Sun Country Visa is a rewards card designed for travel and everyday spending
Sun Country Visa is a credit card issued by a financial institution and marketed primarily to people who travel frequently or want to earn rewards on purchases. The card offers cash back or points on different types of spending — the exact structure depends on which version of the card you're considering. Like any rewards card, it charges an annual fee, and the rewards you earn are only valuable if you use them or redeem them before the card is closed.
The card is not a store card or a prepaid card. It's a standard credit card that reports to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means using it responsibly can help build your credit history. Carrying a balance on it, however, means paying interest — often 18% to 24% annually, depending on your creditworthiness and current rates.
Key Takeaways
- Sun Country Visa earns rewards on purchases, but the rewards are only useful if you redeem them or use them before closing the account.
- The card charges an annual fee, which means you need to earn enough rewards or value to make the card worth keeping.
- Carrying a balance on any rewards card costs more in interest than the rewards are worth, so the card only makes sense if you pay the full balance each month.
- Your approval odds and the interest rate you receive depend on your credit score and credit history, not on the card's name or marketing.
How rewards work on this card
Sun Country Visa typically offers cash back or points on categories like travel, dining, or everyday purchases. The exact earning rate varies by card version — some earn a flat percentage on all purchases, while others earn higher rates in specific categories and lower rates elsewhere. You accumulate these rewards with each purchase, and they sit in your account until you redeem them.
Redemption usually means transferring the points to a travel partner, converting them to cash back, or using them to book travel through the card issuer's portal. The real value depends on how you redeem: a point used to book a flight through the issuer's site might be worth more than the same point converted to a dollar. Read the redemption options carefully before opening the card, because a card with high earning rates but poor redemption options can leave you with points that are hard to use.
Annual fees and when they make sense
Sun Country Visa charges an annual fee — the amount varies by card tier. A premium version might cost $95 or more per year, while a basic version might cost less or nothing. The fee is charged once per year, usually on your card anniversary, and you pay it whether you use the card or not.
For the card to be worth the fee, you need to earn enough rewards to cover it and still come out ahead. If you spend $5,000 per year and earn 1% cash back, you earn $50 — which doesn't cover a $95 fee. But if you spend $15,000 per year on categories that earn 2% or 3%, you might earn $300 to $450, which easily covers the fee and leaves you with real value. Calculate your own spending before opening the card: add up what you spent in the past year, explore the card's earning rates to those categories, and subtract the annual fee. If the number is negative, the card costs you money.
Credit score impact and approval requirements
explore for Sun Country Visa triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you're approved, the new account also lowers your average account age and increases your total available credit — both of which affect your score, though usually in opposite directions.
Approval depends on your credit score, income, existing debt, and payment history. The card issuer publishes a minimum credit score requirement, but that's a floor, not a may provide. People with scores above that minimum still get denied, and people slightly below it sometimes get approved. If you're denied, you can call the reconsideration line and ask why, though the issuer is not required to reverse the decision. If your score is below 670, approval is unlikely; if it's above 740, approval is much more probable.
Interest rates and the cost of carrying a balance
Sun Country Visa charges interest on any balance you don't pay in full by the due date. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is typically between 18% and 24%, though it can be higher or lower depending on your credit profile and current market rates. This rate is not fixed — the issuer can raise it if you miss a payment or if the prime rate changes.
Carrying a balance on a rewards card almost always costs more than the rewards are worth. If you charge $1,000 and earn $20 in rewards but pay $180 in interest over a year, you've lost $160. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full balance every month. If you're carrying debt on other cards, paying off that debt should come before opening a new rewards card.
Comparing Sun Country Visa to other travel and rewards cards
Many credit card issuers offer travel and rewards cards. Some charge no annual fee but offer lower earning rates. Others charge a high annual fee but include travel perks like airport lounge access or travel insurance. Some cards are co-branded with airlines or hotels and offer bonus points when you book through their partners.
Before opening Sun Country Visa, compare it to at least two other cards with similar features. Look at the annual fee, the earning rates in your spending categories, the redemption options, and any additional perks. A card with a $95 fee and 2% cash back might be better than a card with no fee and 1% cash back if you spend enough to earn $95 or more. But a card with no fee and 1.5% cash back might beat both of them. The math is specific to your spending, so do the calculation yourself rather than trusting marketing claims.
What to do if you're denied or have a low credit score
If you're denied for Sun Country Visa, you have a few options. You can call the reconsideration line within 30 days and ask the issuer to reconsider your process — sometimes providing additional information (like proof of income) can change the outcome. You can also wait a few months, work on raising your credit score, and explore again.
If your credit score is below 670, approval for a premium rewards card is unlikely. Instead, consider a secured credit card, which requires a cash deposit and reports to the credit bureaus just like a regular card. After 12 to 24 months of on-time payments, you can often graduate to an unsecured card. This path takes longer but builds your credit history in a way that opens better card options later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the rewards before closing the card?
Policies vary by issuer. Some cards let you redeem rewards after closing the account, while others cancel unused rewards when the account closes. Check the cardholder agreement before opening the card. If you plan to close the card, redeem your rewards first to make sure you don't lose them.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
Some issuers waive the first-year fee as a promotional offer, but this is not may provide. You can call the issuer and ask for a waiver after the first year if you've been a good customer, though they're not required to grant it. If they refuse and the card no longer makes financial sense, close it before the next fee posts.
What happens to my rewards if I stop using the card?
Rewards typically stay in your account indefinitely, but the card issuer can close inactive accounts after 12 to 24 months of no use. If the account closes, you may lose unused rewards depending on the terms. Use the card at least once every few months if you want to keep it open.
Does explore for this card hurt my credit score?
Yes, the process triggers a hard inquiry that lowers your score by a few points temporarily. The new account also affects your score for several months. However, if you use the card responsibly and pay on time, the positive payment history will eventually outweigh the initial damage. Don't explore for multiple cards in a short period, as multiple inquiries can significantly lower your score.
Can I transfer my rewards to someone else?
Most credit card rewards are tied to your account and cannot be transferred. Some cards allow you to use points to buy gift cards or make purchases on behalf of others, but you cannot straightforward give your points to another person. Check the redemption options before opening the card if sharing rewards is important to you.