Union Plus MasterCard®
The Union Plus MasterCard® is a unique card offer designed for AFL-CIO Union Members with limited or average credit histories looking for a credit card that can provide Union Members with some unique card benefits.
Union Plus MasterCard®
- FREE Rewards Program Designed for Hard-Working Union Members
- Get 2,000 Bonus Points After First Purchase, More than Halfway to a $25 Gift Card
- Earn 1 Point for Every Dollar Spent Anywhere
- Earn 2 Points for Every Dollar Spent at Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, and Drug Stores
- NO Balance Transfer Fees and APR stays FIXED Until the Balance is Paid in Full*
- 1.99% Introductory APR on New Purchases*
- All Calls Answered in the United States
- No Annual Fee and No Liability for Unauthorized Use
Intro Rate
Intro Period
Reg. Rate
Annual Fee
Balance
Transfers
Transfers
Credit Needed
1.99% APR on Purchases*
6 Months*
12.99%*
None*
Yes*
Average/Limited History*
Editor's Review:
The Union Plus MasterCard is exclusive to AFL-CIO Union members. It’s distributed by HSBC Bank Nevada and its purpose is to help those with fair credit boost their scores or those with only limited credit to develop the sort of credit history they need.
There are several good aspects to this card. For starters, there is a Strike Payment Protection program. This program allows cardholders to skip up to three months worth of payments in a row if there has been a union strike going on for more than thirty days. Money is tight during a strike, so this makes complete sense and provides cardholders with added security. There is also a Member Advocacy Program that is meant to help union members deal with their concerns or any disputes with Union Privilege programs.
The interest rate is quite low for those with good credit and the lack of an annual fee really elevates this card’s appeal. Likewise, a low introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months make adapting to having this card even easier. As an added bonus, the introductory rate on balance transfers applies until the entire balance is paid off.
Additionally, the Union Plus MasterCard has other benefits typical of standard credit cards such as fraud protection, travel accident insurance and a no liability policy for transactions that are unauthorized.
Even though this card is packed full of benefits for union members, there are a few drawbacks you should also be aware of. For instance, even if the Prime Rate falls to a very low number, there is a minimum cap on the interest rate. The APR for this card can be anywhere from 9.99% to 18.99%. It all depends on your credit history. So, if your credit is anything less than good, you’ll have to pay higher interest rates than those with better credit.
In the end, the Union Plus MasterCard offers quite a few unique benefits to cardholders. All of the added union benefits are a plus and the standard card features are nice as well. However, a minimum APR cap and a high APR for applicants with less than perfect credit is a real drawback. If you plan on carrying a balance each month, this may not be the right card for you. However, for many, the superb union protection, especially the skip payment privilege will be more than enough to sway them in this card’s direction.