
If you're pre-approved, you'll receive a letter or email with a pre-approval code, which you can use to apply for the card online or by phone.
Applying for Navy Federal Credit Cards
To apply for a Navy Federal credit card, preparation is key. Review your credit report for any errors and address them before you apply.
The 3 main credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—share your credit history, which can impact your credit card application approval. You'll need to review your credit report to ensure it's complete and accurate.
Navy Federal members can see if they qualify for a card without any impact to their credit score by prequalifying first. This can give you more clarity and confidence in the application process.
Gather all necessary information in advance and fill out the application carefully and honestly. This includes browsing Navy Federal's credit card options, such as secured cards and unsecured cards, to find the best fit for your lifestyle.
Reviewing the terms and conditions of your line of credit is also crucial. You can find more information on this in the MakingCents video about applying for credit.
Applying for Navy Federal Credit Cards (Continued)
A hard inquiry will be made on your credit report when you submit a credit card application, which could affect your credit score. This is a normal part of the application process.
To ensure your application is accurate, double-check all information before submitting it. If you realize you've made a mistake, contact the issuer right away to provide the correct information.
Your credit report will be reviewed and verified by lenders, so it's essential to provide thorough and accurate information. This includes confirming all required information as correct by the card issuer.
Here are some reasons why you might get approved or denied:
- Why you might get approved: Your application is thorough and accurate.
- Why you might be denied: You've left out important information or misstated details such as income or housing costs.
Before applying, it's a good idea to review your credit report for any errors and address them. This will help ensure your application is accurate and increases your chances of approval.
Credit Card Features and Benefits
To access Member Deals, you'll need a Navy Federal credit card, and rewards will be credited to your account when you shop with participating merchants through the Member Deals retailer links.
You can earn rewards with your Navy Federal Rewards Credit Card by simply starting to spend with your card, and the cash back or rewards points will accumulate automatically.
The Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Plus Credit Card offers a 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rewards expiration as long as the card is open.
Here are some key features of the cashRewards Plus Credit Card:
- No membership fees
- High rewards rate
- $200 initial rewards bonus
- No foreign fee
Accessing Member Deals
To access Member Deals, all you need is a Navy Federal credit card. This is the only requirement to start earning rewards.
You can access Member Deals through your online account, where you can select the credit card you'd like to use and start shopping with participating merchants.
You must click through Member Deals retailer links to earn rewards, as this is how Navy Federal confirms your purchase.
Rewards earned from shopping with participating merchants will be credited to your Navy Federal credit card account.
You can find Member Deals under the "Rewards Points" section of your online account summary, where you can select a merchant and start shopping.
Order information received from a retailer is reported back to Member Deals to award rewards, so be sure to keep an eye on your email for updates.
Additional Fees for Using My
You won't be charged any foreign transaction fees on your Navy Federal credit card, which is a great perk for international travelers.
However, you will be charged $0.50 for obtaining cash advances using non-Navy Federal ATMs in the US and $1.00 in foreign locations.
Here's a breakdown of the cash advance fees:
If you need to make a cash advance, it's best to do it at a Navy Federal branch or ATM to avoid any fees.
Cash Plus
Cash Plus is a feature offered by Navy Federal Credit Union that rewards cardholders for their purchases. You can earn cash back on all your purchases with the cashRewards Plus Credit Card, which offers an unlimited 2% cash back rate.
One of the benefits of the cashRewards Plus Credit Card is the $200 initial rewards bonus, which you can earn when you spend $2,000 within 90 days of account opening.
To be eligible for the cashRewards Plus Credit Card, you must fall into one of the following categories: Active Duty, Retired & Veterans, Immediate family members or household member of a service member, DoD civilian personnel who support the armed forces, existing member and a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a minor.
You can also earn a one-time $98 statement credit when you pay $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership using your Card.
The cashRewards Plus Credit Card has no foreign fee, and you won't incur a fee if you perform a cash advance at a Navy Federal branch or ATM.
Here's a comparison of the cashRewards and cashRewards Plus Credit Cards:
If you're approved for a credit limit of $5,000 or more, you'll receive a cashRewards Plus card.
Managing Your Account
You can add up to 4 authorized users to your Navy Federal credit card account, but they won't be financially responsible for the account.
To stay on top of your account, sign up for automatic alerts to receive notifications about transactions and recurring payments. This can be done by signing in to your online account and following a few simple steps.
Just start using your Navy Federal Rewards Credit Card to earn cash back or rewards points automatically.
Not Managing Your
If you're not managing your credit utilization, it can negatively impact your credit score. Lenders prefer to see low credit utilization on applications.
Paying down existing balances is key to lowering your credit utilization ratio. Aim to use no more than 30% of your available credit across all cards.
Automatic Alerts
Automatic Alerts are a great way to stay on top of your account activity. You can sign up to receive alerts about things like credit card transactions or recurring payments.
To set them up, sign in to your online account and click the “Account Services” tab. From there, click "Sign Up for Account Notifications” and select "Cards" under the "Notifications" tab.
You can also get started by signing in to the mobile app, calling us at 1-888-842-6328, or visiting a branch.
Adding an Authorized User to My Account
You can add up to 4 authorized users to your account, which is great for shared expenses or joint financial decisions. They can make purchases on your credit card account, but they aren't responsible for the debt.
An authorized user isn't an account owner, so you're still the one in charge of the account. They just get notified to the credit bureaus that they're allowed to use your account.
