
Greenlight credit cards are a great way for families and teenagers to learn about managing money and building credit.
Greenlight credit cards are designed for kids and teens, allowing parents to set spending limits and track their activity.
The cards are linked to a parent's debit card, so parents can see every transaction their child makes.
This can be a huge help for parents who want to teach their kids how to manage money responsibly.
Greenlight offers a range of features, including the ability to set spending limits, block certain merchants, and even require parental approval for purchases over a certain amount.
These features can be customized to fit the needs of each family, making it a flexible and effective tool for teaching kids about money.
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Rewards and Benefits
The rewards and benefits of the Greenlight credit card are quite unique and attractive. You earn 3% cash back if you spend $4,000 or more in a billing cycle, 2% if you spend $1,000 to $4,000, and 1% if you spend less than $1,000. Rewards aren't capped and don't expire, which is a big perk.
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Some people might not like the uncertainty of the rewards rates, especially if their spending patterns are inconsistent. However, if you can consistently spend $4,000 or more in a billing cycle, the 3% cash back rate is a great deal.
Here are the benefits you get with the Greenlight Family Cash Card:
- No foreign transaction fees: Avoid bank fees when making international purchases.
- Monthly Lyft credit: When you pay for three Lyft rides in a month, you’ll receive a $5 credit toward a future ride.
- Free two-day online shipping: A complimentary ShopRunner membership unlocks free two-day shipping and free returns at many popular online retailers.
- Mastercard travel and lifestyle services: Generous benefits when booking hotels through Mastercard’s travel services, including upgrades, amenities, free nights, and lowest rate guarantees.
Rewards Rates Tied to Spending
The Greenlight card's rewards structure is based on your spending habits, not on specific categories. You earn 3% if you spend $4,000 or more in a billing cycle, which is a pretty high threshold.
The rewards rates decrease as your spending goes down: 2% if you spend between $1,000 and $4,000, and 1% if you spend less than $1,000. This means that your earning potential is directly tied to your spending habits.
Here's a breakdown of the rewards rates:
The good news is that rewards aren't capped, so you can earn as much as you want. The bad news is that rewards don't expire, which means you'll need to keep track of your earnings over time.
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Family Cash Rewards

The Greenlight Family Cash Card offers an impressive rewards program that can help you earn cash back and invest for the future. You can earn up to 3% cash back on all purchases by spending at least $4,000 on the card each month.
Redeeming your rewards is a breeze with Greenlight. You can choose from three simple options: statement credits, bank deposits, or auto-investing. With auto-investing, you can set up regular investments or make one-time investments to save for the future.
One of the standout features of the Greenlight Family Cash Card is its flexibility. You can earn cash back on every purchase and then spend, save, or invest your rewards using Greenlight's investing platform for parents. This means you can customize your rewards to fit your family's needs.
Setting spending limits is also a great feature of the Greenlight Family Cash Card. You can set a separate spending limit for authorized users, giving them some responsibility to manage their spending while still keeping an eye on the account. This custom limit can be set through the Greenlight mobile app.
By investing your rewards, you can start building a nest egg for big life events, such as your child's college education. Greenlight's investing platform for parents makes it easy to manage your investments and keep track of your progress.
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Usage and Management
Greenlight credit cards are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to kids and teens. They can be managed through the Greenlight app, which allows parents to track their child's spending and set limits.
To start using a Greenlight credit card, parents need to fund the account with a bank transfer or debit card. This process typically takes a few business days.
Parents can also set up automatic transfers from their own bank account to their child's Greenlight account to ensure a steady flow of funds. This feature helps kids learn about budgeting and saving.
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Subscription Required
If you want to get the Greenlight credit card, you'll need to subscribe to the Greenlight app first.
The Greenlight app offers three subscription tiers, with prices ranging from $4.99 to $14.98 per month.
The Greenlight Core subscription costs $4.99 per month, while the Greenlight Max subscription is $9.98 per month.
The Greenlight Infinity subscription is the most expensive option, costing $14.98 per month.
To put that into perspective, signing up for the Infinity subscription would cost almost $180 a year.
Co-Credit Building for Teens and Parents
The Greenlight Family Cash Mastercard is a game-changer for teens and parents who want to build credit together. Parents add their teens as authorized users of the card, which is available with all Greenlight subscription plans, starting at $4.99 per month.
Teens can track their credit card balances on the Greenlight app, while parents can set up flexible spending limits and get real-time purchase alerts. This level of transparency and control helps both parties stay on the same page.
The card earns up to 3% cash back on all purchases, which can be a great motivator for teens to make smart financial decisions. This feature, combined with the parental controls and real-time purchase alerts, sets Greenlight apart from other credit card rivals.
Here are some key benefits of the Greenlight Family Cash Mastercard:
By using the Greenlight Family Cash Mastercard, teens can learn valuable credit card concepts, such as paying off the credit card each month to avoid compounding interest, and how an excellent credit score can help them save thousands of dollars when it comes time to buy a car or house.
Set Spending Limits
Setting a spending limit for authorized users can give you peace of mind. The Greenlight's Family Cash Card allows you to do just that, with the option to set a separate spending limit for each authorized user.
This custom limit lets you give your children some responsibility to manage their spending. You can enter a monthly limit for the authorized user through the Greenlight mobile app.
Having this control can be a huge relief, especially when it comes to managing your child's expenses. You can set a limit that works for your family's budget and financial goals.
For example, you can set a limit of $100 per month for your child to use on the card. This way, they'll learn to manage their money and make smart financial decisions.
With Greenlight's Family Cash Card, you can trust that your child's spending is under your control.
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How the Family Measures Up
The Greenlight Family Cash Card is a solid addition to any family's financial toolkit. Parents can earn cash back on every purchase, with rates varying depending on spending habits.

