What the Citizen Credit Card Is
The Citizen Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Petal, a fintech lender that focuses on building credit history rather than requiring an existing credit score. Unlike traditional cards that pull your credit report to decide whether to issue plastic, Citizen looks at your bank account history, income, and spending patterns instead. This means people with no credit history, a thin file, or past credit problems may be able to open an account where other issuers would decline.
The card itself is a Visa, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. It comes with a rewards structure, fraud protection, and the ability to build a credit history that reports to the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. There is no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- Citizen uses your bank account and income history instead of a credit score, so you may be approved even if you have no credit history or past credit problems.
- The card earns rewards on all purchases and has no annual fee, but the interest rate you receive depends on your individual financial profile.
- Your credit activity reports to all three major credit bureaus, which means on-time payments build your credit score over time.
- You will need to connect a bank account during signup so Petal can review your financial history and verify your income.
How Petal Reviews Your process
When you explore for the Citizen card, you will be asked to connect a checking or savings account using your online banking login. Petal then reviews your transaction history, deposit patterns, and account balance to assess your creditworthiness. This process typically takes a few minutes, and you will receive a decision right away — either approved, declined, or approved with a specific credit limit.
Petal does not run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which means explore does not lower your credit score. The company is looking for signs of financial stability: regular income deposits, consistent spending patterns, and the ability to cover your monthly expenses. If you have been banking with the same institution for several months and have steady income, you are more likely to be approved than someone with a brand-new account or irregular deposits.
Rewards and Fees
The Citizen card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions. You accumulate rewards as you spend, and they appear in your account as a statement credit or can be redeemed for cash. There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no fee for balance transfers.
The interest rate (APR) you receive is not fixed across all cardholders. Petal sets your rate based on your financial profile at the time of approval, and it may range from around 18% to 29.99%, though the exact range varies. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest on that balance at your assigned rate. The best way to avoid interest charges is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.
Building Credit With the Citizen Card
One of the main reasons people open the Citizen card is to build or rebuild their credit history. Every month, Petal reports your payment activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means on-time payments add positive history to your credit file, and missed payments will hurt your score — just as with any other credit card.
If you are starting from no credit history, consistent on-time payments over six to twelve months can move your score into the "fair" range, which opens doors to better cards and lower rates elsewhere. If you are rebuilding after past problems, the Citizen card gives you a chance to demonstrate that you can manage credit responsibly going forward. Keep your balance low relative to your credit limit (ideally under 30% of your limit) to maximize the benefit to your score.
How to Open an Account
Visit the Petal website or read the Petal mobile app. Tap the button to explore for the Citizen card. You will be asked for basic personal information: your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email. You will also need to provide your Social Security number so Petal can verify your identity.
Next, you will connect a bank account. Use your online banking username and password to securely link your checking or savings account. Petal will review your account history for the past few months. Once Petal has assessed your profile, you will receive a decision. If approved, your card will be ordered and shipped to your address, usually arriving within 7 to 10 business days.
Comparing Citizen to Other Cards for People Building Credit
Several other cards target people with limited or damaged credit history. The Secured Visa from Capital One requires a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that serves as your credit limit, and you earn no rewards. The OpenSky card also requires a deposit and charges an annual fee of $35. The Petal Visa 2 (a different product from Citizen) uses the same bank-based review process but has a lower rewards rate of 1%.
The Citizen card stands out because it requires no deposit, charges no annual fee, and offers 1.5% cash back on everything. The tradeoff is that your interest rate may be higher than a traditional card if you carry a balance. If you plan to pay your balance in full each month, Citizen is often the better choice. If you expect to carry a balance regularly, a secured card with a lower interest rate might cost you less over time.
What Happens if You Are Declined
If Petal declines your process, it means your bank account history did not meet their criteria at that moment. This does not mean you can never be approved. You can reapply after a few months if you have built up more transaction history, increased your account balance, or improved your income situation. Each time you reapply, Petal reviews your current financial picture, not your past.
If you are declined and need a credit card right away, a secured card is usually the next step. You deposit money, receive a card with that amount as your limit, and build credit through on-time payments. After 6 to 12 months of responsible use, you may be able to move to an unsecured card like Citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does explore for the Citizen card hurt my credit score?
No. Petal does not run a hard inquiry on your credit report, so your score is not affected by the process. The company only looks at your bank account history, which does not show up on your credit report.
What if I do not have a bank account?
You will need to open a checking or savings account before you can explore for the Citizen card. Petal requires access to your transaction history to review your profile. Most banks allow you to open an account online in a few minutes.
Can I use the Citizen card if I have bad credit?
Yes. Petal does not check your credit score, so past credit problems do not automatically disqualify you. Your approval depends on your current bank account activity and income. However, if you have an active collection account or recent fraud, Petal may still decline.
How long does it take to receive the card after approval?
Once approved, your physical card is mailed to your address and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can usually start using a virtual card number in the Petal app right away for online purchases.
What is the credit limit on the Citizen card?
Your credit limit is set based on your financial profile at the time of approval. Petal does not publish a standard range, but limits typically start at a few hundred dollars and can go higher depending on your income and account history. You can request a limit increase after you have made on-time payments for several months.