Lincoln Access Rewards is a credit-building program run by Lincoln National Bank that reports your payment history to credit bureaus
Lincoln Access Rewards is a secured credit card product designed to help people build or rebuild credit history. You deposit money into a savings account, and that deposit becomes your credit limit. When you use the card and pay your bill on time each month, Lincoln reports your activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — which helps establish or improve your credit score.
The program is straightforward: you control how much credit you want by choosing your deposit amount, you use the card like any other credit card, and your on-time payments work toward a better credit profile. Unlike some credit-building tools, this is an actual credit card issued by a real bank, not a loan or a prepaid card that doesn't report to bureaus.
Key Takeaways
- Your deposit amount becomes your credit limit, so a $500 deposit gives you a $500 limit — you control the size of your credit line.
- Lincoln reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus each month, which is how the card builds credit rather than just letting you spend your own money.
- You pay an annual fee (the amount varies by product tier) and interest on any balance you carry, so carrying a small balance intentionally to build credit will cost you money.
- After a period of responsible use — typically 12 to 18 months — you may be able to graduate to an unsecured card or have your deposit returned.
How the deposit and credit limit work
When you open a Lincoln Access Rewards account, you choose how much to deposit into the linked savings account. That amount becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. If you deposit $2,500, you get a $2,500 limit. The deposit stays in the savings account and earns a small amount of interest — Lincoln's rate varies, so check their current terms.
The deposit is yours. You are not giving the money away. Lincoln holds it as security in case you stop paying your card bill, but it remains your money. You can withdraw it, though doing so will lower your credit limit to match whatever balance remains in the account. Most people keep the full deposit in place while they build credit, then close the account or graduate to a regular card once their credit improves.
What fees and interest rates to expect
Lincoln Access Rewards charges an annual fee. The exact amount depends on which tier of the card you may have access to for — different tiers have different fees and different interest rates. You will see the specific fee and APR (annual percentage rate) before you complete your process, so there are no surprises.
If you pay your full balance each month, you pay only the annual fee and no interest. If you carry a balance from month to month, you pay interest on that balance at the APR Lincoln quotes you. Some people intentionally carry a small balance to build credit history faster, but this costs money in interest charges — it is not a free way to build credit. Paying in full each month is always cheaper.
How credit reporting works with this card
The entire point of Lincoln Access Rewards is that Lincoln reports your activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each month, after your billing cycle closes, Lincoln sends information about your account to these bureaus: whether you paid on time, how much of your limit you used, and your current balance. This information appears on your credit report and factors into your credit score.
Consistent on-time payments are what move your score upward. Using only a small portion of your limit (financial experts often suggest 10 to 30 percent) also helps your score more than maxing out the card. Missing a payment or paying late will be reported and will hurt your score, so the card only helps if you use it responsibly.
When you might graduate to a regular credit card
After you demonstrate responsible use — usually 12 to 18 months of on-time payments — Lincoln may offer to convert your account to a regular unsecured credit card. This means you get your deposit back and keep a credit line without having money tied up in a savings account. The terms of the new card (fee, interest rate, limit) depend on how your credit has improved and what Lincoln's current offers are.
You are not may provide to graduate, and the timeline is not fixed. Lincoln reviews accounts periodically and makes upgrade offers to customers who meet their internal standards. If you do not receive an offer after 18 months, you can contact Lincoln to ask whether you may have access to or what you need to do to become may be able to access.
How Lincoln Access Rewards compares to other credit-building options
Secured credit cards like Lincoln Access Rewards are one of several ways to build credit. A credit-builder loan is another option — you borrow a small amount that goes into a savings account, and your loan payments are reported to bureaus. The difference is that with a loan, you pay interest on money you cannot access, whereas with a secured card, your money stays accessible and earns interest.
Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card is a third option, though it depends on finding someone willing to add you and trusting that person to pay on time. A secured card gives you direct control and does not depend on another person's behavior. Unsecured cards for people with poor or no credit history are rare and usually come with much higher fees and interest rates than secured cards.
What to know before you open an account
Lincoln Access Rewards requires you to have a Social Security number and a U.S. address. You will need to provide basic personal information and agree to a credit check. The credit check is a "soft pull" in most cases, which does not hurt your credit score, but confirm this with Lincoln before you explore.
You will also need to fund the account with your initial deposit. Lincoln accepts bank transfers and other funding methods — check their website for current options. Once the deposit clears and your account is open, you can request a physical card or use a virtual card number to start making purchases right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Lincoln Access Rewards if I have no credit history?
Yes. The card is designed for people building credit from scratch as well as those rebuilding after past problems. Lincoln does not require you to have an existing credit score. You will still go through a credit check, but the bar for approval is much lower than it would be for an unsecured card.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will hurt your credit score. Lincoln may also charge you a late fee. If you miss payments repeatedly, Lincoln could close your account. The whole purpose of the card is to build a record of on-time payments, so missing one sets you back.
Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money to the deposit?
Not automatically. Your limit is tied to your deposit amount. To raise your limit, you would need to add more money to the savings account. Some issuers offer limit increases after a period of good payment history, but you would need to ask Lincoln whether they do this.
How long does it take to see my credit score improve?
Credit bureaus typically update your report monthly, so you should see activity appear within 30 to 45 days of opening the account. Score improvements take longer — usually several months of on-time payments before you see meaningful movement. The exact timeline depends on your starting point and what else is on your credit report.
What happens to my deposit if I close the account?
Your deposit is returned to you, usually within a few business days of closing. If you have an outstanding balance on the card, Lincoln will use part of your deposit to cover it, and you will receive the remainder. Closing the account will stop the credit-building benefit, so only close it once you have graduated to a regular card or no longer need the service.