[CA only] Safe Credit Union – Cash Rewards Card – 5% On A Revolving Category Of Your Choice + 3% On Gas/Grocery & Restaurants

Safe Credit Union offers the cash rewards credit card, let’s take a look at this card in more detail.

Card Basics

  • Card earns at the following rates:
    • 5% on one revolving bonus category of your choice (home improvement, charity, utilities, and movie theatres according to this)
    • 3% cash back on restaurants, groceries & gas
    • 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • Minimum redemption is $10
  • No annual fee
  • No sign up bonus

Our Verdict

They have previously offered a $100 checking bonus as well. Categories aren’t the best, but charity could be very useful for some people.

Hat tip to reader Lrdx

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13 Comments
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Harry
Harry (@guest_1794916)
February 8, 2024 10:53

I live in the bay area, Alameda County and put in an app, never got an email, phone call, a way to set up account, nothing. A week later I decided just to hit them up and see what’s going on. Come to find out they wanted to verify identity, sent ID, ssn, and then they require utility bill which I dont have cause I live with parents. I’ve opened banks that are in socal, with nfcu, etc never asked me for a utility bill. I wouldn’t mess with this credit union. I heard so many bad things about the credit union… I rather go with WF lol

Yuri
Yuri (@guest_1626779)
May 31, 2023 16:13

Any luck to get approved for anyone out of CA with Aerospace membership?

Ryan
Ryan (@guest_1720235)
October 21, 2023 11:42

yes, join aerospace museum of california will get you in

esha
esha (@guest_1621375)
May 20, 2023 16:14

does anyone know what is the spend limit on the 5% cash back category?

lochquel
lochquel (@guest_771553)
June 18, 2019 16:16

Trying to get this one on a whim as I’m in the upper Midwest. I know it says CA only, but a man likes to try things.

Was trying to get through with a membership in the Aerospace Museum of CA. Got rejection letter that vaguely says I don’t meet membership requirements. Calling in confirms being out of state is a no go for membership.

Not satisfied because of a vague online application that in no way says it limits membership to CA residents only, I’ve sent a complaint to CFPB. I know it’s a long shot, but if they want to be vague, I’m going to pursue this as far as I can.

Maybe a lost cause, but I like a challenge.

Zauch
Zauch (@guest_779353)
July 6, 2019 23:46

Did you get your membership processed?

lochquel
lochquel (@guest_780505)
July 9, 2019 16:53

Long story short. If you’re not in CA (and probably more specific have to be in their footprint), don’t apply.
Tried applying with membership in the Aerospace Museum (as it’s a listed membership possibility). After a CFPB complaint and everything, they hid behind the fact that I didn’t live in their service area, although that is never explicitly stated. Got my Museum membership $$ back, big whoop for the silly amount of time spent persuing this dead-end.

OldBenKenobi
OldBenKenobi (@guest_1253719)
September 15, 2021 07:58

Anyone tried this recently? I am also in the Midwest but have gotten around geographic restrictions before via nonprofit memberships. I contacted them via secure message, telling where I lived and if this membership would suffice for eligibility and they replied:
“…You are correct! A Natural person member of the Aerospace Museum of
California Foundation, Inc. would be eligible for membership with SAFE. SAFE would need a copy of an unexpired member ID card or receipt (email or hard copy) showing new or renewed membership…”

Currently, however, it does seem that the museum membership is $85, which is pretty steep and unjustifiable just for a credit card. Did you get membership another way or for less money? I am not sure that the various donation options ($5 and up) would be enough.

Brandon
Brandon (@guest_655235)
October 10, 2018 12:47

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/SAFE-CU-Cash-rewards-5-amp-3/m-p/5246046

Seems to be home improvement, charity, utilities, and movie theatres according to the above link. If this was available in my area, I would get it and probably cancel my Amex, Discover, and Freedom cards.

Ryan
Ryan (@guest_655187)
October 10, 2018 10:58

I used to belong to SAFE – they’re a decent CU, but unremarkable. They pull TU for credit products, SP + Chex to join. They did send me a preapproval offer for a card w/ a $10K limit, and no HP, but I didn’t take it since I was trying to get back under 5/24. I asked them about it, and she said they usually do them 1-2 times per year, but it’s random if/when they do.

Frank
Frank (@guest_655152)
October 10, 2018 09:27

3% back on cash??! Sign me up! JK… DoC, need to update that to gas…. 🙂

WGU
WGU (@guest_655198)
October 10, 2018 11:20

Sign me up to!!! 3% back on cash! 😀