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Neu Credit Card Review 2025: Is This Subscription Card Worth It for Students?
July 1, 2025
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If you're a college student or recent graduate looking to build credit, you've probably stumbled across Neu Money—the subscription-based credit card that promises easy approval without the typical barriers. But is paying $7 per month for a credit card actually worth it?
In this comprehensive review, we'll break down everything you need to know about the Neu credit card, including how it stacks up against traditional student cards and whether it's the smart financial move for your situation.
What Is the Neu Credit Card?
The Neu credit card is a fintech solution designed specifically for students and young adults who are new to credit. Issued by Cross River Bank, Neu takes a unique approach by offering two card options with a subscription model rather than traditional interest charges or annual fees.
Two Card Options:
Neumoney Card 1 (0% APR Plan)
- Cost: $7/month ($84/year)
- APR: 0% forever
- Credit Limit: $350 minimum, up to $1,000
- Best for: Students who want to avoid interest entirely
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "21434", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Young Adults", "headerHint": "0% APR Forever"} ]]
Neumoney Card 2 (No Annual Fee Plan)
- Cost: $0 annual fee
- APR: 26.99%–29.99% variable
- Credit Limit: $350 minimum, up to $2,500
- Best for: Those who pay in full monthly and want no subscription
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "21566", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Young Adults", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]
Key Features and Benefits
The Good
1. Accessible Approval Process
Neu's biggest selling point is accessibility. Unlike traditional credit cards, you can potentially qualify without a Social Security number—a game-changer for international students. The application takes under 5 minutes, and approval decisions are quick.
2. 3% Cash Back on Air Trave
lBoth Neu cards earn 3% cash back on air travel purchases, up to $1,000 in annual spending. For students traveling home for holidays or studying abroad, this can add up to $30 in annual rewards.
3. Credit Limit Growth
After 6 months of responsible use, Neu reviews your account monthly for automatic credit limit increases. The 0% APR card can grow to $1,000, while the no-fee card can reach $2,500.
4. User-Friendly App
The Neu Money app offers real-time balance tracking, spending notifications, credit score monitoring, and the ability to freeze/unfreeze your card instantly.
5. Real Customer Service
Unlike many fintech apps, Neu provides access to live customer service representatives via phone or email during weekdays.
The Not-So-Good
1. Limited Credit Bureau Reporting
As of 2025, Neu only reports to TransUnion—not Experian or Equifax. This significantly limits your credit-building potential compared to cards that report to all three major bureaus.
2. The Subscription Cost Adds Up
At $7/month for the 0% APR card, you're paying $84 annually. To break even with the 3% air travel rewards alone, you'd need to spend $2,800 on flights—far beyond most students' budgets.
3. No Upgrade Path
Neu doesn't offer a graduation path to a traditional credit card with better rewards or higher limits. Once you outgrow Neu, you'll need to apply elsewhere and potentially close the account.
4. Low Rewards on Regular Spending
Previously, Neu offered 1.25% cash back on all purchases, but the current structure only rewards air travel at 3%. For everyday spending, you earn nothing beyond building credit.
5. Limited Credit Limit
Starting at just $350, even with responsible use, the maximum limit is $1,000 (0% APR card) or $2,500 (no-fee card). This may feel restrictive as your financial needs grow.
Building credit is just the beginning. Kudos analyzes your spending across all your cards to ensure you're always using the right one for maximum rewards. Add your Neu card (or any student card) to Kudos and watch your earnings grow automatically—no spreadsheets required.
How Does Neu Compare to Traditional Student Cards?
Let's be honest: the Neu card fills a specific niche, but it's not the best option for most students.
- Annual Cost: The Neu 0% APR card costs $84 per year, while both Discover and Capital One charge absolutely nothing. That's $84 you could be saving or investing elsewhere.
- Rewards Structure: Neu only offers 3% cash back on air travel purchases.
- Credit Bureau Reporting: This is where Neu's limitations really show. It only reports to TransUnion, meaning your credit-building efforts only count toward one of the three major credit bureaus. Both Discover and Capital One report to all three bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—building your credit profile three times as effectively.
- Welcome Bonuses: Neu doesn't offer any sign-up bonus. Meanwhile, Discover provides a Cashback Match that literally doubles all your cash back earned in your first year, and Capital One offers $50 after you spend just $100 in the first three months.
