Here's a list of Frequently Asked Questions we've received about our QUAD Card.

QUAD Card FAQs

How do I apply for a QUAD Card?

How is my QUAD Card different from my Visa credit card?

How is my QUAD Card different from my ATM card?

What accounts will the QUAD Card access?

Can I combine rewards points earned with my Quad Card (VISA Check Card) and Stanford FCU Visa card?

Will my QUAD Card work outside of the United States?

How do I activate my card if I live abroad?

Will my QUAD Card work on the Internet?

Is my QUAD Card safe to use on the Internet?

Can I order a QUAD Card for a member of my family or friends?

What are the benefits to using my QUAD Card?

How is a QUAD Card transaction processed?

Is my signature always required when making a purchase with the QUAD Card?

When I try to pay for an item with my QUAD Card, the merchant asks me 'ATM or Credit'. Which do I choose, and why is there not a third option?

How long will it be before the money is deducted from my SFCU Checking Account?

What happens to my money between the time I swipe the card, and the time you deduct the money from my SFCU Checking Account?

Are there limits as to how much I can spend using my QUAD Card?

Is there any way to access my account once I've reached the daily limit for my QUAD Card?

Can I get a QUAD Card if I only have a savings account?

Are there fees for using this card?

Will I have to show identification to use my QUAD Card?

Where is the QUAD Card accepted?

Can I get cash back on my QUAD Card?

Will my overdraft protection work the same as if I wrote a check?

Do I have to sign the back of my QUAD Card?

What if I lose my QUAD Card?

How do I keep track of my spending with the QUAD Card?

I just noticed a QUAD Card transaction on my statement that I don't remember. What should I do?

Am I able to change my Personal Identification Number (PIN)?

How long will it take to receive my QUAD Card?

My card was good when I checked into the Ritz Carlton for a week, but it was not good for a small purchase later that evening. Why?

Why didn't I get a MasterCard rather than a Visa Card?

How do I contact an SFCU representative if I have any questions about the QUAD Card?

QUAD Card FAQs

How do I apply for a QUAD Card? Return to Top

To receive a QUAD Card, you must have an SFCU checking account. You can visit our service centers or call Member Services at (650) 723-2509 or toll-free at (888) 723-7328 to apply for a checking account and a Quad Card.

How is my QUAD Card different from my Visa credit card? Return to Top

The QUAD card is NOT a credit card, and does not replace your existing SFCU Visa credit card. Your SFCU Visa credit card processes transactions as advances against a line of credit loan, to be repaid at a later date. Your new SFCU QUAD card will deduct the transaction amount from funds already on deposit in your checking account.

How is my QUAD Card different from my ATM card? Return to Top

Your QUAD Card can do everything your ATM card can do - and more. It allows you to make purchases wherever Visa cards are accepted - over 14 million locations worldwide. You can also use it to obtain cash from SFCU ATMs, as well as any of the thousands of ATMs that display the Visa, STAR, Cirrus or CO-OP logos.

What accounts will the QUAD Card access? Return to Top

One of the conveniences of the QUAD Card is that it works like an ATM card. The QUAD Card will access the same accounts at ATMs as your old ATM card. But remember, if you make a purchase with the QUAD Card, it will access only your checking account. If you have a secondary checking account or a Money Management Account (MMA), you will be issued a second QUAD Card that will access the secondary checking or MMA account.

Can I combine rewards points earned with my Quad Card (VISA Check Card) and Stanford FCU Visa card? Return to Top

Yes. You can combine points you earned on your credit and check cards and reap rewards faster!

Will my QUAD Card work outside of the United States? Return to Top

Yes - your QUAD Card will be honored at any merchant worldwide who honors Visa transactions.

How do I activate my card if I live abroad? Return to Top

You can activate your new QUAD Card by conducting a PIN transaction at any ATM or POS terminal.

Will my QUAD Card work on the Internet? Return to Top

Yes - your QUAD Card will be honored by any merchant on the Internet who displays the Visa logo.

Is my QUAD Card safe to use on the Internet? Return to Top

Yes, with reasonable precautions. On the Internet, as in face-to-face transactions, you want to do business with a reputable merchant. We recommend that you not 'save' your QUAD Card number at any merchant locations, or on your PC, especially in an environment where multiple people are sharing the PC. It is also advisable that you close your browser immediately after completing your transaction(s).

Can I order a QUAD Card for a member of my family or friends? Return to Top

Yes, providing they are joint signers on the account.

What are the benefits to using my QUAD Card? Return to Top

Your QUAD Card is like carrying an electronic checkbook. It is safer, faster and smarter than using cash or checks for purchases. There is no need to carry extra cash or wait for check approval, and no additional identification is necessary. Best of all, there is no bill to be paid later for these purchases, because the amount is taken directly out of your checking account.

How is a QUAD Card transaction processed? Return to Top

Just like a Visa Credit Card transaction - most merchants will assume that it is a credit card. Either you or the merchant swipes the card through the reader and receives authorization either electronically or by phone. Once authorized, you will be asked to sign the sales slip like any other Visa transaction.

Is my signature always required when making a purchase with the QUAD Card? Return to Top

It depends on the situation. For face-to-face transactions, you can use your card to make purchases by signing a sales receipt or by using your Secret Code (PIN), depending on the merchant. When the card is used to make purchases via mail, telephone, or on the Internet via a merchant's Web site, no PIN or signature is needed; however, providing the proper billing address to the merchant is very important, as the address will usually be verified. Some gas stations with "pay-at-the-pump" capabilities do not require a PIN or signature.

