Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card Review

It’s not unusual for a flat-rate cash back credit card to offer 1.5% back, or even 2% back, for every $1 spent. But 2.5% cash back? That’s an exceptional rewards rate – and if that appeals to you, you may want to consider the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card.

No card is perfect, and this one is no exception. Drawbacks include qualifying for an Alliant Credit Union membership, no sign-up bonus and a few requirements that stand in the way of earning 2.5% cash back. There are workarounds for the membership and the requirements may be doable for some. Read on to learn more about Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card and see if it’s right for you.

• Exceptional cashback rate

  You can earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000). After that, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back, which is still quite good.

• Doesn't charge an annual fee

  With an annual fee of $0, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card will help keep more money in your pocket.

• No foreign transaction fee

  While this isn’t a travel card, it’s one you can take with you when business or pleasure takes you outside of the United States because when it comes to foreign transaction fees, there are $0. Additionally, as a Visa Signature card, it offers a number of benefits, including travel and purchase protections, from Visa.

• Low APR for those who qualify

  While paying interest negates any cash back earned, an emergency may make it necessary to carry a balance. It’s good to know that the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card has a regular APR that’s on the lower end of the spectrum – 17.49% to 27.49% (variable).

• 2.5% cash back comes with a catch

  Being approved for the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card doesn’t mean that you automatically earn 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 in purchases each billing cycle. You first need to qualify for “Tier One” rewards which is the 2.5% rate. Others qualify for “Tier Two” rewards, which give you 1.5% cash back.

  Qualifying for the higher rate is achievable by doing a few things:

  • Open an Alliant High-Rate Checking account.
  • Sign up for eStatements.
  • Have at least one posted electronic deposit monthly.
  • Maintain an average daily balance in your checking account of $1,000 or more each month.
  New cardholders automatically earn Tier One rewards for the first 100 days after card approval.

• No sign-up bonus

  Many cash back credit cards come with a sign-up bonus if you meet a certain spending target within the first few months of card ownership. These can be a big help if you’re looking to take advantage of such an offer to offset the cost of a large purchase. Unfortunately, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus.

• You must join a credit union

  The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is issued by Alliant Credit Union, which has corporate headquarters in Chicago but is a digital credit union. Membership is available to those who work for or are retired from an Alliant partner; a domestic partner or immediate family of an Alliant member; or if you live or work in one of Alliant’s eligible communities.

  However, there’s a workaround that opens up membership to anyone. You can join Foster Care to Success (FC2S) and Alliant will pay the $5 membership fee on your behalf. Now you’re qualified for membership.

• Lacks a 0% intro APR

  This is not the card to choose if you need to finance a large purchase or make a balance transfer with a 0% APR credit card. With the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card you will pay the regular 17.49% to 27.49% (variable) from day one.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card vs. Citi Double Cash^® Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card comes with not only a sign-up bonus but also you earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.

The card has a $0 annual fee and offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers. After, a 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) applies. Unlike the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card, there’s no credit union to join, nor cap on what you earn.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card vs. Citi Custom Cash^® Card

For those who don’t mind a more complex rewards program, or if you mainly use your credit card to make one type of product like gas or groceries, the $0 annual fee Citi Custom Cash^® Card may be for you. You can earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.

The card comes with a sign-up bonus and the following intro offers: 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases, then an APR of 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) and 0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers, then an APR of 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable).

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card has a $0 annual fee and a sign-up bonus. As a cardholder, you’ll earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. With long intro APR offers, this card is good for financing big purchases since you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. After that, a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR applies.

Balance transfers also come with a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers. After that, a 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR applies.

If you’re willing to go through the extra steps of joining a credit union and meeting the requirements needed to earn the 2.5% cash back rate, the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is a great card to have. Even if you do charge more than $10,000 a month, you will still be earning more than most cash back cards.

However, if you don’t want to jump through the hoops, or if you’re looking for a card with an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers, there are better options, like the Citi Double Cash^® Card or Citi Custom Cash^® Card.