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America First Credit Union

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4.8

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: December 11th, 2023

Utah-based America First Credit Union offers a variety of banking services and credit cards to its members. With all credit card products backed by Visa, America First provides cards with competitive rates, as low as 6.99 to 13.49 percent. In addition, Visa cards offer worldwide acceptance.

Seeking to meet the needs of consumers of various credit and financial backgrounds, America First offers traditional cash back and rewards options, but also offers a secured credit card option for borrowers looking to build or rebuild their credit. 

It is important to note that America First credit cards are only available to members residing in Utah.

Continue reading for pros and cons, and America First credit cards reviews from real customers.

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The Good

  • Variety of Cards
  • Benefits and Features
  • Card Guard Mobile App
  • Online Banking and Bill Pay
  • Customer Reviews

Variety of Cards

America First Credit Union offers a variety of Visa cards, including cash back, low rate, and rewards credit cards. If you do not have an established credit history, or perhaps damaged credit, America First Credit Union offers a secured Visa credit card option. With no annual fee and low rates, the secured Visa can be a good option for those seeking to build credit.

A variety of cards provides greater flexibility to consumers to get the best credit card for their needs and financial circumstances.

Benefits and Features

America First offers Classic Visa and Platinum Visa credit cards that offer an extensive selection of benefits with no annual fee. An America First Credit Union account holder can earn between one percent to 1.5 percent cash back or one point for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. Other Visa benefits include travel insurance and credit limits up to $15,000 depending on card selection and your credit history. Cash back rewards are automatically deposited into the cardholder's personal banking account on a regular basis. All cards feature the following benefits:

  • Identity theft recovery services
  • Select entertainment discounts
  • No balance transfer fees
  • Card Guard mobile app
  • EMV security chip technology
  • Mobile wallet
  • ABC Deals cash rebate program
  • No minimum finance charge
  • Fraud safeguards

In addition to these card benefits and features, America First also has an option to easily apply for a credit limit increase. However, to qualify for this increase, you must be a responsible member who pays off their credit card balance on time each month; there may be other factors taken into consideration that could also affect approval.

Card Guard Mobile App

The Card Guard mobile app gives cardholders the ability to manage accounts directly from any mobile device at no cost. 

Cardholders can set spending limits per transaction, turn off credit card use capability when desired, and choose specific merchants near their location where the card is only allowed to be used. Cardholders must be enrolled in the company's online banking services in order to use these included features.

Online Banking and Bill Pay

Consumers can enroll in free online banking services with America First for easier management of their credit card accounts, through which they can review online statements, transfer funds, and set up automatic payments. Consumers can also apply for additional lending, link multiple accounts, track spending, and create household budgets safely and securely. 

In addition, cardholders can also create customized text and email alerts to be reminded when bills are due or to be notified of any transaction activity. Customers will also receive their current FICO credit scores on each month's billing statement.

Customer Reviews

America First Credit Union reviews are currently limited, but the majority of customers give the company a 4 or 5-star rating. Of these positive reviews, many customers highlight excellent and reliable customer service and competitive rates on credit cards.

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The Bad

  • Service Limitations
  • Interest Rates
  • Additional Fees

Service Limitations

America First Credit Union only provides credit card services to Utah residents who meet certain undisclosed credit eligibility requirements. In order to access provided services, consumers must first open a personal bank account which may require a minimum deposit. 

America First does not offer detailed information up front regarding the specific reward options that may be earned, or if there are any maximum earning caps or expiration timeframes with the reward points. 

The credit union does not offer 24/7 customer service or a live chat option to speak with a customer service representative.

Interest Rates

America First does not offer a zero percent introductory APR on credit cards, a feature that is often included in many other competiting card issuer offerings. 

Depending on the credit card, the lowest interest rate available ranges from 6.99 percent to 13.49 percent APR depending on current market rates, card selection, and the cardholder's overall credit score. These percentages are reflective of the lowest rates offered on Visa cards and are subject to change. Because America First Credit Union credit cards have variable rates, interest rates are subject to change on a quarterly basis.

Additional Fees

America First charges up to $35 for late payments and a $10 fee for returned items, and a 1 percent fee for foreign transactions. The financial services company also charges a 1.5 percent cash advance fee for the total amount of each transaction of this type. 

These fees are within the average range for the industry norm but can be quite expensive for cardholders with imperfect credit histories. America First's Visa cards are generally accepted worldwide and the foreign transaction fee is better than some other competitors, but it can still be costly for travelers who make frequent purchases internationally.

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The Bottom Line

America First Credit Union offers a comprehensive range of Visa credit card options for its Utah-based customers to choose from. These credit cards offer cash back on eligible purchase or redeemable non-cash rewards through the accumulation of points. With limited interest fees, these cards can be suitable for consumers who need to rebuild their credit histories and can also be pretty decent for consolidating large amounts of debt from multiple cards. The financial services company also provides online banking services, a mobile app, and various other financial products and services.

