5 Things to Know About the Navy Federal cashRewards Card

If you're looking for straightforward rewards, the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Credit Card is appealing.
Kimberly Palmer
Robin Saks Frankel
By Robin Saks Frankel and  Kimberly Palmer 
Updated
Edited by Claire Tsosie
nfcu-cashrewards-5-things-to-know

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If you have average credit — generally defined as FICO scores between 630 and 689 — and are eligible to apply for it, the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card is a great deal: It offers a solid rewards rate of up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases, if you qualify, for an annual fee of $0. That beats what most other credit cards for average credit offer.

Navy Federal Credit Union Cashrewards Credit Card
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You have to be a member of Navy Federal Credit Union to apply; eligibility for membership is generally restricted to those who are current or former members of the military, immediate family members of service members and veterans, or civilians who work with the Department of Defense.

Here are five things to know about the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card.

1. It earns up to 1.75% cash back

The card offers either a straightforward rewards rate of 1.5% back on everything you purchase, or up to 1.75% if you open a bank account with Navy Federal and set up direct deposits. Even the base rate is decent and it’s in line with the industry standard for cards in this class.

It's hard to find a card for average credit with a similar rewards rate and no annual fee. The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example — also for average credit — offers 1.5% cash back on purchases but comes with an annual fee of $39. You might also want to consider the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card, which offers 1.5% cash back after 12 months of on-time monthly payments and an annual fee of $0. Petal's cards are issued by WebBank.

2. You could get a lucrative sign-up bonus

It's rare to find a sign-up bonus on a credit card for average credit. But with the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card, you could potentially snag a bonus worth $200 or more. Here's what the card is currently offering: Earn $300 cash back when you spend $3,000 within 90 days of account opening. Expires on Apr. 30, 2024.

3. You can choose between a Visa or Mastercard version

In most cases, when you apply for a credit card, you're choosing the issuing bank and a specific card offered by that bank — but the payment network typically isn't a choice.

The Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card is a little different, as it lets you pick either a Visa or a Mastercard version during the application process.

Both come with perks and features that are similar but not identical, so it's worth comparing before making your pick.

4. It's light on fees

The card has an annual fee of $0, so it won't cost you anything to carry. It also doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it's a good choice for use overseas. There are no balance transfer fees, either.

5. It comes with rental car coverage

The card comes with secondary rental car coverage, a handy side perk. You’ll get the rental car coverage when you rent an eligible car for 15 days or less and decline the collision damage waiver at the front desk. To qualify, you'll need to pay for the car rental with the Navy Federal Credit Union® cashRewards Credit Card.

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