As the holidays approach, finding the perfect gifts without overspending is a top priority for many. Whether you’re shopping for loved ones or looking for seasonal deals, a bit of planning and a low-rate credit card can stretch your budget and give you peace of mind. Here’s how choosing a card like the USSFCU Smart Rate Visa®can save you real money and make holiday shopping stress-free.
Save Big on Interest
Holiday shopping often involves several purchases and carrying that balance can lead to substantial interest costs. With the average credit card APR* in the U.S. at 24.72 percent, a balance of $1,000 could rack up about $247 in interest over a year. By contrast, USSFCU’s Smart Rate Visa® offers a low APR of just 13 percent, reducing your interest to $130 on the same balance — saving you $117 in interest charges. That’s extra cash you could use toward gifts, travel, or even a cozy night out with family.
No Fees, Just Savings
In addition to a lower rate, a credit card with minimal fees means even more savings. The USSFCU Smart Rate Visa® comes with no annual fee, no cash advance fees, and no balance transfer fees — a rarity that translates to real money saved, especially if you’re consolidating expenses onto one card. For instance, if you transferred a $1,000 balance from a higher-interest card, you’d avoid typical transfer fees (often 3 to 5 percent) and save $30–$50 immediately.
Protect Your Purchases and Holiday Plans
Saving money isn’t just about lower rates, it’s also about making sure your purchases and holiday plans are covered. With the USSFCU Smart Rate Visa®, you get valuable travel benefits like free auto rental collision insurance and 24/7 emergency travel assistance.
These benefits can save you the daily cost of rental insurance (usually around $10 to $15 a day) and provide peace of mind. If you’re traveling for the holidays, these perks can quickly add up and save you hundreds in coverage costs, allowing you to budget more for gifts and experiences.
Contactless Convenience for Safer Shopping
Shopping in-store? The Smart Rate Visa® is contactless, letting you simply tap and pay for quick, secure transactions. Not only does this feature make purchases more convenient, but it also offers an added layer of security by reducing physical contact and minimizing the time spent at checkout during busy holiday shopping hours.
Stability Through the Season
Many cards increase rates or fees for late payments, but with the Smart Rate Visa®, the low APR stays steady even if a payment slips your mind. This rate stability during the holiday season lets you shop confidently without the worry of unexpected rate hikes, giving you one less thing to stress over.
Around-the-Clock Support When You Need It
Because holiday shopping doesn’t stick to a 9-to-5 schedule, USSFCU offers 24/7 loan-by-phone support. You can apply for the Smart Rate Visa® anytime by calling 800-374-2758 and selecting option one. With round-the-clock support, you can secure the financial help you need whenever it’s convenient for you.
Make Every Dollar Count This Season
This holiday season, choose a card that prioritizes real savings over flashy rewards. With the USSFCU Smart Rate Visa®, you’ll save on interest, avoid unnecessary fees, and gain valuable benefits for secure and easy holiday shopping.
Learn more about our card at ussfcu.org/smartrate and discover our membership options at ussfcu.org/joinus — with over 140 ways to qualify, membership is open to nearly everyone.
APR=Annual Percentage Rate. All credit cards are subject to credit approval. Rates and/or credit limits are based on creditworthiness, income, and debts. Not all applicants will be approved. Smart rate APR as of 11.01.24 and subject to change. Your account is subject to a Variable Interest Rate. Increases or decreases in the Interest Rate will result in like increases or decreases in the Finance Charge and will affect the amount of your regularly scheduled payments that you will be required to make. View all rates at ussfcu.org/rates. Other fees may apply. Foreign transaction fee is 1 percent of the transaction amount, which may be billed separately on your account or included in the transaction amount. To view our fee schedule visit ussfcu.org/fees. View the complete Smart Rate Visa Credit Card Agreement and Disclosure or additional information. The average Annual Percentage Rate as of 10.16.24 according to lendingtree.com. Visa® is a registered trademark of Visa. Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by the NCUA.
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