This means you will typically receive excellent customer service and much more flexibility in terms of payments, because credit unions aim to support their customers and help them maintain financial stability.Ĭredit unions are local institutions that try to connect with a community, those who work for certain companies or have some specific mutual connection. One of the biggest advantages of credit unions is their focus on customers’ experiences. Customer service will likely be excellent These cash back rates can put some popular rewards cards from major banks to shame. But besides rewarding you for Amazon and book shopping, the card also offers 2% back at supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations and for eligible streaming and ride-sharing services, as well as 1% back on everything else. If my spending stays the same, I’ll have earned over $200 in cash back with the Affinity Cash Rewards by my first-year card anniversary just in these two categories. I also spend about $2,000 on books annually. Last year, I spent $2,168 on Amazon (I’m excluding grocery orders since I use the American Express® Gold Card for that). This is an outrageously generous cash back rate, there’s no annual fee and no Prime membership is required. Imagine how excited I was when I got this card. Except for books, I do virtually all my shopping on Amazon. The Affinity Cash Rewards earns 5% back at bookstores, including (on up to $3,500 per month in purchases made at Amazon). What I got was more than just a great card for bookstores – it was the perfect finishing touch to my credit card strategy. I came across it while shopping for a credit card that would reward me for spending in bookstores (since being a bookworm can be an expensive hobby). Take the Affinity Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card that I have. Still, if you like to earn cash back as much as I do, you may be surprised how much value credit union cards can provide. Of course, a credit union card isn’t likely to offer you premium benefits like airport lounge access or hundreds of dollars in statement credits. It’s a misconception that only banks with large resources can offer generous credit card rewards and that credit unions can’t compete. In fact, although 45% of traditional bank credit cards come with annual fees, only 10% of credit union credit cards do. Because of that, you may get lower interest rates as well as lower fees.Īnnual fees, foreign transaction fees and late fees are also lower at a credit union versus a traditional bank. The fees and interest rates tend to be lowerĬredit unions are member-owned nonprofit organizations, and the entire system works slightly differently from banks. The list of pros regarding credit union credit cards is long – see if any or all are appealing to you.