A Review of Your Additional Union Benefits and Services

Membership in our Union brings about many benefits and services in addition to good wages, job security and other contractual provisions such as seniority, scheduling, vacations, etc. But the benefits and services you are entitled to receive include not only those negotiated on your behalf by the Union, such as medical, dental, optical, pension, pre-paid legal, scholarship etc., but additional ones that result from the Union's affiliation with the AFL-CIO. Here is an updated review of some of the additional benefits and services that are available to you and your families from Union Plus and others. The following list has many new details such as phone numbers and websites, as well as some new benefits and services.

UNION PLUS CREDIT CARD: By far the most popular Union Plus program, the low-rate Union Plus Credit Card from Capital One comes with assistance for members who are facing hard times. Over one million union members across the U.S. are now using the Union Plus credit card. Union members can apply for this credit card online and get an instant decision. Cardholders are automatically eligible for many discounts, including AT&T Wireless, ConsumerReports.org, etc. All customer service calls to the Union Plus Credit Card program are answered in the United States. The interest rate on the Union Plus Credit Card is lower than most bank credit cards and there is no annual fee! The program also has a card for people with less than ideal credit that charges a $35 fee. All cards offer 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases. To apply for the Union Plus Credit Card, call toll-free: 1-800-522-4000. You may also apply online at UnionPlus.org.

PRE-PAID DEBIT CARD: This debit card is for those who have bad credit or have not yet established credit. It provides convenience and security similar to a credit card but is pre-loaded with your own money. No credit check, no minimum balance and no checking account are required to obtain a pre-paid debit card from Union Plus, and it can help consumers establish or rebuild their credit. Call 1-888-232-3260 or visit the Union Plus website (UnionPlus.org) for more details..

MORTGAGE PROGRAM: There are two programs available to members that make buying or refinancing a home easier and more affordable. The programs include home equity loans and lines of credit secured against your home, as well as refinancings on existing mortgages. Among the benefits offered are an easy over-the-phone application process, advice from expert mortgage counselors, pre-approval certificates and special help for qualified first-time home buyers, including low down payments. The programs are also available to parents and children of union members. For details or to begin the mortgage application process through the Union Plus Mortgage Program call 1-866-802-7307. You can also contact HomeBridge Financial Services’ Union Advantage Program by calling John Prom, at 212-481-7700. Members may visit with Mr. Prom at the Union’s offices (707 Eighth Avenue, fourth floor) on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. without an appointment, or at HomeBridge’s offices (152 Madison Avenue, 15th floor,) any other time during the week. It is strongly recommended that members contact both programs to ensure that they get the lowest interest rate and best mortgage possible.

UNION PLUS MOTOR CLUB: This program has a price of $69.00 a year (or $6.90 a month), which is less than the cost of AAA! Better yet, this program covers you and your entire family. In addition, it covers you no matter what car you are driving. It is an affordable and reliable service that provides peace of mind on the road for union members and their families. It provides emergency roadside assistance and locksmith services up to $125 per service call, up to three service calls per year. Union members also receive a set of vouchers that are good for $40 in gas rebates when signing up for one year of service! All service calls are answered in North America. To learn more information or to enroll in the Union Plus Motor Club program, call toll-free 1-800-454-8722.

LIFE INSURANCE: Please note that although members have a life insurance benefit through their membership in our Union, the Union Plus life insurance program is included here for those members who wish to purchase supplemental insurance at low group rates. Union Plus offers several types of term life insurance at low group rates delivered through The Hartford group. Other benefits include a greater selection in plans and guaranteed coverage provisions. There is a skip-payment provision in the event of a layoff, disability or a prolonged strike. To learn more information or to apply, members may visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-800-393-0864.

AUTO INSURANCE: Union members can save up to $450 a year or even more on auto insurance through the Union Plus auto insurance program. That’s because the program obtains multiple price quotes from a variety of insurance companies. Under the plan, union members can get free auto insurance quotes online or by calling 1-800-294-9496. Please note that members who reside in New Jersey will not be able to obtain auto insurance price quotes over the phone due to state law. They will, however, receive their quotes promptly by mail. Visit UnionPlus.org for more details or call 1-800-294-9496.

OTHER INSURANCE: Discounted pet insurance, Medigap coverage and accidental death insurance are also available at the UnionPlus.org website.

CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS: This Union Plus service provides discounts of up to 25% when you rent a car at home or while traveling. The rental car discounts are offered through Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, National, Enterprise, Dollar and Thrifty. Please note that the first five companies are unionized. To receive the Avis discount you may call the company’s reservation line at 1-800-698-5685 and use union identification number B723700. For discounts with Budget, you may call 1-800-455-2848 and use union identification number V816100. For discounts with Hertz call 1-800-654-2200 and use union identification number 205666. For discounts with Alamo, you may call 1-800-462-5266 and use union identification number 7015700. For discounts with Enterprise, you may call 1-877-222-9711 and mention that you are a Union Plus member. For discounts with National, you may call 1-800-227-7368 and use union identification number 5029562. For discounts with Dollar, you may call 1-800-800-4000 and use union identification number TB7546. For discounts with Thrifty, you may call 1-800-847-4389 and use union identification number 0010231364. Please note that Avis and Budget provide an automatic discount to car renters who use their Union Plus Credit Card. Also note that these programs vary by company, but they typically entitle you to certain privileges when picking up your vehicle. You could also be eligible for additional special offers, upgrades, directions and more. Additional information is available at the Union Plus website.

