Finance

Apple Credit Card: How to Sign Up For Apple Card

January 31, 2024

The launch of the Apple Credit Card shook up the credit card industry. With no fees, daily cash back rewards, and deep integration with iPhone features, the Apple Card offers a unique value proposition for Apple device owners.

In this post, we will explore everything you need to know about the Apple Credit Card to help you determine if it’s the right card for your wallet.

Read on as we unpack everything you need to know to decide if the Apple Card is right for your spending.

An Overview of the Apple Credit Card

The Apple Credit Card launched in partnership with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard. It’s designed specifically for use with Apple devices like the iPhone, though it can be used with other wallets as well. Some key features that make it stand out:

No Fees – There are no annual, foreign transaction, or late fees with Apple Card. A big advantage over many competitors.
Daily Cash Back – Cardholders get cash back daily on their purchases instead of having to wait until the end of a billing period. Cash back percentages vary:
- 3% on purchases from Apple
- 2% when using Apple Pay
- 1% for other purchases
iPhone Integration – The Apple Card is embedded into the iPhone Wallet app and offers a range of features like tracking spending by category or merchant.

As an iPhone native credit card, the Apple Card offers a seamless user experience for Apple devotees. But how does it stack up in other ways? Let’s dive deeper….

Applying for Apple Card and Getting Approved

Applying for Apple Card is simple and can be done entirely on iPhone in the Wallet app in just minutes. Applicants also receive real-time decisions with transparent reasoning.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Apple Card is currently only available to U.S. customers ages 18+ with an iPhone 6 or later running the latest iOS. You’ll also need 2-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID.

What is Required When Applying?

To apply, you’ll input your name, income, birth date, and social security number directly in the Wallet app. Rather than a hard credit check, TransUnion will conduct a soft credit check which does not impact your score.

You can even share that you pay child support or alimony or have high education, rent, or home expenses to get a more accurate assessment.

How to Sign Up For Apple Card

Signing up for Apple Card is quick and simple with an iPhone in hand. It takes just a few minutes through the Wallet app:

Open the Wallet app and tap the “+” symbol
Follow the prompts to apply through Goldman Sachs
Verify your identity
Accept the terms
Your card details are immediately available in Wallet while you wait for the physical card to arrive

The entire application and approval process happens right on your iPhone without having to talk to a representative.

Goldman Sachs will evaluate your creditworthiness based on income, credit score, and debt levels before approving applications. They are targeting prime borrowers looking for everyday use cards versus specialized rewards cards.

Applying Without an iPhone

While touted as an iPhone exclusive card, technically Apple Card applications are also available on iPads and Macs too using the web portal or Apple Support text chat. The process mirrors the iPhone path:

Request Apple Card via text or online
Receive approval decision
Verify identity
Accept terms to complete application

Once approved, the physical Apple Card ships for use wherever contactless payments are accepted thanks to the Mastercard network. However, customers forfeit some functionality like facial authentication or unique device account numbers. Ultimately an iPhone unlocks the specialized Apple Card features.

Managing Apple Card With iPhone Features

The Apple Credit Card taps into various iPhone capabilities to create a smarter credit card experience:

Facial/Touch Authentication – No need to enter card info, your face or fingerprint enables Apple Pay
Wallet App – Check balances, view past statements, and track spending
Text Messages – Receive fraud alerts and make payments via text
Map Locations – See transaction locations displayed on a map
Siri – Ask your personal assistant questions about balances or payments
Wallet Notifications – Transaction and spending push notifications

No other card lives so seamlessly within iPhone features. And new capabilities emerge with iOS updates, like setting spending goals in iOS 15. This tight integration drives exceptional utility for iPhone owners.

Cash Back Rewards, Payments, and Fees

A big selling point of Apple Card is its cash back program known as “Daily Cash”. As mentioned above, it pays back a percentage of purchases immediately in the form of cash in your Apple Cash card per the below:

3% on Apple purchases
2% When using Apple Pay
1% All other purchases

How Does Daily Cash Work?

