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Card review from FundInHand

Milestone Mastercard: up to $1,000 of unsecured credit to rebuild with

A genuine Mastercard for a credit record with a few scuffs on it. Your cash stays put, since no deposit is asked for. And if the answer is no, trying leaves no hard inquiry on your report. Reviewed by FundInHand.

Apply Nowon the issuer's secure site
  • A limit of up to $1,000, if you are approved
  • Nothing to hand over as a deposit
  • Reports your payments to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
  • A decline leaves no hard inquiry behind

HomeCredit cardsMilestone

Just starting out with credit, or starting over? Milestone's unsecured Mastercard is aimed at you. There is no refundable deposit to put down. If the issuer says yes, your line can reach $1,000. You can use it anywhere Mastercard works, and each month all three major bureaus get a record of your activity, so paying on time is seen where it counts.

What we think

This card is good at one thing. It hands a real, unsecured Mastercard to someone with a thin or damaged credit file, without asking for cash first. Two parts stand out to us: you need no deposit, and a decline is treated softly. If you are turned down, no hard inquiry is recorded against you, so your score is not touched by the attempt. That makes applying far less nerve-racking while your credit is still healing.

The cost is the catch. Year one brings a $250 annual fee, and after that it is $99 a year. Starting in year two, $19.25 a month is charged on top, adding up to $231 across a year. Expect a purchase APR near 35.9%, and do not expect rewards; there are none. Put simply, this card is for building a payment record, not for carrying a balance. Keep it for small, regular buys, pay the full statement, and let the bureau reports quietly do the rest.

How it goes

  1. Read the terms first Before anything else, open the offer and find three numbers: the yearly fee, the monthly charge and the APR. It takes a couple of minutes. You will see the terms in full before you are tied to anything.
  2. Apply with the issuer The issuer reviews your application and may get your credit report as part of it. Approval is never certain. Still, a no does not put a hard inquiry on your report.
  3. Pay on time, build slowly Once approved, keep what you buy small and settle up by each due date. The account is reported to all three bureaus, so a steady run of on-time payments is on record month after month.

What it costs

Annual fee$250 for the first year; after that, $99
Monthly feeYear one: $0 ($0 a month). From year two: $19.25 a month, or $231 a year
Purchase APRAbout 35.9% (check the terms)
Your limitUp to $1,000, if approved
DepositNone, it is unsecured
RewardsNone

Milestone prices for people rebuilding credit, so its fees sit well above a prime card's. Your own credit profile shapes what you are offered, down to the exact fee. The offer through this link may also differ from Milestone offers found elsewhere. Take a slow read of the full terms where you apply.

Is it right for you?

A good fit if you

  • You are building credit from nothing or fixing old damage
  • You want an unsecured card and would rather keep your deposit money
  • You would like to apply knowing a no will not dent your score
  • You care that Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all see your payments

Maybe not if you

  • You could already get approved for a rewards card or one with low fees
  • You are after cash back, points or miles
  • An annual fee is something you will not pay
  • Your balance is likely to sit on the card at a high APR
Apply on the Issuer's Site

on the issuer's secure site

Questions about Milestone

1Does applying hurt my credit score?

If you are approved, your report shows the new account and the credit inquiry, as it normally would. A decline is different: nothing shows up as a hard inquiry, so trying costs you no points.

2Is a security deposit needed?

No. The Milestone Mastercard is unsecured. Unlike a secured card, it asks for no refundable deposit. With an approval, the issuer picks your credit line, which can go as high as $1,000.

3What credit does it take?

It is aimed at people whose credit is less than perfect. The issuer reviews every application and may pull your credit report as it does, so approval is never a sure thing. You may not be approved if you have applied for a Milestone Mastercard lately or already hold one.

4Does it report to the credit bureaus?

Yes. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all receive your activity. Paying on time and keeping a low balance each month builds your payment history bit by bit.

The Milestone Mastercard is issued by The Bank of Missouri and serviced by Concora Credit Inc. Applications are subject to issuer review (which may include obtaining your credit report) and approval; to be approved you must meet the issuer's requirements for creditworthiness, ability to pay, and identity verification. If you have recently applied for or already have a Milestone Mastercard, you may not be approved. If you are not approved, a hard inquiry will not appear on your credit report, so your score is not impacted. This offer may be unique and can only be guaranteed when using the link provided; other offers for this card may feature different terms and conditions. Annual fees, APRs, and credit limits vary by applicant. FundInHand is a free comparison and referral service, not a lender or card issuer, and may be compensated when you apply, which never changes the terms you are offered. This is an advertisement. FundInHand is a free loan-request and comparison referral service. We do not lend or issue cards, and we do not sell insurance. We may be paid if one of our links is where your application starts.

Next step

Could the Milestone Mastercard fit your plan?

A credit line as high as $1,000, with no deposit to find, and your payments seen by all three bureaus. Even a decline leaves your report free of a hard inquiry.

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