When I try to pay for an item with my QUAD Card, the merchant asks me 'ATM or Credit'. Which do I choose, and why is there not a third option? Return to Top

Most merchant systems were developed before Check Cards, like your QUAD Card, became popular. If you select the ATM option, you will be asked to enter your PIN, and the transaction will be immediately deducted from your checking account. If you select the Credit option, you will not be asked for a PIN, but will sign the sales slip like any other Visa transaction, and the amount will be deducted from your checking account at a later time.

How long will it be before the money is deducted from my SFCU Checking Account? Return to Top

That depends on the type of transaction. ATM withdrawals and purchases where you entered your PIN number are usually deducted immediately. Purchases where you signed the sales slip may vary from one to seven business days, with three days being the average.

What happens to my money between the time I swipe the card, and the time you deduct the money from my SFCU Checking Account? Return to Top

We will place a 'hold' on the funds authorized until the transaction is finally received and posted. This means that these funds will not be available for withdrawal by ATM, teller transaction, or check. You can see this difference by comparing your account's 'Available Balance' with the 'Actual Balance. ' If your checking account pays interest, the interest will continue to be paid on these funds until the actual transaction item is received and the funds are deducted.

Are there limits as to how much I can spend using my QUAD Card? Return to Top

The daily cap for ATM or POS cash withdrawals is $550. Your purchase activity is limited by the available balance in your checking account. A daily cap of $5,000 has been initiated for your protection. For purchases over $5,000 made during SFCU's "business hours", the Credit Union can be called for authorization. You may also call for authorization in advance if you are planning to make purchases during "non-business hours".

Is there any way to access my account once I've reached the daily limit for my QUAD Card? Return to Top

Yes. You can still write as many checks as you wish, provided that you have the funds in your checking account to cover them.

Can I get a QUAD Card if I only have a savings account? Return to Top

No. QUAD Card transactions are processed as if they were electronic checks, so the card must be attached to a checking account. You may also have a savings account attached to the card for transactions at ATMs.

Are there fees for using this card? Return to Top

There are no annual fees for your QUAD Card. Transactions at SFCU ATMs are free; otherwise, standard ATM fees apply just as they do on your ATM card (see Fee Schedule). Some non-SFCU ATMs may apply a surcharge to your transaction, as they do with the ATM card - this is charged by the company who owns the ATM, not by SFCU. However, if you open select SFCU Checking Accounts, you can get these surcharges reimbursed to you! Visa does not allow merchants to charge you a fee for using the card for signature transactions.

Will I have to show identification to use my QUAD Card? Return to Top

For routine transactions, all you will need is your check card. For larger transactions, the merchant may require an additional piece of identification for your protection.

Where is the QUAD Card accepted? Return to Top

Anywhere that Visa is accepted - over 14 million locations worldwide. In addition, it is accepted at any merchant that displays the STAR, Cirrus, and CO-OP logos.

Can I get cash back on my QUAD Card? Return to Top

Yes - many merchants, such as grocery stores, will allow you to get cash back in addition to the purchase amount if you have adequate funds on deposit. You can even get cash back from most other financial institutions that display the Visa logo.

Will my overdraft protection work the same as if I wrote a check? Return to Top

It depends on the situation. If you enter your PIN during any transaction, e.g. at an ATM or POS, the availability of overdraft protection will be recognized. For any transactions where you sign a sales slip or do not have to enter or provide your PIN, overdraft protection will not be recognized since the Visa network only looks at your existing available balance and isn't able to consider overdraft availability.

Do I have to sign the back of my QUAD Card? Return to Top

Yes. The card must be signed to be valid. Signing the card will also aid in protecting you against unauthorized use in the event you lose your card or it is stolen. Please note, writing 'See Photo ID' on the back of your card in lieu of signing it may render the card unacceptable at some merchant locations. Visa regulations require a valid signature.

What if I lose my QUAD Card? Return to Top

Notify us immediately at (888) 723-7328, 24 hours a day. As long as you notify us as soon as the loss is discovered, you are not liable for any misuse of the card.

How do I keep track of my spending with the QUAD Card? Return to Top

Simply save your receipts and enter the amount of each purchase or transaction into your check register or check your account information using CUOnline, FAS-TELL, call us 650-723-2509 or visit us. You get a detailed record of each transaction on your monthly checking account statement, so it's easy to know what you spent and where you spent it!

I just noticed a QUAD Card transaction on my statement that I don't remember. What should I do? Return to Top

You can call us at (650) 723-2509. You may request a copy of the merchant sales draft for review (a $7.50 copy fee applies).

Am I able to change my Personal Identification Number (PIN)? Return to Top

Yes. You may bring your card to any of the branch locations. An account representative will be happy to assist you with changing your PIN.

How long will it take to receive my QUAD Card? Return to Top

You should receive your new QUAD Card within two weeks of it being ordered. If you have not received it within two weeks please call (650) 723-2509

My card was good when I checked into the Ritz Carlton for a week, but it was not good for a small purchase later that evening. Why? Return to Top

The most likely cause is that after we placed the 'hold' for the amount of the authorization requested by the Ritz Carlton, there were not sufficient additional funds for the second transaction.

Why didn't I get a MasterCard rather than a Visa Card? Return to Top

We wanted to provide you with the best possible service. In our experience, a Visa card is honored at more merchant locations than a MasterCard.

How do I contact an SFCU representative if I have any questions about the QUAD Card? Return to Top

Please phone us at (650) 723-2509, or (888) 723-SFCU (7328) or email us at info@sfcu.org