The best rewards credit cards offer generous purchase rewards and other benefits. However, you usually need a good or excellent credit score in the high 600s or above to qualify.
If you’re still working on getting your credit score above 670, you may need a credit-building credit card instead. The Mission Lane Visa™ Credit Card is an option that can help you establish credit and gradually improve your credit score.
In this Mission Lane Credit Card review, I cover everything from key features to fees to pros and cons and share a few Mission Lane alternatives, too.
Table of Contents
Introducing the Mission Lane Credit Card
The Mission Lane Visa™ Credit Card is an unsecured card that doesn’t require an upfront security deposit and aims to help cardholders get a higher credit score. Transportation Alliance Bank, Inc. (FDIC Cert# 34781) issues this credit card.
The credit card is one of several Mission Lane products designed to help people improve their finances, like credit builder loans and an app to find side hustles. There is also a Mission Money Visa® Debit Card that is fee-free and provides online banking access.
It’s important to note that enrolling in these other products won’t improve your qualification odds for the Mission Lane Credit Card. But they can help you improve your finances and become a more competitive candidate.
Who Should Apply for the Mission Lane Credit Card?
You should consider the Mission Lane Visa if you have fair credit, bad credit, or no credit history. Generally, you’re in one of these groups if your credit score falls between 300 and 670.
You’ll get the most benefit from this product if your credit score is below 620. This is usually the minimum threshold to qualify for conventional home loans and unsecured credit cards.
Avoid this card if you’re looking for a no-annual-fee credit card, as you will most likely pay an annual fee as high as $59. In addition, consider applying for other cards when your credit score is above 670, or you want a credit card signup bonus (which this card doesn’t offer).
Who Can Apply for the Mission Lane Credit Card?
The basic eligibility requirements include the following:
- At least 18 years old
- Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN
- Earn income
- Have an active email address and phone number
- Offer code
While anyone can try to prequalify, Mission Lane’s website prominently displays a “Respond to Mail Offer” button on its homepage. Well-qualified applicants will receive a targeted offer in the mail with a unique Mission Lane offer code they can enter to streamline the application process.
Mission Lane Credit Card Fees
Unfortunately, most people will pay an annual fee to use this product. While Mission Lane claims to have transparent pricing with no hidden fees, e.g., maintenance or over-the-limit fees, you must prequalify to view the applicable annual fee and APR for your credit profile.
Here is a summary of the card fees:
- Annual Fee: $0 to $59
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
- Regular APR: 26.99% to 29.99% variable APR
While many credit cards let you preview the card agreement and fees before you prequalify or apply, you must perform one of these actions to see your potential fees. Not so transparent.
In addition, the interest rate is high as it’s a starter credit card. It’s a good reminder that it’s never a good idea to carry a credit card balance due to the high interest.
Card Features
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features of the Mission Lane Credit Card.
No Security Deposit Requirements
Unlike a secured credit card, you won’t have to provide cash as a security deposit when you open your account. While you will pay an upfront annual fee of up to $59, it can be more affordable than tying up several hundred dollars that you may need for other expenses.
Builds Credit
Unlike a rewards debit card, the Mission Lane credit card can help you build credit. Mission Lane reports your payment history to the Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion credit bureaus.
Note that paying your balance in full each month is the best way to establish a good credit score and avoid paying interest charges.
Automatic Credit Line Increases
All users start with a $300 spending limit and become eligible for credit limit increases when they make consecutive on-time payments and demonstrate good credit behaviors.
The frequency of these potential credit limit increases isn’t made public, but in their website FAQs, Mission Lane states that “we’ll evaluate your account for a credit line increase at least once within your first 12 months as a Mission Lane member.”
This policy is similar to other credit-building cards, which usually begin reviewing your account after six consecutive on-time payments.
If you’re wondering, these automatic increases won’t hurt your credit score as you’re not asking for a credit limit increase.
Each credit line increase boosts your spending power so you can make larger purchases. In addition, from a credit-building standpoint, a higher limit makes it easier to maintain a low utilization ratio.
Prequalify without a Credit Check
Even if you don’t have an offer code, you can try to prequalify for the Mission Lane card without it impacting your credit score.
This inquiry only takes a few minutes after you provide the following details:
- Name
- Street address
- Social Security Number (to access your credit report)
- Annual income
- Monthly housing expenses (and whether you rent or own)
- Email address
- Phone number
If you’re eligible, you will see your annual fee, purchase APR, and other relevant card benefits.
