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Because the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card has an extremely low ongoing APR on purchases and balance transfers, it may be an ideal option if you typically carry a balance on your credit card from month to month — if you can qualify for the lowest interest rate. This card also comes with minimal fees including no annual fee, balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fee or cash advance fee.
But outside of the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card being a very affordable card — you won’t get much value beyond that since there’s no rewards program. Plus, the card requires Digital Federal Credit Union membership to apply.
Low ongoing APR
According to a recent LendingTree survey, the average APR is currently around 24.71%. The DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card falls well below that amount with an APR ranging from 12.75% to 18.00% (variable). This can be ideal if you find yourself needing to carry a balance on your card from one month to the next.
With any low interest credit card, you’ll have to qualify to get the lower end of the APR range.
Limited fees
Credit cards can sometimes come with a list of fees that can quickly add up. But with the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card, you’ll get the following:
This card does have a late payment fee of up to $35. Also know that if you miss a payment, you can lose your low APR.
Protections and other perks
The DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card is a Visa card, meaning you’ll get a few Visa benefits:
Outside of Visa benefits, you’ll also get free access to your FICO score based on Equifax data each month. Plus, you’ll receive two reasons why your score is what it is.
While these benefits aren’t robust, they are reasonable for a no-annual-fee card that doesn’t offer a rewards program.
DCU membership required
To apply for the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card, you’ll need to be a member of Digital Federal Credit Union.
To be eligible, you must be related to a current DCU member, employed by or retired from a participating company, belong to an eligible organization or live, work, worship or attend school in an eligible community. You can also join a participating nonprofit for a nominal fee.
If you’re not a DCU member and don’t plan on becoming one, there are plenty of other credit card options that don’t require a membership.
No rewards program or sign-up bonus
With the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card, you won’t earn rewards on the purchases you make or a sign-up bonus. So while the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card is inexpensive to own, you won’t get much ongoing value from it.
If earning points, cash back or miles from your purchases is important to you, you may want to consider a rewards credit card instead.
No intro APR
While the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card comes with a very reasonable ongoing APR, it doesn’t offer a 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. That means you’ll pay interest on any balances you carry over from one month to another.
Limited benefits
The DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer some common card benefits, like purchase protection. However, that’s pretty typical for a $0 annual fee card with no rewards program. Most of the top credit cards with low interest rates also have limited benefits.
While it’s not common to find no-annual-fee cards without a long list of benefits, there are some that do. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has benefits like extended warranty, purchase protection, rental car insurance and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Regular APR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card*
|
$0 | N/A | 12.75% to 18.00% (variable) | ||
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
 Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
$0 | 1.5% - 5% cash back
| 18.99% - 28.49% Variable |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
BankAmericard® credit card*
|
$0 | N/A | 15.24% - 25.24% Variable APR | ||
Citi Custom Cash® Card*
|
$0 | 1% - 5% cash back
| 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also offers an interest-free period on purchases and balances for more than a year. After that, a 18.99% - 28.49% Variable APR kicks in. Plus, you’ll get a long list of purchase protection and travel perks that are rare to find with a no-annual-fee card.
There’s a long intro APR for purchases and balance transfers, but a balance transfer fee applies with this offer; 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. If you use this card abroad, a foreign transaction fee of 3% applies.
If you’re looking for a card that offers the possibility of a very low APR on purchases and balance transfers, along with limited fees, the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card could be a good fit. But if you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases, finance a large purchase or transfer an existing balance, there are better choices out there.
The information related to the DCU Visa® Platinum Credit Card, BankAmericard® credit card and Citi Custom Cash® Card has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
