[FL] Fairwinds Credit Union Preferred Visa Signature: 60,000 Point Bonus, 5x Points On Travel

Update 7/17/22: Annual fee has been reduced to $95 from $249.

Fairwinds Credit Union offers an interesting credit card called the FAIRWINDS Preferred Visa Signature. Let’s take a look at this card in this quick review. Unfortunately this card is restricted to those who live, work or operate a business in Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Lake, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, or Sarasota counties.

Card Basics

  • Annual fee of $95 (extra $75 for additional cardholders)
  • Sign up bonus of 60,000 bonus after $5,000 in spend withint he first three months
  • 50% more value on travel redemptions
  • Card earns at the following rates:
    • 5x points on travel
    • 3x points on dining
    • 2x points on all other purchases

How Much Are Points Worth

You can redeem points for gift cards at a rate of 11,000 points = $100 gift card (0.9¢ per point) or through the CURewards portal and get 50% more value (e.g 60,000 points = $900 in travel). It looks like these are CURewards points, so I’m not sure if you can use them for other travel like other cards (some options discussed here) and if so, do you still get the 50% bonus?

Our Verdict

Card is potentially very interesting, at minimum it earns 2x points on all purchases and points are worth 1.5¢ each for travel. If you can redeem for some of the other travel portals and still get the 50% discount then it’s even more useful. That being said the card does have a $249 annual fee and that isn’t really offset by any airline/travel credits or lounge access. Might be worth grabbing for the first year if you’re a heavy spender, but for most people not worth considering.

Hat tip to tom0963
    William Charles
  • On July 17, 2022, 11:00

View Comments (25)

  • I am curious how the portal looks and the options it provides. That 50% on travel bookings is interesting.

  • Does anybody know what qualifies as “Travel” on this card? So far not finding a definition on the Fairwinds website.

  • @will Received marketing email for this today so it doesn't seem like it's state specific anymore. Still haven't applied though based on past DPs of them being sensitive to inquiries.

  • Not worth it. Fairwinds is the actual worst. I had been a member since 2005 and have carried their credit since then. I even worked for them for a year while I was in college at UCF.

    Despite having a perfect 17 year relationship with this CU I was denied for the card due to “excessive DTI” (I have a mortgage and car payment, PIF every month, 820 credit score, and high earner). Fairwinds offered to transition my old card to the new product, but wouldn’t give me the sign up bonus.

    I closed all my accounts and my membership with them over it. They are a terrible CU.

  • DP: I wouldn't bother with this one if you've opened more than 5 accounts in the past 24 months. I applied and they requested my ID, paystubs, and a few other things. Ended up denying my application for an "excessive amount of new accounts in the past 24 months". Think I have 5 new cards in the past 24 months. Hard pull.

    • @guest_1410389 I never received a notification about it. How did you find out?

      • @guest_1411020 I never received a notification as well. It was supposed to take effect on July 1 according to Reddit and in my July statement I did see text saying you are earning 2% cash back. Their credit card new application page also lists out 2% cash back. I didn't have any transactions after July 1 to do the math though. Their statements page is not loading now for me, so I can't really double check.

  • The annual fee is down to $95 now; AU still $75. More viable for a lot more people than it used to be. As far as I read, all other details are the same. @will

  • They told me today this card is only for residents of Florida. Their other cards can be approved for OOS.

    • I don't know why I assumed that because I could get a bank account with them that this card would be possible.

  • trying to figure out if i can fund a cc with a fairwinds account guess i'll have to be the dp i want to see

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