Aspiration Debit Mastercard Vs. FutureCard Visa: Read this First

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Last updated on April 24th, 2023

There are plenty of credit and debit cards out there that let you rack up airline miles or hotel points; but what about credit and debit cards that reward the planet while you shop? Aspiration and Future are two fintechs doing just that, but which card is right for you: the Aspiration Debit Card or the new FutureCard Visa?

Aspiration Debit Mastercard or FutureCard Visa: Which Is Right for You?

 The Aspiration Debit Card is an eco-conscious debit card that lets users do their part in conservation while earning up to 10% cash back on eligible purchases at the same time. Now there is a new eco-friendly debit card on the block: the FutureCard Visa. While the FutureCard is currently not available, although we know what the card will offer. So, which eco debit card is right for you?

How to Get the Card

Similarly, the Costco Anywhere Visa also provides a pre-qualification page. Citibank provides a helpful pre-screening service for potential applicants. This service offers pre-qualification for select Citi credit cards – including the Costco credit cards.

Credit Score Needed

Since both credit card options are retail credit cards, they are intended for consumers with “good” or “excellent” credit.

How to Get the Card

Here is all the information you’ll need to open a debit card account with each company:

What Information Do You Need to Get the Aspiration Debit Mastercard?

  • Email address
  • Full name
  • Address
  • Contact phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number (for ID verification)
  • Minimum $10 deposit

What Information Do You Need to Get for the FutureCard Visa?

The FutureCard Visa is currently only offering a waitlist. You can sign-up for the waitlist here with your phone number.

Credit Score Needed

Since both cards are a combo debit/charge card, meaning they are tied to a checking account, meaning there are no credit checks required. No credit checks mean no inquiries on your credit report.

Annual Fee

The Aspiration Debit Card charges a “pay what is fair” pricing model. The basic Aspiration membership is available from as low as $0, or no annual fee, meaning just that – you pay what you think is fair.

Aspiration Plus is the highest tier of Aspiration membership. This plan provides increased earnings on both rewards and savings, plus purchase protection, optional tree planting, and more, for $7.99 per month (or $71.88 if you pay upfront. Which equates to $5.99 per month).

FutureCard says its charge card will feature no annual fee, no monthly membership fee – nothing. Future’s mission is to make it a no-brainer to change environmental behavior on a household level – in a way that doesn’t cost you money.

APY

Debit cards do feature an APR or interest rate on purchases. Despite that, you may sometimes see a similar term– APY or annual percentage yield. A card with an APY means your deposits will earn interest, like a savings account.

Aspiration offers an APY of up to 3% on its basic plan or up to 5% APY for Aspiration Plus members. The APY is more than 70X the national average for a big bank’s savings account, though it requires a minimum spend of $1,000 on the card each month.

It is unknown if the FutureCard debit card will offer interest on savings.

Rewards

The ethos of both Aspiration and Future is to strive for a better climate, and a better ecological future for ensuing generations. Both cards give cardmembers a reason to reach these lofty goals: cash back rewards. Here are how the rewards with the two green credit cards work:

Earning Rewards with Aspiration

The Aspiration Debit Mastercard offers eco-friendly cardmembers rewards from every aspect of the account. For example, the debit card is made of sustainable materials, sourced entirely from plant-based material, not plastic.

Aspiration Plus cardmembers also actively help the environment every time they make a purchase with an eligible Conscience Coalition brand. Cardholders earn up to 10% cash back on Conscience Coalition purchases, including major brands like Blue Apron, Warby Parker, Lola, AllBirds, Dropps, and more. Non-Aspiration Plus members will earn between 3% and 5% at Conscience Coalition purchases.

Another great feature of Aspiration Plus is a carbon offset for all your gas purchases with Planet Protection. Other features of Aspiration Plus that are “rewarding” include getting your paycheck up to two days faster and one out-of-network ATM reimbursement monthly.

Aspiration Plus members also have the option to plant a tree with every card swipe. Aspiration plants one tree for every purchase made with the card. Make a purchase – and plant a tree – every day, and Aspiration can help the cardholder reach carbon-neutral status – what’s not to like?

Earning Rewards with FutureCard

While the FutureCard Visa is still in the developmental stage, we have a good idea of the rewards the card will offer. FutureCard Visa cardholders will earn 6% back at FuturePartners and 5% back on select climate-friendly purchases.

FuturePartners are brands that are “game-changers in simplifying climate-smart living.” According to FutureCard, the number of brands will continue to grow, including names like HILOS Shoes, Just Salad, and e-bike company Rad Power Bikes. Purchases with these brands earn 6% cash back.

Cardholders will also earn 5% back on climate-friendly purchases. These climate-friendly categories might not appeal to all, but will to some:

  • Public transit
  • Electric charging
  • Bikes and scooters
  • Renewed clothing
  • Electronics and furniture
  • Plant-based meat, dairy, and eggs

How to Redeem Rewards

Both credit cards offer the same cash back redemption method. Cardmembers will receive their cash back rewards every month, automatically debited to their account. This feature streamlines the redemption process and ensure the rewards are carbon-neutral – instead of offering flights, car rentals, or other emissions-heavy awards.

Payment Network

The FutureCard Visa will operate on the Visa payment network. Visa is the world’s largest payment network. Over 335 million credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards are in circulation bearing the Visa brand name – more than 100 million more than Mastercard.

The FutureCard charge card will provide cardholders Visa Platinum protections and benefits. Visa Platinum or Traditional cardholders can enjoy the following protections:

Zero Fraud Liability Cardholder Inquiry Services Emergency Card Replacement
Roadside Dispatch and Auto Collision Damage Waiver Lost/Stolen Card Reporting ID Navigator from Norton

The Aspiration debit card operates on the Mastercard payment network. While the Mastercard payment network is smaller than the Visa network, Mastercard products are accepted in more countries than Visa. Where the Visa logo can be seen in 200 countries, Mastercard is currently accepted in 212 countries worldwide. 

Here is what Aspiration cardholders can expect from Mastercard:

Zero Liability Protection Mastercard Global Services ID Theft Protection

Recap

Here is a quick recap of all the features of both cards:

Aspiration Debit Card FutureCard Visa
Rewards Earn up to 10% cash back on Conscience Coalition partner purchases; plus up to 5% APY on savings after meeting spending minimums each month
  • Earn 6% back on purchases with FuturePartners
  • Earn 5% back on public transit, electric charging, bikes& scooters, renewed clothing. electronic, furniture, and plant-based meats
Fees? Pay what’s fair No fees

Related Article: The Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Featured image by Gam-Ol  / PixaBay

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About: Cory Santos
Cory Santos

Cory is the senior credit card editor at BestCards, specializing in everything credit card-related. He’s worked extensively with credit cards and other personal finance topics, including nearly five years at BestCards. Cory’s extensive knowledge is an essential part of the BestCards experience, helping readers to live their best financial lives with up-to-date insights and comprehensive coverage of all facets of the credit card space, including market trends, rewards guides, credit advice, and comprehensive credit card reviews.

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