Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card Review (2023)
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Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card Review (2024)

The Alliant cashback is high-earning card targeted towards heavy spenders who possess excellent credit score, but its annual fee is a bit high
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 10, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 10, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card Review

Rewards Plan

1.5% – 2.5% up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000)

Sign up Bonus

None None

Credit Rating

Good – Excellent

0% Intro

None

Annual Fee

$99

APR

17.49% – 27.49% (Variable)
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature Credit Card Review

Rewards Plan

1.5% – 2.5% up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000)

Sign up Bonus

None None

0% Intro

None

PROS

CONS

APR

17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Annual Fee

$99

Balance Transfer Fee

3%

Credit Requirements

Good - Excellent

The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card is a high-earning card targeted towards heavy spenders who possess excellent credit scores. Its selling point is its 2.5% flat-rate cash back rewards which can be accrued for up to five years. What makes this offer unique is that the cash back rate does not depend on the category or merchant. You can spend assured that you’ll get the same rewards no matter.

However, in order to get the higher cashback, you'll need to qualify for Tier One Rewards

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for an Alliant High-Rate Checking account for each month of the previous calendar quarter.
  • Maintain a daily average balance of $1,000 or more in your Alliant High-Rate Checking account for each month of the previous calendar quarter.

Overall, the Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card is an excellent rewards card with a hard to match cash back rate. It is simple, with a generous credit line and clear rewards. There are no convoluted bonuses or categories to keep track of. However, there is an annual fee attached – so make sure you can cover it.

  • Cashback
  • Warranty Extension
  • Debt Protection Plan
  • Fraud Protection
  • High Penalty APR
  • Rewards Expire
  • Annual Fee
  • Qualify for Higher Cash Back​

All About Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature

Advantages

Let’s take a look at the advantages of this card and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.

Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card offers a very competitive 1.5% – 2.5% on all qualifying purchases made with this card. These rewards can be accumulated for up to five years.

You have a cap of $250 in cash back per billing cycle, equivalent to spending $10,000 monthly on qualifying purchases. Earning these rewards does not require any special enrollment. You need to be in good standing and accrue at least $50 before redeeming your rewards.

Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card doubles the manufacturer’s warranty on items purchased entirely with its Visa credit cards. Its Purchase Security coverage also protects items for up to 90 days after purchase.

Alliant offers a debt protection plan to cover you in case an unexpected life event happens. This could be involuntary unemployment, disability or death. If any of these happens, it will cancel your loan repayment obligation in full or part.

This credit card has a $0 fraud liability guarantee from Visa. This applies to unauthorized transactions made with Visa. You must inform the card issuer immediately there has been any unauthorized use of your card.

Disadvantages

What caveats should you be aware of? While the Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card is one of the best no-category cash back credit cards available, it is a less popular choice for those who do not spend a lot of money. 

You need to spend enough to offset the annual fee and take full advantage of the benefits. The low threshold of the APR is a good deal only as long as your creditworthiness is great. 

Let’s take a look at the disadvantages:

This credit card penalizes you if you default in your payments, whether on this credit card or on another Alliant account.

You get charged a variable APR of 17.49% – 27.49% (Variable) which will continue to reflect on your account until you have made up to six monthly minimum payments on your card.

Your cash back rewards can be accrued for up to five years, after which they begin to expire on a rolling basis; your first rewards go first. 

Cash back earned in a year will expire on in December of the fourth calendar year following the year it was earned. Cash back earned in 2022, for instance, will not expire until December 2026.

The annual fee is $99 , and it may not mean much to you if you’re a heavy spender. If you spend enough, you can recoup the annual fee before the end of the first billing cycle.

Compared with other credit cards which offer similar rewards with lower annual fees, or nearly comparable benefits with no annual fees, the Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card may be a bit expensive.

In order to get the higher cash back rate, you'll need to quality and meet the requirements, including maintaining a checking account.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

How To Apply For Alliant Cash Back Visa Signature Card?

Visit the Alliant Credit Union website to begin your application process. You will need to join Alliant’s credit union before you can apply.

From the homepage, click on “Visa Signature” under the “Bank” tab. On the new page, click “Apply Online”. 

You will be asked if you want to log in and apply or apply as a new member. If you don’t have an account with Alliant, apply as a new member. This will take you to an Electronic Signature and Consent Agreement page. You may print a PDF of the agreement before ticking “I Agree”.

The next page should look like the one below. Scroll down and tick “Visa Signature” from the credit card options. Click “Continue”.

The application has four main stages:

  • Loan Details
  • Applicant Information
  • Income
  • Application Review

Stage 1: Loan Details

Select “New Card” and click “Continue” to proceed to the second stage. You may enter a promo code if you have one.

Stage 2: Applicant Information

First, provide your personal information. These will include your names, birth date, social security number, email address, and phone numbers. You must choose a primary contact method before proceeding.

Next, you will be asked to create a 4-digit pin to save your progress. After you have done this, fill in your housing information. You will provide your house address, zip code, housing status and monthly payment. Click “Continue” to proceed.
You will then be asked to add a co-borrower. You may skip adding one and proceed to stage 3.

Stage 3: Income

Fill in your employer and income information. You must provide your employment status, employer name, occupation, gross monthly or annual income, employment start date, employer address, and employer phone number. You will be asked if you have any additional source of income.

Stage 4: Application Review

You will be presented with information on Alliant’s Debt Protection. Click “Continue” to proceed. In the final page, confirm all the details you have entered are correct. You will be asked for permission to pull your credit. Tick “I Accept” and submit.

If your application is approved, you should expect to have your credit card mailed to you in 7-10 days.

Is the Alliant Cash Back Card Right for You?

Are you a light spender? Do you have a low or average income? Are you dealing with bad or fair credit?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you certainly want to look for other options. The Alliant Visa Signature Credit Card was specifically designed with the affluent in mind. You need to be a heavy spender with an excellent credit score to qualify for this card.

If you are, then this card is worth the price. The perks of using this credit card place it in the top tier of high-earning credit cards.

Compare The Alternatives

There are more cash back cards worth mentioning that provide a good alternative to the Alliant card:

American express everyday card review 2021

Chase Freedom Flex

citi double cash

American Express EveryDay® Card
Chase Freedom Flexâ„  Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Annual Fee
$0 . See Fees & Rates
$0
$0
Rewards
1X – 2X 2X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1X), 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
1-5%
1% – 2% 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.
Welcome bonus
10,000 points 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
$200
$200 $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.7%
3%
3%
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.24% Variable
20.49%–29.24% variable
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)

Review Rewards Credit Cards

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Picture of Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
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Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

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Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
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Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

upgrade cash rewards

Rewards Plan:
1.5% 1.5% cash back on payments
Welcome Bonus:
$200 Earn a $200 bonus after you open & fund a Rewards Checking Plus account & make 3 debit card transactions within 60 days. If you previously opened a checking account through Upgrade or do not do so as part of this process, you are not eligible. Payout made within 60 days of meeting the conditions.

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.