There are some limits on America First's services, including the fact that it does not provide 24/7 customer service. In addition, the company does not provide specific details on the rewards that can be earned or if there are any caps on the number of points that can be earned within a certain timeframe on a rewards credit card. Interest rates are within the industry norm but are most suited for consumers with excellent credit histories who have an established banking relationship with the credit union.

We recommend researching other credit card lenders before deciding on whether or not to open a credit card with America First Credit Union, but if you currently bank with this financial institution, its credit card offerings could be a good option for you.

If you have borrowed from American First Credit Union, please tell us about your experience by leaving a review.

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Star Rating

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4.1

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59 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

64%

4 grade

15%

3 grade

2%

2 grade

3%

1 grade

15%

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Altschul Construction Tooele, UT

These guys are horrible for businesses. I've been fighting for years to get any sort of reasonable credit limit for my business. It took years to even get the credit card in the first place and now the limit is so low I have to pay it off almost weekly just to be able to use it. Their reasoning is that I personally don't make enough money to cover the card if the business fails to do so. So they require you to make more money than your business uses? That is absolutely ridiculous. What a waste is my time.

3 months ago

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Chad Salt Lake City, UT

I found out the hard way that your money is not safe at America First Credit Union. My child’s account was hacked by a known hacker. Using simple and standard hacking techniques they transferred all of his money from his savings account to his checking account and then withdrew the money. The fact that this happened using such simple techniques tells me that either AFCU doesn’t have a fraud prevention department or if they do they are incompetent. Any other bank would have caught this with ease. On top of this they chose not to refund my child’s money because it took place over a period of time and WE should have noticed it. I hate to break it to you AFCU, but people put their money in banks because we expect you to keep it safe from simple hackers. Now I have to tell my child that someone stole his money, America First Credit Union let it happen, and he has to pay the price.

11 months ago

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Jocean

Unfortunately, due to Covid pandemic, inflation, and car repairs I needed to file for bankruptcy. I had 2 checking accounts, 2 savings accounts, a credit card, and a personal loan through them. After my paperwork for the bankruptcy was filed, they took my money from my checking accounts and transferred it all to my saving accounts. They then took the little bit of money I had in the one savings account and put it towards the personal loan. The other savings account they, created a check and sent it to me via mail (I found out they mailed it to me after talking to them over the phone). They did all of this without my knowledge, and without letting me know they were doing this. I went to log into my accounts on my phone app and noticed the transfers. I tried to log in through my computer, and it showed I had no accounts except the loan and the credit card. I called them, and they told me that since they were losing money they closed my accounts, and it was ok for them to take my money from my accounts and put it towards the loan (after I filed for bankruptcy) since it was under $50. They closed my accounts, without notifying me. I had part of my paycheck being direct deposited into those accounts. So, now I am scrambling to figure out where my money is that was supposed to be deposited into these accounts. As of today, 5 business days later only 2 of the smaller direct deposits have bounced back to my work. The larger deposit and the other small auto deposit still have not bounced back. I just logged back in today, and see they re-opened the accounts connected to the credit card and loan. They excepted the direct deposits that were supposed to go into the other checking and savings account, and it will not let me transfer the money out. I need to buy food for the week with that money. They are stealing my money at this point.

1 year ago

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gaby burian Rush Valley, UT

This CU is the biggest joke out there: * Phone hold times mostly over 1 hour * customer service reps are rude * if you have fraud - you're up the creek without a paddle - they don't care about helping. Pending fraud charges will get paid and it will take aprox 6 to 8 weeks to get your $ back

10 months ago

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Lindsey Geraci Pleasant Grove, UT

Worst banking experience ever! They forgot to mention 4 numbers at the start of our account number. Number that were not on our paperwork, checks, or mobile app or anywhere else, they LOST 2 direct deposits! Their excuse? It's a new thing to add those numbers, the person setting up you account must have forgotten to mention it. Wow!!

11 months ago

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ryan byrne Surprise, AZ

The absolute WORST finance company I have ever delt with.. I have never had such a hard time trying to pay a bill as I have with this company. There phone /customer service is horrible. I'm to the point where I I will either refinance thru a different company or turn my vehicle in just to not have to deal with this bank anymore. If you have a choice, don't use America first

2 years ago

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Ranin Yusuf Salt Lake City, UT

today i went to Herriman brach to withraw cash. the cleark Payten asked me for ID and refused to give me my money. they have never asked me for ID before . she was unproffessional .she did not asked if i need an enveloppe or like usuall telling customer have a good day

2 years ago

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ratliffp83 Phoenix, AZ

Multiple issues with their online system. Autopay has messed up 3 times now. Every time I have to resubmit the paperwork to start it again and each time. Also there is an $8 fee for making payments with a debt card. This place is a hair above a pay day loan place.

2 years ago

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Della Green Salt Lake City, UT

I had an account with AF since I was 16 years old so for almost 30 years. For the first time I was unable to make my mortgage payments due to loss of employment because of medical issues. They refused to work with me and gave false information. This is not what I expected and would not suggest getting an account with them.

5 years ago