Navy Federal Credit Union offers financial services for active and retired members of the military and certain government employees, plus their families. In the event you’re considering joining the credit union, check out its current promotions before you open a new account.
Banks regularly offer promotions to attract new customers. They really want your business and are willing to pay you hundreds if you open an account. You can use this cash to boost your savings — a useful commodity in the current economy.
These promotions were picked because they represent the best Navy Federal bonuses currently available. Take a look — you may just find one you can’t pass up.
Senior Enlisted Reward Program: Up To $500 Bonus
The Senior Enlisted Reward Program lets you earn $100 for each new Senior NCO you refer to the credit union. Navy Federal coupons are not required for this bonus, but the people you refer must meet membership criteria and provide your access number when opening their new account. Here’s more:
- Cash value: Up to $500
- Minimum deposit to qualify: $0
- Expiration date: None
- How to get it: Refer active duty National Guard and Reserves E-7 through E-9 for membership and earn $100 for each one who joins, up to a $500 total reward. The people you refer must mention the program and provide your access number when applying for membership for you to get credit.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus is deposited within 14 business days after the referred person’s membership is approved.
- Terms and conditions: This offer is not available to recruiters or Navy Federal employees and their immediate families. Referring members and referred individuals must be at least 18 years old. The referral fee is contingent on the referred individual qualifying for membership.
- Monthly fee: None
- Promotions page: Senior Enlisted Reward Program bonus offer
Navy Federal Credit Card Offers
Navy Federal offers six credit cards — and some of them reward you for opening an account, as long as you meet the requirements.
Navy Federal cashRewards Credit Card: $200 Bonus
This cash-back card offers 1.75% back on your purchases if you have direct deposit set up and 1.50% without direct deposit. You can start redeeming rewards as soon as you earn them; there’s no limit and they never expire as long as your account remains in good standing.
All Navy Federal credit cards come with 24/7 access to U.S.-based customer service and no fees for balance transfers or foreign transactions. Here’s more:
- Cash value: $200
- Minimum spend to qualify: $2,000
- Expiration date: May 1, 2023
- How to get it: Open a new Navy Federal cashRewards credit card and make $2,000 in purchases within the first 90 days.
- When you’ll get it: Up to eight weeks after the end of the 90-day period
- Terms and conditions: Some transactions, such as cash advances, balance transfers, fees and others, do not count as purchases — see the offer page for details. Limit one bonus per customer.
- Monthly fee: None
- Promotions page: Navy Federal cashRewards credit card offer
Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Credit Card: 40,000 Bonus Points — $400 Value
In addition to 40,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within 90 days of opening the account, the Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card comes with a free year of Amazon Prime. Additionally, this travel rewards card earns three points per dollar on travel and two points per dollar on all other purchases. It also features a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Here’s how to get it:
- Cash value: $400
- Minimum spend to qualify: $4,000
- Expiration date: June 29, 2023
- How to get it: Open a new Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card and make $4,000 in qualifying purchases within 90 days of opening the account.
- When you’ll get it: Up to eight weeks after the end of the 90-day period
- Terms and conditions: Some transactions, such as cash advances, balance transfers, fees and others, do not count as purchases — see the offer page for details. Limit one bonus per customer.
- Annual fee: $49
- Promotions page: Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards credit card offer
Other Navy Federal Offers
It’s not just banking accounts and credit cards that can net you a bonus with Navy Federal. It also offers attractive offers through its other services.
Auto Loan Refinance: $200 Bonus
Navy Federal offers competitive rates and refinance terms ranging from 36 to 96 months for new and used vehicles. Get rates as low as 4.54% for a new vehicle and save money over the life of your vehicle loan. You can also earn up to $200 cash when you switch your auto loan to Navy Federal Credit Union. Here’s how to get it:
- Cash value: $200
- Minimum loan amount to qualify: $5,000
- Expiration date: None
- How to get it: Refinance your auto loan with Navy Federal and make your first scheduled payment.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus is credited to your savings account 61 to 65 days after the loan origination date.
- Terms and conditions: This offer is not available for existing Navy Federal loans. The loan amount must be at least $5,000 to qualify for the bonus. Rates and terms are subject to approval and can vary depending on factors like creditworthiness and the age of the vehicle.
- Monthly fee: None
- Promotions page: Auto loan refinance bonus offer
RealtyPlus Real Estate Assistance: Up To $9,000 Bonus
RealtyPlus is a program available to Navy Federal members who want to buy or sell a home. All you have to do is enroll in the program and choose an approved agent. You can earn up to $9,000, depending on the value of the home and where you live.
- Cash value: $400 to $9,000
- Minimum deposit to qualify: None
- Expiration date: None
- How to get it: Enroll in the RealtyPlus program. Choose an agent from the approved list to buy or sell your home. Close on the sale.
- When you’ll get it: After closing on the sale
- Terms and conditions: Members must enroll in the program and use an approved agent to qualify for the cash-back bonus. A Navy Federal Credit Union mortgage is not required. Residents of Kansas and Tennessee receive a Mastercard MAX gift card instead of cash. The program is not available in Alaska or Oklahoma. Commission reduction may be available on closing in Mississippi, New Jersey and Oregon.
- Monthly fee: None
- Promotions page: RealtyPlus bonus offer
About Navy Federal Credit Union
At the end of the Great Depression, a group of seven Navy Department employees founded Navy Federal Credit Union. Their goal was to create a place where they and their co-workers could save or borrow money and work toward individual financial goals. Today, credit union membership is open to members of all branches of the military.
Navy Federal Credit Union has more than 12 million members. The credit union has 350 branches around the world.
Navy Federal Credit Union Membership Benefits
Navy Federal Credit Union members enjoy more than great rates on savings products and loans. It’s a top-five Veterans Affairs lender for service members who have not used their VA eligibility. Member benefits include:
- Access to more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs
- An auto-buying program
- Auto insurance discounts through Liberty Mutual
- Discounts on purchases made at select retailers
- Vehicle rental discounts through Enterprise and Hertz
Navy Federal Credit Union Membership Criteria
Before you can take advantage of Navy Federal promotions, you have to apply for membership. Membership is open to the following service members:
- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, National Guard, Navy and Space Force active duty members
- Members of the Delayed Entry Program
- Department of Defense officer candidates
- Department of Defense reservists
- Veterans and retirees of the armed forces
Military family members may apply for membership. Department of Defense civilian employees, retirees and contractors may also qualify for Navy Federal Credit Union membership.
How To Open a Navy Federal Account
If you meet membership requirements, you can complete the membership application. You and any joint owners need to provide:
- A driver’s license or government-issued ID
- A Social Security number
- A home address
- A way to fund your account, such as a credit card, a debit card or your routing and bank account numbers, to initiate a transfer
Individuals who are being sponsored by a current credit union member also need to provide information about their sponsor. This includes the last four numbers of the sponsor’s Social Security number and a credit union Access Number. Once your account is approved, you can log in and start banking.
Should You Consider Opening an Account at Navy Federal Credit Union?
Navy Federal Credit Union members enjoy low rates and fees on banking products and loans. They can also earn discounts that can add up to big savings over time, similar to offerings from other credit unions.
If you have friends and family who also qualify for membership, you can earn some decent cash by referring them to the credit union. Just make sure that the financial products, loans and banking services meet your needs.
Julia Gordon contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information on promotions is accurate as of March 3, 2023. Additional requirements may apply. Offers and terms are subject to change.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.