Nebraska Alumni Association launches new Husker Rewards Card

The Nebraska Alumni Association is launching a revamped affinity credit card program with PartnersFirst featuring a new complete rewards program with unique Husker memorabilia and experiences, cash back, airline miles and hotel nights.

For nearly 30 years, the association's credit card program has offered some of the lowest rates available with no annual fee. A portion of each purchase with the card will continue the association's programming support of athletics, academics, alumni and student programs -- all aimed at advancing the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"We want to provide the best possible product -- one that will responsibly serve the needs of our alumni, friends and fans and offer some never-before available unique Husker experiences as part of a brand-new rewards program," said Diane Mendenhall, executive director of the association. "We are extremely excited about the new issuer and the ability to add value to our affinity card carriers in the current economy. It truly is a win-win-win for the association, our alumni and friends and the entire university."

The association's board of directors, which includes representatives from the University of Nebraska Foundation and UNL, spent nearly two years reviewing and selecting the new partner for this program. PartnersFirst is a division of Torrey Pines Bank, a subsidiary of Great Western Alliance Bank. Information and signup is available at www.huskerrewards.com.

Only a handful of financial institutions in the nation offer affinity card programs with established experiential rewards programs. An affinity rewards card is one that is branded with a team, organization or group in which the cardholder has a strong interest or connection.

"Our desire was to find a partner that will co-promote the program with the association," Mendenhall said. "We wanted to provide our alumni and friends with a rewards program that is uniquely Nebraska and a card that Huskers want to have in their wallet."

The cards will feature iconic images of the campus. The program will offer a number of rewards of varying value, including autographed balls, sideline passes, tickets to Husker events and other unique VIP experiences.

The Nebraska Alumni Association was founded in 1874 and serves the Lincoln campus of the University of Nebraska to promote connections, school spirit and the advancement of the university.