| Last updated on December 11th, 2023
Universal Rewards Visa Signature®
Universal Rewards Visa Signature®
Universal Rewards Visa Signature®
- 21.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 21.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
- 0% for 6 months from account opening date Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card is a no frill rewards card that earns 2% back on eligible Universal purchases, 1% back on all other purchases, and more - for a $0 annual fee.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn 2% back in rewards on qualifying Universal purchases
- 1% back on all other purchases
- 10% ff select merchandise, food and beverage purchases
- No annual fee
- Intro Purchase APR: 0% for 6 months from account opening date
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.99% to 28.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.99% to 28.99% 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: 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $15 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $35
- You love theme parks but prefer Universal Studios
- You don't want to pay an annual fee
- You want basic cash back rewards on everyday purchases
Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card Review
The Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card is a basic cash back rewards credit card that prioritizes savings with Universal. The card, which features a $0 annual fee, earns double cash back at Universal but struggles to provide value for money.
Straightforward Welcome Offers
The Universal Rewards Visa comes with a very simple welcome bonus offer. New accounts earn a $50 statement credit after spending $100 during their first billing cycle. This bonus is half of what FNBO – the issuing bank – provides with the $99 annual fee Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card, although earning an extra $50 credit likely isn’t worth the squeeze of opening a premium account.
How to Earn Rewards
Like the welcome offer, the rewards with the Universal Visa Signature are equally basic. Cardholders earn 2% cash back on Universal purchases and 1% back on all other purchases made with the card.
So, what exactly counts as a “Universal” purchase? According to FNBO, purchases that earn 2% back include the following:
- Vacation packages
- Annual, day, and special event passes, including Universal Express passes
- Purchases from sellers of goods and services located inside the theme parks
- Purchases at Universal-owned and operated locations in Universal CityWalk Orlando and Universal CityWalk Hollywood, from Universal-owned and operated merchandise stores in hotels and airports, and the official Universal Orlando Resort mobile app or the official Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app
- Parking at the parks
How to Redeem Rewards
Rewards with the Universal Rewards credit cards are redeemable through Universal FUNds Visa® prepaid cards. These prepaid cards let you use your cash back for Universal theme park purchases, as well as flights and hotel stays booked directly through the airline or hotel. Rewards are also redeemable as statement credits to help offset your monthly bill.
Comparisons
No annual fee cash back credit cards are a mixed bag, but typically you can find more lucrative rewards with non-co-branded credit cards. Cards like the SavorOne Cash Rewards from Capital One offer higher rewards with the same $0 annual fee. The SavorOne, for example, earns unlimited 3% back on dining & entertainment, plus 3% back on groceries and 1% on all other purchases.
Even unlimited, flat-rate cash back cards, like the Citi® Double Cash Card (2% back on every eligible purchase: 1% back at the time of sale and an additional 1% back when you pay their statement balance) and the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® (unlimited 1.5% cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment) are two popular options that may provide more value.
Then there is the $99 annual fee Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card. Here’s how the two Universal Rewards credit cards compare:
| Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card | Universal Rewards Visa Signature® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $0 |
| Rewards | Earn 4% back on Universal purchases; 2% back on travel, gas, and dining; 1% back on all else. | Earn 2% back on Universal purchases and 1% back on all else. |
| Discounts | 10% off select merchandise, food and beverage purchases at select Universal locations | 10% off select merchandise, food and beverage purchases at select Universal locations |
| Other | One single day theme park general admission ticket each year; Visa lounge access (coming soon) | N/A |
Other Card Features
Other note features with the card include 10% off select merchandise, food, and beverage purchases at select locations throughout Universal theme parks and Universal CityWalk in Orlando and Hollywood. Account holders also get 0% APR for six months anytime they spend $1,000 or more on one qualifying Universal purchase.
Cardholders also enjoy Visa Signature benefits and protections, including:
| Zero Fraud Liability | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Emergency Card Replacement | Luxury Hotel Collection | Extended Warranty Coverage |
| Roadside Dispatch | Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | ID Navigator from Norton | Travel & Emergency Assistance |
FNBO Ratings
How does the First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) stack up? Here are a selection of expert reviews for the card, as well as an overview of FNBO as a bank:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
3/5 |
1.5/5 |
2.5/5 |
Should You Apply for the Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card?
If you have your heart set on a theme park credit card, the Universal Rewards Visa Signature® Card is more than likely not the right fit. Sure, the card earns Universal fanatics up to 2% cash back at the park, but other no-annual fee credit cards provide greater value. Perhaps the best example is the Capital One SavorOne, which earns an unlimited 3% back on “entertainment” purchases, which includes amusement parks and a whole lot more.
If you love Universal and want to maximize your rewards at the parks, consider the $99 annual fee Universal Rewards Plus Visa Signature® Card. It provides greater rewards, a bigger welcome offer, and a “free” single-day theme park general admission ticket to one of three Universal parks after meeting minimum spending requirements.
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