The First Tech Federal Credit Union Choice Rewards World Mastercard® is an unusually low-cost credit card that earns above-average rewards on everyday purchases. Plus, it offers a low APR and no balance transfer fee. It's a good card, especially if you aren't interested in managing a more complex rewards system, but the tradeoff is that the Choice Rewards lacks some of the "wow" factor, like an intro APR period, seen with the best rewards cards.
Below, CNBC Select details the benefits, rewards and fees of the Choice Rewards card to help you decide if it's right for you.
Choice Rewards World Mastercard®
Rewards
Earn 2X points on groceries, gas, electronics, medical, household goods and telecommunications, 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 20,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
11.75% - 18.00% variable
Balance transfer fee
None
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Fair to excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- Low APR
- No annual fee
- Popular 2X rewards categories
Cons
- Below average amount of time to earn the card's welcome bonus
- No option to transfer points to travel programs
Choice Rewards World Mastercard review
Welcome bonus
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® comes with the opportunity to earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 60 days of opening your account. This bonus is worth $200, which isn't as valuable as many of the best welcome bonuses.
You also only have 60 days to meet the minimum spending requirement, which is shorter than what many other rewards credit cards require.
Benefits and perks
There are a handful of Mastercard benefits you can take advantage of with the Choice Rewards World Mastercard®.
You won't have access to ongoing statement credit offers, but you can benefit from this card's travel and shopping protections, including:
- Purchase assurance
- ID theft protection
- Lost and damaged luggage coverage
- Trip cancellation coverage
- Travel accident insurance
- Baggage delay insurance
- MasterRental coverage
- Mastercard travel and lifestyle services
- Travel assistance services
How to earn and redeem points
Earning
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® earns rewards at the following rates:
- 2X points on everyday purchases, including gas, groceries, household goods and more
- 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Redeeming
First Tech Credit Union doesn't publish the value of its points, and when reached for comment, a representative said it was the credit union's policy not to disclose this information. It advertises on its website that the 20,000-point welcome bonus is worth $200, so you should get at least one cent per point for certain redemption categories (though we can't confirm which ones).
Here are all of the card's points redemption categories:
- Charitable donations
- Travel
- Experiences
- Concerts and sporting events
- Gift cards
- Merchandise
- Cash back
Rates and fees
The Choice Rewards World Mastercard® has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, no cash advance fee and no balance transfer fee. Late payments and returned payments incur a fee of up to $25.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Card comparison
Choice Rewards World Mastercard® vs.
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is one of the absolute best cards you can apply for if you want to save on interest and pay down debit quickly thanks to its extra generous intro-APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers.
- Incredible intro-APR for purchases and qualifying balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Cell phone insurance: up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible
- No rewards
- No welcome bonus
- High balance transfer fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate, BT fee of 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
- Through My Wells Fargo Deals, you can get access to personalized deals from a variety of merchants. It's an easy way to earn cash back as an account credit when you shop, dine, or enjoy an experience simply by using an eligible Wells Fargo credit card.
Balance transfer fee
5%, min: $5
Foreign transaction fee
3%
The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card is one of the best intro APR credit cards on the market, and it can be a better option for saving on interest than the Choice Rewards card, despite its balance transfer fee and lack of rewards.
That's because the lengthy 21 month 0% APR intro period of the Wells Fargo Reflect means that you won't pay any interest on a qualifying balance transferred from account opening (then a variable 17.74%, 24.24%, or 28.49% Variable APR applies). If that transferred balance is large enough (or charges a high rate of interest), the money you save during that period can more than offset the Wells Fargo Reflects' balance transfer fee.
Choice Rewards World Mastercard® vs. Citi Double Cash® Card
What makes the Citi Double Cash® Card special is that it sits near the top of its class in several categories. It is an excellent option if you want flat-rate rewards, a balance transfer intro-APR or no annual fee.
- Balance transfers get a long intro APR
- Generous flat-rate cash-back rewards structure
- Earns transferable rewards
- No annual fee
- It has a foreign transaction fee
- Intro APR only applies to balance transfer
- Points transfer ratios are reduced compared to premium cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Balance transfer fee
There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
The Citi Double Cash® Card is one of the top no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards because it earns at least 2% back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your balance). That gives it an edge over the Choice Rewards, which earns 2X points on many — but not all — purchases.
The Citi Double Cash's reasonable intro balance transfer fee, generous intro-APR offer and great flat-rate rewards can make it a great card if you're looking for simplicity and value.
Learn more: Citi Double Cash Card review
Maximize your money with the right savings account
Is the Choice Rewards World Mastercard right for you?
There's a lot to like about the Choice Rewards World Mastercard®. It has a low APR (for a credit card), no annual fee and no balance transfer fee. You can also earn rewards on everyday purchases. In many ways, you can't go wrong with this card.
However, when you compare it to other no-annual-fee credit cards, its rewards and benefits don't stand out. Many credit cards offer 2% in rewards on every purchase (not just in limited categories) or provide lengthy intro APRs to save on interest.
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
