Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card review

How to apply for the Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card

1. Go to the provider's site and select Apply now.
2. Provide all the required information.
3. Review and submit your application.

How long will it take to get my Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card?

Most get a decision within a minute, but it can take up to five days in some cases.

Upon approval, you should get your card in 7 to 10 days.

The perks

• Build your credit.
  The card reports to all three national credit bureaus. With responsible use and timely payments, you can build your credit score.

• Easy application.
  Complete the application in minutes, with no application fee and no credit check.

• No minimum credit score.
  People with all credit histories, including none at all, are welcome to apply.

You’ll also like …

• Fixed APR.
  You get one of the lowest fixed APRs of 9.99%. The average APR for other cards is 16%. Some cards can have an APR as high as 26%.

• Credit limit.
  You have to deposit from $200 up to $5,000 in a savings account at Green Dot Bank. The amount you deposit will be your credit line. However, you can’t use your deposit to make payments.

• FDIC insured.
  The money you deposit in your savings account is FDIC-insured.

What to watch out for

• Annual fee.
  You’ll pay an annual fee of $49 to own the card. You’ll pay an extra $29 if you want to get an additional card. As soon as your card is approved, the annual fee will lower your credit line by $49 plus the fee of any additional cards.

• Foreign transaction fee.
  For each transaction you make outside the US, you’ll pay a fee of 3% of the transaction.

• Cash advance limit.
  Cash advances can only be half of your credit line. For example, you can only draw $100 in cash advances from a $200 credit line.

Compare secured cards

Sort by:

Name	Product	Filter values	Minimum deposit required	Purchase APR	Annual fee	Minimum Credit Score
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card			$49, $99 or $200	26.99% variable	$0	New to credit	A no-annual-fee secured card that separates itself from the pack with a $200 credit limit after making a more affordable than average deposit of $49, $99 or $200.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Cleo Credit Builder card			N/A		$180	500	A card made with your credit score in mind	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card			Starting at $200	17.39% variable	$35	300	Apply for this card with no credit check if you're new to credit or have bad credit.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

loading

Prev

1 2

Next

Compare up to 4 providers

Clear selection

Compare

What should I know before I apply?

Be sure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements before applying.

• You need to be at least 18 years old, 19 in Alabama and Nebraska or 21 in Mississippi.
• You must have a credit, debit or prepaid card.
• You must not have more than one open credit card with Green Dot Bank.
• You need to be current with all Green Dot Bank card payments and not over your credit limit.

You’ll need to provide the following information:

• Your full name and contact information.
• Your date of birth and Social Security number.
• Monthly income and monthly expenses.
• The amount you want to deposit.

Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card reviews and complaints

You’ll find a mix of reviews online, from excellent to poor. Many complain of inadequate customer service and excessive fees, but others say that if you use the card responsibly — by keeping your utilization rate down and paying your bill on time — you’ll see a significant jump in your credit score in a short amount of time.

Green Dot Bank is accredited by the Better Business Bureau but has no rating as of October 2020.

I got the card. Now what?

• Download the Green Dot app on your mobile device. Use it to pay bills, send money, set up alerts and more.
• Pay on time. Your due date is 25 days after the close of each billing cycle. Try to pay your balance by then to avoid paying up to a $29 fee.
• Customer support. Call Green Dot customer support at 866-795-7597 if you have any questions.

Bottom line

The Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card can be a good choice if you’re looking to build your credit. You’ll also get a low fixed APR on purchases, which can be useful for those who carry a balance.

Read the card’s fine print to avoid paying more than needed as the card comes with many fees.

If you’re not sure whether this is a good card for you, check out other similar credit cards to compare your options.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I use this card for balance transfers?

  No, the card doesn’t allow for balance transfers.

• Can I increase my credit?

  Yes. To increase your credit limit, you’ll need to add funds in $50 increments to your security deposit. However, you’ll also have to pay up to a $49 credit line increase fee.

• Is there a minimum credit score required for approval?

  The application process does not require a credit check. You can be approved with bad, limited or no credit history. Regardless of your credit history, your APR is 9.99% fixed.

• Does this card have an annual fee?

  Yes, the card has a $49 annual fee.

• To get a card, will I need a savings account?

  Yes, you will need to open a personal savings account with Green Dot Bank to secure a credit line.