FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Program Questions

Enrollment Questions

Earning Points

Redeeming Points

General Program Questions

Which cards are eligible?
All Visa Debit accounts in "good standing" are eligible. A card which has been reported lost or stolen, involved in fraud, or revoked or closed is not eligible. Remember, the blue MECU ATM cards are not part of the program.

What does CURewards have to offer?
CURewards offers a vast array of rewards from which to choose. Big or small, there's something for everyone from merchandise to travel, car rentals, etc.

Is there any cost for participating in the CURewards program?
There is no fee to participate in the Debit CURewards program.

Enrollment Questions

How do I enroll?
A member does not need to enroll. Their Debit Card account is automatically be enrolled into the CURewards program.

What if I have a joint checking account?
Two different situations could apply:

  1. If both members have their own Debit Card and the 16-digit card numbers are unique for each card, both cards are identified separately. CUReward points are earned for purchases made on each card individually. Unfortunately, points earned on one card cannot be transferred to another card, even if the cards are linked to the same checking account. Only that cardholder can redeem the points earned on an individual card
  2. If both members have their own Debit Card and the same 16-digit number appears on both cards, the cards are identified as one. Purchases made with either card will earn points towards the same CURewards account. Either cardholder can enroll and redeem points, provided they know the password.

How can I access my CURewards point information?
Members can access their point information via the CURewards website, www.curewards.com. They will be required to enter their Debit Card number to access point information.

Earning Points

How do I earn points?
Points are earned when members use their Debit Card to make qualifying purchases, which include:

• Signature-based transactions
• Internet purchases
• Purchases made without your PIN

What is a "Qualifying Purchase"?
A "Qualifying Purchase" is any signature-based purchase, Internet purchase, phone or mail order purchase, or automatic bill payment made using the Debit Card.

The member must sign for all in-store purchases made with the Debit Card in order for such purchases to be deemed qualifying purchases; a Personal Identification Number (PIN) must not be used when paying for purchases with the card if points are to be earned for such purchases.

PIN-based purchases, cash advances, ATM transactions are not qualifying transactions. No points are earned for finance charges, fees, cash advances, convenience checks, foreign transaction currency charges, or insurance charges posted to the account.

How many points do I earn with each qualifying purchase?
1 (One) CUReward point is earned for every $5.00 spent.

What happens if my card is lost or stolen?
If a Debit Card is lost or stolen, the member should first call Visa Security at 800-449-7728 to report the loss or theft. If MECU issues the member a new card, card information will be updated automatically and the member will not lose the points in their CURewards account. A member will continue to earn points for the qualifying purchases made with their new replacement card, even if that card has a different card number.

Can I combine CURewards with another checking account?
No. CUReward points accrue for purchases on each individual card enrolled. Points cannot be transferred among CURewards accounts, even if the cards are linked to the same checking account.

What if I find a discrepancy between my MECU Visa Debit Card account transactions and points earned?
This may occur if some of the purchases were not qualifying purchases. Also, it may take up to two weeks for some of the points earned from certain qualifying purchases to be posted to the CURewards account. Some transactions, such as online purchases or purchases outside the U.S., may take longer to post to their rewards account. Taxes, shipping and certain products and services may not earn bonus points.

What happens if I return something?
Returns, credits or charge backs on your MECU Debit Card will be posted to your CURewards account as negative points.

Do points ever expire?
YES. Unredeemed CURewards points will expire three years from the end of the calendar year in which they were earned, and will expire on a first-in, first-out basis, annually. Since members will not be provided with notice of expiration points, it is recommended that the cardholder check their CURewards account periodically to monitor points.

For example, points earned in 2005 will expire December 31, 2008.

Why were points in my CURewards account forfeited? How can I get them back?
A member will forfeit all points in their CURewards account if the underlying Visa Debit Card account is closed by MECU for any reason, or the cardholder for any reason terminates the account. Once the points are forfeited, a member cannot get them back, even if the underlying Visa Debit card account is reinstated. Members will not be provided any notice of forfeiture of points in the CURewards account.

Redeeming Points

How do I redeem my points?
Redeem your CURewards point total online at www.curewards.com.

When can I start redeeming points?
Redemption levels start as low as 2,500 points.

If I do not wish to participate, can my points be credited against the balance on my Debit Card account?
No. Points have no cash value.

What types of items can these points be used for?
CURewards provides redemption options from 2,500 points to 375,000 points with something for just about everyone. Rewards can be redeemed for merchandise or travel awards. Members can browse the online CURewards catalog for more information.