Cred cred.ai Review 2023 (With a Metal Credit Builder Card)

Written By Tim Doman
  • Deposit Account
  • Stealth Card
  • Flux Capacitor
  • Check Please
  • Friend & Foe List

Cred.ai is a U.S- based Fintech with a special focus on the Millenials and Gen Z population. Branding themselves as a group of oddballs and outcasts that like to push and build boundaries, they unveiled a new banking platform for the credit-averse population. But how practical is their cutting-edge tech? Read our comprehensive Cred.ai review to find out.

If you want to join a disruptive bank with the latest technology, complete with a solid metal credit card, cred.ai is the choice for you. You’ll also not pay any fees for all the transactions.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

  • No fees and interest rates
  • The credit card is a solid metal card.
  • Early access to paycheck
  • They have stealth cards for protection
  • You can build your credit
  • You can use your virtual card immediately after the application is approved.
  • Access to 55,000 free ATMs

Cons

  • They don’t have rewards on purchases

Cred.ai Features

Once you sign up to Cred.ai, here are the most common features.

Flux Capacitor

This 80s-inspired feature allows you to see into the future so you can or stop spending. By using this feature, you automatically protect yourself from withdrawals and future charges. You can see transactions such as bills that need to be paid in the future and paychecks that need to clear.

The advantage of this feature is that it also uses AI to detect and clear debits before they happen.

  • Early access to paycheck
  • Access to future deposits
  • Budget for future charges

Stealth Cards

Once you sign up, you can access the self-destructing virtual “Stealth Cards” specifically designed for risky transactions. Acting like a burner credit account number, you can create a shadow account with a set of identification numbers that can be automatically deleted after you order your food or an item from a risky website.

This feature comes in handy when you need to buy something from a vendor you don’t trust or sign up for free trials that normally get auto-billed.

  • It becomes active instantly after approval.
  • It can be used via the app or the phone’s mobile wallet.

Friend & Foe

Friend & Foe is a feature that allows you to manage and restrict transactions with individual vendors in real-time. For instance, if a merchant is still billing your canceled subscription, you can use this feature to stop the payments immediately. Unlike other credit cards from other banks, Cred.ai enables you to do this with just a tap on the app.

Check Please

Check Please helps you avoid the embarrassment that comes with a card decline. With this feature, you can authorize a transaction or payment in advance.

Credit Optimizer

While other credit builder cards help their customers build credit by reporting to the credit bureaus, Cred.ai focuses on credit optimization. This means they provide you with one big number immediately after you open the app. This amount is the money you have available to spend after taking into consideration all the upcoming expenses.

When you use your card, the AI will cover the purchases from your banking account at the most suitable time to help you build your credit score. As long as you follow these guidelines, you’ll enjoy the following:

  • No late fees or interest
  • It covers the costs of overspending
  • It will stop the transaction if you start overspending

High-Security Mode

This security feature is used for ultimate protection. It allows you to generate secure finite authorization windows, which means you can only transact within a particular approved timeframe.

About Cred.ai

cred ai

Cred.ai is a start-up that has been in existence for four years. The company began operating in 2016 but launched its new credit card in 2020. David Adelman, Dylan Brown, and CEO Ry Brown started the company with the aim to create a new and innovative banking experience.

Cred.ai is based in Philadelphia. The deposit account is offered by Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (“WSFS Bank”), Member FDIC.  In addition, the WSFS bank also issues the Unicorn Card credit card because they have a license from Visa. Therefore, these cards can be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

The company received funding and backing from investors during its development, from former AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, musician John Legend, and Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin.

This company offers a credit card that functions like a debit card, flux capacitor, stealth card, and a cred optimizer to make your banking experience as seamless as possible.

Why is Cred.ai Special?

This new banking platform has tools to help reframe the mindset of the Millenials and Gen-zers about credit. With their services, you pay no fees or interest, you won’t overspend with your card, and you can build your credit score automatically.

With a Cred.ai account, you can also get your paycheck two days earlier. The high-tech and premium card is 100% mobile and can be accessed from anywhere.

The free metal card is a unicorn because it works like both a credit and debit card. You can spend only what you have, and it also has an algorithm that helps with credit utilization and building your credit.

For safety purposes, this Fintech has virtual cards that you can use to safely shop at a merchant that you don’t trust. Apart from a good-looking metal card, you get unrivaled card features at no fee. The deposits are also FDIC insured up to $250,000, so your money is safe.

How to Apply For a Cred.ai Card?

To apply for this card, you need to visit the Cred.ai website or use the mobile apps to get started. Once you select, sign up, you’ll be directed to a portal where you need to fill in your mobile phone number and agree to the terms and conditions.

After you click agree, the Cred.ai team will send you a verification code and approval notification to proceed.

