The Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card is an ideal small business credit card for members of Affinity FCU with at least good credit wanting to maximize their cash back rewards and improve their credit scores. It lets cardholders earn a maximum of 6x bonus points when shopping on Affinity’s rewards website and 1x points on all purchases—and it does not charge annual fees. It also reports to top credit reporting agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
There are 18 Affinity FCU branches spread across the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those with active Affinity Plus FCU business checking accounts
- Earn 5,000 initial bonus points with your first purchase
- Earn up to 6x bonus points when you shop on Affinity FCU's rewards website.
- With Affinity Visa Secure, cardholders receive an extra layer of protection when shopping online
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
Pros
- Does not charge annual fees
- Provides maximum points rewards for cardholders
Cons
- Requires an Affinity FCU membership to get the card
- Does not have a 0% introductory period on purchases and balance transfers
- Affinity FCU is located in 18 branches
- Emergency cash/card replacement: If an emergency happens or you lose your card, you can get access to cash and/or a replacement card.
- Extended protection: On warranties of three years or less, receive double the manufacturer’s warranty coverages for purchases.
- Auto rental coverage: Get excellent coverage in the event of a collision or theft on rented cars.
- Earn 5,000 initial bonus points with your first purchase
- Earn up to 6x bonus points when you shop on Affinity FCU's rewards website.
- With Affinity Visa Secure, cardholders receive an extra layer of protection when shopping online
- Reports to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
Pros
- Does not charge annual fees
- Provides maximum points rewards for cardholders
Cons
- Requires an Affinity FCU membership to get the card
- Does not have a 0% introductory period on purchases and balance transfers
- Affinity FCU is located in 18 branches
- Emergency cash/card replacement: If an emergency happens or you lose your card, you can get access to cash and/or a replacement card.
- Extended protection: On warranties of three years or less, receive double the manufacturer’s warranty coverages for purchases.
- Auto rental coverage: Get excellent coverage in the event of a collision or theft on rented cars.
When evaluating points rewards business credit cards, such as the Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card, we give the most weight to the card’s ongoing and introductory rewards. We then evaluate the annual fee, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs), and additional card benefits.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 25 | 30 |
Introductory Rewards | 15 | 20 |
Additional Features | 12 | 15 |
Annual Fee | 10 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 0 | 10 |
Ongoing APR | 8 | 10 |
Total Score | 70 | 100 |
Who the Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Is Best For
- Business owners who are members of Affinity FCU: If your business is already an Affinity FCU member, then getting the card allows you to do business within a single institution. Read our Affinity Plus FCU business checking review to learn more about how to become a member and what it entails.
- Business owners who want to get higher points rewards: Those who want to earn as many points as possible may want to consider this business credit card as it lets you earn a point for every dollar spent while offering a maximum of 6x bonus points for shopping on its rewards website.
If this isn’t your card, check out our recommended alternatives below.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Rewards
- Sign-up bonus: 5,000 bonus points with your first purchase
- 1 points for every dollar spent on all purchases
- Up to 6x bonus points when you shop on Affinity FCU’s rewards website
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Calculator
Find out how much you can earn from Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card based on your estimated monthly expenses. Use our rewards calculator to compute your potential rewards—just enter your expected monthly spending and our calculator will do the rest.
Note that the 6x bonus points are not included in the computation.
Points Rewards Explained
These points don’t expire and can be earned by both the account owner and their cardholders. They can redeem points for travel, cash back, gift cards, merchandise, and discounts on car rentals, hotels, and more.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Features
Security & Savings
- Fraud protection: Cardholders are provided with real-time monitoring of their accounts for suspicious transaction activity.
- Affinity Visa Secure: Activating this will give cardholders an extra layer of protection when shopping online.
- Visa SavingsEdge discount: After enrolling your card, you get special discounts on qualifying purchases and automatically save at many places you usually do business at.
Peace of Mind
- Emergency cash/card replacement: If an emergency happens or you lose your card, you can get access to cash and/or a replacement card.
- Purchase security: Cardholders can reimburse the cost of eligible items that were purchased with your card in the event of a theft and damage due to fire, among others.
- Extended protection: On warranties of three years or less, receive double the manufacturer’s warranty coverages for purchases.
- Auto rental coverage: Get excellent coverage in the event of a collision or theft on rented cars.
- Travel and emergency assistance: Affinity provides assistance with medical, legal, and travel services.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Fees
- Introductory APR: N/A
- Regular APR: Starting at 17.25% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Balance transfer APR: N/A
- Annual fee: None
- Foreign transaction fee: 2%
- Late and returned payment fees: Up to $27
- Online banking: You can set up an online account via Affinity FCU’s web portal to either make one-time or recurring payments. Take note that when making a one-time payment of up to $5,000 using an external checking/savings or debit card, you must include your loan number as it appears in your bill. A convenience fee of $4.99 shall be included in your payment when using this service.
- Affinity Mobile Banking App: You can handle credit card payments through its mobile app. You can make free one-time payments or scheduled recurring payments to your credit card up to $9,999.99 using an external checking/savings account. A convenience fee of $4.95 shall be included in your payment if you use a debit card to make a one-time payment.
When To Consider Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card Alternatives
You Prefer Earning Fixed-rate Cash Back Rewards
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Those who want fixed-rate 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Pros
- With interest-free financing option on purchases
- Fixed unlimited cash back on all purchases
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on balance transfers
- Charges high foreign transaction fees
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You can decline the company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to this card.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance.
