Atlas Credit Card Review: Better Than Secured Credit Cards?

What Is the Atlas Credit Card?

The Atlas Credit Card, issued by Patriot Bank in partnership with Mastercard, is marketed as a credit-building tool designed for people with limited or poor credit history. Unlike traditional credit cards that often require high credit scores, the Atlas CC boasts a 95% approval rate, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including young professionals, students, or those recovering from financial setbacks. With a 0% APR and a rewards program offering up to 10% cash back on eligible purchases, it sounds like a dream come true.

Why Choose the Atlas Credit Card? Key Features and Benefits

The Atlas Credit Card is designed to address common pain points for those looking to improve their credit score while earning rewards. Here’s a breakdown of its standout features:

• High Approval Rates: With a reported 95% approval rate, the Atlas CC is accessible to almost anyone who verifies their identity and links a bank account. No credit check or minimum income is required, making it ideal for those with limited credit history.
• Credit Building: The card reports to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—helping users build credit with on-time payments. Atlas claims an average 50-point credit score increase in the first year for responsible users.
• 0% APR: Unlike many credit cards that charge high interest rates, the Atlas CC has no interest charges, which is a huge relief for those avoiding debt.
• Rewards Program: Earn 3% to 10% cash back on eligible purchases like gas, dining, subscriptions, and shopping at over 50,000 stores. Rare “lucky swipes” can even offer up to 100% cash back.
• Additional Perks: Includes cell phone protection, extended warranty coverage, rental car insurance, and bill negotiation services for utilities and subscriptions.
• User-Friendly App: The Atlas app allows you to track spending, monitor your credit score, and manage payments with ease.

Image Idea: A screenshot of the Atlas app interface showing credit score tracking or cash back offers to visually engage readers.

The Catch: Membership Fees and Other Costs

While the Atlas Credit Card sounds like a fantastic deal, it’s not without costs. The card charges a membership fee of $8.99 every four weeks (approximately $116/year) or $89/year

if you opt for the annual plan. This fee is significantly higher than the average credit card annual fee of $23.75, which might raise eyebrows for budget-conscious users.

Additionally, some users have reported issues with the Smart Pay feature, which automatically deducts payments from your linked bank account. While this ensures you never miss a payment, it can feel restrictive, and some claim it’s difficult to turn off.

If you’re considering the Atlas CC, weigh these costs against the rewards and credit-building potential to see if it aligns with your financial goals.

Is the Atlas Credit Card Legit? Addressing Your Concerns

One of the most common questions about the Atlas Credit Card is, “Is Atlas legit?” Let’s address this head-on with evidence from user reviews and industry insights:

• Issuer Reputation: The Atlas Card is issued by Patriot Bank, a reputable financial institution regulated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and state banking authorities. This adds a layer of trustworthiness and consumer protection.
• Security Features: The card offers robust fraud protection, including real-time transaction notifications and the ability to lock your card instantly via the app.
• User Reviews: On platforms like Trustpilot and the App Store, the Atlas Credit Card has received high praise, with an average rating of 4.77/5 from over 2,000 reviews. Users love the app’s ease of use and the credit score boosts (some report increases of 55 to 100 points). However, there are complaints about poor customer service and unexpected account closures, which we’ll explore later.

Image Idea: A comparison chart showing Atlas Credit Card’s approval rates and fees versus competitors like secured credit cards or other credit-building options.

Atlas Credit Card Reviews: What Real Users Are Saying

To give you a balanced perspective, let’s look at what users are saying in Atlas Credit Card reviews and Atlas Mastercard reviews across various platforms:

The Good

• Credit Score Improvements: Many users report significant credit score increases, with some seeing 20 to 100 points within weeks or months.
• Easy to Use: The Atlas app is frequently praised for its intuitive design, making it simple to track spending and monitor credit progress.
• Rewards Value: Users appreciate the cash back offers, especially for everyday purchases like gas, dining, and subscriptions.
• Accessible Approval: People with bad or no credit history value the high approval rates and lack of credit checks.

Quote from a User: Atlas helped my credit score go up by 55 points! Very easy and great customer service!!” – Christopher, Trustpilot

The Bad

• Customer Service Issues: Some users complain about slow or unresponsive customer service, with wait times of 2-3 days for email responses and no live phone support.
• Unexpected Charges: A few users reported unauthorized charges or difficulty canceling their accounts, with one claiming Atlas sent a $13 debt to collections after cancellation.
• Account Closures: There are reports of accounts being closed without clear explanations, causing frustration and delays in accessing funds.

Quote from a User: “DO NOT GET ATLAS CREDIT CARD IT’S A SCAM. They charged me $10 twice, but my account doesn’t exist on the app. Customer service is awful!” – Anonymous, WalletHub

Is the Atlas Mastercard Worth It? Pros and Cons

To help you make a final decision, here’s a quick summary of the Atlas Credit Card’s pros and cons:

Pros

• Builds Credit Fast: Reports to all three credit bureaus, with an average 50-point score increase in the first year.
• No Interest Charges: 0% APR means you won’t rack up debt from interest.
• Generous Rewards: Up to 10% cash back on everyday purchases and unique perks like bill negotiation.
• High Approval Rates: Ideal for those with poor or no credit history.

Cons

• High Membership Fee: $8.99 every four weeks or $89/year is steep compared to other credit-building cards with no annual fees.
• Customer Service Complaints: Limited support options and slow response times.
• Smart Pay Restrictions: Automatic payments can feel restrictive, and some users report issues turning it off.

Who Should Get the Atlas Credit Card? The Atlas Credit Card is best suited for:

• Credit Builders: Individuals with limited or poor credit who want to improve their credit score without risking high interest debt.
• Reward Seekers on a Budget: Those who spend frequently on gas, dining, or subscriptions and want to earn cash back.
• Tech-Savvy Users: People comfortable managing their finances through a mobile app.

However, it may not be ideal for:

• Fee-Averse Consumers: If you’re looking for a no-fee credit card, secured cards or other unsecured options might be better.
• High Spenders: The card’s low initial credit limits may not suit those with significant spending needs.
• Customer Service Prioritizers: If you value quick, live support, the Atlas CC’s limited customer service could be a dealbreaker.

Alternatives to the Atlas Credit Card

If the Atlas CC doesn’t feel like the right fit, consider these alternatives:

• Secured Credit Cards: Require a deposit but often have lower or no annual fees (e.g., Discover it® Secured Credit Card).
• Chime Credit Builder: A no-fee option that works similarly to Atlas but requires a Chime checking account.
• Capital One Platinum: An unsecured card for those with fair credit, with no annual fee but higher APR.

Image Idea: A table comparing the Atlas Credit Card with alternatives like Chime and Capital One, highlighting fees, rewards, and credit-building potential.

Final thought : Should You Apply for the Atlas Credit Card?

The Atlas Credit Card is a legitimate option for credit building, backed by Patriot Bank and offering robust features like 0% APR, high approval rates, and attractive rewards. However, its high membership fee and mixed customer service reviews are notable drawbacks. If you’re in the U.S., have limited credit, and are willing to pay for the convenience of a user-friendly app and cash back rewards, the Atlas CC could be a game-changer. But if you’re wary of fees or need reliable customer support, explore other credit-building cards first.

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