- Social Security Number Requirement: Here's where Neu has its advantage—you don't need an SSN to apply, making it accessible for international students. Both Discover and Capital One require an SSN as part of their application process.
The Bottom Line: If you have a Social Security number and can qualify for traditional student cards, you'll build credit faster and earn better rewards at zero cost. The only scenario where Neu wins is if you're locked out of traditional options entirely.
Who Should Consider the Neu Card?
The Neu card makes sense for a very specific audience:
✅ International students without a Social Security number who struggle to qualify for traditional cards
✅ Students with very limited or damaged credit who've been denied elsewhere
✅ Young adults who need supervised training wheels and want zero risk of interest charges
✅ Frequent student travelers who can maximize the 3% air travel rewards
Who Should Skip the Neu Card?
❌ Anyone who can qualify for a no-fee student card from Discover, Capital One, or Bank of America
❌ Students who won't spend enough on air travel to justify the $84 annual subscription
❌ Those focused on building comprehensive credit history across all three credit bureaus
❌ Anyone looking for versatile rewards on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and dining
Better Alternatives to Consider
If you're weighing the Neu card, consider these alternatives:
For International Students Without SSN:
- Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: No SSN required, no annual fee, 1% cash back everywhere
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "793", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Young Adults", "headerHint": "Credit Builders"} ]]
- Petal 2 Card: Alternative approval methods, no fees, up to 1.5% cash back
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2905", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "No Fee Seekers", "headerHint": "No Fees"} ]]
For Students With SSN:
- Discover It Student Chrome: 2% back on gas/dining, no annual fee, reports to all three bureaus
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3878", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "1% on Everywhere"} ]]
- Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: 3% on dining/entertainment, $50 welcome bonus, no annual fee
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3054", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Students", "headerHint" : "Cash Back Perks" } ]]
- Chase Freedom Rise℠: 1.5% back everywhere, $25 bonus for setting up auto-pay
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3745", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint" : "Cash Back Perks" } ]]
For Building Credit Without a Credit Card:
- Secured Self Visa® Credit Card: Credit-builder loan that reports to all three bureaus
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3065", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "Guaranteed Credit Limit"} ]]
- Chime Card™: No fees or interest, secured by your Chime account
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3069", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint" : "No Annual Fees" } ]]
How Kudos Can Help You Maximize Any Card
Whether you choose Neu or a traditional student card, Kudos helps you get more value from every purchase.
With Kudos, you can:
- Track all your cards in one unified dashboard
- Get personalized recommendations for which card to use at checkout
- Earn Kudos Boost rewards on top of your credit card rewards at 15,000+ online stores
- Monitor your credit score and utilization across all cards
- Never miss a benefit with automatic Hidden Perks tracking
Get started with Kudos for free and start earning up to $750 more per year in rewards.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Neu Credit Card
Is the Neu credit card worth the monthly fee?
For most students with access to traditional credit cards, no. The $84 annual subscription only makes sense if you're an international student without a Social Security number or if you've been denied by other issuers.
Does Neu Money report to all three credit bureaus?
No. As of 2025, Neu only reports to TransUnion. This limits your credit-building compared to cards that report to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Can I get the Neu card without a Social Security number?
Yes. Neu is one of the few credit cards that allows international students to apply using alternative identification, such as a valid Visa stamp with at least six months until expiration.
What credit limit does the Neu card offer?
Starting credit limits begin at $350. With responsible use after 6 months, the 0% APR card can grow to $1,000, and the no-fee card can reach $2,500.
Can I upgrade my Neu card to a better credit card later?
No. Neu doesn't offer an upgrade path. Once you outgrow the card, you'll need to apply for a new card with a different issuer and may need to close your Neu account.
Final Verdict: Is the Neu Credit Card Worth It?
The Neu credit card serves a valuable niche for international students and those with limited credit options, but it's not the best choice for most students.
If you can qualify for a traditional student credit card with no annual fee, better rewards, and reporting to all three credit bureaus, that's the smarter path. However, if you're locked out of traditional options due to lack of SSN or severely limited credit history, Neu provides a legitimate—if expensive—entry point into the U.S. credit system.
Our recommendation: Start with no-fee student cards from Discover or Capital One if you qualify. If you can't, consider Neu as a 6-12 month stepping stone, then graduate to better options once you've built credit with TransUnion.
And no matter which card you choose, connect it to Kudos to ensure you're maximizing rewards on every single purchase.
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Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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