Greenlight Family Cash Card: A Complete Guide to Using It

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A wooden box with money and 'Tout pour la Famille' text, symbolizing family savings.
Credit: pexels.com, A wooden box with money and 'Tout pour la Famille' text, symbolizing family savings.

The Greenlight Family Cash Card is a great way to teach kids the value of money and responsibility. It allows parents to set limits, track spending, and even earn rewards for good financial habits.

To get started, you'll need to download the Greenlight app and create an account. This is where you'll link your debit card and set up your child's card. The app also lets you set up rules for your child's spending, such as limiting the amount they can spend or setting up specific categories for certain types of purchases.

With the Greenlight Family Cash Card, you can also earn rewards for your child's good financial habits. This can be a great way to encourage responsible spending and saving. For example, you can set up a system where your child earns cash back on certain purchases or gets a bonus for saving a certain amount.

What is the Greenlight Family Cash Card?

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The Greenlight Family Cash Card is a cash card designed for families, offering a range of benefits and features.

It's worth noting that the card has no annual fee, which is a plus, but it does require a monthly Greenlight plan, which costs between $4.99 and $14.98 per month.

The card also comes with a rewards program that offers cash back on purchases, with different rates based on the amount spent in a billing cycle.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards rates:

The card also has a regular APR of 20.24% to 28.24% variable APR on purchases, based on the Prime Rate.

One thing to note is that the card doesn't charge a balance transfer fee, which can be a relief if you need to transfer a balance.

Pros and Cons

The Greenlight Family Cash Card has its advantages and disadvantages.

It's free to start, with no monthly fees, and no interest charges if you pay off your balance in full each month.

However, there is a 3% foreign transaction fee, which may be a drawback for frequent international travelers.

You can set spending limits and controls, giving you peace of mind when it comes to your child's financial independence.

Pros

Wooden family figurines on dollar bills symbolizing financial stability.
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The Greenlight Family Cash Card has some great features that make it a solid choice for families looking to manage their finances. One of the standout pros is its competitive cash-back rates.

You can earn cash back on your purchases, which can add up over time. The cash-back rates are a definite perk, especially for families who make regular purchases.

Here are some of the specific benefits you can expect:

  • Competitive cash-back rates.
  • Flexible redemption options.
  • Rewards can be auto-invested.

These features make it easy to earn and redeem rewards, giving you more control over your family's finances.

Cons

The cons of using Greenlight's services are worth considering before signing up.

One of the main drawbacks is that there's no welcome bonus to get you started.

Greenlight membership requires a monthly subscription, which starts at $4.99.

You'll need to spend at least $4,000 per month to reach the highest cash-back rates.

Here are the key cons to keep in mind:

  • No welcome bonus
  • Requires Greenlight membership, which starts at $4.99 per month
  • Must spend at least $4,000 per month to earn highest cash-back rate

How it Works

The Greenlight Family Cash Card is a prepaid debit card designed for kids and teens, allowing parents to control spending and teach financial responsibility.

Credit: youtube.com, Greenlight debit card for kids

Parents can load funds onto the card and set spending limits, daily limits, or even block certain merchants or categories.

The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, both online and in-store, making it a convenient way for kids to make purchases.

Parents can also receive real-time notifications when their child makes a purchase, helping them stay on top of their spending habits.

By setting up a digital allowance, parents can teach their kids the value of money and help them develop good financial habits.

The card also offers a savings feature, allowing kids to save a portion of their allowance or earnings from a part-time job.

With Greenlight, parents can also set up chores and tasks for their kids to complete, with rewards for completing tasks and earning money.

Rewards and Benefits

The Greenlight Family Cash Card rewards its users with cash back, with rates ranging from 1% to 3% depending on their spending habits. To earn the highest cash-back tier, you must spend at least $4,000 in a billing cycle.

Here's a breakdown of the cash-back rates:

You can redeem your cash back rewards in three ways: as statement credits, bank deposits, or by auto-investing them into stocks or ETFs within the app.

Rewards

Credit: youtube.com, Rewards and Benefits

The Greenlight Family Cash Card offers a rewards program that's worth understanding. You can earn cash back on eligible purchases, with rates ranging from 1% to 3% depending on your spending habits.

To earn the highest cash back rate of 3%, you need to spend at least $4,000 in a billing cycle. If you spend between $1,000 and $3,999, you'll earn 2% cash back, and for spending less than $1,000, you'll earn 1%.

Here's a breakdown of the cash back rates and spending requirements:

Redeeming your cash back rewards is easy, with three options to choose from: statement credits, bank deposits, or auto-investing. You can even add your rewards to your family's "Parent's Wallet" within the app, making it easy to transfer funds to your kids' accounts.

Other Benefits

Avoid foreign transaction fees with cards like the Greenlight Family Cash Card, which doesn't charge you for international purchases.

You can also earn a monthly Lyft credit with certain cards, such as the Greenlight Family Cash Card, which gives you a $5 credit towards a future ride when you pay for three Lyft rides in a month.

A joyful family making an online purchase together on a laptop at their cozy home.
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Free two-day online shipping is a perk of some cards, like the Greenlight Family Cash Card, which comes with a complimentary ShopRunner membership that unlocks free two-day shipping and free returns at many online retailers.

