Since its establishment in 1933, Navy Federal Credit Union has served over 13 million members. It aims to be the most preferred and trusted financial institution for the military community and their families. The Navy Federal Credit Union nRewards® Secured Credit Card continues in that tradition and is an excellent option for service members trying to establish a good credit history or rebuild a history with blemishes.
It is available to Navy Federal Credit Union members, and you can apply for a secured card account when you deposit $200 in an existing membership account. You’ll earn rewards for responsible usage with an easy redemption process, making this an excellent choice for service members with credit challenges.
Not a NFCU member? Learn more about becoming a member here.
Navy Federal Secured Credit Card Overview
Summary
A secured credit card requires a cash deposit as collateral before you can use it. This deposit, which typically equals your credit limit, acts as security if you default on payments. Secured credit cards function similarly to regular credit cards but often have lower credit limit requirements.
You can apply for the Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card with a minimum deposit of $200 up to a maximum of $5,000. Before applying, ensure you have an existing Navy Federal membership account or apply for a new one. Once your account is open, you’ll deposit the secured amount into your membership savings account.
To get started, apply for the nRewards card here. If approved, Navy Federal will hold your deposit as security. Your deposit amount will then become your card’s spending limit.
After three months of timely payments, you may be eligible for a credit limit increase without needing to add to your deposit. Navy Federal will review your account monthly to determine if you qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured cashRewards card after six months. If you receive an upgrade, your security deposit will be refunded.
The nRewards Secured credit card earns 1 point for every $1 spent on net purchases.
Service members can add an authorized user to their account. Authorized users can use the account according to the terms and conditions of the Credit Card Agreement and Disclosure. You are responsible for any charges made by authorized users. Although a credit report will not be pulled for authorized users, Navy Federal will report account performance in the authorized user’s name to the credit bureaus.
Navy Federal nRewards Secured Card Features:
- 24/7 help from a U.S.-based member service team. You can reach Navy Federal online, by phone, or in person at a branch.
- No balance transfer fees from an existing credit card balance to a Navy Federal card.
- For service members stationed overseas, there are no foreign transaction fees.
- If you’ve temporarily misplaced your credit or debit card, Cardholders can temporarily freeze their card if they have misplaced it. When you find the card, you can unfreeze it in seconds and continue using it.
- Enjoy a zero liability policy for reported unauthorized transactions, meaning you won’t be responsible for reported unauthorized transactions made in a store, over the phone, or online.
- Fraud notifications protect you by monitoring your accounts for fraud and unusual activity. You will be notified if Navy Federal sees anything suspicious.
- Access to free credit scores for primary cardholders. Using this feature isn’t reported to the credit bureaus and won’t affect your score.
- Accumulate rewards that can be used for statement credits, cash back, and gift cards.
- Earn up to 15X points or 15% bonus cash back at Apple®1, Blue Nile®, Kohl’s®, and more when you use your Navy Federal Credit Card to shop through online Member Deals.
Pros
- Competitive variable APR
- $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees or balance transfer fees
- Earn rewards equal to one point for every dollar spent
- No limit to the amount of rewards a cardholder can accumulate
- Upgrades are available after as little as three months
Cons
- Must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member to apply
- Low initial balance that restricts credit usage
- Rewards expire four years after they are earned
- Must have a military affiliation to become a member
Digital Banking Benefits for Navy Federal Accounts
You can use your credit card before it arrives in the mail if you qualify for a digitally issued card. It can be sent to your email for immediate use.
Navy Federal’s digital banking tools give you quick access to your funds. Access your accounts and automate your finances using online banking or Navy Fed’s mobile app to quickly and easily manage your money on the go. You can also use other convenient digital banking features such as:
- Online Bill Pay and you can quickly transfer money to another member. If you’re transferring money to non-members, Zelle makes it simple, too.
- Quickly deposit checks into your account safely and securely with Mobile Deposit.
Compare the rates, fees, and rewards of top credit cards for military servicemembers and veterans, including cards with waived annual fees under the SCRA.
Navy Federal Secured Credit Card Rates and Fees
The Navy Federal Secured Credit Card offers several attractive features and benefits, making it a cost-effective choice for users. One of the standout features is the absence of an annual fee, ensuring that cardholders can maintain their accounts without worrying about yearly charges.
ATM Cash Advances and Foreign Transactions
When it comes to ATM cash advances, Navy Federal makes it convenient and affordable. There are no transaction fees if you use a Navy Federal branch or ATM. For other domestic transactions, there is a nominal fee of $0.50 per transaction, while foreign transactions incur a $1.00 fee. Additionally, cardholders benefit from no foreign transaction fees, which is particularly advantageous for those who frequently travel abroad.
Interest Rates and APR
The card’s variable APR is currently set at 18.00%, which adjusts with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. This rate applies to purchases, balance transfers, and convenience checks. For cash advances, the APR is 2% above the variable APR, also subject to market variations. Importantly, there are no balance transfer or cash advance fees, providing further savings for cardholders.
