ReviewsApple Card Review: Great for Apple Enthusiasts
Card Review
How to Apply
The Apple Card is a credit card for Apple devotees, but it doesn’t offer an amazing value for people who are looking for good rewards and perks. The card is good enough for most situations, but many other cards offer a better value in the long run.
Apple Card Quick Review
Here are the highlights of the Apple Card:
Annual Fee: $0
APR: 12.74% to 23.74% Varible
Sign-Up Bonus: none
Benefits:
- Use your card through Apple Pay as soon as you’re approved
- Track your spending from your phone
- See information about your balance and interest charges based on expected payments
- Security using Face ID, Touch ID, and unique transaction codes
- The physical card is made of metal
- Text-based support
- Cash back automatically redeemed each day
- Earn 3% cash back at select merchants, like Uber, T-Mobile, and Walgreens
- Earn 2% cash back everywhere else you use Apple Pay
- Earn 1% cash back when you use the physical card
Minimum Payment: The greater of $25, or 1% of the new balance plus interest and any unpaid daily cash adjustments billed to your account
Other Fees: None
Why to Apply
There are a few reasons that you might want to apply for Apple’s new credit card.
Valuable tracking features for iPhone users: The Apple Card is designed to integrate with your iPhone. You’ll use Apple Pay to make purchases with the card and can easily manage your card through the app on your phone. That includes making payments and getting support. The app also offers expenditure tracking, letting you see what types of purchases you’re spending money on and even seeing the businesses that you used your card at on a map. Another perk is that the card will be added to your Apple Pay Wallet as soon as you’re approved, so you don’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail to start using it.
Simple rewards: A common problem with rewards credit cards is that their rewards systems are complicated. Many cards offer miles or points that have multiple redemption options, each offering different cash values for the points. Even cash-back cards can have minimum redemptions or the option to redeem rewards for things like gift cards. The Apple Card’s rewards come in the form of daily cash back. At the end of each day, all the cash back you earned will be added to your card automatically. You never have to remember to redeem your cash back on your account.
Drawbacks and Downsides
There are some things to think about before applying for the Apple credit card.
Poor rewards unless you use Apple Pay: Apple pushes its users to use every service they provide. That includes Apple Pay. To encourage cardholders to use Apple Pay, you’ll earn 2% cash back when you use Apple Pay but only 1% cash back if you swipe your physical card. But the reality is that not every retailer accepts Apple Pay, so there will be some stores where you can’t earn 2% cash back, making the rewards underwhelming compared to other cards on the market. Things get even worse if you don’t use an iPhone. You won’t have any way to use Apple Pay or the apps that add value to the card.
Missing perks: Most credit cards offer a variety of perks. For instance, you might earn a signup bonus or get a 0% APR promotion when you first get the card. Many cards also let you add authorized users or offer benefits like extended warranty or rental car insurance. Outside of its iPhone integration, this is a no-frills card, offering very few of these options to cardholders. That includes the fact that it offers no welcome bonus.
Alternatives
If you’re considering the Apple Card, you might be interested in one of these alternatives.
Citi Doublecash: If you want a simple cash back card, the Citi Doublecash card is a great choice. The card offers 2% cash back on every purchase that you make. You’ll earn 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay off your balance. You don’t have to worry about whether a merchant accepts Apple Pay. Just pay by swiping the card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: If you want a card with more reward options, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. This card charges a $95 annual fee, which is far less than its sister card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its rewards come in the form of points that can be redeemed for cash or used with a huge variety of hotels and airlines if you want to book travel. Plus, the card also has perks like travel insurance and extended warranty.
Other Things to Know
These are some of the most common questions that people have about the Apple Card.
How do I apply for the Apple card?
You can apply for the card directly from your iPhone. Open the Wallet app, tap the + button and select the Apple Card. Fill out the short application and, if approved, your account will open immediately.
Does the physical card have a card number or expiration date on it?
No, the physical Apple Card does not have the account number or other information printed on it. You’ll have to look at your Wallet app to get that information.
Which bank issues the Apple Card?
Goldman Sachs partnered with Apple to issue this credit card.
Does the Apple Card work with Apple Watch?
Yes, it works with your Apple Watch. You can make payments just like any other card you’ve linked to your Watch.
Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the Apple Card?
If you’re an Apple enthusiast, the Apple Card does have some useful features and will fit in with your lifestyle. However, there are many better cash-back cards on the market, so you should look for alternatives before settling for on this card.