- Purchase protection: You can ensure that your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Zero liability protection: Chase will not hold you responsible for unauthorized transactions made with both your card and your account information.
- Cellphone protection: Receive up to $1,000 per claim in cellphone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees included in your monthly cellphone bills when using your card to pay for it. This applies for a maximum of three claims within a 12-month period and will charge a $100 deductible per claim.
- Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Member FDIC
Pros
- With interest-free financing option on purchases
- Fixed unlimited cash back on all purchases
Cons
- Does not have interest-free financing option on balance transfers
- Charges high foreign transaction fees
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: You can decline the company’s collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to this card.
- Travel and emergency assistance services: Call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance.
- Purchase protection: You can ensure that your new purchases are covered for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
- Zero liability protection: Chase will not hold you responsible for unauthorized transactions made with both your card and your account information.
- Cellphone protection: Receive up to $1,000 per claim in cellphone protection against covered theft or damage for you and your employees included in your monthly cellphone bills when using your card to pay for it. This applies for a maximum of three claims within a 12-month period and will charge a $100 deductible per claim.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card lets you earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all purchases. If you prefer to earn cash back rewards instead, consider the Chase Ink Business Unlimited®.
On top of earning 1.5% cash back rewards, it also offers a 0% introductory period on purchases. This card is our best small business credit card and our top recommended credit card for new businesses with no credit history.
You Need to Spend Beyond Your Credit Limit
The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
BEST FOR:
Those who want better cash back rewards
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR)
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR)
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- $0 annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card does not allow you to spend beyond your credit limit. If you need this particular feature, our suggestion is the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card.
It offers expanded buying power, which adjusts your credit limit based on your usage, payment history, credit record, and financial resources. Its unique feature, cash back rewards, and 0% introductory period on purchases are our reasons for recommending it as our best cash back business credit card, and including it in our roundup of the best small business credit cards and the best credit cards for new businesses with no credit history.
You Are Not a Member of Affinity FCU
card_name
BEST FOR:
Businesses with good credit that want a 0% introductory APR and fixed 1.5% cash back rewards
- Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 1.5% fixed-rate cash back on all purchases with no limits or category restrictions
Pros
- Charges $0 annual, balance transfer, and foreign transaction fees
- With intro 0% APR on purchases
- Free employee cards
Cons
- No intro 0% APR on balance transfers
- No welcome offer for new cardholders
- High cash advance and penalty APRs
- Zero fraud liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Capital One offers services to help you during auto-related emergencies, such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
- Free employee cards: You can track employee spending while earning all the rewards from their purchases by issuing free employee cards. In addition, you can set customized spending limits for employee cards and see transactions as soon as they post
- Purchase records: You can quickly and securely download your purchase records in different formats, such as Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®
- Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Unlimited 1.5% fixed-rate cash back on all purchases with no limits or category restrictions
Pros
- Charges $0 annual, balance transfer, and foreign transaction fees
- With intro 0% APR on purchases
- Free employee cards
Cons
- No intro 0% APR on balance transfers
- No welcome offer for new cardholders
- High cash advance and penalty APRs
- Zero fraud liability: If your card is lost or stolen, you can get an emergency replacement and a cash advance
- Roadside assistance: Capital One offers services to help you during auto-related emergencies, such as jump-starting, tire changing, and towing
- Free employee cards: You can track employee spending while earning all the rewards from their purchases by issuing free employee cards. In addition, you can set customized spending limits for employee cards and see transactions as soon as they post
- Purchase records: You can quickly and securely download your purchase records in different formats, such as Quicken®, QuickBooks®, and Excel®
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card requires you to be a member of the credit union with at least Good Credit to qualify for the card. Consider the Capital One Spark Cash Select for Good Credit as an alternative if you are not a member of Affinity FCU. It offers fixed-rate cash back rewards on all-business related purchases and a 0% introductory period on purchases. It’s not surprising that this card is one of our preferred 0% APR business credit cards and leading credit cards for self-employed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For business owners, there are two ways to qualify for an Affinity Business membership:
- All are personal members of Affinity FCU.
- Your business can register for the Select Employee Group of Affinity, enabling you to offer credit union membership to your employees.
You may call (800) 880-0764 and speak with one of Affinity FCU’s Business Specialists to help you through the process.
These are the following documents that sole proprietors, associations/organizations, and limited liability corporations (LLCs) or limited liability partnerships (LLPs) need to secure to apply for the Affinity Business membership:
- Sole proprietors
- Certificate of trade name
- Owner’s personal Social Security card
- Associations/Organizations
- Tax exempt form 501-C (if they are tax-exempted)
- Not-for-profit certificate of Incorporation (for nonprofit organizations)
- By-laws (for associations)
- Association/organization resolution or operating agreement that is filed and certified by the country or state
- LLCs or limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
- Certificate of formation
- Partnership agreement
Credit unions are using a cooperative (or “co-op”) model where the members are also treated as the owners. Compared to traditional banks, which distribute profits among their shareholders and individual owners, credit unions are not-for-profit institutions that are “owned” by the members.
Bottom Line
Affinity FCU Business FirstSM Visa® Credit Card is for members of Affinity FCU wanting to get as many points as possible, thanks to its generous rewards program. It can also be considered by those who wish to improve their credit scores as it reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It’s even advantageous for those with existing Affinity FCU checking accounts as they can do all of their business within one bank.