MasterCard FAQs


    What benefits are included with MasterCard?

    • Benefits include purchase protection, global travel assistance, rental car coverage, concierge services and Identity Theft Resolution Services. Read our complete Guide to Benefits.
    Is MasterCard widely accepted?
    • Yes. MasterCard is accepted at millions of locations worldwide.

    Can I set up recurring/automatic payments for my gym and other places. What do I need to do?

    • Yes. You will need to contact the payee and provide them with your MasterCard information, such as your card number, three-digit security code, and expiration date.

    What if my card is lost or stolen?

    • For lost or stolen cards, call 805.477.4000.


    • Why does my card have a chip in it?

      • Your MasterCard will be equipped with an EMV chip for added security and ease of use here in the U.S. and abroad. Due to the security in the chip, every transaction you make is unique, which makes it extremely difficult for the card to be copied or counterfeited.
    • How does chip technology work?

      • Every transaction with a chip card has unique data in it. Chip transactions are dynamic, not static like magnetic stripe cards. If someone were able to intercept one of your chip transactions, they would not be able to use the information again. This stops fraudsters from being able to create counterfeit chip cards.
    • How is this card different from a magnetic stripe card?

      • A chip card looks just like a traditional card with an embedded chip in addition to the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. Rather than swipe your card, you will insert it into a chip enabled card terminal to complete the transaction.
    • How do I use my chip card?

    • Is my social security number stored on the EMV chip?

      • No, Traditional magnetic stripes contain “static” data consisting of the Primary Account Number and other information; which can be stolen by criminals, often through the practice known as “skimming.” By contrast, EMV cards generate transaction-specific data through a process called dynamic authentication. With dynamic authentication the data changes with every transaction, thus any captured information is effectively useless to criminals. It’s a bit like having an old key to a door whose lock has been changed. For this reason, EMV technology has been shown to drastically reduce card-present fraud.

    • What is the difference between Platinum and Platinum Rewards?

      Platinum Rewards:

      This card comes equipped with rewards points you can spend on the things you want, like flights, gift cards, electronics and much more!


      While the Platinum Rewards card has points, this card boasts a lower rate! For the lowest possible rate, the VCCU Platinum card is the way to go.

      See Disclosures for complete details.


    • How does the VCCU Rewards program work?

      Earn points for everyday purchases when you use your Platinum Rewards card. Once you accumulate enough points, you can use them for rewards such as air travel, hotel accommodations, travel packages, gift cards, or account credits. Learn more about VCCU Rewards

    • Who is eligible for the VCCU Rewards program?

      You must have been approved, received, and activated a VCCU Platinum Rewards credit card in order to be eligible for the VCCU Rewards program. Once your card is activated, you will automatically earn points with your purchases.

    • How does the VCCU Platinum Rewards card earn points?

      Use your Platinum Rewards credit card to make purchases and you will receive one (1) point for every $1.00 in net purchases (purchases less returns). Cash advances, fees, and balance transfers do not earn points.

    • Do my points expire?

      Points do not expire if qualifying purchases occur on the credit card loan at least once every twelve (12) months.

      A qualifying purchase is any signature-based purchase, Internet purchase, phone or mail order purchase, bill payment, contactless purchase (purchases made by holding your card or other device up to a secure reader instead of swiping your card), or small dollar purchases for which you are not required to sign, made with an enrolled credit card. Transactions considered not qualifying purchases are: PIN-based purchases, purchases you initiate through identification technology that substitutes for a PIN, payments of existing card balances, balance transfers, cash advances, ATM transactions, convenience checks, fees charged by us (for example, finance charges). If there are no qualifying purchases made within 12 months, all points will expire at that time.