Apple Card offers unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on Apple product purchases including hardware, Apple Music, iCloud, App Store, and more.

For everything else, users earn 2% back when paying with Apple Pay and 1% on payments with the physical card. This incentivizes mobile payments while still rewarding all purchases.

Redeeming Daily Cash Rewards

Unlike loyalty points with rotating categories or redemption gates, Daily Cash is real cold hard cash. Rewards show up in your Apple Cash card each day and can be used right away for payments or sent to friends.

If you choose, Apple Cash balances can also be transferred to your bank account, paid out on statements, or spent anywhere Apple Pay is accepted.

APRs, Credit Limits, and Other Rates

Apple Card APRs range from 19.24% to 29.49% based on creditworthiness. On the higher end for rewards cards but lower than average rates.

There are no annual, foreign transaction, or late fees but penalties still apply for late payments greater than 60 days late. Credit limits vary from a few hundred dollars into the tens of thousands.

How To Make Payments & Check Balances

Tracking balances, making payments, or even reporting lost cards all happen straight from the Wallet app. By centralizing into a native iPhone environment, Apple Credit Card voids friction typical of financial apps.

Check spending activity under card Transactions or per Weekly Activity summaries showing breakdowns by category and merchant. For deeper insights try third-party iPhone apps offering financial management tools fully supporting Apple Card.

When ready to pay, users enjoy a few options:

Pay via Wallet app – Initiate one-time or recurring payments using other cards
Text payments – Message Apple support to pay or check balances
Web payments – Login online for standard card payment options

Text and web pay lack iPhone convenience yet offer ubiquitous alternatives matching user needs. And recurrent bill pay automates obligations without constant effort.

Pros & Cons of the Apple Credit Card

Like any product, the Apple Credit Card comes with advantages and disadvantages consumers should weigh:

Pros

No Annual or Foreign Transaction Fees
3% Daily Cash Back on Apple Purchases
iPhone Native Experience
Robust Security Standards

Cons

Requires an iPhone for Full Features
Average Cash Back Beyond Apple Ecosystem
High Interest Rate at ~13-24% Variable
Credit Limits Capped Lower Than Competitors

Review spending habits and financial discipline to determine if Apple Card strengths counter the limitations. The pros shine most for big Apple fans whereas cons highlight scenarios better served by specialized travel or cash back cards. Have realistic expectations and Apple Card can sustain prime wallet placement for digital mavens.

Getting Support from Apple

If any questions come up, 24/7 support is available via iMessage in Wallet. Whether asking about payments, statements, balances, or other topics, responses are prompt and helpful.

Between spending overview, payment flexibility, and robust support, Apple Card provides integrated, intuitive money management experiences.

But what about one of its most alluring features – Daily Cash rewards?

Is the Apple Credit Card Right For You?

Weigh your personal spending tendencies and financial priorities to gauge Apple Card fit:

Good for – those with Prime credit buying Apple products monthly. The 3% cash back gives iPhone/Mac addicts nice rebates especially amid new device launches almost funding future upgrades.

Not as good – Rotating rewards category gamers maximize bonuses so flat 1-3% underperforms. Retail brand loyalists also fare better through store cards.

The verdict– If you’re already an Apple superfan using their devices, the Apple Card could be worthwhile to get some money back on your existing purchases. But for most others, a standard cash back card is likely the better daily driver.

Conclusion

The Apple Card clearly has its sights set on winning over dedicated iPhone users who want the convenience of a credit card seamlessly blended into their Apple ecosystem.

If you’re already all-in on Apple products and upgrade to each new device annually, the 3% daily cash back perk alone may be enough to make the Apple Card a no-brainer for you. Those perpetual rebates on new iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and other Apple hardware purchases can really add up over time for loyal customers investing in the Apple universe.

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