Alliant Visa Signature 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 Visa Signature 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 Visa Signature Card and see if it’s right for you.

• Exceptional cashback rate

  You can earn tier One: 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases. 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 Visa Signature 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 Visa Signature Card has a regular APR that’s on the lower end of the spectrum – 16.99%-26.99% (variable).

• 2.5% cash back comes with a catch

  Being approved for the Alliant Visa Signature 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 Visa Signature Card doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus.

• You must join a credit union

  The Alliant Visa Signature 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 Visa Signature Card you will pay the regular 16.99%-26.99% (variable) from day one.

Alliant Visa Signature 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 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) applies. Unlike the Alliant Visa Signature Card, there’s no credit union to join, nor cap on what you earn.

Alliant Visa Signature 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 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) and 0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers, then an APR of 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable).

Alliant Visa Signature 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 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% 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 Visa Signature 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.