Navy Federal Credit Union Revamps Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Credit Card
Navy Federal Credit Union has announced a comprehensive upgrade to its Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Credit Card. Beginning today, the card will earn 3x points in a rather generous travel and entertainment category and 2x points on all other purchases. Each point is worth 1 cent regardless of the way the points are redeemed.
In order to qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union membership, you can be active duty, a veteran, National Guard, DOD contractor or civilian, retired from any of those positions or be within two generations of any of those individuals.
Sign-Up Bonus
The revamped Flagship Rewards card is offering 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That's $500 worth of cash, travel or gift cards. The card has a $49 annual fee, which is waived for the first year if you sign up for the card by Dec. 31, 2018.
Reward Structure
Navy Fed is making its 3x travel category almost as inclusive as possible. The following purchases are specifically defined as travel by the bank:
Airline and train tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, travel agencies, cruises, campgrounds and RV parks, timeshares, boat rentals, motor home rentals and travel related arrangement services, ride-sharing services, bridges, tolls and ferries, parking garages and lots, bus lines, limos and taxis, commuter transport, passenger railways, public golf courses, amusement parks and tourist attractions including museums, vineyards and aquariums.
You'll earn 2x on all other spend, equating to a minimum of 2% cash back on all purchases. There's no cap to the rewards you can earn, and points don't expire as long as your account is open.
Ancillary Benefits
As a Visa Signature, the Flagship Rewards card carries many of the same ancillary benefits you're probably familiar with, such as extended warranty, lost baggage reimbursement, secondary auto rental collision damage coverage and travel accident insurance. You can read the details of exactly what's covered in the Flagship Rewards benefit guide (warning: PDF file).
Standout features of the enhanced card is a $100 statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA Precheck registration fee. The card also carries a modest cell phone protection policy covering $250 per claim after a $50 deductible for up to three phones owned by the cardholder. Those aren't groundbreaking benefits, but they're very competitive for a $49 annual fee card.
Lastly, Navy Fed has a fairly handy benefits portal which lists all the protections, travel, entertainment and shopping perks of the card. Benefits of note are access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, 15% off Silvercar rentals, 10% off best available rates at Preferred Hotels & Resorts and some fairly attractive cruise benefits like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities.
Bottom Line
A $500 sign-up bonus, 3% cash back across a broad travel and entertainment category and 2% cash back on all other spend is generous. What takes the card a step above the competition is receiving all this for a $49 annual fee, which you don't even have to pay in the first year. The card can't provide the outsized value possible with transferable bank points, but if you're after maximum cash back and some nice travel perks for next to nothing, this card is probably worth evaluating for your next application. You can apply for the card and membership in the credit union at the Navy Federal Credit Union website.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.