Mission Lane Secured Credit Card: A Low-Cost Credit Building Option

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The Mission Lane Secured Credit Card is a great option for those looking to build credit without breaking the bank. It has no annual fee, which is a huge plus for those on a tight budget.

You can apply for a credit limit of up to $2,000, which is a decent amount to start with. This can help you establish a positive credit history and improve your credit score over time.

To qualify for the card, you'll need to make a security deposit, which will also serve as your credit limit. This deposit is refundable when you close your account or upgrade to an unsecured credit card.

Visa Review

The Mission Lane Visa is a decent card for rebuilding credit, especially since it's a low-cost option that avoids a security deposit.

It's worth noting that this card is relatively low in fees, which is a plus. However, it's not your best option overall, according to Bankrate.

If your goal is to build credit without putting down a security deposit, the Mission Lane Visa will get the job done.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Opensky plus Secured Visa Credit Card

APR on Purchases

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Visa's APR on purchases can range from 14.99% to 26.99% variable, depending on the card and your credit score. The APR is determined by the bank that issued your Visa card.

You can expect to pay a higher APR if you have a lower credit score or if you're applying for a secured card. This is because the bank views you as a higher risk.

APRs can change over time, so it's essential to keep an eye on your card's terms and conditions. This can happen if the bank changes its interest rates or if you move to a different state.

In some cases, you might be able to avoid paying interest altogether by paying your balance in full each month. However, if you don't pay your balance in full, you'll be charged interest on the remaining amount.

Why You Might Want Visa

The Mission Lane Visa is a decent card for rebuilding credit, and it's a no-frills option that can be fairly low-cost.

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It's a good choice if you want to avoid a security deposit, which can be a significant upfront cost.

The annual fee is relatively low, which makes it a more attractive option for those who want to build credit without breaking the bank.

However, it's worth noting that a secured card with rewards, no annual fee, or a lower APR might save you more money in the long run.

This card will get the job done if your goal is building credit without putting down a security deposit, but it might not be your best option overall.

A unique perspective: Contactless Credit Card Security

Pros and Cons

The Mission Lane secured credit card has its pros and cons.

You can qualify for this card with limited or no credit history.

The annual fee is relatively low, ranging from $0 to $59 based on your creditworthiness.

However, you'll have to pay a high regular APR, which can range from 19.99% to 29.99% APR.

Credit: youtube.com, Mission Lane Visa Credit Card Review - Rebuilding Credit / Bad Credit Credit Card

One of the benefits of this card is that you can increase your credit limit with responsible card use, making it easier to keep your credit utilization in check.

Here are some key pros and cons to consider:

  • No security deposit is required.
  • Payment history is reported monthly to all three major credit bureaus.
  • Lower annual fee than other credit builder cards.
  • No introductory APR.
  • No promotional offers.
  • No purchase rewards.
  • Lower credit limit, starting at $300.
  • High APR.
  • Poor customer service ratings.
  • Mission Lane’s parent company, LendUp Global, was forced to cease lending operations in January 2022 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Long-term Potential

With the Mission Lane secured credit card, you've got a chance to increase your credit limit over time. This can be a huge help in keeping your credit utilization ratio low, which is a key factor in credit-scoring models.

Mission Lane will review your account at least once within the first 12 months to determine if you're eligible for a credit limit increase. They'll consider factors like your on-time payment history, whether you've ever gone over the credit limit, and whether you've closed the account or filed for bankruptcy.

To qualify for a credit limit increase, you'll need to have made your first six payments on time, have no overdue balance, and not have maxed out your credit card. This is a great incentive to use your card responsibly and make timely payments.

Credit: youtube.com, Mission Lane 2x Your Limit in 6 Months and 3x FASTER!

Here are the factors Mission Lane considers when evaluating your account for a credit limit increase:

  • On-time payment history
  • Whether the account has ever gone over the credit limit
  • Whether charging privileges have been restricted
  • Whether you’ve closed the account or filed for bankruptcy
  • Whether you have the ability to pay the higher credit limit

By demonstrating responsible card use, you can earn a credit limit increase and make it easier to keep your credit utilization ratio in check. This can be a huge help in building and maintaining good credit over time.

Applying and Benefits

Applying for a Mission Lane secured credit card is a relatively straightforward process. You'll want to start by prequalifying, which is a sneak peek into whether you'll get approved and what terms you might get. This part requires basic info such as your full name, contact information, Social Security number, date of birth, address, annual income, rent or mortgage payment, and employment status.

Prequalifying only takes about five minutes to get a response, so it's worth checking before you submit a full application. If you prequalify, you'll see the potential terms of your offer, such as the interest rate, annual fee, credit limit, and rewards rate.

If you're approved, you'll have a new Mission Lane secured credit card within 14 days.

Applying and Benefits

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Applying for a Mission Lane credit builder credit card is a straightforward process that starts with prequalifying. This step takes about five minutes and doesn't result in a hard pull on your credit report, so it's worth checking before submitting a full application.

You'll need to provide basic info such as your full name and contact information, Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, date of birth, address, annual income, rent or mortgage payment, and employment status. Prequalifying will give you a sneak peek into whether you'll get approved and what terms you might get.

If you prequalify, you'll see the potential terms of your offer, including interest rate, annual fee, credit limit, and rewards rate. You'll have up to 30 days to review your terms and compare other credit card prequalification offers to ensure you have the best deal.

To complete a credit application, you'll need to verify the prefilled data is correct, update any incorrect information, and fill out the remaining fields. You'll also need to read the disclosures and check the boxes to confirm.

