Union Plus Home Page

Skip Navigation

How Much Do You Know About the Credit CARD Act 2009?

The Credit CARD Act, signed into law by President Obama, will make credit card terms more transparent and eliminate many fees and arbitrary rate hikes now charged by credit card issuers starting February 22, 2010.

Test your knowledge of the new consumer protections created by this law below and then:

  1. Before the CARD Act, your credit card issuer was allowed to raise your interest rate on your existing balance and new purchases, as long as it sent you a written notice at least 15 days before the changes. That’s changed. Not including short-term teaser or introductory rates, which of the following protections apply? Your credit card issuer:
  2. If a credit card issuer offers a low introductory rate (a.k.a. “teaser” rate), it must last for at least:
  3. Which of the following changes can you expect to see when it comes to over limit fees?
  4. Many cardholders have complained about unfair billing practices. Which of the following are not allowed under the Credit CARD Act:
  5. The CARD Act includes several measures designed to help protect consumers under the age of 21. Which of the following is NOT a protection offered under the CARD Act:
  6. It is not unusual to have a credit card balance with more than one interest rate. For example, part of your balance may carry a very low interest rate because you used a balance transfer offer, while another part may carry a higher interest rate from purchases or cash advances. How will the new law change how your payments are applied to balances with different interest rates?
  7. The Credit CARD Act will clamp down on cards that have been dubbed “fee harvester” cards. A fee harvester card is:
  8. Which of the following disclosures are you NOT likely to see on your statements in early 2010?
  9. Advertisements with catchy jingles for “free credit reports” have been criticized by consumer advocates as misleading consumers into buying credit report services. True or false: The CARD Act will forbid advertisers of credit report services from using the words “free credit report” in their ads.
  10. Some card issuers charge cardholders a fee for paying their bills online, by phone, etc. Some of these “pay to pay” fees will be banned under the CARD Act. Which of the following will still be allowed?
Yes, please sign me up for the free Union Plus E-News, a monthly update on savings and benefits for union members, money-saving tips and consumer information.

Email

Either Select a Union

Or Find Your Union by Occupation

Union Benefits Locator

Target

Union Plus benefits are for union families. Select your union and you’ll see the Union Plus programs your union offers. Why?

Select Union

Most AFL-CIO and Change-to-Win unions participate in most Union Plus benefits, but some international unions elect not to offer all the programs. So in order to access all of the programs your union participates in, select your union from the drop down menu.

You can start using your union’s Union Plus benefits today! (No membership in Union Plus or the Union Plus Credit Card is required.)

Either Select a Union

I am a Union Plus Credit Cardholder (?)

Union Plus Credit Card

Union members are automatically eligible for their union's Union Plus benefits and you do not need to be a Union Plus Credit Cardholder in order to access your union's Union Plus benefits.

But - if you are a Union Plus Credit Cardholder, you could be eligible for additional discounts.

Find Benefits

Or Find Your Union by Occupation

  • Not a union member? Find out how to join one.
  • Help if you do not know your union

    Help if you don’t know your union

    Your union membership dictates which Union Plus benefits you are eligible to use.

    1. What your national union’s name (not just your local number)? Scroll through the list we have to see if you recognize your union.
    2. What type of work do you do (select your occupation)?
    3. Do you have a union member card or union publication/letter that shows the name of your union? Find something with the name of your union, not just a local number.
    4. Is there a shop steward or work colleague you can ask what the name of your union is? You can even ask your human resources department to tell you the full name of your union?
    5. Do you have a Union Plus Credit Card? If so, the name and logo for your international union should appear on the front of the card.
    .

Explore Union Plus

En Español

Copyright ©2012 Union Privilege. All rights reserved. Union Plus benefits are for participating union members, retirees and their families.

Union Privilege, 1125 15th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005