A Review of National City Bank's Points Program

I have many accounts with National City Bank. Probably one of my favorite features of my bank is its points program. The points program is really simple: enroll your Visa check card in the points program, use it, and the points accumulate until you decide it's time to redeem them for cool prizes and gifts.

National City's points program has been around for roughly over 2 years now. It was one of the first banking rewards program. There are many great features and benefits for being a National City customer but for also expanding your relationship with them, whether it be through adding a savings account, credit card, loan, or line of credit. The program is 100% free, and the only stipulation is that you have to have a Visa check card with an open checking account at National City. Once you enroll in the program and use the check card the first time after you've opened your account, you will earn 5,000 points right off the bat!

Pretty much all National City relationships are eligible for earning Points: personal checking, business checking, auto loans, home equity lines of credit, home equity loans, savings accounts, and you even earn bonus points for setting up direct deposit. You can earn points two ways: using your account how you normally do, or adding additional products or services to you account. The rate of earning points varies by the product. For example, you earn two points per dollar when you use your Visa check card as credit at merchants. If you apply for and are approved for a credit card, you earn five points per dollar when you use that card. Home equity lines of credit also earn two points per dollar.

You have the opportunity to earn bonus points as well. The first time you open your account and enroll in points, you may earn 5,000 points each for your check card, credit card, and home equity line access card. Each time you write a check, have an ACH payment come through your account, or use online bill payment, you earn 25 bonus points per item. When you open a home equity loan, line of credit, auto loan, or add direct deposit to your account for the first time, you earn 5,000 bonus points as well.

Once you have accumulated a good number of points, you can redeem them and have your choice of gift cards, magazine subscriptions, merchandise, and even cash. The points only expire 48 months from the time they post to your account. I have turned in my points and received $40 cash and two $100 Home Depot gift cards. I think that every bank should have a free rewards program to reward their loyal customers. Check with your bank to see if they offer a rewards program. You won't be sorry you did!