Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card Review: Is It Worth It?

For someone looking for a credit-union-issued credit card that offers a low ongoing APR with a $0 annual fee, the Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card might be worth considering.

However, membership in Wings Credit Union is required to apply for the card, and it lacks attractive credit card features like introductory 0% APR rates on new purchases and/or balance transfers, cash back or travel rewards or a sign-up bonus.

Numerous other credit cards offer these types of benefits, making them more valuable to you than the Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card.

• Low ongoing APR

  Although the Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card doesn’t offer any intro APRs for purchases and balance transfers, it does have a low ongoing APR. It charges a 12.90% to 18.00% variable APR on new purchases and a 12.90% to 18.00% variable APR APR on balance transfers.

  We always recommend paying your credit card balance in full — but if you can’t get a balance transfer credit card with a 0% intro offer, this card can help you save on interest.

• No annual fee

  The Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card helps you keep more money in your bank account, as it charges a $0 annual fee.

• No foreign transaction fee

  When you take the Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card on your travels abroad, you won’t have to worry about spending more: It has no foreign transaction fees.

• Visa cardholder perks

  Cardholders can access premium Visa benefits on purchases, auto rentals and online payments. One notable benefit is the auto rental collision damage waiver on rentals charged to your Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card. If you decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you’ll get car rental coverage for theft or damage of your rental vehicle.

  → Find the best credit cards for car rentals

• No intro APRs

  The Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card no longer offers an intro APR on new purchases or balance transfers. As such, you’ll pay a 12.90% to 18.00% variable APR on both your purchases and balance transfers.

  While these rates are significantly below the average credit card rate of 24.71%, if you need to finance a large purchase, look for a credit card with a 0% intro offer to get the most savings.

• No rewards program

  Although Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card ownership has a few perks, it’s not a rewards credit card and lacks ongoing value.

• Must join the credit union

  The Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card is issued by Wings Credit Union, serving consumers in the aviation industry. There are multiple paths to membership if you or an immediate family member have aviation connections. However, with a small donation, anyone can become a member.

  Ways to become a Wings Credit Union member

  1. You or an immediate family member lives or works in:

  • • • An eligible Minnesota or Wisconsin county
      • The Seattle-Tacoma, Wash. metro area
      • The Detroit, Mich. metro area
      • The Orlando, Fla. metro area
      • The Atlanta, Ga. metro area

  2. You or an immediate family member are employees of:

  • • • Airlines
      • Government agencies working with the aviation industry
      • Airports directly with air freight, air courier or air transportation

  3. An immediate family member is a current Wings member.

  4. You make a nonrefundable donation of at least $5 to the Wings Financial Foundation.

Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card vs. Citi Simplicity^® Card

If you have a large amount of credit card debt the Citi Simplicity^® Card might be a good choice. It offers a 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers, then 18.49% - 29.24% (Variable) — this means you’ll have nearly two years to pay it off without adding a cent of interest to the balance. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).

However, the Citi Simplicity^® Card doesn’t offer a rewards program — and with a potentially high ongoing APR, it may not be one to keep in your wallet long-term.

Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card

The Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card is a good choice for financing large purchases or doing a balance transfer. You’ll pay 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening , and then an 17.49%, 23.99%, or 29.24% Variable APR applies.

Like the Citi Simplicity^® Card , the Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card offers a long 0% intro APR on balance transfers. While the Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card doesn’t offer a rewards program, cardholders receive up to $600 in cell phone protection against damage or theft (subject to a $25 deductible).

Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card vs. Citi Double Cash^® Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card is a standout card for both balance transfers and cash back rewards. You can focus on paying down debt as you get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable).

The rewards program offers ongoing value, long after your balance transfer is paid off. Plus, the Citi Double Cash^® Card offers a solid rate of cash back — it’s unique, because you earn 1% cash back when you make a purchase and the other 1% when you pay it off.

Since the Wings Visa Platinum Credit Card lacks the main features consumers generally look for — intro APRs on purchases or balance transfers and rewards programs — it’s best to consider a card with the features you’re looking for.

If you need a balance transfer and are simply looking for the longest intro period, the Citi Simplicity^® Card or Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card may be your best choices. The Wells Fargo Reflect^® Card also has a long intro APR on new purchases, so it would be helpful if you need to finance a large purchase. But if you’re looking for a card that offers cash back, even with a slightly shorter intro APR on balance transfers, consider the Citi Double Cash^® Card.