Still not as good as my grandfathered Priceline 3.33% everywhere, or USB AR, which is 4.5% everywhere, if using mobile payment, which is almost everywhere.

Perhaps for you. I'm only interested in cash back. I have no interest in "points". Nor do I want to only use my rewards for travel. And I have no interest in paying an annual fee. I'll stick with my AOD. 3% CB, no annual fee.

USB AR will be more effective if you spend $5k per year or more and don't receive any retention bonus. I definitely spend more than $5k per year on that card, which Priceline being a backup. There was another card which offered 3% on everything in the past, JCB Marukai, but it was a bit convoluted, not accepted everywhere, and is now discontinued. I'd like to have 3% on everything card, in case Priceline card goes bust, but so far it was good, I have it since 2012.

Also planning to cancel Amex Gold coupon book, which I primarily use for groceries, because of Amex harsh MS policies, and too much hassle with "coupons". I have a few Citi Custom Cash cards, which I MS every month, and also have Citi Premier. Not sure if I'd like to get Amex EDP, since it's only up to $6k per year, and I'll tend to MS it, while Citi Premier is unlimited, and this what I'll most likely use for groceries. Another possibility is USB AR, which I also have, but I prefer TYP over cashback.

3% on everything is great and I am so stoked about my recent AOD FCU card. But, yeah, it may end at any time. :scared:

The JCB Marukai had a $15 AF and a $10 annual membership, so not quite 3%.

Edit - I think the JCB was 1% for the first $1k spend in a year, 2% for the second, then 3% after the third. Not a true 3% card for sure.

Back on topic. Don't forget, if you have a 5% credit card for a store that sells gift cards, specifically grocery gift cards in this case, you can get 5% off the grocery gift card. I didn't see any Target grocery gift cards, but I do see a few at Amazon, if you have the 5% Amazon card.

<crud, I guess I can't post links yet, bummer>

There was no membership last few years, so just $15 AF, they were also giving spend bonuses, if you spend $5k per year, you were getting $50, also $15 after spending $1k. So after spending $5k you were getting $160 total, which equates to 3.2%. The problem was that they counted your cashback per each $100 per month, so if you've spent $99 you were getting nothing for that month.

Did you get the credit card without being a member of the credit union first? And if you need to be a member of a credit union, did you qualify for one of their membership criteria?

The same question - how one can become a member of that CU?

Absolutely not. You first and foremost need to be a CU member of AOD before they'll even consider you for any product. I applied for both CU membership and the Sig Visa at the same time but they take it in order - Membership first.

Look at their list of membership qualifications. You'll see dozens and dozens and dozens of AL affiliates (I'm in CA). Well, you'll also see about 4 ("backdoor") 'clubs'. Two are out right away (Corvette Club, I forget the other). The other (a jogging club, I think) is too pricey. The 4th? A biking club/association. Sign up for $5 / month (you can cancel after you get your membership/card). I chose the National sponsorship (as opposed to local AL or local to me (Murrieta CA)). It worked. :)

Good luck.

Hey, thanks for write-up. I definitely don't like to leave an impression to be spoonfed, just want to confirm that I correctly understand you. I did search for keywords 'club', 'bik', 'associ' but from the list at https://www.aodfcu.com/select-employer-groups/ don't see any with $5/mo membership. I even googled 'Murrieta ca biking club' to get some clue but no aval.

What was the name of of the club for $5/mo membership?

Try searching on the word "Bicycle" instead....

It's a tad confusing. In the link you provided, search for bicycle. This will come up: 'Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association'. Click the link 'Visit Website'. It will take you to NEABA (Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association). Then click the Join circle button. It takes you to IMBA (International Bicycling Association). This is where you will join. Change yearly to monthly (though some people do choose the $39 yearly. I chose the $5 monthly. Some people have been lucky and got away with a one time $5 but I thought it would look better to select 'Auto Renew'. But then you can cancel after you get AOD membership. I am not sure which chapter most select but, as I said, I chose the National chapter. Good luck.

I tried - CU asks for loan reference! I only chose CC. My credit score is good.
What do I do?

They asked for a loan reference when you tried to join the CU? What have you done so far? Did you obtain bicycle club membership? You applied for CU membership and Visa sig at the same time?

What you could do is just apply for CU membership. Get in the door, chill a little, and then apply for the credit card.

Thanks - you guys rock. I did obtain Bicycle club membership. BTW, I even forgot that I started this thread!

I cancelled and then applied for membership - will they again ask for Loan ref when I apply for the CC?