Navy Federal credit cards are known for their competitive offers, but which ones stand out from the rest? The Navy Federal CashBack credit card offers 3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back at grocery stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, making it a top choice for those who want to earn rewards on everyday expenses.
The Navy Federal Go Rewards credit card offers 3x points on gas, 2x points on groceries, and 1x point on all other purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits. This card is ideal for those who want to earn rewards on gas and grocery purchases without the hassle of tracking categories.
For those who want to earn travel rewards, the Navy Federal World Mastercard offers 3x points on travel, 2x points on dining, and 1x point on all other purchases. This card also offers a $100 statement credit after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards on travel purchases.
Benefits and Features
Navy Federal credit cards offer a range of benefits and features that make them a compelling option for consumers.
You can choose from six different credit cards, each tailored to meet your specific needs and spending patterns.
One of the standout features of Navy Federal credit cards is their competitive rewards structures, which provide excellent value through cash back, points, and travel perks.
Here are some of the key benefits and features of Navy Federal credit cards:
Some Navy Federal credit cards offer no annual fees, while others have a nominal fee of $49.
You can earn cash back, points, or travel rewards with Navy Federal credit cards, depending on the card you choose.
All Navy Federal credit cards for individuals and businesses come with no foreign transaction fees.
You can earn rewards points with Navy Federal credit cards, which can be redeemed for cash, travel, gift cards, and merchandise.
Some Navy Federal credit cards offer a welcome bonus, such as the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Credit Card, which offers a $200 initial rewards bonus.
Pros and Cons
The Navy Federal credit cards have some great perks. One of the standout benefits is the great cash back rate on the cashRewars Plus card.
Here are some specific pros to consider:
- Great cash back rate on the cashRewars Plus card
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No balance transfer fees
- Low regular APR on purchases
Additionally, these cards offer some unique benefits, such as no foreign transaction fee, no balance transfer fee, and no cash advance fee.
Pros
One of the biggest advantages of using a credit card is the lack of annual fees. Many credit cards, like the Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card, offer no annual fee, which can save you money year after year.
The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travel.
Another benefit of this card is the lack of balance transfer fees, which can be a huge money-saver if you need to transfer a balance from another card.
The Self Credit Card also offers a unique feature - 0.99% APR on balance transfers for the first 12 months, if the balance is transferred within the first 60 days.
Low regular APRs are also a plus, as seen in the cashRewards Plus card, which has a low regular APR on purchases.
Here are some pros of credit cards with no annual fees:
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- No balance transfer fees
- Low regular APR
Cons
The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card has some downsides to consider.
The cash back rate is on the lower end at 1.5%. This is a significant drawback for those who value earning rewards.
You'll also need good or excellent credit to qualify for this card, which may be a challenge for some applicants.
One of the most notable cons is that the card requires credit union membership, which may be a barrier for those who don't already belong.
The lack of extra benefits is another point to consider. Unlike some other cards, the NFCU Platinum card doesn't offer perks like cash back, miles, or points.
Here are the main cons of the Navy Federal Platinum Card in a quick rundown:
- 1.5% cash back rate is on the lower end
- Cash back rate is dependent on the size of your approved credit limit
- Requires good/excellent credit
- Credit union membership required
- Limited extra benefits
- No perks offered
- No promotional APR for purchases
- Only NFCU members are eligible to apply
Application and Approval
To apply for a Navy Federal credit card, you must first qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union membership. This requires being a military member, retired member, or veteran of the Services, or a qualifying family member of one.
You can check your prequalification status by answering three questions: whether you're on active duty, your annual income, and your monthly housing expense. This will let you know if you're eligible to receive a specific card before submitting your application.
Navy Federal will pull your information and run a quick credit check without affecting your credit score. This process won't affect your credit at all.
If you're already a Navy Federal member, you can check to see if you're prequalified for the Platinum credit card. Checking your prequalification status will not affect your credit score.
To apply, you'll need to provide personal information, including your name and address, Social Security number, military status, and income information.
The average credit score for approval is around 700, but individuals with lower scores may still qualify. Navy Federal will evaluate your credit history, income level, and credit usage to determine your approval odds.
