Venmo card review

The basics

The Venmo card puts your Venmo balance in the palm of your hand. It’s also linked to your bank account so you have a backup payment method. Bonus: It makes splitting purchases easier.

However, it doesn’t work outside the US, which may be an issue for jetsetters and international online shoppers.

What you’ll like

The Venmo card comes with an integrated app and can be used anywhere in the US that accepts Mastercard. It also comes with a string of benefits:

• Complimentary card. There’s no application fee and the card is free. Plus, you can choose from six card colors: pink, yellow, blue, green, white or black.
• Cash back at Point of Sale. If the merchant has a Maestro or PULSE device, you can withdraw cash from your card at no cost.
• Automatic reloads. If you enable reloads, Venmo pulls cash from your linked bank account in increments of $10 to cover purchases that exceed your Venmo balance. If you don’t allow reloads, the transaction is simply declined — so you’re not saddled with overdraft fees.
• Nationwide ATM network. Dip your card into 39,000 MoneyPass ATMs across the country for no fee. Search for one close to you on the site.
• Strong customer service. Email or chat to a live agent during business hours by calling 855-204-4090. Deactivate your card 24/7 by dialing the same number.

What to watch out for

Venmo has successfully branched out beyond peer-to-peer payments with this card. But it has its flaws, including:

• Geographic restrictions. The Venmo card doesn’t work outside the US. You can’t use it with international merchants — even if you’re placing an online order from within the US.
• Withdrawal fees. You’ll pay $2.50 for each withdrawal at an out-of-network ATM, and $3 for over-the-counter withdrawals at banks or financial institutions.
• Daily withdrawal limits. You can access a maximum of $400 daily, and all withdrawals are funded by your Venmo balance.
• Not FDIC-insured. While the card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, an FDIC member, Venmo itself isn’t a bank. That means your funds are not FDIC-insured.
• No interest. Venmo encourages you to keep your cash in the app. This means Venmo — and its parent company, PayPal — makes interest on your money, whereas you would if you transferred it to a savings account.

Looking for something more, or just want to get a better idea of what else is available? Compare your options with our guide to debit cards.

Is Venmo safe?

Generally, yes. Venmo uses highly-rated data encryption to protect your private information. There are also safeguards in place to help you log out of the app from Venmo‘s website if you misplace your phone. As with most peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services, the biggest threat to your safety comes with sending or receiving money from people you don’t know.

Compare with other accounts that offer debit cards

What should I know before I apply?

The card can only be issued to those with a Venmo account. This is the info you’ll need for the application:

• Home address — the system doesn’t accept PO box addresses
• Social Security number
• Date of birth

How to apply for the Venmo card

The process takes five to 10 minutes. Log into the Venmo app, then follow these steps:

1. On the left sidebar, click Venmo card.
2. Click Get the Venmo card.
3. Choose the color you’d like. Click Next.
4. Type in your first and last name and click Next.
5. For the security check, enter your date of birth and the last four numbers of your SSN. Agree to the terms and conditions. Click Next.
6. Provide your address and proof of identity, and continue to fill out the form.

How long will it take to get my debit card?

Once your application is approved, your Venmo card should arrive in five to seven business days.

When you have the card in your hands, you can activate it in the app. Go to Venmo card on the left sidebar and follow the prompts.

Venmo reviews and complaints

Venmo has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2016 and holds a B rating. The BBB has also issued a security alert advising customers not to use Venmo to send or receive money to people you don’t know, especially if the transaction involves selling or buying goods and services from the likes of Craigslist, Instagram and Facebook. As the BBB points out, Venmo doesn’t have a protection program in place for those kinds of transactions, so they can be risky.

As of October 2020, the BBB has registered 1,237 complaints in the last three years, most of which were related to problems with products, services and advertising. Venmo has a one-star customer rating — but this rating is based on only 162 reviews.

It’s a similar story on TrustPilot. Venmo has a 1.3-star rating based on 95 reviews.

Elsewhere, the peer-to-peer payment app has been praised for the card. Tech-minded sites say that introducing a physical card was a good move, though Venmo could improve the card’s design and interest-earning potential. Cardholders say it’s easy to use, but there were initial issues with reloads and the card being declined at the register.

I have the card. Now what?

Here’s how to make the most of your new card:

• Moving money across to your Venmo balance. There’s a $1,500 weekly rolling limit on adding funds to your Venmo balance. In the app, click Manage Balance > Add Money and enter the amount you’d like to transfer from your linked bank account. Tap Next > Confirm Transfer. Transfers typically take three to five business days.
• Enabling reloads. Card purchases are funded by your Venmo balance. By allowing reloads, if you attempt to buy something that exceeds your balance, Venmo will withdraw funds from your linked bank accounts in increments in $10 to cover the purchase.

There’s a weekly rolling limit of $100. To turn reloads on, off or to adjust your personal limit, log into the app and go to Settings > Venmo card.

Disabling your card. If you want to protect yourself from unauthorized transactions, you can disable the card with a tap in the app. Go to Settings > Venmo card or call 855-204-4090.

Contacting customer service. Questions? Reach the team by calling 855-204-4090 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST or emailing cardsupport@Venmo.com. Otherwise, you can fill out the email form on the Venmo site and select Venmo card question.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I order more than one card?

  No. You can only have one active card associated with your Venmo account.

• Can I use Venmo at an ATM?

  Yes. You can use your Venmo card to withdraw cash for free at any MoneyPass ATM nationwide. If you use an ATM outside of this network, expect to pay a $2.50 withdrawal fee.

• What happens if I don’t have enough funds in my Venmo balance to cover a purchase?

  The card is linked to a bank account, which is your secondary funding source. If you’ve enabled reloads, Venmo pulls funds from your bank account and add them to your balance in $10 increments until there’s enough money to cover the purchase.

  There’s a $100 weekly limit for reloads. If you haven’t activated Reloads, the transaction will be declined.

• Will Venmo check my credit history?

  No. When you apply for the Venmo card, there’s no credit check.

• Where can I find my card transaction history?

  Go to the Venmo app. On the left sidebar, tap Purchases. You’ll be able to see your transaction history — including card reloads, purchases, ATM withdrawals and fees.

  You can also view your account statement online.

• How long do refunds take, and where will the money go?

  The timing depends on the business, but you’ll typically receive a refund in one to five business days. All refunds from purchases made with your Venmo card will be credited to your Venmo balance.