Using Apple Card For Non
If you need to pay for purchases that can’t be made with Apple Pay, you can use the physical version of the Apple Card that Apple sends once you sign up. In addition to Goldman Sachs, Apple is partnering with Mastercard, so the physical Apple Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted.
When your physical card comes in the mail, setting it is simple. On a modern iPhone, all you need to do is hold your device near the envelope that it came in for an NFC scan and then tap the “Activate” button on your iPhone when it pops up.
On the iPhone X and earlier, you need to open up the Apple Card, open the Wallet app, tap the “Activate” button in the Wallet app and then hold your iPhone near the packaging that the Apple Card came in. Unlike traditional cards, you do not need to place a phone call for activation purposes.
How To Check Your Credit Score For Free Before Applying For Apple Card
For more on Apple Card, check out our hands-on and how-to coverage below:
What Is The Easiest Credit Card To Get Approved For
Secured cards are easily approved. In most cases, all you need to do is fork over the required deposit, no matter what your credit score or history. The only hang-up may be running into any card limits enforced by the issuer.
For example, Chase has its 5/24 Rule that prohibits you from getting a new Chase card if you opened five or more credit accounts in the last 24 months. Several other issuers, including Citi and Capital One, have their own rules regarding card applications.
Student credit cards are also easy to get, as long as you are enrolled at least half-time at a post-secondary school. The card issuers expect most students to have either no or scant credit.
Among unsecured credit cards, store cards are usually easy to obtain. For example, the cards from Macys and Target are available to most consumers, even those with bad credit.
There are also general-purpose unsecured cards specially designed for consumers with bad credit. Some of these cards may evaluate applications without performing credit checks, making it easier to qualify usually, you must show certain minimum income levels.
An example of an easy-to-get general-purpose card is the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®.
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How To Apply For The Apple Card
If you have an iPhone, applying for the Apple Card is easy:
- Open the Apple Wallet app.
- Tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner.
- Select Apply for Apple Card.
- Confirm or update your personal information with Apple, if needed.
- Review and accept the terms and conditions.
If your application is accepted, the card will be instantly added to your Apple Wallet meaning you can begin making purchases right away. You can then request a titanium Apple card that will arrive later in the mail.
If your application is denied, Apple may invite you to participate in its Path to Apple Card program. This program will inform you why your application was denied and provide you with tasks to complete to improve your credit. If you complete the Path to Apple Card program successfully, youll receive an invitation to reapply for the Apple Card.
What Credit Score Is Needed For An Apple Card
Apple teamed up with Goldman Sachs and MasterCard to launch Apple Card in 2019. Apple said that the card is everything a credit card should be. A certain credit score is required to be eligible for an Apple Card. Young adults without a credit history may not qualify for an Apple Card. However, if your current score falls short of the Apple Card credit requirement, the company developed a program to help customers improve their score and boost their chances of qualifying for the card.
We designed Apple Card to put privacy and security first. Thrilled to offer it to iPhone customers in the US starting today!
Tim Cook
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Alliant Visa Signature Card: Best For Flat
Why we picked it: For those of you looking for the simplest, most straightforward card, meet the Alliant Visa Signature Card*. As a flat-rate cash back credit card, the Alliant Visa Signature applies 2.5% cash back on every purchase , then 1.5% cash back. Thats quite a generous rewards structure you can spend $10,000 in one billing cycle before reaching that $250 cash back limit.
Meanwhile, for all the Apple products you buy, you get 90 days of purchase and extended warranty protection.
Pros
- 5% cash back on every purchase up to $250 cash back per billing cycle), then 1.5%
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
- Visa Signature card benefits
Cons
- Can only redeem cash back as statement credit or direct deposit into Alliant checking or savings account
- Minimum redemption of $25
Who should apply: Cardholders who like the simplicity and uncomplicated nature of flat-rate cards should definitely apply. If youd also like to earn solid rewards on the purchases you make outside of Apple products, this one will do great.
Who should skip: Those who like to play with rotating categories and figuring out how to maximize their rewards will find this card boring. Of course, if youd prefer to get a card from one of the major issuers, skip this one.
How To Choose The Best Credit Card For Apple Purchases For You
The dilemma of credit cards is always theres so many options, but no time to try them all. If so, how does you narrow down your choices to find the best credit card to suits your personal spending habits? Ask yourself the following questions to start the choosing process.