Unlike other banks, to qualify for a Unicorn Credit Card, you are not required to have a Credi.ai deposit account. For eligibility, you must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S resident and possess a U.S. phone number that can receive messages. This card comes with the Cred.ai Guaranty that protects every cardholder from overspending, fees, and interests.

You’ll not be allowed to submit your application if you don’t meet the minimum criteria. For instance, if you are below 18 years, the Credit.ai team will not approve you.

How to Deposit Funds to Credi.ai

Since Credit.ai is not a bank, Wilmington Savings Fund Society (WSFS Bank) issue and hold the deposit account. Because of this, your deposits are FDIC insured up to $250,000. They only allow deposit via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transfers, direct deposits of wages, commissions, and the deposits made via mobile remote image capture.

As long as you have a registered account with Cred.ai, you can start transferring funds either via the app or website.

Making a Mobile Deposit

If you want to deposit a check using your phone, you need to download the Credit.ai app. On the app, click on deposit. Then, follow the instructions to use the mobile remote image capture to take a picture of the cheque.

During this process, ensure that all the details are visible. Once you upload the image, your money will be deposited into your account.

Mobile Banking

This app is available for both iOS and Android devices. On the App Store, it has an excellent rating at 4.9/5 with positive reviews about its overall functionality. However, on Google Play, the app has a star rating of 3.4/5 based on customer reviews. Based on this poor rating, a lot of users have raised complaints about the poor functionality of this app.

When using the app, you can access all these vital features of Cred.ai. You can use the budgeting tools and pre-approve future expenditures via your mobile phone. In addition, you can also use services such as mobile remote image capture to upload and deposit cheques.

The app helps you sign up from anywhere and wait to receive the verification code as a new client. You can also access your money on the go by tracing ATM locations.

Using Cred.ai While Travelling

The Cred.ai card can be used even when traveling. The Unicorn Card credit card may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted.

Also, you can access your cash from the 55,000+ ATMs. As long as you have a valid cred.ai guaranty, you’ll not pay any interest on the ATM withdrawals, which are considered cash advances against the Unicorn Card credit card.

How is Cred.ai Regulated

Cred.ai is regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This regulation comes from the partnership with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (“WSFS Bank”), Member FDIC who provides the deposit account and issues the Unicorn Card. Because of this, your deposits are insured up to $250,000.

Is My Money Safe With Cred.ai?

Cred.ai is very particular about the security of your cash. They have several high-tech features that act as protection including, stealth cards, high-security mode, and friends & foes.

All these are essential in keeping your payment safe when you are making transactions online. You can use a number that automatically self-destructs to avoid fraud.

Besides, the funds in your deposit account are FDIC-insured; therefore, your money is safe. Their partnership with WSFS also offers more protection.

You can sign up for notifications and real-time alerts for all your transactions to ensure that you receive information anytime your card is used. This way, you can protect your card from misuse or unauthorized transactions. In case a merchant is still deducting cash from your card after you unsubscribe, you can use the friend & foe feature to stop further transactions.

Customer Service

If you have a query or require assistance from the Cred.ai team, the customer care staff are available 24/7. Once you call, you get assistance from a real person. If you are a Unicorn credit cardholder, you can get help by either calling the phone number on the back of your card or email help@unicorncreditcard.com.

Competitors

Cred.ai has a high-tech credit card. Here are some of their competitors

Apple Card

Both the Apple Card and the Unicorn card are made of solid metal. Launched in June 2020 under the Apple Path Program, this card was also released for consumers to use to improve their creditworthiness.

Chime Credit Builder Card

chime credit builder

Chime Bank’s credit builder helps users build a credit history. Once you sign up, it doesn’t have an annual fee or interest. You also don’t need to pay a minimum security deposit and won’t be subjected to a credit check during the application process.

With the Chime Credit Builder Visa Card, the bank will pay the balance on time once you make purchases and automatically update the credit bureaus. This process helps you build your credit score. The Chime app is available for use on mobile phones to move the cash you need to spend to your credit builder.

Just like with the Cred.ai card, you can use the Chime card at any merchant or vendor that accepts Visa cards. In addition, the cash has no interest, fees, or limits.

Summary

Cred.ai is an excellent choice if you need to start building your credit history. As a product designed for Millenials and the Gen Z population, the company is targeting the risk-averse generation when it comes to credit cards. Their Unicorn metal card appeals to most users, especially since there has not been much development regarding credit cards.

Apart from the physical look, the card also comes with essential features that focus on the security of your funds and user experience. The services can be accessed via the mobile app, available both on App Store and Google Play. Unfortunately, the Android version has low ratings and a lot of negative reviews from users concerning its functionality.

If you are looking for a card with no fees and interest that also comes with premium features, the Cred.ai is the go-to. Cred.ai is making moves as a digital bank utilizing AI technology.

About the Author

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