DISCOUNT FLOWERS & GIFTS: Through this program, administered through Teleflora, members receive a 20 percent discount with every order they make online or over the phone. There are additional savings available through Teleflora, including a special discount if you order online. And, if you order by phone you should know that all calls are answered in the United States! We should add that Teleflora’s network of local U.S. florists is significantly larger than the nearest competitor. Flowers are delivered the same day for all U.S. orders placed before 2:00 p.m. (noon on Saturdays) in the recipient's time zone, and floral arrangements may also be sent anywhere around the world within three business days. Choose gifts of all kinds, roses, centerpieces, bouquets, green and flowering plants, flowers, balloons, baskets, and more. To order visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-888-667-7779.

DISCOUNT HOME HEATING OIL: Save money on home heating fuel through the Union Plus energy cooperative called HEAT (Heat Energy Affordable Today) USA. HEAT USA is able to provide members of our Union with fuel oil and other services at a good-sized discount because it is a cooperative organization. The unions that are part of the program have enough members to allow HEAT USA to purchase fuel at discounted bulk rates. The savings are then passed along to you. For an annual fee of $25, HEAT USA delivers your fuel at a large discount and provides a free or discounted service contract on your home heating system, including 24-hour emergency service. By using HEAT USA the average consumer can expect to save $200 and $300 a year on heating oil bills. In many cases, the savings will be far greater. To learn more about HEAT USA or to take advantage of the benefits it offers, simply call this toll-free number: 1-800-660-0691. Also, if you decide to join the fuel cooperative, don't forget to mention that you are a member of our Union. Your Union membership will entitle you to another discount: You will receive your first year membership for only $15 and you will also receive a certificate for $50 of free heating oil! By the way, the program also offers a $100 rebate for the purchase of new, energy efficient home heating equipment like boilers and oil burning units.

FURNITURE DISCOUNTS: Plaza Furniture, which is located at 121 Front Street, Massapequa Park, NY 11762, is a union members-only store that is stocked with quality brand name furniture and home furnishings. The discounts available exclusively to union members range from 25 percent to 45 percent, and even higher discounts apply during clearance sales. Union members also enjoy the benefit of having any furniture they purchase at Plaza delivered to their homes free of charge, if they reside within 50 miles of the showroom. Union members can call the store in advance and get a price quote on any furniture the store handles. Proof of union membership is necessary to take advantage of Plaza Furniture’s discounts. You may use your Union I.D. card or may bring a clipping of this article to obtain these discounts. The phone number for Plaza Furniture is 516-799-3500.

COMPUTER DISCOUNTS: Union Plus can really make a difference for those who purchase Dell computers. For starters, Union members will save between 10% and 30% on Dell laptops and desktops. On select Dell systems there is free telephone tech support available and, believe it or not, the technicians are based here in the U.S.! The program also comes with a unique call-in price guarantee. In addition, there are often other offers on a special Dell site for Union members. To check out the Dell laptops, desktops, etc. visit UnionPlus.org or call 1-877-882-3355 and use union member ID number PS16626766.

AT&T WIRELESS: Union Plus AT&T Wireless can really make a difference. It is a unionized wireless service company — "Proud to be Union" — and it offers a 15% discount off its regular monthly rate for all AT&T wireless individual or family plans. Not only will you be saving, you’ll be supporting union workers and their families. AT&T is the only national wireless company that is completely unionized. Some 40,000 AT&T Mobility employees are represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA). The program also has union member-only savings on AT&T cell phones and cell phone accessories; and these discounts are available online. For more information go to UnionPlus.org.

COLLEGE PLANNING CENTER: An extraordinary online benefit that provides information on college scholarships, including the Union Plus scholarship program, and many education funding resources. There is a section on “Finding a College,” and another section on student credit and debt tips. There are also student discounts available. The college planning center can be found at UnionPlus.org.

HEALTH CLUB DISCOUNTS: Union Plus health club discounts are provided through Global Fit, which offers great values through some 8,000 health clubs nationwide, including Curves, Sport & Health, and Bally’s Total Fitness. Union members can save 40% to 60% on initiation fees and 15% to 30% on monthly fees. The plan has flexibility, including the ability to transfer memberships between health clubs and get free guest passes when traveling, and freeze membership for up to six months. Save nearly $200 in annual membership fees and up to $90 in initiation costs. For more information or to enroll, go to UnionPlus.org or call 1-800-294-1500 and make sure you tell them you are a union member.