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Don't worry, clicking "Apply now" won't leave a mark on your credit report. It may only appear on your report after you submit an application.
You don’t need a credit history to be eligible for this no-fee card.
- Get this card if you want something without any fees.
- Pick something else if you want a rewards program, or a card that’ll help repair your credit score.
- Apply if you have no credit history, or if you have an existing fair to good credit score around 670.
| Product Name | Petal Visa Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Visa |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Purchase APR | 15.24% to 26.24% variable |
| Intro Purchase APR | N/A |
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | N/A |
| Balance Transfer Fee | None |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
| Interest Free Period | Up to 21 days |
| Rates & Fees | Rates & Fees |
| Minimum Age | 18 years of age |
|---|
The basics
Petal’s dedication to helping people responsibly manage their money and credit makes this card stand out. There are absolutely no fees associated, and you don’t need a credit history to be eligible for the card.
Who is the Petal Visa Credit Card for?
The Petal Visa Credit Card is designed for Americans who want access to great credit but are considered ineligible for cards by most credit companies. According to Petal’s site, nearly 45 million people in the US are “credit invisible” and unscoreable — with nearly 62 million considered thin-file and on the margin.
Petal gives these people a chance by granting cards based on a person’s full digital financial record rather than just their credit score.
Is “no fees” for real?
Yes. Petal Visa Credit Card really means it: You won’t pay annual fees, foreign transaction fees, overlimit fees or even late fees when you use this card.
Who’s eligible for the Petal Visa Credit Card?
Anyone can apply for the credit card, even if you have no prior credit history. That’s unusual for an unsecured credit card that doesn’t charge fees. That said, the Petal Visa Credit Card is not for rebuilding poor credit. A history of bad credit or a poor financial history will likely disqualify you from obtaining the card.
You’re more likely to get approval with a fair to good credit score. Your credit history can also factor into your credit limit, along with the rest of your financial history.
If you want to rebuild poor credit, consider a secured card option instead.
Why choose the Petal Visa Credit Card over a secured card?
The Petal Visa Credit Card is an excellent alternative to a secured card if you have no prior credit history because you won’t need to foot the security deposit required of most secured cards.
Many secured cards can also start you with a credit limit as low as $200. The Petal Visa Credit Card starts at a $500 minimum limit if you’re approved, and a maximum of $10,000.
Is there a catch?
There isn’t a “catch,” per se. But because the Petal Visa Credit Card doesn’t collect fees, it tries to serve only customers who can responsibly pay their card bills.
Note that you’re required to sync your bank account through a secure third-party when you apply. Petal will have read-only access, allowing them to analyze your digital finances by looking at your income, savings and spending.
This account linking allows Petal to accept applicants with no credit history. Its intuitive mobile app also allows Petal to help you monitor your spending practices.
Petal doesn’t appear to pad its bottom line through sneaky tactics — for example, it doesn’t spike your APR for late or missed payments. According to Petal’s CEO, the company makes money purely through merchant transaction fees and from consumer interest payments.
The perks
-
No fees.
There’s no annual, foreign transaction, overlimit or even late fees. -
No credit history required.
If you have no credit score or limited credit history, Petal will analyze your income and financial records, including your checking accounts and bill payments, to determine your eligibility. You can still apply if you already have a good credit history and you want to take advantage of the card’s generous fee structure. -
Potentially high credit limit.
Petal offers credit limits between $500 and $10,000. This range is higher than average compared to similar cards. However, a high limit is not guaranteed since your limit is based on your financial history.
Secured cards vs. unsecured cards: What’s the difference?
You’ll also like…
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Money-management tools.
Download Petal’s associated mobile app to track your spending and upcoming payments. Streamlined information and data through the app gives you a high level view of your finances and spending. You can track all your accounts connected to Petal, as well as schedule payments.
What to watch out for
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No credit card rewards.
While Petal says it may come out with rewards in the future, it currently offers no such perks as points, miles or cash back. Consider a rewards credit card if these benefits are important to you. -
No signup bonus.
Unlike many of its competitors that offer signup bonuses or introductory cards, Petal has no such offer.
Compare unsecured cards that can help you build credit
What should I know before I apply?
You must be at least 18 years old and a US resident with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Information you’ll need
- Full name and contact information
- Residential status
- Annual income, source of income and employment information
- Social Security number and date of birth
What credit score do I need?
You don’t need a credit history to apply for the Petal Visa Credit Card. However, you’ll have a better chance of approval if you can prove sufficient income and a responsible history of paying your bills. If you do have a credit score, apply if you have a fair to good score.
If you have a poor credit score or a history of financial difficulties, Petal might not be for you.
How to apply for the Petal Visa Credit Card
Applying for the Petal Visa Credit Card is simple:
- Click apply now.
- Fill out the requisite information on each form to complete your application.
- If preapproved, Petal will alert you and invite you to fill out the full application
Credit pulls during the approval process.
Petal will perform a soft pull during the preapproval process and a hard pull during the full approval process. Note the difference between a soft and hard pull.
I got the card. Now what?
- Spend responsibly and pay off your balance in full at the end of each month.
- Use the accompanying Petal app regularly to see the state of your finances and spending habits and to develop better financial awareness.
- Set up autopay in your Petal account to ensure you never miss any payments.
Bottom line
The Petal Visa Credit Card has no associated fees and can help you learn to use credit responsibly. It’s a good choice if you don’t have a credit score but feel like you’re a responsible borrower.
If you need to rebuild from poor credit or you’re looking for a card with a robust reward structure, Petal might not serve your needs. Compare secured or reward cards to see what options are available.
Can you use non-US bank or credit history to apply for Petal, or do they accept US data only? For example, if I have no US credit history but I have good bank records and credit history with a foreign bank, can I use that info to apply?
Hi Lein,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
You may apply for this Petal Visa credit card even if you do not have credit score yet, so long that you are a legal U.S. resident from one of the 50 states with a valid SSN or ITIN. I’m afraid that they are not checking the applicant’s foreign bank but you may include your foreign bank’s financial details if asked.
Please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your question.
If you are referring to Petal card’s credit limit, this will depend on your repayment history with them. You have a big chance of getting approved for a credit limit increase if you have a good payment history. You may give Petal Card a call to check their criteria for increasing credit limit.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Anndy
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for your question.
You need to log-in to your bank account when you apply for a Petal credit card. If you don’t have a checking account, you may use any other type of bank account but kindly note that they currently don’t support prepaid accounts.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Anndy
Watch out I applied and they hard pulled all 3 credit bureaus
Does the petal card report to all three major credit bureaus?
Hello Brandon,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Yes, the Petal Card still reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Although, even if you don’t have a credit score, you can still apply for the Petal card. Petal will analyze your income and your financial records — such as checking accounts or bill payments — to determine your eligibility.
Hope this helped.
Cheers,
Gru