Updated: June 13, 2024
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Alliant Credit Union offers two credit cards for individuals and none for businesses. One card comes with a 0% APR offer, and the other lets you earn cash back. Both come with no annual fees. No matter which of the two cards you select, you need good or excellent credit to qualify
You get two types of Alliant Credit Union cards from which to choose. One is a cash back card, and the other is a 0% APR card. If you’re looking to pay no foreign transaction fees, the cash back option, the Alliant Credit Union Visa Signature Card, might serve you well. No Alliant Credit Union card offers a welcome bonus.
We look for new Alliant Credit Union credit cards and go through any changes in their existing cards each month. Only after we compare all given options do we arrive at our revised list of the best Alliant Credit Union credit cards.
Looking at whether you might qualify is important before you apply for an Alliant Credit Union credit card. You might also benefit from finding out how much time you need to give between applications if you plan to apply for both cards.
You typically need good or excellent credit to apply for an Alliant Credit Union credit card. But while you may qualify if your credit score is 670 or higher, bear in mind that Alliant also considers other factors before arriving at a decision.
Alliant Credit Union offers just two credit cards. Assuming you qualify, the card issuer limits you to one card at a time.
Irrespective of which credit card issuer you select, it is ideal that you give at least six months between credit card applications. This is because each new application brings your credit score down by a few points. As a result, if you have recently applied for a credit card with Alliant Credit Union and didn't qualify, you may want to consider waiting six months before trying again or applying for the other card. Similarly, if you recently applied for a credit card with another issuer, waiting six months before applying for an Alliant Credit Union credit card could help your chances of being approved. However, if you have excellent credit and think you might be able to fix the slight dent in your credit score quickly, you may apply for one sooner.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may expect Alliant Credit Union to approve your application. However, you may only hold one card at a time.
As of now, Alliant Credit Union does not offer welcome bonuses through any of its credit cards.
While looking at Alliant Credit Union card benefits is important when making your choice, you may also want to check how Alliant fares overall as a credit card provider.
Feature | Decription |
|---|---|
Customer Service & Satisfaction | Alliant Credit Union scores an average of 2.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot. However, this is based on 11 customer reviews. Of the reviews that exist, a few customers highlight concerns about poor customer service. You may get in touch with an Alliant Credit Union representative over the phone, via email or through its social media accounts. |
Mobile Apps & Online Services | Alliant Credit Union lets you manage your credit card and other accounts through its online banking platform as well as its apps for devices that run on Android or iOS. On the Apple App Store, the app scores 4.7 out of 5. It scores 4.2 out of 5 on the Google Play store. These apps come with fingerprint authentication. |
Security & Credit Monitoring Services | Both Alliant credit cards come with $0 fraud liability and eligibility-based ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock. The Alliant Credit Union Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card also provides Personal Identity Theft protection through which you may qualify for reimbursement of up to $5,000 to cover expenses incurred in restoring your identity. |
Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks | The Alliant Credit Union Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card follows a tiered rewards program. If you qualify for Tier One Rewards, you earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 you spend on eligible purchases each billing cycle, and all other eligible purchases earn 1.5% cash back. With Tier Two Rewards, you earn 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases. You may redeem the cash back you earn as a statement credit or as a deposit into your Alliant Credit Union checking or savings account. To qualify for Tier One Rewards, you need to maintain an average daily balance of at least $1,000 in your Alliant Credit Union high-rate checking account during each month of the preceding quarter. Both Alliant Credit Union credit cards come with complimentary auto rental collision damage waiver and roadside dispatch. The Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card also offers complimentary travel accident insurance. |
Authorized Users | Alliant Credit Union lets you add authorized users to your credit card account. You may do so over the phone or online. Alliant does not have any published guidelines surrounding the cost (if any) to add an authorized user or the minimum age of authorized users. |
Purchase Protection | The Alliant Credit Union Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card offers purchase security to protect new retail purchases you make using the card for the first 90 days from the date of purchase. |
Co-Branding & Partnerships | Alliant Credit Union does not have any co-branded credit cards on offer. Both the cards it offers are in partnership with Visa. |
Other Products Offered | Other financial products offered by Alliant Credit Union include different types of checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, custodial accounts, home loans, vehicle loans, personal loans as well as investment and insurance solutions. |
Given that you have two types of Alliant Credit Union cards to choose from, you don’t have to worry about being overburdened with options. However, people with specific requirements, such as students and those who wish to build their credit, might need to look at what other card issuers have to offer. Depending on what you’re after, you may want to consider getting an Alliant Credit Union card in different circumstances.
You want to earn high cash back on all purchases.
Credit cards that offer flat-rate cash back tend to limit the maximum to 2%. However, if you qualify for Tier One Rewards with the Alliant Credit Union Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card, you stand to earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 you spend on eligible purchases during each billing cycle and 1.5% thereafter. The Alliant Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card offers flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
You want added perks without paying an annual fee.
Both Alliant Credit Union credit cards come with no annual fees. Depending on the card, other card-specific benefits may include no foreign transaction fees, a 0% APR offer, balance transfers, travel insurance coverage, roadside dispatch, purchase protection, identity theft protection, and extended warranty protection.
You’re looking for a low APR card.
Both Alliant Credit Union credit cards come with highly competitive interest rates for people who have excellent credit. The Alliant Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card comes with a 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months.
"Most consumers have not heard about Alliant Credit Union, but it offers some of the highest cash back rewards for everyday spending. Since Alliant eliminated the annual fee, its cash back credit card is one of the most profitable cards available for non-bonus-category purchases."
- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com
If the two different Alliant Credit Union cards don’t seem like they would work well for you, you may want to consider looking at what other leading credit card issuers have to offer. Alternatively, you can base your search on specific types of cards such as rewards cards, travel cards, student cards and cards for people with poor credit.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