If you're prequalified, you can proceed with your application. If you're not prequalified, you can still apply directly, but your application will be rejected if you don't qualify for Navy Federal membership.
Here's a summary of the application process:
- Check your prequalification status by answering three questions: active duty status, annual income, and monthly housing expense.
- If prequalified, proceed with your application.
- If not prequalified, apply directly, but be aware that your application will be rejected if you don't qualify for Navy Federal membership.
Rates and Fees
The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card has no balance transfer fee, which can save you a significant amount of money compared to other cards. This is a huge advantage, especially if you're planning to transfer a large balance.
You can potentially save up to $100 in fees if you transfer a balance of $2,000 to a card with a balance transfer fee of 5%. The card's regular APR is considerably lower than any other card in the study, making it a great option for purchases and balance transfers.
The regular APR is the same for purchases and balance transfers, which means you don't have to worry about different rates for different types of transactions. The card's promotional APR for balance transfers is 0.99% for a term of 12 months, which is a great option if you're looking to pay off your debt quickly.
You can opt for a card with a longer promotional APR period, but you'd likely have to pay a balance transfer fee. Many top balance transfer cards offer a 0% introductory APR, so it's worth shopping around to find the best option for your needs.
The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum card has no annual fee, which means you can save money year after year. This is a great option if you're looking for a low-cost credit card that won't break the bank.
Secured Cards
The Navy Federal Credit Union offers a secured credit card option, the nRewards Secured Credit Card, which is perfect for those building or rebuilding credit.
This card has no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or cash advance fees at Navy Federal branches or ATMs, making it a cost-effective option.
You can earn rewards points on eligible purchases, which is rare for secured cards, with 1 point per dollar spent.
There is no sign-up bonus or introductory APR period for new cardholders.
To qualify for this card, you don't need to have good credit; in fact, you can even qualify with bad credit.
The card requires a deposit, which will determine your credit limit, and will be held until you upgrade to a partially unsecured or wholly unsecured account.
After just 3 months, you could be eligible for an upgrade that provides you additional credit without an additional security deposit.
Here are some key features of the Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card:
The account will be regularly reviewed for possible unsecuring and removal of hold on deposit starting at month 6.
Alternative Options
If you're not sold on the Navy Federal Platinum credit card, there are other options worth considering.
The Citi Double Cash Card offers 2% cash back on purchases with uncapped rewards. This is a great option for those who want to earn cash back without any limits.
For those looking to build credit, the Destiny Credit Card is a good choice. It's designed for building credit and is easy to get approved for, even with poor credit.
The American Express Platinum card has premium travel and rewards features, which may appeal to frequent travelers. Additionally, it has an annual fee that's waived for military members.
Final Recommendation
The Navy Federal Platinum credit card is an excellent option if you qualify for it. You must meet the Navy Federal membership eligibility requirements to join and apply for the card.
If you do qualify, this card is a great choice because you can find the perfect credit card with the Kudos Explore Cards feature if you don't.
Signing up for Kudos, the browser extension, can help you maximize rewards and credit card perks on every purchase when shopping online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different color cards for Navy Federal?
Navy Federal offers cards in various colors to distinguish between consumer and business debit and credit cards, including red for consumer debit, blue for consumer credit, grey for business debit, and black and green for business credit. Learn more about the specific types of cards and their corresponding colors.
Which Navy Federal credit card gives the highest credit limit?
The Navy Federal credit card with the highest credit limit is up to $80,000. This maximum credit limit applies to one of the available cards.
What are the benefits of having a Navy Federal credit card?
Enjoy low interest rates, no balance transfer or foreign transaction fees, and 24/7 support with a Navy Federal credit card. Plus, digitally issued cards allow for immediate use, making it a convenient option for qualified members.
Sources
- https://themilitarywallet.com/best-navy-federal-credit-union-credit-cards/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/navy-federal/
- https://www.joinkudos.com/blog/navy-federal-platinum-credit-card
- https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/navy-federal-credit-union-13308022i
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/credit-cards/credit-card-reviews/navy-federal-credit-union-platinum-card/
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