Here's a breakdown of how the cash back rates work:
This flexibility is a game-changer for families with varying income levels. You can earn cash back on everyday purchases, and then use the Greenlight app to manage your rewards and investments.
Difference in Approach for Authorized Users
Greenlight's approach to authorized users is distinct from other credit cards. Most credit cards allow you to add an authorized user, but Greenlight offers a suite of features that make it particularly helpful for parents teaching their children responsible credit management.
Greenlight's features cater specifically to parents who want to teach their kids responsible credit habits. This makes it a great option for families looking to introduce their children to the world of credit.
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Comparison and Review
The Greenlight Family Cash Card is ideal for families with deep pockets, who can routinely put north of $4,000 a month on their credit card.
Families with less-deep pockets can still benefit, but they'll need to pay a monthly Greenlight subscription, which starts at $4.99 a month.
To earn the highest cash back rewards, you'll need to spend at least $4,000 in a billing cycle, which gets you 3% cash back.
Spending between $1,000 and $4,000 in a billing cycle gets you 2% cash back, while spending less than $1,000 gets you 1% cash back.
Keep in mind that the card charges no annual fee, but the monthly Greenlight subscription is required to use the card.
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Cons and Methodology
To be honest, not all Greenlight credit cards are created equal. Some of their drawbacks can be a bit of a turn-off.
One of the main cons is that you'll need to spend a significant amount each month to reach the highest cash-back rates. This can be a challenge, especially for those with variable income or expenses.
To get the most out of a Greenlight credit card, you'll need to be prepared to spend $4,000 per month. This is a steep requirement, and not everyone will be able to meet it.
Another con is that Greenlight membership is required, which starts at $4.99 per month. While this might not seem like a lot, it adds up over time and can be a bit pricey.
Lastly, it's worth noting that Greenlight credit cards don't offer 0% intro APR offers. This means you'll need to pay interest on your balance from the start, which can be a significant drawback.
Here are the key cons to consider:
- Must spend $4,000 per month to reach the highest cash-back rates
- Requires Greenlight membership, which starts at $4.99 per month
- No 0% intro APR offers
Cons
The downsides of this service are worth considering. You'll need to spend a significant amount of money each month to reach the highest cash-back rates, a whopping $4,000 per month.
This is a steep requirement, and not many people can afford that kind of expense. The Greenlight membership also comes with its own cost, starting at $4.99 per month.
Another drawback is the lack of 0% intro APR offers. This means you'll be paying interest on your balance from the start, which can add up quickly.
Methodology

At Forbes Advisor, we take a thorough approach to rating credit cards. We consider a variety of criteria, including annual fees, welcome bonus offers, and ongoing earning rates.
Our methodology is designed to give cardholders a clear picture of what to expect from each credit card. We weight factors that cardholders use most often more heavily in our ratings.
For example, we consider the included travel or merchant credits, as well as additional cardholder benefits. These features are often the most valuable to cardholders, and we want to make sure they're taken into account.
Here are the key factors we consider when rating credit cards:
- Annual fees
- Welcome bonus offers
- Ongoing earning rates
- Included travel or merchant credits
- Additional cardholder benefits
Our ratings are designed to help cardholders make informed decisions about which credit card is best for them. By considering multiple factors and weighting them accordingly, we can provide a comprehensive picture of each credit card's strengths and weaknesses.
Sources
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/greenlight-credit-card
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/greenlight-family-cash-card-authorized-users/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/reviews/greenlight-family-cash-card/
- https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/08/greenlight-credit-card-teens-fintech/
- https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/greenlight-announces-family-cash-card/
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