One thing to keep in mind is that adding an authorized user doesn't change your account's financial responsibility. You're still on the hook for the account, but it's a convenient way to share access with a trusted partner or family member.
Safeguarding Your Account Before Travel
Before traveling, it's a good idea to safeguard your credit card account to avoid any potential issues.
You can set up a Travel Plan through our mobile app or send us a secure message through online banking. This way, we'll know you're traveling and can monitor your account accordingly.
Be sure to let us know the dates you'll be traveling and where you're going, so we can take necessary precautions to protect your account.
Rates & Payments
Navy Federal Credit Cards offer a range of benefits, but it's essential to understand the rates and payments involved.
The APR for Navy Federal Credit Cards can range from 12.99% to 22.99%, depending on the type of card and creditworthiness.
To avoid interest charges, make payments on time, every time, and take advantage of the 25-day grace period offered by Navy Federal.
Navy Federal Credit Cards have no annual fees for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Interest rates for balance transfers can be as high as 22.99%, so it's essential to pay off the transferred balance before the promotional period ends.
The minimum payment due is 2% of the outstanding balance, or $10, whichever is greater, to help you stay on track with your payments.
You can also take advantage of the free credit score and credit report offered by Navy Federal to monitor your credit health and make informed financial decisions.
Balance Transfers
To initiate a balance transfer with your Navy Federal credit card, you'll need to sign in to mobile banking and select the card you'd like to transfer to.
From there, you'll tap the blue "More" button next to your account balance, which will take you to the "Credit Card Management" section. Within this section, you'll find the option to initiate a balance transfer.
To complete the balance transfer, you'll need to provide some specific information, including the name and address of the other financial institution (excluding Navy Federal accounts), your account number at that institution, and the amount you'd like to transfer.
Here are the details you'll need to submit:
- the name and address of the other financial institution
- your account number at that financial institution
- the amount you’d like to transfer
After submitting your request, it's essential to note that the balance transfer may take some time to process. If your account is newly opened, it may take up to 10 days for the transfer to be requested, and an additional 14 days for the other financial institution to receive and process the payment. For existing accounts, the transfer is typically posted within 14 days after your request.
Disputes and Issues
A billing dispute is when you believe there's an error regarding a transaction or calculation, or when you have a concern about the property or goods purchased with your credit card.
You might be disputing a charge because you were overcharged or didn't receive the product or service you paid for. You might also be disputing a charge because you didn't receive a billing statement when you should have.
A fraud claim is when you didn't authorize a transaction appearing on your account. If you're disputing a charge because you didn't authorize it, you're not responsible for paying the disputed amount or the associated interest charge during the investigation.
Your available credit will be reduced by the disputed amount unless a temporary and/or permanent credit has been given.
Application Denied: Next Steps
If your credit card application is denied, review the reason provided by the lender to understand why you were turned down.
You can check your credit report for any errors that might have led to the denial. This is because lenders should provide a reason for denying an application.
Disputing errors on your credit report can be a good next step if you find any inaccuracies. This can help improve your chances of getting approved in the future.
You might also consider applying for a different type of card that's more suitable for your credit profile. This is especially true if you're working on building credit and a secured card option is recommended.
Disputed Charge Responsibility
You're disputing a charge on your credit card and wondering if you're responsible for paying it. You're not responsible to pay the disputed amount or interest charges during the investigation, but your available credit will be reduced by the disputed amount.
If you're disputing a charge, you need to know the difference between a billing dispute and a fraud claim. A billing dispute is when you think there's an error with a transaction or calculation, or you're concerned about the product or service you paid for.
You can submit a billing dispute through online banking, the mobile app, or by visiting a Navy Federal branch. You can also write to them at a specific address or call their customer service number.
When submitting your dispute, make sure to include supporting documentation. You can provide phone records to show attempts to contact the merchant, but don't try to send videos, voice recordings, or printed pictures.
My Item Is Missing
If you temporarily misplace your Navy Federal Credit or Debit Card, you can freeze it while you locate your card. Once found, you can unfreeze it in seconds on the mobile app and continue using it as you did before.
You can freeze your card by using the mobile app, but simply freezing your card won't alert Navy Federal that it's lost or stolen. You'll need to call them immediately at 1-888-842-6328 if you notice unauthorized transactions.
If your card is lost or stolen, or if you notice unauthorized transactions, call Navy Federal immediately at 1-888-842-6328. They'll put an immediate hold on your account and issue a new plastic card in the mail within 7-14 business days.
You can also report a lost or stolen credit card by calling Navy Federal at 1-888-842-6328 or sending a secure message through online banking. They'll put an immediate hold on your account and issue a new plastic card in the mail within 7-14 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Navy Federal credit card is easiest to get?
For those with no or limited credit, the NFCU nRewards Secured Credit Card is a great option to establish or rebuild credit while earning rewards. This secured card is a straightforward way to start building credit.
What credit score is needed for a credit card with Navy Federal?
To be approved for a Navy Federal credit card, you typically need a credit score of at least 700. However, membership and other requirements also apply.
Sources
- https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/faqs.html
- https://www.navyfederal.org/loans-cards/credit-cards/credit-card-basics/applying-for-a-credit-card.html
- https://www.navyfederal.org/makingcents/credit-debt/how-to-get-approved-for-a-credit-card.html
- https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/navy-federal-credit-union-13308022i
- https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/NFCU-PRE-APPROVALS/td-p/6706086
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