Welcome to The Passport Card

a #ShopLocal Program by Element FCU & Charleston Urban Works

At Element Federal Credit Union, we believe in the power of community. That’s why we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Charleston Urban Works to bring you an exciting new initiative: The Passport Card! – our new and improved #ShopLocal program. This program is designed to encourage residents to support local merchants and contribute to the vibrancy of our local economy.

What is The Passport Card?

The Passport Card is a custom debit or credit card that rewards you for shopping at local businesses. By using this card, you’ll enjoy 2% cash back on all purchases made at participating local merchants. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting your community and helping to keep our local economy strong.

How It Works

Get Your Card: Sign up for the new Charleston Urban Works Passport debit or credit card from Element Federal Credit Union.
Shop Local: Use the Passport Card at any participating local merchant to earn 2% cash back on your purchases.
Earn Rewards: At the end of each month, your 2% cash back will be credited directly to your account.
Win Prizes: Each month, we’ll conduct random drawings to reward one lucky participant with a bonus reward as a token of our appreciation.

Why Shop Local with The Passport Card?

Support Your Community: Every purchase you make helps local businesses thrive, creating jobs and fostering a vibrant local economy.
Exclusive Rewards: Enjoy cash back incentives and opportunities to win additional rewards just for shopping at your favorite local spots.
Be a Community Champion: Join us in our mission to make Charleston a better place to live, work, and shop.

The Passport Debit Card Account

Deposit Balance*	Dividend Rate**	APY
Any balance (qualifications not met)	0.05%	0.05%
$0 to $5,000 (with all qualifications met)**	9.53%	10.00%
> $5,000 (with all qualifications met)**	0.10%	0.10%

^*Minimum opening balance requirement = $10; ongoing minimum monthly balance requirement = $0
^**Rewards checking dividend rate applies in any given month where all of the following conditions are met:
– 17 debit card point of sale transactions in that same month;
– At least $500 in direct payroll deposits in that same month;
– Enrollment in eStatements.

The Passport Card is limited to one account per member (individual or joint)

The Passport Card FAQ

How do I get The Passport Card?

You can get The Passport Card by signing up through Element Federal Credit Union. You can apply online or visit one of Element’s branch locations to sign up for your card.

How do I get funds on The Passport Debit Card?

You can load funds into your Passport Debit Card Account through direct deposit, mobile check deposit, visiting an Element branch, or by transferring money from another banking account using the Element app or online banking. If your other banking account allows, you could initiate transfers from that account to The Passport Debit Card.

Where can I get assistance with The Passport Card?

For assistance with The Passport Card, you can contact Element FCU:

Phone at 304-721-4145
Email at Team@ElementFCU.org
Visiting one of our branch locations.

How does the 2% Cash Back work?

The 2% cash back is earned on all purchases made at participating local merchants using The Passport Card. The cash back amount is credited to your account at the end of each month. You will see the credit on the 1st day after the end of the month.

What qualifies as local purchases?

Local purchases are those made at participating merchants within the Charleston Urban Works initiative. To see the full list of participating merchants, please visit the Charleston Urban Works website.

Does the Passport Card only work at local merchants?

The Passport Card works anywhere MasterCard debit and credit cards are accepted. You will receive 2% cash back on all local purchases. Non local purchases will not receive the cash back reward.

Do I really need to deposit $10 to get The Passport Debit Card?

Yes, a minimum deposit of $10 is required to obtain The Passport Card. This deposit ensures that your card is active and ready for use. The initial deposit can be loaded through various methods such as direct deposit, mobile check deposit, visiting an Element branch, or by transferring funds from another banking account. If you have any concerns or need assistance with the initial deposit, we’re here to help.

What's the difference between the debit and credit Passport cards?

The Passport Debit Card:

Linked to Your Banking Account: When you use the Passport Debit Card, the money is taken directly from your debit account at Element FCU.
Immediate Payment: The funds are usually deducted immediately when you make a purchase.
No Borrowing: You can only spend the money you already have in your debit account, so there’s no borrowing or interest charges.
ATM Access: You can use a the Passport Debit Card to withdraw cash from ATMs.

The Passport Credit Card:

Borrowed Money: When you use the Passport Credit Card, you are borrowing money from the credit card issuer (Element FCU) to make purchases.
Monthly Bill: You receive a bill each month for the total amount you’ve borrowed, and you can choose to pay it all at once or over time.
Interest Charges: If you don’t pay the full amount by the due date, you will be charged interest on the remaining balance.
Credit Limit: The Passport Credit Card has a limit on how much you can borrow. This is set by the credit card issuer, Element FCU.
Building Credit: Using The Passport Credit Card responsibly can help build your credit score.

Summary:

The Passport Debit Card: Uses your own money, immediate payment, no interest.
The Passport Credit Card: Borrows money, pay later, can incur interest, helps build credit.

Up to 10% APY on The Passport Debit Account - Really!

See How We Do It!

Benefits & Discounts

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