Cash-In On Visa Rewards

January 13, 2016

The only payment card I carry is The Aggie Card, which is the USU Credit Union branded Visa Rewards Card. I use it all the time to earn Extra Awards points. I’ve even set-up our recurring household expenses to be paid from my Aggie Card so I can earn points. If you’re not using a credit union Visa card that offers Extra Awards points you’re missing out on opportunities for great perks and rewards.

For travel rewards, you can’t beat the points program for convenience and value. Fly on any airline, book any hotel, or use any car rental – when and where you want to travel – and get reimbursed for your expenses with your points. Or, choose gift cards from hundreds of retailers and restaurants. Even better, it’s all handled quick and easy through the Extra Awards portal on the credit union’s website.

I’m an iPhone user, so I’ve loaded my Aggie Card in the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Our members can load their Goldenwest and USU Credit Union Visa cards in Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay – the top three mobile wallets available on the market today.

If you haven’t made purchases with a mobile wallet, make a New Year’s resolution to do it this month. Once you realize how convenient mobile wallets can be, you won’t want to use a plastic card again. It may surprise you to learn many of our members are choosing where to shop based on retailers accepting mobile payments! And why not? Mobile wallets are more secure and convenient than paying with plastic.

As a motivator to members to load and use their Goldenwest and USU Credit Union Rewards Visa cards in Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay, we are paying double Extra Awards points on mobile wallet purchases through the first quarter of 2016. We’re also paying double points for online and recurring purchases. So if you’re shopping on Amazon or eBay, earn points by using your Goldenwest or USU Credit Union Visa Rewards card. Or, if you’re paying for your gym membership or NetFlix each month through bill pay, switch it over to your Visa Rewards card to pump up your points!

Utah State University Alumni can do even more with their Rewards Visa when they choose The Aggie Card option. A percentage of all proceeds from The Aggie Card are donated to the USU Alumni Association for student scholarships and other Alumni programs. The Aggie Card is available through USU Credit Union, which operates as a division of Goldenwest. You can get an Aggie Card at any Goldenwest or USU Credit Union branch within a matter of minutes with instant issue. If you prefer, apply for any of our Visa products over the phone or on our websites, and a card will be mailed to your home within a few days.

Last year was phenomenal for our Visa card members! We awarded more Extra Awards points than any previous year, we added Card Controls to our mobile app and launched The Aggie Card, Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay. I look forward to presenting our 2015 financial report in my next blog post, and invite you to follow me on Twitter at @GoldenwestCUCEO for the latest credit union news. Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year for you and your loved ones!