[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
    William Charles
  • On October 10, 2018, 09:00

View Comments (13)

  • 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

  • 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.

    • 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.

      • 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.

  • 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.

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