- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- N/A
- APR
- 12.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
-
670 – 850
Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
For residents of the Washington State region, the BECU Visa* offers a simple, straightforward value with surprisingly few fees and a low introductory APR. There is no rewards program or welcome bonus, but if you’re looking to make a big purchase or pay down a balance that’s racking up interest charges, this card will buy you time to improve your finances.
As with any card featuring a low introductory APR, there’s a risk of overspending. But the BECU Visa offers inexpensive access to cash both during the introductory period, and compared to many other comparable cards, afterwards. And the lack of an annual fee, cash advance fees, balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees makes it a compelling option for eligible applicants.
And that may be the issue, as only Washington residents, students and business owners are eligible for BECU membership or credit cards, with a few exceptions for Idaho, Oregon and partner organizations.
How to Apply for the BECU Visa
Eligibility for the BECU Visa is limited. Applicants must live, work, worship or study in Washington state; live in certain counties in Oregon or Idaho; or belong to an eligible partner association. Here are the specific requirements:
- Washington: Residents, students, employees, etc. in all counties
- Oregon: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Deschutes, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill County residents
- Idaho: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone County residents
- Partner associations: Members of UW Alumni Association, WSU Alumni Association, and employees of BECU, Boeing or credit unions
If you are eligible, you can apply online or visit a BECU location for in-person applications.
Standard and intro APRs
The BECU Visa’s standard APR ranges from 10.24% to 22.24% -- a bit lower than the average credit card APR of approximately 18%. Though your specific APR is determined by your credit score and financial situation, cardholders may be rewarded with a lower APR if payments are made promptly over time.
For the first 12 months, the BECU Visa offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases (and balance transfers). This means you can finance a large purchases or put an emergency expense on your credit card without accruing interest for the first 12 months -- as long as you make all of your minimum payments on time. And if you pay off your balance in full by the end of the promotional period, you’ll avoid interest charges entirely.
Balance transfers
The 0% intro APR for the first 12 months also applies to balances transferred from another credit card. Used strategically, a balance transfer can help you avoid interest and pay off your credit card debt more quickly.
Usually, balance transfers come with an additional charge -- typically 3% to 5% of the transaction -- but this credit card has no balance transfer fee. Though its promotional 0% period last for only 12 months -- the lengthiest balance transfer credit card promotions last 21 months -- the BECU Visa may be a less expensive option if you pay off your balance within the promotional period.
Alternative cards
These cards offer longer intro APRs periods -- plus some other features to help you avoid credit card interest.
Chase Slate Edge℠
The Chase Slate Edge℠* offers 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR range will be 20.49% to 29.24%. That’s a longer introductory period than what you’ll get with the BECU Visa -- but there’s a 3% ($5 minimum) intro balance transfer fee for transfers made in the first 60 days of account opening. After that, the balance transfer fee is 5% or $5, whichever is greater.
But Chase also offers a way to decrease your APR. Each year you spend at least $1,000 on the card and make your payments on time, you qualify to get your APR reduced by 2% -- all the way down to 18.24% variable (based on a prime rate of 8.50%, plus 9.74%). That noted, the BECU card’s APR is still a bit lower -- if you have excellent credit.
For more details, see our full review of the Chase Slate Edge.
Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa® Credit Card
Union Bank has now merged with U.S. Bank. This card offer may no longer exist.
If you’re looking to minimize balance transfer fees, the Union Bank® Platinum™ Visa® Credit Card* offers a longer introductory APR than the BECU Visa and a promotional $0 balance transfer fee if you transfer your balance in the first 60 days. Because of this, its wider applicant net and longer intro APR period, this is a better credit card for most people.
You’re eligible for a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 15 months. Then, the standard APR of 11.49% and 22.99% kicks in.
How BECU Visa Credit Card compares to Chase Slate Edge℠
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- N/A
- APR
- 12.99% – 24.99% Variable
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% APR for your first 12 months
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
- Intro Offer
-
No current offer
- Annual fee
- $0
- APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 18 months
- Recommended Credit A credit score is used to indicate an applicant’s credit worthiness and may provide guidance about account eligibility. It does not necessarily guarantee approval for any financial product.
- Good – Excellent
- Rewards rate
-
N/A This card doesn’t offer cash back, miles, or points
FAQs
Cards with balance transfer fees generally offer longer timeframes for their introductory APRs -- usually 18 to 21 months or billing cycles compared to 12 to 15. If you cannot pay off your balance in the shorter timeframe, a balance transfer fee will typically be cheaper than the interest you would accrue otherwise.
Foreign transaction fees are charges on your transactions made internationally. Usually they cost 3% of each transaction. Credit cards without foreign transaction fees often offer other travel perks and rewards.
A cash advance allows you to withdraw cash against your credit limit. This is an expensive way to liquidity, however, even in cases where there are no cash advance fees. Until you pay the cash back, the borrowed amount is subject to a cash advance APR, which may be even higher than the standard APR.
*All information about the BECU Visa, Chase Slate Edge, and the Union Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
