Kimberly Shearer is a credit cards enthusiast, family travel blogger and mom of three boys who lives in the Philadelphia area. She is an extreme couponer turned points and miles enthusiast who loves using credit card points to spoil her family on nea.
Kimberly Shearer Credit Cards WriterKimberly Shearer is a credit cards enthusiast, family travel blogger and mom of three boys who lives in the Philadelphia area. She is an extreme couponer turned points and miles enthusiast who loves using credit card points to spoil her family on nea.
Written By Kimberly Shearer Credit Cards WriterKimberly Shearer is a credit cards enthusiast, family travel blogger and mom of three boys who lives in the Philadelphia area. She is an extreme couponer turned points and miles enthusiast who loves using credit card points to spoil her family on nea.
Kimberly Shearer Credit Cards WriterKimberly Shearer is a credit cards enthusiast, family travel blogger and mom of three boys who lives in the Philadelphia area. She is an extreme couponer turned points and miles enthusiast who loves using credit card points to spoil her family on nea.
Credit Cards Writer Caroline Lupini Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel RewardsCaroline Lupini has been traveling the world with the help of credit card rewards since 2011. She has visited over 110 countries and is able to utilize her knowledge of credit cards and to make travel both less expensive and more luxurious. Caroline.
Caroline Lupini Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel RewardsCaroline Lupini has been traveling the world with the help of credit card rewards since 2011. She has visited over 110 countries and is able to utilize her knowledge of credit cards and to make travel both less expensive and more luxurious. Caroline.
Caroline Lupini Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel RewardsCaroline Lupini has been traveling the world with the help of credit card rewards since 2011. She has visited over 110 countries and is able to utilize her knowledge of credit cards and to make travel both less expensive and more luxurious. Caroline.
Caroline Lupini Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel RewardsCaroline Lupini has been traveling the world with the help of credit card rewards since 2011. She has visited over 110 countries and is able to utilize her knowledge of credit cards and to make travel both less expensive and more luxurious. Caroline.
| Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards
Updated: Aug 28, 2024, 12:35pm
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There’s not much to the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * , other than its relatively low 13.75% - 18.00% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers and lack of annual fees, balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We don’t recommend carrying a balance with a credit card, but for those who qualify for the low end of this range, this card is a better option than one with higher double-digit interest charges. One caveat: You need to be a member of DCU credit union to apply for the card. But even if you are, there are more rewarding options elsewhere.
DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * Welcome Bonus Annual Fee Regular APR 13.75% - 18.00% variable Credit Score Good/ExcellentCredit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
We love to see numbers as low as the low end of the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * ’s standard APR range of 13.75% - 18.00% variable. This low rate and its lack of fees make this card an option for someone who must carry a balance for a little while. The card has no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, no foreign transaction fees and no cash advance fees. It does charge a late fee of up to $35 per occurrence.
The card lacks rich rewards or other perks like those offered by other cards. However, those cards tend to come with annual fees and higher APR ranges, making them a more expensive choice for those who carry a balance compared to the DCU Platinum Visa. Even still, you can choose from many no-annual-fee credit cards that still manage to have perks and benefits like rewards, cash back or category bonuses.
Perhaps the biggest drawback to the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * is that it’s only available to DCU credit union members. To become a DCU member, applicants must have some connection with the credit union. Family members, employers, communities and associations or residence in a particular geographic area all qualify, but note that many options are based in New Hampshire or Massachusetts.
Why you can trust Forbes Advisor
Our credit card editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers–only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card On Chase Bank USA, NA's Website Welcome Bonus 60,000 bonus points Annual Fee Credit Score Excellent, Good Regular APR 21.49%-28.49% VariableCredit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students On Bank of America's Website Welcome Bonus Annual Fee Credit Score Excellent/Good Regular APR 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfersCredit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Among low-rate cards, the Discover it® Cash Back does fairly well for those who qualify with its 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and eligible balance transfers. Then, a standard rate of 18.24% - 28.24% variable applies. A balance transfer fee of up to 5% of the amount transferred applies. While not the most impressive, the Discover it® Cash Back does earn rewards of 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter up to a quarterly maximum of $1,500 in spending when activated. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically. And, Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year as a cardmember. There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
For those with good credit who might qualify for the low end of a card’s APR range, the Discover it® Cash Back offers rewards for your spending, making it a more valuable option than the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * .
Similar to the DCU Visa Platinum, the USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card, doesn’t charge an annual fee, foreign transaction fees or earn rewards (rates & fees). But unlike the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * , the USAA Rate Advantage card does charge 5% of the amount of each balance transfer and convenience check.
The card also offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers in the first 90 days, followed by an ongoing variable APR of 12.15% to 26.15% on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer applies. What gives the USAA Rate Advantage card an edge over the DCU card are perks like extended warranty protection, auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and baggage delay and reimbursement coverage.
Like DCU, USAA® also requires a membership to apply for its credit cards—but it’s only open to current and former military service members, their spouses and children of existing members.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, after that a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies. There's a 3% balance transfer fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4%.
The card also earns rewards of 3% cash back in the category of choice and an automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Bonus earning is limited to the first $2,500 in the 3% and 2% categories combined each quarter. Earn an unlimited 1% on all other purchases. Compared to the DCU Visa Platinum, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students simply has more to offer those seeking a card with minimal fees. No membership is required, and it’s a better option for those who need to carry a balance thanks to the introductory APR offer.
There are other cards we recommend over the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card * . If you want a low rate, explore one of several cards capable of delivering rewards, low intro APR periods and other benefits for cardholders.