Shopping for a new credit card

wsuffa said:
If you have an IRA with them you're a member.

You do pretty much need to be a member, but membership is easy if you're a current/former military officer or you're a family member of one. Some enlisteds now qualify, too.
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I didn't know it was "officer." That REALLY shuts me out. No relative of mine would ever have been an officer.
 
Here are the "other" member requirements...

USAA's investment products, most checking and savings products, credit cards, life insurance, and shopping and discounts are available to other individuals. While auto and property insurance policies are not available due to membership eligibility requirements, we can still help.
The following products are available to other individuals:
Product Availability Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Auto insurance not available through USAA. Please call 1-888-870-8096.
  • Property insurance not available through USAA.
Banking
  • Checking and Savings
  • Checking for Teens and College Students
  • Youth Savings
  • Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
  • CD IRAs
  • Prepaid Card
  • Credit Cards
Investments All products Shopping and Discounts All products
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You can also be invited to join by a current member and I think that qualifies for all their offerings.
 
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I use MC through USAA; had a Capitol One as back up but finally dropped it. I've had a few issues where they declined purchases, but they have seemed to refine things a bit. One can pre-notify them of travel on line or by calling: it's 20 questions, but doable.
They began declining avgas purchases when the FBO wasn't entering the correct zip code. They treated it like a auto gas pump that asks you for your zip code! So, it the FBO has a problem, I give them my zip!
Some real sharpie turn down a purchase because it was too many gallons! That lead to an entry in my record that I am filling up an airplane. Sometimes, there's still a rough spot, but now there is a recording to my cell to verify by pressing a one or two.
Overall, good service and they have reward programs, no membership fees and are top rated by Consumer's Reports.
Pretty sure enlisted folks now qualify--it started with officers only years ago.

Best,

Dave
 
I've had 3 incidents with my USAA MC over the years.

1) I got a call asking if I had made any purchases of pet food in Paris, France. I said no. I was asked if I had my card in my possession. Yes, I said. Operator said, hold for a second while I cancel your card. I heard a keyclick, then the operator said "Your new card will get to you within 48 hours".

Fast forward about 2 years:

2) I got a call asking if I had made a purchase from an Apple store in San Francisco (I live just outside KC). No, I said. Again, the same keyclick, and a new card came in the mail a couple days later.

Fast forward about 3 days:

3) I had my new card, and was trying to make a purchase. I had already activated it, but apparently, since this was the first purchase on the card, the cashier had to call USAA to get it 'really' activated. Problem was, "their computers were down" and they couldn't process it for another hour. That kind of sucked, but it all worked out.

Never had any problem with buying fuel at different FBOs in different cities on the same day, but they do flag odd things pretty well.

I've used USAA for the last 30 years for car and home insurance, college savings, credit cards, ..., they are always great to talk to - you really will get someone in San Antonio, and not in any of the 'stans.
 
ScottM said:
What am I checking for? There is no link there to apply for a credit card that I can see.

Just to be clear I can become a member, I just chose not to.
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Ahh - it just says what you would qualify for as "other individual". Just call the 800 number, I guess.
 
See #3. You should have known better than to buy pet food in Paris with a brand-new card.

Matthew said:
I've had 3 incidents with my USAA MC over the years.

1) I got a call asking if I had made any purchases of pet food in Paris, France. I said no. I was asked if I had my card in my possession. Yes, I said. Operator said, hold for a second while I cancel your card. I heard a keyclick, then the operator said "Your new card will get to you within 48 hours".

Fast forward about 2 years:

2) I got a call asking if I had made a purchase from an Apple store in San Francisco (I live just outside KC). No, I said. Again, the same keyclick, and a new card came in the mail a couple days later.

Fast forward about 3 days:

3) I had my new card, and was trying to make a purchase. I had already activated it, but apparently, since this was the first purchase on the card, the cashier had to call USAA to get it 'really' activated. Problem was, "their computers were down" and they couldn't process it for another hour. That kind of sucked, but it all worked out.

Never had any problem with buying fuel at different FBOs in different cities on the same day, but they do flag odd things pretty well.

I've used USAA for the last 30 years for car and home insurance, college savings, credit cards, ..., they are always great to talk to - you really will get someone in San Antonio, and not in any of the 'stans.
Click to expand...
 
I've had a Chase MC for many many years. They're pretty tuned in to
fraud and will notice transactions far apart in a close time frame. I just
call their fraud dept ahead of time when I'll be going far away and tell
them the time frame and where I'm travelling.

RT
 
I've never had a problem with my Wells Fargo Visa. The interest rates are insane but I don't carry a balance. No rewards program.

I also have an AMEX card that I'm starting to use more and more. So far I have no complaints and like it. Of course AMEX isn't accepted at every merchant but it's rarely a problem for me.
 
Sorry this thread was closed by mistake. Back open again.
 
ScottM said:
I have had it with Capital One......
So I am in the market for a new card. ...I care not about rewards, but want a VISA of MC as Amex is not accepted everywhere.

Anyone know of any good credit products these days?
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Just curious why not consider rewards? Use the cards for everything, carry no balance, and the money really adds up. I use;
Costco Business Amex - 5% cash on gas, 3% cash on dining, 1% everything else
Schwab Visa - 2% cash on everything
(check current offers)

I like this combo as it only requires having two cards to get 2% or better on everything and the fact that one is a Visa, in case they don't take AMEX
 
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