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Most credit card issuers are only too happy to accept your application, as the credit card industry is extremely competitive. At the same time, there are still some cards that are offered only to a select group of applicants, depending on their relationship with a particular organization. And in some cases, these cards can offer exceptional value.
Thankfully, you may already qualify for one of these cards without even knowing it, and there can be ways to join an organization that are fairly inexpensive. So here are five cards that have selective requirements to apply, and what you can do to be considered:
This card is offered by the AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership of more than 37 million. It offers a credit card through Chase that features 3% cash-back rewards at restaurants and for gas station purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no annual fee. In addition, new cardholders are being offered $100 in cash back after spending $500 within three months of account opening. To apply, you must be a member of AARP. Standard membership is open to those age 50 or older for $16 a year, but anyone can become an associate membership for just $12.50.
The United States Automobile Association was founded in 1922 to provide financial services to members of our armed forces and their families. Today, it has more than 10 million members and is one of the top 10 credit card issuers in the U.S. It offers several different credit cards exclusively to members including its low-rate, USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Card. The ongoing APR is . There is no annual fee for this card.
Membership is open to active and retired servicemen as well as eligible family members.
The Pentagon Federal Credit Union is another institution founded to provide financial services to the military. Its Promise card is a unique product that offers no fees at all. The standard APR will be 9.49% to 17.99% APR, depending on your creditworthiness, and there is no annual fee, late fee, foreign transaction fee, balance transfer fee or penalty interest rate.
PenFed membership is available to members of the U.S. military and uniformed services, employees of qualifying government and defense organizations, or relatives and housemates of members. In addition, anyone can qualify for membership by joining a military support organization. For example, you can join Voices For America’s Troops for $15, which is a qualifying organization.
This card, which is available only to those who hold a Morgan Stanley account, offers everything that the standard American Express Platinum does, and a few additional benefits. Cardholders can earn $500 from Morgan Stanley after they spend $100,000 in purchases on their card each year by their anniversary date. An additional card is offered for free, instead of $175 per year with the standard card. There is a $450 annual fee for this card.
This card is offered only to Chase’s private banking customers. It features no late fees, no foreign transaction fees and no pre-set spending limit. Cardholders earn double points in Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program on all eligible travel expenses, and one point per dollar spent elsewhere. In addition, cardholders will earn 35,000 points after spending $100,000 in a year. Other benefits include access to a JPMorgan Concierge and a membership to the Lounge Club airport lounge program. There is a $595 annual fee for this card.
Like any credit product, these cards all have their own specific credit score requirements. Before you apply, you can check your credit scores for free on Credit.com to see where you stand.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
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