How the Good Sam Rewards Visa Works and What It Costs

What the Good Sam Rewards Visa is and who issues it

The Good Sam Rewards Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Connexus Credit Union in partnership with Good Sam Enterprises, the parent company of Camping World and Good Sam Club. It is designed for people who camp, travel in RVs, or shop at Camping World locations. The card earns cash back on purchases and offers discounts at Good Sam-affiliated merchants.

Connexus Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union based in Madison, Wisconsin. They handle the card's underwriting, account management, and customer service. Good Sam Enterprises handles the rewards program and partnerships with merchants. This is a standard Visa card that works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Good Sam locations.

Key Takeaways

The Good Sam Rewards Visa earns 5% cash back at Camping World and Good Sam Club locations, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
There is no annual fee, but the card carries a variable interest rate that changes with the prime rate, so your APR will fluctuate.
You must be a Good Sam Club member to open the card, and membership costs money separately from the card itself.
Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, so payment history affects your credit score like any other credit card.

Rewards structure and how cash back works

The card earns 5% cash back on purchases at Camping World stores and Good Sam Club locations. It earns 1% cash back on all other purchases made anywhere Visa is accepted. Cash back is calculated as a percentage of the purchase amount and posts to your account monthly.

There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You can redeem cash back as a statement credit, a check mailed to you, or a deposit to a linked bank account. Some cardholders use the rewards to offset the cost of Good Sam Club membership or to pay for camping supplies and RV maintenance at Camping World.

Annual fees and interest rates

The Good Sam Rewards Visa has no annual fee. This means you can hold the card without paying a membership cost to Connexus Credit Union or Good Sam Enterprises, separate from any Good Sam Club membership you may have.

The card carries a variable APR, which means the interest rate changes when the prime rate changes. The exact rate you receive depends on your credit score and credit history at the time you open the account. Connexus publishes a range of rates, but your personal rate will fall somewhere within that range. If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The card also has a variable APR for balance transfers and cash advances, which are typically higher than the purchase APR.

Good Sam Club membership requirement

You must be a Good Sam Club member to open the Good Sam Rewards Visa. Good Sam Club membership is separate from the credit card and costs money annually. The membership provides discounts at Camping World, RV parks, and other travel-related merchants. Some cardholders find the membership discount savings offset the annual membership cost, especially if they camp frequently or make regular purchases at Camping World.

If you cancel your Good Sam Club membership, Connexus may close your credit card account or convert it to a different card product. Check the card's terms and conditions for the specific policy on membership cancellation.

How the card affects your credit score

The Good Sam Rewards Visa reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, the three major credit bureaus. This means your payment history, credit utilization, and account age all factor into your credit score the same way they would with any other credit card.

Opening the card creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. The inquiry typically falls off your report after two years. Carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit (high utilization) can also lower your score, even if you pay on time. Paying your bill in full and on time each month builds positive payment history and helps your score over time.

Comparing the Good Sam card to other travel and rewards cards

The 5% cash back rate at Camping World is competitive for a co-branded card with no annual fee. However, the 1% rate on all other purchases is lower than many general-purpose rewards cards, which offer 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases. The value of the card depends on how much you spend at Camping World and Good Sam Club locations versus everywhere else.

If you camp infrequently or rarely shop at Camping World, a general-purpose card with higher cash back on all purchases may earn you more money over time. If you camp regularly and buy supplies at Camping World, the 5% rate at those locations can offset the lower rate elsewhere. Calculate your typical annual spending at Camping World and compare the cash back you would earn on this card to what you would earn on a card you already have or are considering.

How to open an account and what to expect

To open a Good Sam Rewards Visa, you must first become a Good Sam Club member through Good Sam Enterprises. Once your membership is active, you can explore for the card through Connexus Credit Union's website or by phone. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information.

Connexus will pull your credit report and make a decision within a few minutes to a few business days. If you are approved, your card will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up the card online or by phone once it arrives. Your first statement will arrive 30 to 45 days after you open the account, depending on when your billing cycle begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Good Sam Rewards Visa anywhere Visa is accepted?

Yes. The card works at any merchant that accepts Visa, including gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and grocery stores. You earn 1% cash back on these purchases. You earn the higher 5% rate only at Camping World stores and Good Sam Club locations.

What happens to my rewards if I close the card?

Cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. If you close the account, you should redeem any remaining rewards before closing. Check your account terms for the specific policy on what happens to unredeemed rewards after account closure.

Is the Good Sam Rewards Visa a secured card?

No. This is an unsecured card, which means you do not need to put down a cash deposit to open it. Your credit score and credit history determine whether you are approved and what interest rate you receive.

Can I use the card if I am not an RV owner?

Yes. You do not have to own an RV to open the card or be a Good Sam Club member. However, the card's rewards structure is designed for people who shop at Camping World and use Good Sam Club discounts. If you do not use those merchants, a different rewards card may earn you more cash back.

What is the difference between this card and a regular Connexus credit card?

The Good Sam Rewards Visa is a co-branded card that earns cash back rewards and requires Good Sam Club membership. Connexus offers other credit cards without the Good Sam partnership and without the membership requirement. Those cards may have different rewards rates, fees, and terms.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.