Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card review: A standout flat-rate card for credit union members

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card: Overview

The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card offers a significant cash back rate of 2.5% on all purchases up to $10,000 per billing cycle to cardholders who also have a High-Rate Checking account. This flat-rate cash back is available without any rotating categories or sign-ups required, making it straightforward and hassle-free. Cardholders earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases thereafter. (Those who do not have a companion checking account earn 1.5% back on all purchases.) 

This card also comes with additional perks and features, such as a comprehensive suite of Visa Signature benefits. These include rental car coverage, travel accident insurance, and purchase protection. Customer service and security features are also notable, with around-the-clock fraud monitoring and identity theft protection. The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card has no annual fee, and the lack of foreign transaction fees makes it a good choice for international travelers.

Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card: Rewards

Alliant offers two tiers of cash back rewards on this card:

Tier 1 rewards

• 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle
• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases

To qualify for Tier 1 rewards, the primary cardholder must have an Alliant High-Rate Checking account and meet the following requirements each calendar month:

• Opt in to receive eStatements; and
• At least one electronic deposit posted to the account each calendar month (direct deposit, ATM deposit, mobile check deposit or transfer from another financial institution); and
• Maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 or more

Note: New cardholders will automatically earn Tier One rewards for the first 100 days after card approval.

Tier 2 rewards

• Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualifying eligible purchases

How to redeem Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card rewards

Redeeming cash back rewards is simple: You can choose to receive cash back via a credit card statement credit (which will appear within one billing cycle) or as a deposit into your Alliant checking or savings account.

Additional benefits

In addition to cash back, the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card comes with several other benefits, including:

• Personal identity theft protection: Get reimbursed up to $5,000 for covered expenses you incur to restore your identity as a result of a covered stolen identity event. 
• Purchase security: New retail purchases made with your eligible Visa Signature card and/or rewards program associated with your covered Signature account are protected against theft or damage within the first 90 days from the date of purchase. 
• Travel accident insurance: You and your dependents become covered automatically when the entire fare is charged to your covered Visa Signature card account. 
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: This coverage eliminates the need to pay for the collision damage waiver or similar provision provided by commercial auto rental companies on most passenger vehicles. Coverage applies when you use your Alliant Visa Signature card to pay for the rental.
• Roadside dispatch: Get 24-hour access to roadside assistance via a toll-free number. 
• ID navigator powered by NortonLifeLock™: Stay informed and know what to do when your identity is threatened with this service that helps provide you with tools so you can act quickly should the unexpected happen.
• Extended warranty protection: This doubles the term of your eligible U.S. manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less; for warranties of less than one year, the term is doubled; for warranties of one year or more an additional year of coverage is provided.

Credit cards similar to the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card

If you’re interested in applying for a cash back credit card, it’s a good idea to compare a few options.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card	Chase Freedom Unlimited®	Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Annual fee	Annual fee	Annual fee
$0	$0	$0
Rewards	Rewards	Rewards
2.5% cash back on all purchases (on up to $10,000 in qualifying purchases each billing cycle, then 1.5%) with a qualifying Tier One Rewards status each quarter unlimited 1.5% cash back with Tier Two Rewards status	6.5% cash back on combined gas station & grocery store offer purchases (not including Target or Walmart) on up to $12,000 spent in the first year 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service	2% cash rewards on purchases
Welcome bonus	Welcome bonus	Welcome bonus
None	Earn an additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back	$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months
Our Take	Our Take	Our Take
This card offers a virtually unmatched flat rewards rate (up to the monthly spending cap) for cardholders who qualify for Tier 1 rewards. Assuming you’re willing to maintain the requisite average balance in an Alliant High-Rate Checking account and check off the other Tier 1 requirements, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card is a strong choice for a no-annual-fee credit card.	The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card is a well-rounded rewards card, offering generous cash-back earnings in a variety of categories. The $0 annual fee and an introductory 15-month 0% APR (19.74%—28.49% variable APR afterwards) make this card particularly attractive to budget-conscious cardholders.	The Active Cash is as simple as it gets with 2% cash back on all purchases. It topped our list of cash-back cards for this and its other perks, including cell phone protection and an intro 0% APR offer.
	Learn more at Cardratings.com	Read our review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card vs. the Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Card and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are both strong cash back options, but they cater to different spending habits. The Alliant Cashback Visa offers up to 2.5% cash back on purchases if you maintain an Alliant High-Rate Checking account with a $1,000 average daily balance, making it ideal for those who can meet these requirements. In contrast, the Chase Freedom Unlimited provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with enhanced rates of 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ and 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service. It also features a generous introductory bonus of additional 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back.

Wells Fargo Attune℠ Card vs. Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card

If you’re looking for a cash back card with a competitive flat rate and no rotating categories to worry about, you might want to consider the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card. This card offers an unlimited 2% cash back, which may be a better fit if you’re not interested in joining Alliant or don’t qualify for membership. Also, unlike the Alliant Cashback card, the Well Fargo Active Cash card offers a welcome bonus and an introductory 0% APR to new cardholders. 

Is the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature right for you?

The Alliant Cashback Visa Signature Card is an excellent cash back card with one of the highest flat rates available today. However, you must become a member of the credit union to apply, which means it won’t be the right fit for every one.

Frequently asked questions

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Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.