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After submitting your application, you might need to upload additional documentation that verifies your stated income. This could include a W-2, 1099, pay stub, or benefits document. If your application is approved, you'll have a new Mission Lane credit builder credit card within 14 days.

Here are the steps to apply for a Mission Lane credit builder credit card:

  1. Prequalify to see if you're approved and what terms you might get
  2. Verify the prefilled data is correct and update any incorrect information
  3. Read the disclosures and check the boxes to confirm
  4. Submit your credit card application
  5. Upload additional documentation if requested

Pre-qualification only initiates a soft inquiry, so your credit score won't be affected. If you've been pre-approved, you'll learn your APR rate and annual fee amount, if any. You can choose to decline the offer if you don't like the terms.

Limit Increase Opportunity

You can start with a credit limit as low as $300 on the Mission Lane Visa, but don't worry, there's a chance to earn a higher limit if you use the card responsibly.

To qualify for a credit limit increase, you'll need to make your payments on time, stay under the credit limit, and keep your account in good standing. This means you'll want to keep your credit utilization ratio under 30 percent of your total limit, which translates to spending less than $100 monthly if you get approved at the starting limit.

Credit: youtube.com, Why I’ve Never Asked For A Credit Limit Increase

Mission Lane automatically considers increasing your credit limit at least once within the first year of having the account, so you don't need to do anything extra to be considered. You'll just need to make your first six payments on time, have no overdue balances, and not max out your credit card.

Reviews and Ratings

The Mission Lane Secured Credit Card has a decent overall rating, but what do actual users think of it?

The card's app isn't as good as some other issuers, such as Capital One.

Payments can take a few days to post, which might be frustrating for some users.

However, one user reported that their limit increased significantly, from $750 to $2850, within a year of having the card.

This is a notable difference compared to another credit card they had, which stayed at a low limit for years.

Overall, users seem to think that the Mission Lane Secured Credit Card is a good option for building credit.

Compare Alternatives

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If you're considering the Mission Lane Secured Credit Card, you might want to take a look at some alternatives. Chime credit builder credit card is one option that offers comparable benefits and rewards.

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is another alternative to consider. It has a higher Editor's Rating of 5.0 and a higher User Reviews rating of 3.6 compared to the Mission Lane Card.

A credit builder loan is a short-term loan from an online lender that can help you build your credit. This option often has a lower APR of 2.5% compared to the Mission Lane Card's Regular APR of 26.99% - 29.99%.

Secured credit cards are another option, and the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card is a good example. It has a lower APR of 24.64% compared to the Mission Lane Card.

Here are some key features of the alternatives to the Mission Lane Secured Credit Card:

The Mission Lane Card's fees are also worth considering. The annual fee is $0 - $59, which is higher than the OpenSky Secured Visa Credit Card's annual fee of $35.

Details and Methodology

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The Mission Lane credit card is a great option for those looking for a secured credit card with clear terms and transparent pricing. The card has a $0 annual fee and allows you to see if you qualify instantly without harming your credit score.

Here are some key details about the card's features:

  • $0 Annual Fee
  • See if you qualify instantly without harming your credit score
  • No security deposit required
  • No interest on purchases when you pay in full and on time each month
  • Free, online credit score access for cardholders
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa
  • Access your account anytime, anywhere with our mobile app

NerdWallet reviews credit cards with a comprehensive approach, considering both quantitative and qualitative features. They assess the card's fees, interest rates, rewards, and benefits, as well as the ease of application and simplicity of the rewards structure.

Methodology

We take a multi-faceted approach to reviewing credit cards, considering both the quantitative and qualitative features of each card.

Quantitative features, such as fees, interest rates, rewards, and benefits, are carefully evaluated to provide a clear picture of the card's value.

Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class.

We also consider qualitative factors that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card, such as the ease of application and the simplicity of the rewards structure.

The likelihood of using certain features is also taken into account, so you can make informed decisions about which card is best for you.

We don't just stop at star ratings; we provide a comprehensive review to help you choose the right credit card for your needs.

More Details

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You can get instant approval for a Mission Lane credit card without harming your credit score. This is a big plus, as it means you can start building credit without any risk.

The annual fee for the card is $0, and the terms are clear and transparent. This makes it easier to understand what you're getting into.

One of the benefits of the card is that you can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as few as 7 months. This means you can potentially increase your credit limit over time.

You'll also have free access to your credit score online, which can be really helpful for tracking your progress.

If you pay your balance in full and on time each month, you won't have to pay any interest on your purchases. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.

No security deposit is required to get started with the card, which makes it more accessible to people who might not have a lot of credit history.

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You'll also have access to coverage from Visa, which can provide an added layer of protection for your purchases.

You can manage your account anytime, anywhere with the mobile app. This can be really convenient if you need to check your balance or make a payment on the go.

If you are charged interest, the charge will be no less than $0.50. This is a important detail to keep in mind if you're not paying your balance in full each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score is needed for a Mission Lane credit card?

You can get approved for a Mission Lane credit card with a FICO score as low as 300, but a score of 300-669 is considered a fair credit score.

Is a Mission Lane credit card safe?

The Mission Lane Visa Credit Card is a secure option, but be aware of its high APR and annual fee. It's a good choice for building credit, but consider these costs before applying.

Is Mission Lane credit card for people with bad credit?

The Mission Lane Visa Card is designed for individuals with limited or poor credit to help build their credit score. However, those with fair or better credit may want to consider other options.

Ramiro Senger

Lead Writer

Ramiro Senger is a seasoned writer with a passion for delivering informative and engaging content to readers. With a keen interest in the world of finance, he has established himself as a trusted voice in the realm of mortgage loans and related topics. Ramiro's expertise spans a range of article categories, including mortgage loans and bad credit mortgage options.

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