Prequalifying only requires a soft credit check and won’t hurt your score. However, a hard credit check is necessary if you proceed to apply for the card, and it will temporarily reduce your score.
In most situaNothtions, you will receive an instant credit decision when applying and will receive your card within 7-14 business days after the application approval.
Credit Score Monitoring
All accounts are eligible for free credit score updates and other educational tools to learn more about managing credit. These tools are available 24/7 online or through the Mission Lane mobile app. There are other ways to check your credit score for free, but this is a nice feature to have.
Cash Back Rewards
The most-qualified members can be eligible for the Mission Lane Cash Back Visa card. If you’re one of them, you will earn 1% or 1.5% back on qualifying purchases. Your rewards balance is credited monthly as a statement credit to reduce your card balance but doesn’t count toward your minimum monthly payment.
As this product will most likely charge an annual fee, you may want to consider exchanging it for a regular cash-back credit card elsewhere when you are able to qualify, as many don’t charge an annual fee.
Mission Lane Credit Card Pros and Cons
Based on my research, here are the positives and negatives of using the Mission Lane credit card to build credit and make purchases.
Pros
- Reports payment history to the major credit bureaus
- No security deposit
- Qualify for automatic credit limit increases
- Prequalify without hurting your credit score
- Credit score tracker and credit education tools available
Cons
- Lack of transparency with fees
- Low initial $300 credit limit
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No signup bonus offer
- 26.99% – 29.99% APR is high, even for a credit card
Alternatives to the Mission Lane Credit Card
The following products may be easier to qualify for, have lower fees, or offer more useful features to help you build credit quickly. Before signing up with Mission Lane, I recommend that you check out these alternatives.
Chime Credit Builder Card
The Chime Credit Builder VISA card is a secured credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee and reports to the credit bureaus. Your spending limit equals your refundable security deposit, and you can decide how much to contribute.
In addition to the credit card, you can open a free checking account and a high-yield savings account with Chime to pay bills and earn interest on your cash. These accounts are free, and you can be eligible for up to $200 in fee-free debit card overdraft protection.
Unless you’re opposed to having a secured credit card, Chime is a better option than Mission Lane. Get all the details in our Chime Credit Builder review.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Please see back of your Card for its issuing bank.
Self Credit Builder
The Self Credit Builder account is a secured credit card that helps you build credit after enrolling in a Self Credit Builder loan with a 12-24 month term.
You’re eligible for this card after you make three on-time payments and your Self Credit Builder Account balance exceeds $100. As a unique twist, your balance applies toward your credit card security deposit. For more details, check out our Self review.
Petal 2 Visa Card
The Petal 2 Visa card lets you earn cash back without an annual fee or security deposit. You can earn up to 1.5% cash back on purchases.
You can also earn up to 10% back at select merchants with special shopping offers.
The purpose of the Petal 2 Visa is to help people build credit. It’s possible to qualify with a low credit score, so it’s worth trying, given the perks and no annual fee. Learn more about the Petal 2 Visa Card.
Learn More About the Petal 2 Visa
Tomo Credit Card
The Tomo Card analyzes your income and bank account balance to determine your spending power. This product is a charge card that functions as a debit card by automatically paying off your balance every seven days and reporting the payments to the credit bureaus.
There are no annual fees, and you don’t have to make a security deposit. Consider this card if you have bad credit and like the idea of weekly balance payments to avoid fees and credit score penalties. Learn more in our Tomo review.
FAQs
Yes, the Mission Lane Visa is an unsecured credit card that reports your monthly activity to the three credit bureaus so you can build a credit history.
All Mission Lane credit cards start with a $300 spending limit. The credit card issuer automatically reviews each account and can receive at least one automatic credit limit increase in a rolling 12-month period.
Prequalifying for the Mission Lane Credit Card won’t impact your score as it’s a soft inquiry. However, submitting an official application to receive a card requires a hard check.
Additionally, after opening your account, checking your credit score through Mission Lane won’t hurt your credit score.
Is the Mission Lane Credit Card Worth It?
The Mission Lane Visa™ Credit Card can help you build credit when you pay your balance in full each month by reporting your payments to the three bureaus. However, this benefit comes at a price with a potentially high annual fee.
This card can be helpful if you have a credit score below 600 and don’t qualify for a traditional unsecured card. However, many of the alternatives listed above are more affordable and have better features.
If you decide to apply for a Mission Lane Credit Card, only use it until your score increases enough to qualify for a similar spending card without a fee.
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