Some cards also offer generous benefits when booking hotels through their travel services, such as upgrades, amenities, free nights, and lowest rate guarantees.

Here are some cards that offer these benefits:

  • American Express Platinum
  • Wells Fargo Active Cash
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • American Express Gold
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Capital One Venture X
  • Chase Freedom Flex
  • Chase Ink Business Unlimited

Financial Tools and Literacy

Greenlight's mobile app offers a Level Up money game for kids in grades K-12 to teach them the fundamentals of personal finance, such as budgeting and investing.

Making personal finance a fun experience for kids is a great way to get them into a habit. The Level Up money game is designed to engage kids in learning about money management.

The Chase Freedom Riseβ„  credit builder card is a good option for users with limited or no credit history. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases with the card, and could be eligible for a credit limit increase after six months.

Credit: youtube.com, Greenlight The financial app for Kids!

The Chase Freedom Riseβ„  credit builder card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. You can also earn a $250 statement credit.

Tracking your child's spending history is a great way to have a conversation about spending habits and values. This feature lets you review together how they're spending their money.

APR and Fees

The APR on the Greenlight Family Cash Card is 24.99% variable, which is relatively high compared to other cash cards. This means you'll be charged interest on your balance if you don't pay it off in full each month.

If you're late with a payment, you'll be charged a late fee of up to $5.00. This fee is non-negotiable and will be added to your balance.

Greenlight Family Cash Card doesn't charge any monthly maintenance fees, which is a plus for families on a budget. This means you can use the card without worrying about extra charges each month.

However, if you want to load money onto the card via a bank transfer, you'll be charged a $2.50 fee. This fee is waived if you load money directly from your Greenlight account.

Should You Get It?

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If you're already a Greenlight customer, the Greenlight Family Cash Card is a no-brainer, offering cash-back rewards, investment features, and connection to the rest of the Greenlight ecosphere.

You'll pay a total of $59.88 to $179.76 in monthly account fees annually with the required Greenlight subscription, which may erode your rewards if you're not a big spender. To maximize your cash back, you need to spend at least $4,000 on the card each month, which will earn you up to 3% cash back on all purchases.

For families planning to spend at least $4,000 on their new card every month, the rewards are very lucrative, especially since there is no cap on the total amount of rewards earned. This would net you more than $1,400 in cash back annually.

However, if you're not already a big spender, you might want to think twice before applying, as other cards like Citi's Double Cash Card offer 0% introductory APR on balance transfers and a more robust redemption system for rewards.

Earning and Redeeming Rewards

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The Greenlight Family Cash Card rewards program is designed to incentivize families to spend more on their card. You earn cash back based on your spending habits, with three tiers to choose from.

To earn the highest cash-back tier, you must spend at least $4,000 in a billing cycle, which earns you a 3% cash-back rate. This is a significant spending requirement, but it's worth considering if you're already making large purchases.

If you spend between $1,000 and $3,999 in a billing cycle, you'll earn a 2% cash-back rate. This is a more realistic expectation for most families, but it's still a nice reward for your spending.

For spending less than $1,000 in a billing cycle, you'll earn a 1% cash-back rate. This is still a decent reward, especially if you're just starting out with the card.

Here's a breakdown of the cash-back tiers:

Redeeming your cash back is also easy with Greenlight. You can choose from three options: statement credits, bank deposits, or auto-investing. The auto-investing option is particularly interesting, as you can place one-time trades for over 4,000 stocks and ETFs, or set up auto-invest to put your investments on autopilot.

Comparison and Verdict

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The Greenlight Family Cash Card is a solid choice for families looking for a cash back option. It earns 3% when you spend $4,000 or more, 2% when you spend $1,000 up to $4,000, and 1% when you spend less than $1,000 in a billing cycle.

In comparison, the Citi Double Cash Card earns 2% on every purchase, with an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa earns unlimited cash back on payments, with 3% on Home, Auto, and Health categories and 1% on everything else.

If you're looking for a cash back option with no annual fee, the Greenlight Family Cash Card and Citi Double Cash Card are both good choices.

The Stacks Up

The Greenlight Family Cash Card has many attractive benefits, but it may not be the best card for your family. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

A man and woman reviewing financial papers at a wooden table with a keyboard and coffee mug.
Credit: pexels.com, A man and woman reviewing financial papers at a wooden table with a keyboard and coffee mug.

The Family Cash Card offers a range of features, including the ability to load cash, pay bills, and make purchases. This flexibility can be a game-changer for families who need to manage multiple expenses.

However, the card may not be the most cost-effective option for every family. The costs associated with the card, such as fees for certain services, should be carefully considered.

Ultimately, the decision to get a Greenlight Family Cash Card depends on your family's specific needs and financial situation.

Our Verdict

If you're someone who spends a significant amount on their credit card, you'll be rewarded with a rich earning structure.

You'll get 3% cash back after spending at least $4,000 in a billing cycle, which is a great incentive to keep using the card for big purchases.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greenlight Family Cash Card closing?

Yes, the Greenlight Family Cash Card has permanently closed to new transactions as of September 3, 2024. A new agreement with FNBO took effect on September 22, 2024, affecting existing credit card accounts.

Can you get cash with Greenlight?

Yes, you can get cash with Greenlight using your debit card at an ATM, but with responsible spending restrictions in place. Learn more about how Greenlight helps teens manage their money wisely.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

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