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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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Milestone Mastercard® Review

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
LendingTree's Review

How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?

Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.
1.8
Milestone Mastercard<sup>®</sup>
Mastercard Benefits
Accepted Worldwide and $0 Fraud Liability
Mobile Access
Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
Build Credit
Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
Editorial Note: shortenedCCEditorialNote

Our take: If you want to improve your bad or limited credit with the help of a credit card — but you don’t want to put down a security deposit — you may want to consider the Milestone Mastercard®. However, due to its annual fee, high APR and lack of a rewards program, you may be better off with a different card.

Is the Milestone Mastercard® worth it?

The Milestone Mastercard® may be a good fit if you’ve had challenges with your credit history and are working towards building your credit profile. This card is easy to get approved for and requires no deposit, which prevents you from having to tie up additional funds. Plus, it reports your credit activity to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).

That said, there’s an annual fee — which will reduce the amount of your initial line of credit — and no rewards program.

So while this card may seem appealing at first glance if you have bad credit or no credit, there are better options available that offer credit-building tools and rewards on every purchase without charging an annual fee.

Quick facts

    • Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
    • Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
    • Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
    • $0 liability for unauthorized use
    • Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion
  • 600 660 720
    Fair / Good
  • Fraud protection
  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection™
  • 24/7 account access
  • Ability to set up autopay

Intro Purchase APR

N/A

Regular Purchase APR

See terms

Intro BT APR

N/A

Regular BT APR

N/A

Annual Fee

See terms

Cash Advance Fee

See terms

Foreign Transaction Fee

1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Balance Transfer Fee

N/A

Pros and Cons

  • No security deposit required
  • Reports to all three credit bureaus
  • No intro APR
  • Annual fee
  • No rewards program
  • Credit limit could be low

Milestone Mastercard® benefits

  • No security deposit required

    The Milestone Mastercard® is an unsecured card, meaning you won’t have to put down a security deposit in order to own the card. This can be helpful in getting started with credit building without having to spend extra upfront to do so.

    Secured credit cards are another useful tool that can help you build credit. They work similarly to unsecured cards, but will require a small deposit (often starting at $200) that becomes your line of credit.

  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus

    The Milestone Mastercard® reports your account and payment activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). This is extremely beneficial if you’re looking to repair or build your credit, since payment history is the most important factor making up your credit score.

Milestone Mastercard® drawbacks

  • Annual Fee

    Your annual fee — which can range from $35 to $99 — is determined based on which version of this card you’re approved for.

    But beware, the annual fee will reduce the amount of your initial credit limit. So for example, if you receive a credit line of $300 and an annual fee of $59, the amount of your initial line of credit will be $241.

    If you’re looking to avoid an annual fee entirely, it would be worth it to check out a secured card. Secured cards require a security deposit, but they usually come with no annual fee, as well as additional benefits that can provide enough value to justify the deposit.

  • No intro APR

    This card doesn’t offer an intro APR on purchases — so if you plan to carry a balance from month to month, you’ll be subject to an APR: See terms.

    That said, credit cards for those with bad credit typically don’t offer a 0% intro APR on purchases or balance transfers. In fact, they often have a higher ongoing APR than that of the Milestone Mastercard®.

  • No rewards program

    The Milestone Mastercard® doesn’t offer a sign-up bonus or rewards for the purchases you make.

    If you’re looking to earn rewards, there are credit cards for bad credit available that offer rewards programs; however, they’ll likely be secured cards that require a deposit.

    Keep the following in mind, though — when trying to build credit, it’s best to focus on making on time payments and keeping your credit utilization ratio low rather than racking up rewards.

  • Credit limit could be low

    With the Milestone Mastercard®, your credit limit could be as low as $300 — plus, additional fees, like the annual fee, will further reduce the amount of your initial line of credit.

    This card doesn’t specify if you’ll be able to increase your credit limit over time, but there are cards available that offer more clarity. For example, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card will automatically begin reviewing your account starting at six months to see if you’re eligible for credit limit increases.

Alternative card to the Milestone Mastercard®

Milestone Mastercard® vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

| Disclosures
Discover it® Secured Credit Card*
Discover it<sup>®</sup> Secured Credit Card
Learn More
N/A
27.74% Variable APR
$0
2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000
  • No credit score required to apply. No Annual Fee.
  • Your secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, and your credit line will equal your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.
  • Raise your credit score by 30+ points.
  • Automatic reviews starting at 7 months to see if we can transition you to an unsecured line of credit and return your deposit.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Activate for free.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
300 600
Limited / Poor
*The information related to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

If you’d prefer a secured card that offers cash back on every purchase and charges a $0 annual fee, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card will be a better fit.

You’ll 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

There’s no annual fee, but this card does require a deposit ranging from $200 to $2,500, which will serve as your line of credit. Still, you’ll get the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back after using the card responsibly for seven months.

There’s also no penalty APR, and the late fee is none the first time you pay late. After that, up to $41.

Is the Milestone Mastercard® right for you?

The Milestone Mastercard® is a decent option if you want to repair or build your credit with the help of a nonsecured credit card. But keep in mind that there are better options out there that are more straightforward about the costs associated with the card, have fewer fees and provide higher credit limits.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card provides tools to help boost your credit profile without charging an annual fee. Plus, it earns rewards and provides the opportunity to graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back after seven months.

apply-now-icon Apply Now
on Milestone Mastercard®'s secure site

Frequently asked questions

The Milestone Mastercard® has a mobile app. You can log in to your account on the app or on Milestone’s website. Both are managed by the Bank of Missouri.

The Milestone Mastercard® is a decent card for building credit, but there are better options available for those with poor/limited credit.

The credit limit for your card will be determined in the application process. There are several versions of the Milestone Mastercard®, and the rates, fees and credit limit will be provided with your specific card offer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

The information related to the Discover it® Secured Credit Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.