Getting a credit card is a step I have always deemed imperative in my life. Apart from improving my creditworthiness, I find that a credit card helps me transfer existing balances without any difficulty. It also gives other exciting perks and privileges depending on the financial institution I have applied for.
One of the top things that I look for in credit cards is getting a low-interest rate and even more enticing perks. This is where credit unions such as Affinity Plus Federal Union, and by extension, its Affinity Plus credit card come in.
I believe the Affinity Plus credit card comes with generous offerings and irresistible features that are not only great for beginners but also for newbies who are interested in handling their finances well. Learn how to apply for this card in this article.
- What Is an Affinity Plus Credit Card?
- Get to Know the Card’s Features and Benefits
- Learn How to Apply for an Affinity Plus Credit Card
- Fees and Rates That Come with the Affinity Plus Credit Card
- Managing the Affinity Plus Credit Card
What Is an Affinity Plus Credit Card?
The Affinity Plus credit card is offered by the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. It specializes in providing residents and citizens in the state of Minnesota access to a varied range of banking products and services including credit cards, savings accounts, loans, and the like.
As of writing, I discovered that the credit union is currently offering two different types of Affinity Plus credit cards. These are the Visa Premier Classic credit card and the Visa Premier Select Rewards card. From its name alone, it can safely be said that both of these cards are powered by Visa.
Who the Card Is For
Deciding between the two cards offered by the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union can be challenging, especially when you don’t know where to start off. I am here to tell you more about these two.
For individuals who are new to credit and who would like to establish good credit, I believe that the Visa Premier Classic credit card is the best way to go. It is designed for those who want a competitive yet low APR credit card.
Meanwhile, I believe that the Visa Premier Select Rewards credit card is geared toward individuals who want to earn rewards as they spend. This is a more premium credit card that has a higher credit limit and cashback options as well.
Get to Know the Card’s Features and Benefits
Many individuals do not exactly have the best credit score or best financial standing out there. As such, I want to stick with the basics and highlight what the Affinity Plus Visa Premier Classic credit card can offer, particularly for those who want to establish good credit.
One of the features I find great about the Visa Premier Classic credit card is that it has a low APR. This is perfect for me and others who are in the same state and want to manage finances well. In addition, there are also no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees levied on this particular card.
To complement this, I appreciate that the financial institution goes to great lengths to ensure that I build my credit by foregoing surprise penalties. Even when I make late payments or go over the $500 minimum credit line, it gives me peace of mind knowing my interest rate won’t just go up.
Best of all, I can say goodbye to balance transfer fees. I can save a ton of money from paying off interest charges on my credit card with a higher value since the Visa Premier Classic credit card allows me to transfer balances just about any time.
Other Affinity Plus Card Benefits and Privileges
With this particular card under Visa, I feel more at ease knowing I can purchase the things I need without having to worry about fraudulent transactions. This card is protected by the Zero Liability Policy in any case that fraudulent transactions are made on my card.
Alongside this, I am also thankful that there is real-time fraud monitoring campaigns and alerts done round the clock to keep me in the loop about the safety and security of my Affinity Plus credit card. I find it worth noting that Affinity Plus also offers two free annual credit checks. This becomes favorable to me since it can help my credit score go up and my corresponding interest rate goes down as well.
What’s more, should I have all of my accounts in good standing, I may be given the chance to skip up to three payments via the Skip a Pay program by Affinity Plus. This means that I would not have to pay my credit statement for the said date.
Learn How to Apply for an Affinity Plus Credit Card
I loved that the application form for the Affinity Plus credit card can be filled out and done online via the Affinity Plus website. All I needed to do was answer some questions, mainly about my membership with Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, the type of credit card I’m applying for, and the credit amount I wish to have.
After answering the said questions, I provided some personal details. These included my citizenship details, email address, name, date of birth, Social Security number, identification type, ID number, address, and telephone number.
I also provided some details surrounding my income and employment. These touched on details such as my employer, the position I hold, how many years I’ve worked at the company, as well as my gross income, and its frequency.
After I have submitted my application, the credit union will let me know I have been preapproved for my target credit card. If approved, I can get a minimum credit limit of $500 and this can go up depending on my creditworthiness and other necessary information.
Requirements and Qualifications
Before I get to enjoy the perks, I needed to become a member of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. I can apply for a membership at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, provided I am already preapproved for my desired credit card. I discovered that the eligibility requirements mainly revolved around the applicant being a citizen or resident in the state of Minnesota.
Meanwhile, I believe that those who are studying or working in Minnesota may also apply for a membership and get a credit card from the institution. I belong to neither of these categories, which is why Affinity Plus makes it easier for me to join through relatives or roommates who are either members or are eligible for the program.
If I don’t want to go through any of these, I can just make a one-time payment of $25 to the Affinity Plus Foundation and use this as my contribution. This is said to go a long way in changing the lives of Minnesotan communities. Besides these, having my Social Security number and a government-issued photo ID is essential. I also need a means to fund my account, whether a credit or debit card or a bank account.
Fees and Rates That Come with the Affinity Plus Credit Card
There are fees and charges that come with having an Affinity Plus credit card. Before applying for a card, I believe that getting to know these fees will help me become aware of what I am in for and make me more responsible in dealing with my finances.
In addition to being aware of these fees and rates, I also think that I can help myself avoid incurring these and racking up more charges, allowing me to get good credit over time. Check out what these corresponding fees are below for its Visa Premier Classic offering.
- APR – ranges from 8.40%, 10.40%, 12.40%, 15.40%, or 18.00% (depending on the applicant’s credit history)
- Annual Fee – None
- Application Fee – None
- Balance Transfer Fee – None
- Cash Advance Fee – $2 or 2% of the amount advanced, whichever is higher (maximum payment of $99)
- Foreign Transaction Fee – None
- Late Payment Fee – up to $15 if minimum payment required is not addressed by the due date
- Overlimit Charge – None
- Returned Payment Charge – up to $20
Also Read: How to Apply for a Capital One Credit Card
Managing the Affinity Plus Credit Card
There are various ways I can manage my Affinity Plus credit card well. I can use both online and mobile banking to keep tabs not only on my transactions but also to make easier and more convenient payments.
Speaking of mobile banking, I discovered that Affinity Plus has a mobile app that I can download. This can be installed through the Google Play Store for Android users and the App Store for iOS users.
On top of tracking purchases and making payments, I find that the mobile app also gives me access to card controls, my credit score and my full credit report, daily credit monitoring for fraud protection, and more. I can even open and apply for a credit card using this very app.
Getting in Touch with the Bank
For those who have questions about the Affinity Plus credit card, I find it quite easy to reach out to Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. I can contact them at (800) 322-7288. I can also chat with a live agent or set up a video call to address my concerns.
Alternatively, I can also make an appointment to visit them at their head office located at 175 West Lafayette, Frontage Road, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 USA.
The Bottom Line
Applying for an Affinity Plus credit card is now within reach with this nifty guide. I believe that with its low-interest rate and balance transfer offer, alongside other benefits, its Visa Premier Classic credit card is a great starter credit card for individuals who want to build credit over time.
Disclaimer: There are risks involved when applying for and using credit cards. Ensure you consult the bank’s terms and conditions page before agreeing to anything.
References
Affinity Plus credit card –
Visa® Credit Cards | Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Affinity Plus Visa Premier Classic credit card –
Visa® Premier Classic Credit Card | Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
Affinity Plus website – Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Loan Application – Loan Information
App Store –
Affinity Plus Mobile Banking on the App Store