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Review of the Seen Credit Card: A Comprehensive Guide for Credit Builders
Building credit can be challenging, especially if you're starting from scratch or recovering from past financial difficulties. The Seen Credit Card, issued by Stride Bank, aims to make this journey more accessible and transparent. In this comprehensive review, we'll examine its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you determine if it's the right choice for your credit-building goals.
What Is the Seen Credit Card?
The Seen Credit Card is a secured credit card designed specifically for individuals looking to establish or rebuild their credit history. As a Mastercard product, it reports to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—helping you build your creditworthiness through responsible card usage.
Unlike traditional unsecured credit cards, the Seen Credit Card requires a security deposit that typically equals your credit limit. This deposit serves as collateral and helps reduce the issuer's risk while providing you with an opportunity to demonstrate responsible credit management.
Seen Credit Card Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus monthly
- No credit check required for application
- Mobile app for easy account management
- Credit education resources and tools
- Potential for credit limit increases based on payment history
- Quick digital card access upon approval
Cons:
- High annual fee compared to other secured cards
- Required security deposit
- Higher APR than some competitors
- Limited rewards program
- Additional fees for certain services
Who Is the Seen Credit Card For?
The Seen Credit Card is particularly suitable for:
- Individuals with no credit history looking to establish credit
- People rebuilding credit after past financial difficulties
- Those who want regular credit bureau reporting
- Consumers comfortable with digital-first banking
- Individuals willing to provide a security deposit
The card's primary strength lies in its accessibility and credit-building features. With regular reporting to all three credit bureaus, your on-time payment history and responsible credit utilization can help improve your credit score range over time.
Comparing the Seen Credit Card with Other Credit Cards
When considering the Seen Credit Card, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the credit builder card category:
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Credit Builder account
- Key features: No credit check to apply, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: No minimum security deposit required
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card (rate & fees):
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Minimum $200, which becomes your credit limit
- Key features: 1.5% cash back on all purchases, automatic credit line reviews
- Standout feature: Earn rewards while building credit
Current Build Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Build account
- Key features: No credit check required, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: Linked to Current banking app for easy fund transfers
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Seen Credit Card excels in helping individuals establish or rebuild their credit history
- Chime Credit Builder offers flexibility with no minimum deposit
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides cash back rewards
- Current Build integrates with banking app for convenient use
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Consider Using Kudos
While building credit with the Seen Credit Card, you can maximize your benefits by using Kudos, a free AI-powered browser extension. Kudos helps you optimize your credit card usage by:
- Suggesting the best cards for each purchase
- Finding additional rewards opportunities
- Tracking your spending across multiple cards
- Identifying special reward-boosting opportunities
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Our Expert Takeaway
The Seen Credit Card serves its primary purpose as a credit-building tool effectively, though it comes with higher fees than some competitors. Its main advantages are the universal credit bureau reporting and digital-first approach, making it accessible to those who prioritize online banking. However, potential cardholders should carefully consider the annual fee and other costs before applying.
Seen Credit Card FAQ
What credit score do I need for the Seen Credit Card?
No minimum credit score is required, as the card is designed for credit builders and doesn't require a credit check.
How much is the security deposit?
The security deposit typically equals your desired credit limit, starting at $200.
Does the Seen Credit Card offer rewards?
The card offers limited rewards compared to traditional credit cards, as its primary focus is credit building.
How long does it take to receive the physical card?
Physical card arrival typically takes 7-10 business days, but you get immediate access to a digital card upon approval.
Can I get a credit limit increase?
Yes, credit limit increases are possible based on your payment history and overall account management.
What is the card's APR?
The card's annual percentage rate (APR) is higher than average for secured cards; check the current terms for specific rates.
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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.
