| Last updated on February 8th, 2024
NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card
NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card
NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card
- 20.49% to 30.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 20.49% to 30.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 1.99% for 6 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card helps social workers across the U.S. save money with every purchase. The card earns an impressive amount of cash back on everyday purchases – all for no annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- 3% back on fast food, coffee shop, and rideshare purchases
- 2% back on gas and restaurants
- 1% back on all other purchases
- Intro Purchase APR: 1.99% for 6 months from account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 20.49% to 30.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Intro Balance Transfer APR: 1.99% for 6 months from account opening date
- Balance Transfer APR: 20.49% to 30.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
- Penalty APR: 32.49% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars; 2% of each transaction made in currencies other than U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- You're a current member of the National Association of Social Workers
- You frequently use your credit card for quick bites to eat or coffees
- You plan to carry a balance or have a small balance to pay down
- You do't want to pay an annual fee
NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card Review
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the world’s largest membership organization of professional social workers. The NASW Visa Rewards Card provides the 120,000-strong membership of the group with cashback rewards on every purchase.
Introductory APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Like other Commerce Bank cards, the NASW Visa® Rewards comes with a special six-month introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. New accounts enjoy 1.99% APR for the first six months. While this low APR isn’t a 0% intro APR, it still offers exceptional value for those who have an existing credit card balance they want to pay down.
The intro APR offer also provides real value for those who plan to carry a balance (or already do) but have a credit card with a higher-than-average APR. The regular interest rates with the card are unspectacular but competitive. While the average APR is approximately one percent higher than the national average, that is still better than offers from other banks. This makes the NASW Visa Rewards a decent option for carrying a balance. This value is further enhanced thanks to the cash-back rewards it offers with every purchase.
Guide to Rewards
The NASW Visa® Rewards Card provides a rewards structure is similar to other alumni and rewards cards from Commerce Bank in that cardholders earn the following rewards on purchases:
| Categories | Explained | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% cash back on Streaming, Cable and Ridesharing | When card is used for purchases in the streaming, cable or the ridesharing and taxis categories, including: Cable, Satellite & Other Pay TV/Radio;Record Shops; Digital Goods; and Amazon Services. The cable category does not include Google Fiber. Merchants self-select category, so not all merchants will earn additional bonus – notable exclusions include Amazon Streaming, Pandora and YouTube Music/TV. | ||
| 2% cash back on Gas, Restaurants, Fast Food | When card is used for purchases in the service station or automated fuel dispensers, restaurant, fast food restaurant, and drinking places categories. | ||
| 1% cash back on All Other Purchases | When card is used to make purchases in any other category. Merchants self-select category, so not all merchants will earn additional bonus. | ||
Social workers lead hectic lives. The nature of their work often pulls them in many different directions. These ever-changing situations leave little time for rest, so earning 3% back the stuff that can help you relax (or get you to your destination quicker) is always a welcome feature.
Part of being on the go is filling up the tank – and the NASW Visa Rewards offers excellent value here as well. The card earns 2% back on gas station purchases, letting social workers save extra money between visits or on their daily commute.
The card also earns 2% back on all other dining purchases. Unfortunately, restaurant purchases only earn 2% back and not 3%, like fast food. That said, the 2% back on dining places the card on par with the Gas & Restaurants Credit Card from Discover, which earns 2% back on gas and dining on up to $1,000 in combined purchases per quarter– also for no annual fee. Every other purchase with the NASW Visa Rewards Card earns 1% back.
How to Redeem Rewards
Cash back rewards are calculated as points. This means that 1% cash back equals 1X points per dollar spent. Points apply to the Commerce Bank rewards program, with 2.500 points the minimum required for redemptions.
| Redeem Commerce Bank rewards for: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Airfare | Hotel vouchers | Car rentals | Gift cards |
| Statement credits | Fuel discounts | Charity | |
While BP rewards are popular, points are only valid at select BP locations. Rewards do not carry over after a redemption, with a maximum redemption of 20 gallons. This means to get the most value, you must get the full 20 gallons of fuel – otherwise, you lose the points required for redemption.
Other Card Features
Beyond the rewards and decent introductory APR offer, there isn’t much to discuss with the NASW Visa® Rewards. The card charges a foreign transaction fee of up to 2%, frustrating for those who either plan to travel abroad or use their card to purchase in foreign currencies. The card also charges a penalty APR. While penalty APRs aren’t uncommon, they are still frustrating. Fortunately, Commerce provides a 60-day window to make payments before assessing the penalty.
The NASW Visa also features Visa Platinum protections and benefits, including:
| Zero Fraud Liability | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Emergency Card Replacement |
| Roadside Dispatch and Auto Collision Damage Waiver | Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | ID Navigator from Norton |
Commerce Bank Ratings
What’s it like to live with Commerce Bank as a credit card issuer and bank? Here is a selection of reviews for the Midwestern bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
4.5/5 |
1.5/5 |
3/5 |
Should You Apply for the NASW Visa® Rewards Card?
No annual fee rewards cards like the NASW Visa® Rewards are ideal tools. That’s because they offer rewards on the things people spend heavily on – even if they don’t recognize it. Rewards on gas are something everyone can enjoy, but the real value comes from getting the most out of busy lives. And social workers have those.
3% back on coffee shops, fast food, and ride shares makes the card a valuable addition busy schedule, including rushing to – or from – cases. The 2% back on dining means that you’ll be rewarded no matter where you eat.
Ultimately, the NASW Visa® Rewards is a niche rewards card that serves that unique base very well. The card earns rewards in various places and offers a satisfactory APR. With the addition of no annual fee, you get an everyday purchasing tool that works well on the go, when the chance for a break presents itself – and everywhere in between.
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