- Do I spend on Apple products or Apple Pay? For cardholders who love their Apple accessories: charger, AirPods, iPad cover, Apple Watch band and all the others, you should go for a card that gives rewards on Apple purchases . For people who love the contactless convenience of Apple Pay, the easy choice is a card that gives rewards on Apple Pay purchases.
- Additional card or main card? If you have a long credit history and are just looking for another plastic, with Apple benefits, to add to your wallet, the Apple Card will likely hit the spot. Apple fans who are looking for a new main credit card would prefer one of the more well-rounded cards, like the Bank of America Customized Cash or Discover it Cash Back.
- Flat-rate, rotating categories or bonus categories? Theres no time for distractions if that sounds like you, youd probably like a flat-rate card. Unless you love playing with categories, timing all your Amazon purchases within three months of a year, youd probably prefer a bonus category card. Wed say rotating categories are for the true credit card enthusiasts.
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What Credit Score Is Needed For A Business Credit Card
If you are worried about your credit score and want a business credit card, we suggest you opt for a secured card. You can get a good secured business card from Wells Fargo, BBVA, and other banks or credit unions. Typically, credit scores are not important for secured cards, and most applicants are approved.
If you would like to exclude your personal credit score when applying for a business card, youll have to build up the business credit profile. Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax are the leading providers of business credit scores, each using its own proprietary scoring model.
To get a business credit score, youll first have to obtain an Employer Identification Number from the IRS and open a business checking account. You must scrupulously separate your personal and company accounts. You also should apply for a nine-digit Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number, which will create a unique identity in the D& B Data Cloud.
After dispensing with the preliminaries, you can start building your business credit profile by setting up credit lines with vendors, utilities, and suppliers. You can also list vendors as trade references for your account, even for vendors that dont report to the credit bureaus.
Does Apple Card Have Any Fees
As advertised, its true that Apple Card does not come with any fees, as most other credit cards do. There are no annual, foreign transaction, late, or over-the-limit fees. But that doesnt mean there arent consequences for mismanaging your Apple account.
For example, if you miss or make late payments, it will negatively affect your credit score and you wouldnt be eligible for a credit line increase. Also, it should be noted that you cant actually go over your credit limit if you attempt it, your credit card transaction will be denied.
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How Will I Apply For Apple Card
Apple is making the application process incredibly simple. You’re able to apply for Apple Card right through the Wallet app. Once approved, your titanium card will be shipped to you through the mail and your digital card will be immediately available to use with Apple Pay. If you want to apply, you can get a direct link right through the Apple Card website .
Why Your Application Is Pending Or In Review
Goldman Sachs might need more time to review some applications, or request more information to verify your identity. After you apply, you are shown a message in Wallet app that will indicate your application is in review. Updates regarding your Apple Card application will be sent to the primary email address associated with your Apple ID.
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This Card Is Right For You If:
The Apple Card can be a smart choice if you’re building or rebuilding your credit, because its benefits compare favorably to other credit cards for consumers with fair credit. The fact that it explains how much interest you’ll pay based on your payment amount also makes it useful if you’re new to credit cards.
Anyone who has good or excellent credit, meaning a FICO® Score of at least 670, is better off looking elsewhere.
With a credit score in that category, you can qualify for some of the best credit cards, and the Apple Card doesn’t make that list. It’s a solid card, but if you shop around, you could find plenty of cards with higher cash back rates, sign-up bonuses, and/or more valuable 0% intro APR offers.
Unlimited Cash Back Rewards
When you make certain types of purchases with your Apple Card and Apple Pay, youll earn Daily Cash rewards. Theres no limit to the amount of Daily Cash you can earn and you can start earning Daily Cash immediately.
These cash back rewards are applied to your account every day, and you can decide whether to use your Daily Cash to make purchases, send money to friends or family or make a one-time payment toward your Apple Card balance.
Heres how the rewards structure works:
- 3 percent cash back on Apple purchases
- 3 percent cash back on purchases with select merchants when you use your Apple Card with Apply Pay
- 2 percent cash back on purchases made with Apple Pay
- 1 percent cash back on all other purchases
To maximize your rewards, make sure to use Apple Pay for as many purchases as possible. That way, youll automatically earn 2 percent cash back on most purchases. Make sure you also use your Apple Card with Apple Pay at eligible merchants so you earn 3 percent cash back.
