Apple Card

The Apple Card is designed for people who either can’t get enough of Apple products or who use Apple Pay for everyday purchases. You can start using the card via Apple Pay before you get a physical card and you can earn 3% cash back on all Apple purchases. However, you don’t get a sweet welcome bonus, and the card is a little skimpy on rewards. We dive into the details and your approval odds in this Apple Card review.

Our Rating

4.3/5.0

Welcome Offer

None

Annual Fee

$0

0% Intro on Purchases

N/A

Reward Rate

1% to 3% cash back

0% Intro on Balance Transfers

N/A

Editorial Review

How Does the Apple Card Compare?

The Apple card offers decent rewards for those who must have the latest Apple product, and it offers pretty good rewards if you use Apple Pay. If you use the physical card, you’ll earn 1% cash back on purchases, and there are many other cards that offer higher rewards. You can share your Apple Card account with up to five people, which may be helpful if you have teenagers and others who need to build credit.

Who is the Apple Card best for?

It will come as no surprise that the Apple Card is best for those who live and breathe Apple. If you want to use something other than Apple Pay, you’ll want to consider a different card.

Who would do better with a different card?

If you want a welcome bonus, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has an intro offer. You’ll also earn up to 6% cash back on purchases and you aren’t limited to using Apple Pay. 

For a more straightforward cash back structure, Citi® Double Cash Card offers 1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% cash back when you pay the bill, and you don’t have to use Apple Pay to get these rewards. 

The Chase Freedom Flex® card has rotating categories and offers up to 5% cash back on said categories. They won’t offer 5% cash back on Apple, but they do offer it on Amazon purchases periodically. So, if you bought your Apple products through Amazon during this time frame, you’d come out ahead. 

Features & Benefits

SecurityEMV Chip Enabled, Fraud Monitoring, Zero Liability, Alerts, Virtual Card Numbers
Contactless PaymentsApple Pay
Benefits24/7 customer service
Travel Perks

Rewards

1% cash back
On all other eligible purchases
1% cash back on purchases made with the Apple Card.
2% cash back
All eligible purchases
2% cash back on purchases when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay.
3% cash back
Select Categories
3% cash back on goods or services when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay on purchases directly from Apple. These include purchases from Apple retail stores, the Apple online store, iTunes, Apple Music and other Apple-owned properties. App Store purchases (including In-App Purchases ).
3% cash back
Select Categories
3% cash back on select merchants when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay: Ace Hardware, Duane Reed, Exxon, Mobil, Nike, T-Mobile, Panera Bread, Uber, Uber Eats, Walgreens

Interest Rates & Fees

Annual FeeNo annual fee
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Regular APR19.24% to 29.49% (V) APR

What Credit Score Is Required to Get the Apple Card

The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use numerous factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.

Lowest Approved Credit Score: 623

Average Approved Credit Score: 707

App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved03/30/2023
711
Experian
$3,000
Approved04/25/2023
670
Not Provided
$1,250
Approved01/02/2023
623
TransUnion
$1,500
Approved01/02/2023
628
Experian
$1,500
Approved01/02/2023
633
Equifax
$1,500
Approved03/14/2023
657
TransUnion
$1,500
Approved01/03/2023
771
Experian
$6,500
Approved03/04/2024
714
TransUnion
$7,000
Approved03/04/2024
734
Experian
$7,000
Approved02/27/2023
720
TransUnion
$5,500
Approved08/05/2023
771
Equifax
$7,500
Approved08/05/2023
771
Experian
$7,500
Approved08/05/2023
787
TransUnion
$7,500
Denied04/05/2023
755
Experian
---
Denied11/29/2023
776
TransUnion
---

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Up to 3% cash back
Cons
  • No welcome bonus

What Are the Best Alternatives?

Citi<sup>®</sup> Double Cash Card
Citi® Double Cash Card

Rating

4.9

Rewards Range

1% to 2%

Annual Fee

$0

Chase Freedom Flex®
Chase Freedom Flex®

Rating

4.7

Rewards Range

1% - 5%

Annual Fee

$0

Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rating

4.9

Rewards Range

1.5% - 5%

Annual Fee

$0

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