Empower’s Mastercard Rewards Program Features

  • Redeem for gift cards - Some offer gift cards as low as $25 increments!
  • Redeem points online and over the phone.
  • Redeem points for travel within our travel booking tool ††.
  • Need more points to top up your account? You may purchase additional points to use towards your next redemption. Points cost $.02 each with a maximum purchase of 5,000 points.
  • By activating Pay with Rewards™, you can receive a reimbursement for all of your purchases where you want, when you want. You will receive confirmation of your credit and point balance alerts via email or text (you can select your notification preference). Note: Funds must be available on the credit line for the full purchase total. Pay with Rewards will display as a credit after the transaction posts. As always, you can save up your points with a larger purchase in mind, or use them to pay for everyday purchases. The choice is yours.
Please note: When redeeming Reward Points for Gift Cards delivery can take 3-4 weeks.

You may redeem points to receive gift cards beginning at $25 value. Depending on the merchant, higher denominations may be available.

To shop for gift cards, login to your account, select the Rewards widget, and shop the catalog to view options.

Learn more about the benefits of using Pay with Rewards to purchase your gift card.
By activating Pay with Rewards™, you can receive a reimbursement for all of your purchases where you want, when you want. A credit is applied to your account.

Pay with Rewards is available when you login to your Empower FCU account and select the Rewards Widget, as well as within in your mobile app.

Within the Rewards Widget, you may select to apply the number of points you have available to your next purchase. When you enable Pay with Rewards, you can set the minimum cash amount. Then your very next transaction for the card selected that is greater than the minimum will trigger a pay with rewards reimbursement on your credit card statement.

Tip: Would you like to only redeem part of your rewards balance when making a purchase? If so, simply set your pay with rewards account to “Enabled only for next Transaction”. Select Pay with Rewards on next purchase and ask the merchant if you can divide your purchases into two separate transactions. The first transaction they process will generate the Rewards Reimbursement. The second will not impact your rewards point balance.

Important Pay with Rewards Information

When using Pay with Rewards the credit is based on the authorization amount. This is important to understand when using Pay with Rewards at gas stations and restaurants. Gas stations frequently authorize for $1 prior to pumping gas. Restaurants receive authorization for the amount of the bill not including the tip. Therefore, your pay with rewards credit in either of these instances may be different from the amount of the actual transaction.

Note: Funds must be available on the credit line for the full purchase total. Pay with Rewards will display as a credit after the transaction posts.
 

How to Use Pay with Rewards:

Redeeming points for travel is even easier! Use the online booking tool to arrange for air, hotel, car rental or other activities. Minimum points required for booking is 2,500 points per ticket. Nominal fees will apply.

View our Mastercard Rewards brochure.

Q: What is the value of my rewards points?

A: You earn 1.5 points for every dollar spent. The redemption of points is $0.01 for every point. If you spend $5,000, you earn 7,500 points, which is eaqual to $75 when redeemed. 

Q: How do I access my Rewards?

A: Pay with Rewards is available when you login to your Empower FCU account and select the Rewards Widget, as well as within in your mobile app. With this online option you may redeem points for gift cards, travel or opt to Pay with Rewards*.

Q: What denominations are gift cards available in when selecting online?

A: Additional denominations are now available based on merchant (login to your account, select the Rewards widget, and shop the catalog to view options). You may now redeem points for gift cards beginning at $25.

Q: Important Pay with Rewards™ Information

A. When using Pay with Rewards the credit is based on the authorization amount. This is important to understand when using Pay with Rewards at gas stations and restaurants. Gas stations frequently authorize for $1 prior to pumping gas. Restaurants receive authorization for the amount of the bill not including the tip. Therefore, your pay with rewards credit in either of these instances may be different from the amount of the actual transaction.

Q: When would it be best to order a gift card vs. using Pay with Rewards™?

A: Unless you intend to give the gift card as a gift, Pay with Rewards is faster and more convenient. No more waiting for the card to arrive in the mail! Pay with Rewards can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, so you are no longer limited to the gift card merchant list.

Please note: When redeeming Reward Points for Gift Cards delivery can take 3-4 weeks.

*This gives you the option to receive a reimbursement for all of your purchases where you want, when you want. A credit is applied to your account. Funds for the entire purchase must be available at the time of purchase. Minimum threshold for redeeming Pay with Rewards is an option.

† Empower Business Debit Mastercard, Business Credit Mastercard, Empower Debit Mastercard and Empower HSA Debit are excluded from the rewards program.

†† The online booking tool may require fees associated with certain types of travel.

© 2023 Mastercard. Mastercard, Mastercard Pay with Rewards and the Mastercard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.

All loans subject to approval. Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change. 

Empower Mastercard

What do you want out of life?

Empower Federal Credit Union welcomes employees of many companies, immediate family/household members of employees and retirees, as well as our outreach to underserved communities to enjoy personal and business banking solutions including auto loans, mortgages*, credit cards and more. Bank online, in any central NY branch, or call us at 315.477.2200.

* Home mortgages available in FL, PA, CT, NY, NC, SC and TN.

Empower Federal Credit Union rated 5-Stars by Bauer in 2023  Best Companies to work for New York 2023 Logo2023 Winner of Best Companies to Work for in New York State