The Mission Lane Visa card is a credit-building, low-cost credit card. It can be a great addition to your wallet if you don’t want to shell out a deposit for a secured card.
But the Mission Lane Visa comes with its own set of fees.
So, is it a great credit-building tool or just another sketchy card?
Let’s find out—
This article will show you:
- How the Mission Lane credit card works.
- Its fees, rewards, and benefits.
- The pros and cons you should review.
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Mission Lane Credit Card at a Glance
Full name: Mission Lane Credit Card
Best for: Building credit history without a security deposit
Issuer: Mission Lane
Credit score needed: Poor to fair credit (300–669)
What is the Mission Lane Visa Credit Card?
The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card is perfect for folks with bad credit (FICO scores of 629 or lower).
While it doesn’t have rewards and may charge an annual fee, it’s got some cool features.
The best part is, you don’t have to put down a security deposit like with other cards for bad credit.
Mission Lane also has a pre-qualification process that gives you a good idea if you’ll get approved—so you can dodge an initial hard inquiry on your credit report.
But if you officially apply, there’ll still be a “hard pull” on your credit.
Mission Lane also reports your activity to all three credit bureaus—which is crucial for rebuilding your credit score and building a positive payment history.
Mission Lane Credit Card: Overall Review
Here’s our quick Mission Lane credit card rating:
Key Mission Lane Credit Card Fees & Rates
Here are all the key fees you should consider before getting your hands on this credit card:
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Balance transfer fee |
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Cash advance fee |
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Foreign transaction fee |
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Late payment fee |
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Over limit fee |
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Mission Lane Credit Card: Pros and Cons
Here’s a glance at all the pros and cons of getting this credit card:
Pros:
- Accepts bad credit.
- No security deposit.
- Potential credit limit increase.
- Higher credit limit over time.
- Straightforward pre-qualification process.
Cons:
- Potential annual fee.
- High interest rate.
- No rewards program.
Pros—Why We Like It
Accepts bad credit
No worries if your credit score isn’t great—you can still bag the Mission Lane Visa® card.
The card company doesn’t just focus on your scores, but also factors in things like your income, credit usage, and debt-to-income ratio.
So you may need to show them your W2s, 1099s, pay stubs, or benefit documents when applying for the card.
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No security deposit
Unlike most credit cards for bad credit, the Mission Lane Visa card doesn’t ask for a security deposit upfront.
With secured cards, you have to cough up a deposit, and that becomes your credit limit. But Mission Lane decides your limit based on the information you provide in your application.
That’s why you don’t have to worry about tying up your cash just to get started.
Want more options? Check out our list of the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit.
Potential credit limit increase
When you first get the Mission Lane Visa, your credit limit could be as low as $300 (typical for credit-building cards without a deposit).
But here’s the good news: Mission Lane gives you a shot at boosting that limit.
All you have to do is use your card responsibly. Make sure you pay on time, stay within your credit limit, and keep your account in good shape.
Mission Lane will review your account and approve you for a higher limit if you’ve been doing well.
Plus, the issuer reports your activity to all the major credit bureaus, which is super important for increasing your credit score.
Note that cards like the Petal 2 Visa offer limits as high as $10,000 for eligible customers.
Straightforward pre-qualification process
Here’s a neat trick before you apply for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card: You can go through the card’s pre-qualification process first.
This way, you can find out if it’s worth taking a temporary hit on your credit scores with a hard inquiry.
If you get pre-approved, you’ll also know if you have an annual fee and a good APR rate. If you’re not thrilled with the terms, you can simply decline the offer.
The pre-qualification only triggers a soft inquiry, so it won’t impact your credit score. It’s a clever way to test the waters without any consequences.
Cons—What To Consider
Potential annual fee
Depending on the terms of your offer, you may have to pay an annual fee for this Mission Lane card. (Annual fees are capped at $59.)
Not keen on paying an annual fee? Check out the Chime Credit Card.
Remember
The annual fee is treated just like any other charge on your credit card. The catch is that it automatically reduces your credit limit. Let’s say you start with a $500 credit limit and there’s a $25 annual fee—your initial credit limit effectively becomes $475.
