Green Dot Primor Secured Visa Gold Credit Card Review
Consumers in the process of rebuilding credit or establishing a credit history for the first time might find help with the Green Dot primor® Visa® Gold Secured credit card, thanks to a low interest rate and no credit score requirement.
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Primor Secured Visa Gold Credit Card
What we like:
Good card for people who carry balances
| Intro Offer | None |
| Rewards Rate | None |
| Regular APR | 9.99% |
| Annual Fee | $49 for $29 one-time fee for each additional card |
Card Summary
Pros
- No credit check or application fees
- Low purchase APR
- Opportunity for credit limit increases
- Card reports to all three credit bureaus
- Auto rental insurance
- $0 fraud liability
Cons
- No rewards program
- 3% foreign transaction fees
- Credit limit equal to the amount of security deposit ($200-$5,000)
- High annual fee compared to other secured cards
- No opportunity for balance transfers
- No intro APR offer
Recommended Credit Score
- No minimum credit score required
Our Thoughts on the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card
The Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured credit card is a good option for cardholders who are in the process of rebuilding their credit or establishing a credit history for the first time, thanks to no minimum credit score requirements. As such, maintaining consistent on-time payments is especially important with this card, which requires an upfront security deposit equal to your credit line (minimum $200).
However, this card does come with a $49 annual fee, which reduces your amount of available credit right off the bat. Just because the card accepts all credit types doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you, either — if you’re a student looking for your first credit card, for example, you might consider the Discover it Student card instead.
In this review:
- Benefits of the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card
- Downsides of the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card
- How it Compares to Similar Cards
Benefits of the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits to the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured card issued by Green Dot Bank is the lack of a credit check. Just about anyone, no matter their credit history (or lack thereof), can be approved for the card. That said, getting the card isn’t the benefit — the benefit comes when you actually use the card and make your payments on time each month.
By doing this, you will be able to demonstrate responsible card use to all three national bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and see your FICO credit score start to rise.
Another benefit is the Gold card’s low regular APR; however, if you don’t have good credit, it’s best not to carry a balance on the card anyway. The low minimum deposit can also make the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured card easier to obtain for many consumers looking to build credit.
>> Read More: How to build credit with a credit card
Cardholders also enjoy a fast, easy application process. You simply have to select your credit line and open a personal savings deposit account to secure it.
Downsides of the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card
Unlike rewards cards that offer points towards travel, cash back, merchandise and more, the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured card does not have much to offer in the form of rewards. Its annual fee of $49 is also high compared to other secured credit cards for people with bad credit.
>> Read More: Best credit cards for bad credit
Potential cardholders should also be wary of the fees associated with the card, including a late payment fee up to $29; a cash advance fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is higher; and 3% foreign transaction fees.
How it Compares to Similar Cards
Compared to other secured cards, the Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured card does come with a fairly low interest rate. Although the minimum $200 deposit is lower than many other secured cards, the annual fee makes it a bit less desirable than some of its competitors.
Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured Credit Card vs Discover it Secured
The biggest difference between the two cards is that the Discover it secured card offers cash back rewards. Customers can earn 2% back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter) and 1% on all other purchases while rebuilding their credit. Discover also matches all of the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
No annual fee and the existence of rewards makes the Discover it Secured a far better option — just be sure to avoid carrying a balance, as the Discover’s 25.24% APR means you’ll face much higher interest charges than you would with the Green Dot primor.
Bottom Line
The Green Dot primor Visa Gold Secured credit card offers a way for troubled debtors to start rebuilding their credit score. It offers a low purchase APR and borrowers can get started with just a $200 minimum deposit. However, due to other card details associated with this secured Visa — like high fees and a lack of rewards — you may find better options elsewhere.
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