Our Verdict
The BECU Visa Credit Card* features several benefits for those interested in transferring balances from other credit cards or financing new purchases. While its intro APR offer is shorter than other balance transfer cards, you won’t pay balance transfer fees—and you may qualify for a low ongoing APR after the promotional period, depending on your credit. The card doesn’t earn rewards, making balance transfers and potentially low interest the primary benefits. To apply for this card, you must be a member of BECU, which has more selective eligibility criteria compared to other credit unions offering similar cards.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No balance transfer fees
- 0% intro APR offer
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Does not earn rewards
- No welcome bonus
- Must be a BECU member to apply
Highlights
- No annual fee
- No balance transfer fees
- No cash advance fees
- No foreign transaction fees and other travel abroad perks
Introduction
Balance transfer credit cards offer a unique opportunity to pay down and consolidate debt, often with 0% interest for a designated period. The low rate removes much of the burden of carrying a balance, so you can focus on paying down the balance.
The caveat to these potential savings is card issuers typically charge a fee for balance transfers. Balance transfer fees usually range from 3% to 5% of the transferred amount. Depending on the balance and your existing card’s APR, you can still come out ahead after paying the fee, but not always.
The BECU Visa Credit Card* doesn’t offer valuable travel rewards, cash back or many perks outside of a few Visa card benefits. If that’s what you’re looking for, this isn’t the card for you. But, the card carries incredible value in the right hands.
The BECU Visa Credit Card* is a balance transfer card with no balance transfer fees. Coupled with no annual fee and the lack of other common credit card fees, it’s an excellent tool for eligible individuals who want to get rid of credit card debt.
The Boeing Employees Credit Union, or BECU, is based in Washington state. Membership is required to apply for its credit cards, including the BECU Visa Credit Card*. The credit union limits membership primarily to Boeing employees, members of select organizations and individuals who live, work or attend school in Washington or select counties in Oregon and Idaho. BECU’s membership eligibility requirements make this balance transfer card unavailable to many consumers.
Featured Partner Offers
Quick Facts
- 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, followed by a 13.24% - 25.24% variable APR
- No annual fee
- No balance transfer fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Only BECU members can apply
Other BECU Visa Credit Card Benefits
- Identity theft protection. Cardholders can enroll in ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock to receive identity theft protection, including dark web monitoring, stolen wallet assistance and restoration services.
- Extended warranty protection. Receive up to an additional year of warranty coverage on qualifying card purchases with an eligible manufacturer’s warranty of three years or less.
- Roadside Dispatch. The card comes with Visa Roadside Dispatch, a pay-per-use roadside assistance program available 24/7 to cardholders.
- Worldwide automatic travel accident insurance. BECU Visa cardholders are covered with up to $500,000 in travel accident insurance when they use their card to pay common carrier fares (like airlines, trains, buses and ships).
- Travel and emergency assistance services. Receive travel and emergency assistance service 24/7 through Visa whether you’re traveling or at home. Cardholders are responsible for any expenses charged by third-party service providers.
- Visa Account Updater. The free service from Visa updates your card’s expiration date and account number automatically with participating merchants so you avoid missed payments or service disruption when your card expires.
- Interest rate reviews. BECU periodically reviews member accounts and may lower your interest rate based on your credit score, payment history and account standing.
- Card design options. Cardholders can choose from four available card designs, including Washington State University and University of Washington and two options for Boeing employees and retirees.
Fine Print
Interest Rates
- Regular APR: 13.24% - 25.24% variable
- Purchase intro APR: 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening
- Balance transfer intro APR: 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening
Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance transfer fee: None
- Foreign purchase transaction fee: None
How the BECU Visa Credit Card Stacks Up
BECU Visa Credit Card* vs. BECU Cash Back Credit Card
If you qualify for BECU membership, another card to consider is the BECU Cash Back Credit Card. The card earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases and features a $300 welcome bonus offer after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
You’ll receive most of the same features as the BECU Visa Credit Card, including no annual fee and no balance transfer or foreign transaction fees. Plus, it comes with all benefits received with the BECU Visa and additional travel protections like baggage delay, lost luggage and trip cancellation or interruption insurance.
BECU Visa Credit Card* vs. Wings Member Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card*
The Wings Member Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card* is another credit union card. It has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
What sets it apart is its 1.5% cash-back rewards on every purchase and modest welcome bonus. Like the BECU Visa, you must be a Wings Credit Union member to apply, but the credit union offers a flexible path for anyone to join for a small donation.
BECU Visa Credit Card* vs. Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
For a balance transfer card that doesn’t require membership, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is a solid choice. It features one of the longest intro APR offers available: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. A 18.24%, 24.74%, or 29.99% variable APR applies thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro APR and a balance transfer fee of 5%, min $5 applies.
The extended period gives you more time to pay off your balance without costly interest charges. There’s no annual fee but the card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for international travelers.
Is the BECU Visa Credit Card for You?
If you qualify for BECU membership and have existing credit card debt you want to pay off, the BECU Visa Credit Card* is a useful tool to consider. With no annual fee or balance transfer fee, there’s no additional cost to access this benefit. Plus, having an intro APR offer for 12 months means you can focus all of your efforts on paying down your balance, not expensive interest charges.
If you want a card that earns rewards, consider other top rewards or cash-back credit cards, some of which come with 0% intro APR. Consider your spending habits and personal needs, interest rates and fees to determine if the BECU Visa or another card is right for you.
Find the Best Credit Cards for 2024
No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.
Methodology
Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including:
- Annual fees
- Welcome bonus offers
- Ongoing earning rates
- Value of individual points or miles
- Included travel or merchant credits
- Additional cardholder benefits
Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors came together to provide a star rating for each individual card.
Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: BECU Visa Credit Card, Wings Member Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
