Advertiser Disclosure
Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which The Motley Fool receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear) and may influence which products we write about, but our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. We do not include all companies or offers available in the marketplace.
Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation.
There's no such thing as the perfect credit card, so you'll need to make compromises here and there. The Alliant Visa Platinum credit card is a perfect example. It has an intriguingly low balance transfer fee, but the intro APR offer isn't that competitive, especially if you don't qualify for the best rate. See how it works, and more, in our complete Alliant Visa Platinum review.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 3.00 out of 5 stars.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Score:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good (670-850)
Intro APR
As low as 0% introductory rate for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Purchases: as low as 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: as low as 0%, 12 months
Regular APR
15.49%–27.49% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
A low transfer fee and decent intro offer can make this a useful card. However, not everyone will get the best APR, and there are far longer intro offers out there.
Intro APR offer
Low transfer fee
No annual fee
No rewards
APR offer varies
As low as 0% introductory rate for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. (After the introductory period, a low standard variable rate applies ranging from 15.49%–27.49%. Balance transfer fee of 2% of the amount transferred, $5 minimum.)
Great for balance transfers to consolidate your debts from high-interest cards into one payment
$0 fraud liability guarantee
No annual fee
Generous credit lines
Low standard APRs
EMV chip for enhanced security
Works with Google Pay™, Apple Pay™ and Samsung Pay™
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
2% cash rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5-3 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers
may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
This credit card is a good fit for: Applicants with good credit who want a low-fee balance transfer card with a modest intro APR offer.
Top perks
This isn't a showy card, but it does have a few perks.
Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
The main draw of this card for many will be the introductory APR offer. Depending on your qualifications, you could get an intro APR as low as 0% for the first 12 months after card opening. This APR would apply to both new purchases as well as balance transfers. After the promotional period ends, the standard APR listed in your card's terms will apply.
This is a decent, though not particularly competitive, offer. And did you note the "as low as" caveat? More on that in the "What could be improved" section below.
Competitively low balance transfer fee
Arguably the most interesting thing about this card is its balance transfer fee. This is a fee charged every time you transfer a balance to a new card. Typically, balance transfer fees are between 3% and 5%. However, this card has a comparatively low 2% of the balance transfer amount ($5 minimum). This isn't a promotional fee, either; it's the same no matter when you transfer your balance.
No annual card fee
There's no annual card fee with an Alliant Visa Platinum. This means you don't need to pay a fee just to keep your card open. Since most folks interested in this card are likely looking to save money on interest, it makes sense that Alliant isn't tacking a costly annual fee onto this card.
What could be improved
Although this card has potential, there are a few downsides worth considering.
No purchase rewards or welcome bonus
If you're a fan of the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature, then you'll be bummed to know that this card does not compete on the rewards. In fact, this card doesn't earn any kind of rewards at all. And, perhaps worst of all, there's no welcome bonus. While this isn't a big deal if you're just doing balance transfers (transferred balances don't earn purchase rewards), it may be a deal breaker for folks looking to use the intro APR offer on new purchases.
APR offer varies and can be confusing
So, let's discuss that "as low as" language for the intro APR offer. Basically, not everyone who is approved for an Alliant Visa Platinum will actually receive a 0% APR offer. The intro APR offer you're given will depend on your specific qualifications as a credit user. You could receive 0% for 12 months -- but you could also get an introductory APR as high as 5.99%. While this is still a lower rate than the go-to rate on a typical credit card, it's not nearly as valuable as an offer that guarantees 0% APR.
Have to be a credit union member to apply
Alliant is a credit union. This means you need to be a member to use its financial products. Getting a membership isn't difficult -- you can do it online while applying for the card -- but it does mean you'll need to be part of an eligible organization, even if that means joining one as part of your application process. You'll also need to open (and keep open) an Alliant savings account.
Suggested credit score
Alliant doesn't specifically say what the credit score range is for this card. In general, intro APR cards are designed for folks with at least good credit, or a FICO® Score of 670 or higher.
That said, credit unions are generally more flexible about their approval requirements. Additionally, this card has a range of potential intro APR offers. So, you may be approved with less-than-stellar credit, but you may not receive the best rate on your intro APR offer.
The Alliant Visa Platinum is right for you if:
This could be a solid option if:
You want a balance transfer card;
You qualify for the 0% intro APR; and,
You don't need more than as low as 0%, 12 months to pay off your balance.
Overall, the feature that makes this card stand out from other balance transfer cards is the low balance transfer fee. Otherwise, you can find cards with better intro APR offers that last longer and guarantee a 0% APR to everyone who is approved.
Our credit card methodology
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
FAQs
Alliant doesn't publish its credit lines for this card, but the website advertises "generous" credit limits. Users report receiving starting limits up to $15,000. Your credit history, income, and other qualifications will impact your approved credit limit.
Yes, you can add an authorized user during your application, as well as online or by phone after you're approved.
Alliant says it primarily pulls from TransUnion for its loans, but it doesn't specify if the same is true for credit card applications. A card issuer can pull from any (or even all) of the three credit bureaus when you apply for a new card.
Share This Page
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Target, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Visa.
Motley Fool Money is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