Penalty APR and Payment Terms
If the account is over 60 days past due or a payment is returned, the Penalty APR of 18.00% may apply. This rate remains effective until six consecutive minimum payments are made on time. Payment due dates are set at least 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. To avoid interest on purchases, the entire balance must be paid by the due date each month. However, interest on cash advances, balance transfers, and convenience checks begins from the transaction date.
Balance Transfers and Additional Fees
Balance transfers are allowed up to the available credit line, with no single transfer exceeding $30,000. However, this benefit excludes Navy Federal Business cards, Home Equity Line Platinum credit cards, and transfers using convenience checks. There are also fees to be aware of: a $20 fee for returned convenience checks and late payment or returned payment fees of up to $20. These late payment fees can be assessed each month the account remains past due.
Earning Rewards with the Navy Federal Secured Credit Card
There are no limits to the rewards a cardholder can earn each month. However, rewards expire four years from the month earned as long as the account remains open.
To redeem rewards, the account must be open and in good standing, meaning it is not delinquent, closed by either party, or otherwise unavailable for charges. Rewards may be forfeited if an account is closed.
Additional Rewards details include:
- Cardholders earn 1 point for every $1 of net purchases. Net purchases means the sum of your eligible purchase transactions minus returns and refunds. Eligible purchase transactions do not include, and rewards are not earned for, the following transactions: cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, or fees of any kind, including finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, and ATM transaction fees.
- Cash equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or reloading of gift and prepaid cards such as money orders, GO Prepaid Cards and other cash equivalent gift cards), may not be eligible purchase transactions and may not earn rewards.
- Rewards earned are updated on the date the eligible transaction posts to an account and may be used for reward redemptions once they have been credited to the account. To redeem rewards, the account must be open and in good standing.
- Earn up to 15X points or 15% bonus cash back at Apple®1, Blue Nile®, Kohl’s®, and more when you use your Navy Federal Credit Card to shop through online Member Deals.
Redeeming Rewards with the Navy Federal Secured Credit Card
Cardholders have options when redeeming credit card rewards.
With a Navy Federal rewards credit card, you earn at least 1 point per dollar you spend on all purchases in all categories, such as gas, groceries, restaurants, and others. cashRewards credit cards earn 1.5% cash back on net purchases while the cashRewars Plus card earns unlimited 2% cash back.
Eligible purchases for rewards do not include cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, gambling, or fees of any kind, including finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, and ATM cash advance fees. Cash-equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or reloading of gift and prepaid cards that include money orders, GO Prepaid Cards, and other cash-equivalent gift cards, may not be eligible purchase transactions and may not earn rewards.
Reward amounts are on your statements, or you can sign in to digital banking to track your reward amounts and availability.
There are several ways to redeem points for cash, merchandise, or gift cards.
Applying for the Navy Federal Secured Credit Card
Before applying for the Navy Federal Secured Credit Card, you need to have an open Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) account in good standing with at least $200 deposited. Our guide can help you learn about Navy Federal Credit Union membership eligibility.
How to Become a Navy Federal Member
If you’re not already a member, you can join Navy Federal Credit Union by meeting one of the following eligibility criteria:
Military Service:
- Currently serving or have served in the military.
- Family members of individuals who serve or have served in the military.
Department of Defense (DoD) Employees and Contractors:
- DoD civilian employees and contractors are eligible.
Family and Household Members:
- Immediate family members or household members of current Navy Federal members.
- Immediate family includes parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, children (including adopted and stepchildren), and grandchildren.
U.S. Government Employees Assigned to DoD Installations:
- U.S. Government employees assigned to DoD installations.
- Members of a Select Employee Group (SEG).
Eligible Military Service Members
Membership is open to servicemembers from all branches of the armed forces, including:
- Active Duty members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force.
- Members of the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).
- DoD Officer Candidate/ROTC.
- DoD Reservists.
- Veterans, retirees, and annuitants.
Sharing Membership with Minors
If you are an existing Navy Federal member and a parent, grandparent, or guardian of a minor, you can extend membership to children (including adopted and stepchildren) and grandchildren through an online minor membership application.
Need More Help Determining Eligibility?
For membership or credit card questions, visit a Navy Federal branch or call 1-888-842-6328.
What You’ll Need To Join
- Social Security Number
- Current home address
- Driver’s license or government ID
- Credit card or bank account and routing number to fund your account
Please note that you’ll need these for any joint owners you want to add. A Membership Savings Account with a $5 minimum balance is required to establish and maintain membership.
Is the Navy Federal Secured Credit Card Worth It?
Overall, the Navy Federal nRewards Secured Credit Card is a valuable tool for those in the military community seeking to establish or improve their credit while enjoying the perks of a rewards program. Its competitive rates, lack of fees, and potential for upgrades make it a strong contender among secured credit cards.
If you’re eligible and in need of a credit-building option, this card is worth considering. For more information and to apply, visit Navy Federal Credit Union’s website.
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