High interest rate
The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card has a high variable purchase APR of anywhere between 26.99{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}–29.99{1652eb1ffa4184925f6a63a9c04ea6b421acb7a78117241e7d4325cdca8339fa}. But high APRs are common on credit cards geared toward people trying to build credit.
Learn more about what a good APR looks like.
No rewards program
Earning cashback can help offset the cost of this card’s annual fee. Unfortunately, the Mission Lane Visa card doesn’t earn rewards.
If earning cashback is important to you, it may be worth exploring other options.
Look at our extensive list of the best cashback credit cards.
Alternatives: How Does the Mission Lane Credit Card Compare to Other Credit Cards for Poor Credit?
Here’s how the Mission Lane Visa card compares to credit cards for bad credit:
Useful Links
Mission Lane Visa Reviews
Here are some Mission Lanecredit card reviews from cardholders on the internet:
“Great card for rebuilding your credit. You get a credit increase every six months if you pay on time. Already got my first credit line increase.”
“Great card. The website is easy to use and navigate. I was impressed that I qualified for this card after filing for bankruptcy.”
“Card doesn’t ever change. Regardless of how great your score is. I have 6 Amex cards, a world elite MasterCard, and two visa signature cards, but yet this one sits in my drawer and the 600$ limit stays the same.”
Is Mission Lane Credit Card Good for Me?
The Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card could be a good choice if you’re looking for a short-term unsecured credit-building card.
With its lower annual fee, it offers a decent option to help you improve your credit.
While credit cards may seem scary—when used the right way, they’re a great tool for improving your long-term financial health. The exact formula for determining your credit score is complex and closely guarded. But if you’re up for managing your spending and making on-time payments, you’ll improve your score in no time.
Jackson NewmanTravel Reporter at Thrifty Traveler
But it’s worth considering that there are other cards out there that are less expensive to own and potentially more valuable than the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card.
Cards like Petal 2 Visa charge no annual fees and can help you build your credit score.
FAQ
Is Mission Lane a secured credit card?
No, the Mission Lane Visa® credit card is an unsecured credit card, which means you don’t need to pay a refundable deposit to open the card account.
What is the typical credit limit for a Mission Lane credit card?
When you get approved for the Mission Lane Credit Card, your initial credit limit will typically start at $300.
The specific amount of your credit limit is determined based on factors such as your income and credit score.
Keep in mind that Mission Lane regularly reviews your account, at least once every twelve months, to assess your eligibility for a credit increase.
How do I get a Mission Lane credit card credit limit increase?
Mission Lane determines and offers credit limit increases for your Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card. That means you cannot request a higher limit directly.
To be eligible, you need to meet certain requirements, including:
- Maintaining a history of on-time payments.
- Keeping your balance below the current credit limit.
- Avoiding any restrictions on charging privileges.
- Keeping the account open.
- Having no bankruptcy records.
- Being able to afford the minimum payments for a higher credit limit.
Mission Lane periodically reviews your account to assess if you meet these criteria. This evaluation process is fully automated and doesn’t result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, as it only involves a soft pull.
But note that there are better credit card alternatives out there. Cards like the Petal 2 Visa credit card can offer you credit limits of up to $10,000.
How long does it take to get approved for a Mission Lane Visa?
When you apply for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card, there’s a high probability that you’ll receive a speedy decision.
Similar to other credit-building cards with instant approval, Mission Lane aims to provide you with a quick response. According to their application page, you may receive approval within 60 seconds.
Does the Mission Lane Visa require a hard credit pull?
Yes, when you apply for the Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card, a hard credit pull will be conducted.
It’s worth noting that hard credit pulls have a temporary impact on your credit score, but this effect typically fades over time, especially if you use the card responsibly.
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What credit score do you need for the Mission Lane Visa card?
Mission Lane may approve applicants with a bad to fair credit score (a FICO score of at least 300 to 669).
However, if your score is in the fair range or higher, you may find other cards on the market that offer more perks than the Mission Lane Visa does.
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Does the Mission Lane Visa offer cashback?
No, the Mission Lane Visa card doesn’t offer cashback or any other rewards.
Want more rewards? Take a look at our list of the best cashback credit cards.