CCSU Alumni Rewards Visa® Card

CCSU Alumni Rewards Visa® Card Review

The CCSU Visa rewards card is a cobranded credit card from Commerce Bank and the CCSU Alumni Association. Not only does it allow cardholders to rep their alma mater with each swipe, but it also earns solid rewards across several categories. It even supports newer payment technologies, like Apple Pay and toggle for maximum convenience. No matter where post-grad life takes you, this card can offer great rewards and a reminder of your Blue Devil spirit. 

Unlimited Rewards for CCSU Alumni

This Commerce Bank credit card offers the type of rewards that both college students and recent graduates can get behind. They center on two very important factors: food, and getting around town. You’ll earn the most when you chow down on a fast food burger or visit your favorite coffee shop – 3% cash back. The same rewards rate also applies to ridesharing, so you can skip the traffic when you come back to visit during Homecoming. 

However, if you were planning on leaving your fast food habit behind, you may prefer a cash back card that offers more rewards for traditional dining and gas.  This one offers only 2% rewards for these categories. (Merchants must fall into the service station, restaurant or drinking establishment category to qualify.)  

There’s no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn as long as your account remains in good standing. This includes the 1% on uncategorized purchases made with your CCSU alumni credit card. Once you’ve collected some rewards, your redemption opportunities become just as flexible as your ability to earn. Through Commerce Bank, you can choose between a 1% cash back statement credit, or put your rewards toward: 

• Gifts cards 
• Merchandise 
• Travel discounts 

Note that you’ll need at least 2,500 points saved up to redeem for cash back, and 10,000 points for travel redemption. Merchandise and gift card values will vary.

Low Introductory APR Offer

The CCSU Alumni Visa Rewards Card also provides reduced APRs for the first 6 months from account opening. Both purchases and balance transfers receive an APR of only 1.99% throughout this introductory period.  

While this is well-below the regular APRs for this card, it doesn’t quite compare to credit cards with 0% introductory offers. In other words, it’s not particularly suited to paying down a large balance. That being said, it can still provide some savings if you initially need to carry a small balance.  

Devilishly Good Additional Benefits

Aside from CCSU alumni association appreciation and rewards, this card also provides some additional perks and protections. Features like Zero Liability coverage, emergency card replacement and the card lock ensure that you’re protected from fraud. Similarly, the auto pay option and FICO score access help you avoid missed payments and keep your credit intact. 

Many cards these days offer these security features, but this card doesn’t stop there. It also includes Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay compatibility. Another feature worth mentioning is toggle®, which allows you to choose whether to pay now or pay later on various purchases. This can help you manage your budget, since you can choose to pay for your most important expenses (like utilities) right away. 

Should You Apply for the CCSU Alumni Rewards Visa® Card?

If you’re a diehard Blue Devils fan and want to tell the world, you could do worse than the CCSU Alumni Rewards Visa. With pretty average regular APRs and a decent spread of rewards, it’s not a bad card to have in your arsenal. Not many cards offer rewards for ridesharing and fast food places specifically, so it’s a chance to rack up some extra rewards if you pay for these often.  

The flexible redemption is also a bonus, but Commerce Bank keeps its rewards catalogue private. This makes it difficult to determine the value of your points beyond cash back. Whether or not this card is for you ultimately depends on your spending habits. For a more basic rewards categories, consider cards like the Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card, which lets you choose your top earning category.