Discontinued: BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card

Pauline Hatch

Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Ask Pauline a Question about this card.

The BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card

Offering a low introductory rate of 7.99% p.a. for the first six months, the BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card continues to keep costs down with a low ongoing purchase rate and a very reasonable annual fee. As a no frills card, its features are simple, but it does provide worldwide acceptance, the convenience and security features of a Visa, and up to 55 days interest free on purchases.

What we love...

New cardholders can enjoy a very nice introductory offer on the BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card, with 7.99% p.a. on purchases for the first six months. While this may not be quite as enticing as a 0% p.a. purchase offer, it could still provide some serious value, especially when you take into account the card’s low annual fee, and the rate the card reverts to after the intro period is up.

While this is a simple card, simple can be awesome. If you don’t want or need complex rewards or extravagant extras, you shouldn’t have to pay for them. Cards that offer rewards and extras tend to have higher annual fees, and often charge more in interest. So, if your focus is on money-saving, you can cut those costs by cutting out those extras with a card such as this.

If you pay off your balance month to month, you have the potential to save even more money with the card’s interest free feature. With up to 55 days interest free on purchases, you can use your card to buy what you need, while saving on interest until the next statement is due. By taking advantage of this, you can enjoy access to credit while paying zip in interest, and only paying out the card’s low annual fee.

What’s not so great...

We know simple is not for everyone. Some of you may want to earn rewards on your credit card spending, especially if you happen to spend big on your card. If you travel a lot, you may want to take advantage of credit card features that make travelling somewhat easier to deal with, such as airport lounge access and upgraded hotel stays.

The BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card simply doesn’t offer those things. You may find you get more value from a higher cost card that provides the features you need. If that’s the case, check out the options on CreditCard.com.au to find the right card for you.

Why should you choose this card?

You may choose the BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card for its purchase offer. If you have a large purchase to make, such as a holiday or something for the house, like a TV or a fridge perhaps, you could use the purchase offer to buy now and pay later, instead of taking out a personal loan.

By using a personal loan calculator and checking out personal loan options, you may find this card’s intro offer could save you on interest. And unlike the BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card, which has one low annual fee to think about, personal loans can come with numerous fees attached, such as establishment fees and monthly fees, making them even more expensive.

However, using a purchase offer in lieu of a personal loan really only works if you can clear your balance before the intro period ends. As long as you can pay off your purchases within that six month intro period, you could enjoy considerable savings. If not, your balance will revert to the card’s purchase rate, possibly making it more expensive than a personal loan.

Alternatively, you may simply use the card as a low cost option ongoing. If you tend to carry a balance on your card, having a low rate on that balance could allow you to pay it down faster while paying less in interest. Of course, clearing your balance is always the best option if you can manage it, as this will allow you to keep your interest costs at zero.

Overall Rating

The BDCU Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card has a low ongoing purchase rate and a low annual fee, offering up to 55 days interest free on purchases, and an intro offer of 7.99% p.a. on purchases for the first six months.