5 Things to Know About the Petal 1 Rise Credit Card
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The Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card , issued by WebBank, is one of three credit cards in Petal’s portfolio and the only one that lists an annual fee on the company's website. It’s typically reserved as an option for those with low to fair credit or cash flow, but exceptions may exist. The terms for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card can also vary for certain cardholders.
While its potential for rewards and decent credit limit may be alluring, the $59 annual fee can become one of many thorns on this card. Other credit cards that build credit can keep costs lower.
Here’s what you need to know about the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card.
While any credit card can adjust its rewards, benefits and fee structure at any time, newer cards from startup financial technology companies are particularly prone to significant changes as they find their place in the market. For example, in June 2023, select holders of the Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card — a card typically reserved for those with average to excellent credit — were downgraded to a version of the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card with an $8 monthly fee ($96 annually), instead of its typical $59 annual fee.
1. You can pre-qualify for the card
It's not possible to directly apply for the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card on the website. When you submit an application, you’re funneled through a pre-qualification process where you’re considered for all three Petal cards. The pre-qualification process can be helpful because it allows you to understand your odds of approval for a card without an initial hard inquiry and thus has no impact on your credit scores.
You'll be given an offer based on the card you're eligible for, and if you accept and submit an official application, then the issuer will pull your credit.
Here's how Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card compares with other credit cards by Petal.
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card | Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Security deposit | None. | None. | None. |
Fees |
(Card fees and terms may vary for members acquired prior to May 16, 2023.) |
(Card fees and terms may vary for members acquired prior to May 16, 2023.) | None. (Card fees and terms may vary for members acquired prior to May 16, 2023.) |
Sign-up bonus | None. | None. | None. |
Rewards | Up to 10% cash back when you use the card to make purchases with select merchants. | Up to 10% cash back when you use the card to make purchases with select merchants. |
|
APR | The ongoing APR is 28.49%-35.74% Variable. | The ongoing APR is 25.24%-34.74% Variable APR. | The ongoing APR is 18.24%-32.24% Variable APR. |
Credit limit | Up to $3,500, depending on creditworthiness. | Up to $5,000, depending on creditworthiness. | Up to $10,000, depending on creditworthiness. |
2. Its $59 annual fee is on the high side
Among credit cards designed for bolstering credit, the $59-annual-fee Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card isn’t the most expensive one — but it’s also not the most affordable either. It's superior to many "fee-harvester" credit cards — typically unsecured cards for bad credit that feature a laundry list of costs like monthly maintenance fees, processing fees, activation fees and more.
But the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card doesn't measure up to most secured credit cards with no annual fee. Yes, these cards generally require a security deposit of several hundreds of dollars upfront (though some are more flexible on that point than others). But unlike with annual fees, security deposits are refundable if you maintain a good payment history. More than that, some secured cards earn better rewards and, unlike the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card, they offer upgrade paths to better products.
Consider, for instance, a card like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card, which can offer much more long-term value. You’ll pay a minimum of $200 for the security deposit, but the annual fee is $0 and the rewards are solid: Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% on everything else. There’s also a potentially lucrative sign-up offer, which Discover describes this way: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, Discover reviews your account starting at seven months to see whether you qualify for a regular credit card. Again, with the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card, there is no upgrade path to a better Petal product when you're ready.
» MORE: Are Petal cards legit?
If a hefty security deposit requirement is a deal breaker, consider an alternative secured credit card like the $0-annual-fee Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card, which essentially allows you to choose your security deposit amount. A Chime Checking Account is needed to qualify, which allows you to deposit the amount of money that will become your credit limit.
3. The interest rate runs high
Credit cards that accept applicants with less-than-ideal credit tend to have higher interest rates, and the Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card is no exception: The ongoing APR is 28.49%-35.74% Variable. Terms may vary for certain cardholders. That can get expensive if you carry a balance.
To avoid this charge, aim to pay off your credit card balance in full every month. Or, if you don’t want to worry about interest charges, explore cards like the $0-annual-fee Varo Believe Secured Credit Card or the Chime Secured Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card. They don't charge interest because you're not allowed to carry a balance from one month to the next. You'll have to open an accompanying bank account to qualify for these cards, but you won't be able to overextend yourself.
4. Better cash-back offers exist
The Petal® 1 Rise Visa® Credit Card earns up to 10% cash back when you shop with select merchants. It's a nice feature for a card that's friendly to those with less-than-ideal credit, but better offers exist.
The $0-annual-fee Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card, for example, can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, not just with some merchants. It requires a minimum security deposit of $200, but in addition to rewards, it provides a potential credit limit increase and an opportunity to upgrade to a regular unsecured credit card if you qualify. Cardholders are considered for an automatic credit limit increase after six months without requiring an additional deposit.
5. There’s a path to a credit limit increase
Petal’s Leap program offers the possibility of getting a credit limit increase in six months if you make on-time payments and qualify. Terms apply. Note that this path may not be feasible if the issuer decides to change its terms throughout your credit journey, and you may be able to find a similar or better benefit from more established cards.
For example, the $0-annual-fee Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card can offer a lower security deposit for those who qualify. (The deposit may be $49, $99 or $200 for a credit limit of $200.) You’ll also be considered for a higher credit limit in six months without having to deposit more money, and with a history of on-time payments, there's the potential to upgrade to an unsecured credit card with the same issuer. If you have fair credit, the $0-annual-fee Capital One Platinum Credit Card can offer a similar credit limit increase and it doesn’t require a security deposit.
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