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If You’re Approved But Your Credit Limit Isn’t Enough To Buy A Device With Apple Card Installments
You can apply for Apple Card when you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other eligible Apple product with Apple Card Installments. If your application is approved with insufficient credit to cover the cost of the device you want to buy, you can choose a different device that’s covered by your credit limit. You can also choose a different payment method or use Apple’s Trade-in program.
How Many Credit Cards Should You Have
We recommend that consumers have at least one credit card. Not only do you get the convenience and rewards offered by credit cards, but you also establish and build your credit score. A good score makes it much easier for you to get a personal loan from a lender, set up a utility account, apply for a job or rental housing, open a cellphone account, and more.
We also think its worthwhile to own multiple cards to:
- Backup to your primary card: Youll thank the Maker when you have a second credit card ready to go when your primary card has been lost, stolen, or denied. Its probably a good idea to have the second card from a different card issuer and payment network. Some places may not accept your primary cards brand but will accept your Visa or Mastercard.
- Maximize your rewards: Different cards have different structures for bonus rewards. For example, a travel credit card may earn high cash back on travel purchases and another card type may work best at the grocery store. A gas card may offer the best rewards at service stations. With multiple cards, you can make sure you get the biggest reward on each purchase.
Can you have too many cards? It depends, in part, on how many of your cards charge annual fees. Another problem may be consumers inability to control their spending, leading to a large aggregate of credit card debt.
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How Can I Get The Apple Card
The Apple Card is now available to all U.S.-based customers, provided you have an iPhone 6 or newer. Interested customers also need to be running iOS or iPadOS 13.2 or newer, as everything to do with the card is set up in the newest iteration of the Wallet application.
As for release in other countries, there has yet to be any official word from Apple, but according to TechRepublic sister site CNET, Goldman Sachs executives believe it will be available internationally at a later date.
Applying for an Apple Card is designed to be simpler, according to Apple, but youll still need to pass a credit check to get the card even then, the APR will vary based on your credit score. According to Apples Card website the APR will vary between 10.99% and 21.99% .
Editors note: This article was updated by Kristen Lotze to include new announcements about the Apple Card.
What To Do If Your Apple Card Credit Limit Increase Is Denied
Its possible that youve done everything right kept your credit score in good shape, managed your Apple Card and other accounts responsibly but your request for a higher credit limit is still denied.
In that case, you might turn to another credit card company to see about a credit limit increase on a different card, or you might want to apply for an entirely new card altogether. If the reason you were asking for the higher credit line was to make a big purchase, you might want to look into a card with a 0% introductory rate. That way, you could have a year or two to pay it off without owing any interest.
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How To View Apple Card Statement
Apple Card is an exciting new product from Apple that brings together the convenience of a credit card with the security of Apples innovative technology. With Apple Card, you can easily manage your finances and keep track of what you spend. And when you need to review your purchases, its easy to view your Apple Card statement.
When you use Apple Card, all your transactions will be securely stored in the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Each month, you& rsquor ll get a statement showing all the transactions made with your Apple Card during that period. You can review each purchase and make sure they were correctly charged to your account.
To view an Apple Card statement, simply open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad and tap Apple Card. Tap Card Balance and scroll down to select the statement you want to view. Once you select it, you& rsquor ll be able to see all the purchases made during that time period.
If you want more details about a particular purchase, simply tap on it and more information will appear. You can also export a copy of the statement if needed by tapping Export Transactions at the bottom of the screen. From here, you can email, print, save or share a copy of the file for easy reference later on.
Overall, reviewing an Apple Card statement is quick and easy with just a few taps in the Wallet app on your device! With this convenient feature, keeping track of what you spend has never been easier!
Should You Apply For The Apple Card
Whether the Apple Card is worth it depends on who you are. At the end of the day, the Apple Card is a credit card designed by Apple for its users. You should only consider applying for the Apple Card if you’re somebody who owns an iPhone and isn’t planning on switching anytime soon.
If you use Apple Pay every day and make a lot of purchases through Apple, the Apple Card might be worth picking up. However, if you’re looking for the best daily cash back card available, there are better options on the market right now.
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