Last updated on August 24th, 2023
Choosing a credit card for near-prime credit can be challenging. Hundreds of card offers are available, but not every card is suitable for every consumer. The Milestone® Mastercard® and Mission Lane Visa® are two popular credit builder options, thanks to their ease of access, generous credit limits, and ability to help raise your credit score with financially reasonable usage.
Before you apply for your next credit card, check out this helpful guide that breaks down both cards, their strengths, weaknesses, and the finer points that can help you make an informed decision.
Milestone Mastercard or Mission Lane Visa: Which Is Right for You?
Mission Lane Visa® and Milestone Mastercard enjoy popularity among credit-building Americans – but which is best? Here is a discussion and comparison of the two cards over key credit categories:
Pre-Qualification Before Applying
Applying for a credit card requires a credit check. Often, these credit inquiries are known as “hard inquiries,” meaning the bank pulls your full credit report before approving (or denying) your credit card application. If you apply for a credit card and are declined, your credit score will likely take a minor hit.
One way to avoid a negative impact on your credit score before getting a new credit card is by pre-qualifying before you apply. Though they may sound similar, pre-qualification and pre-approval are not the same things.
A pre-approval means that a lender has analyzed your credit profile based on existing credit information it holds, offering a product you will likely be approved for. On the other hand, pre-qualification means the lender has reviewed financial information from a credit profile and believes you may be a good fit for the credit card product. Pre-qualifications are also known as “soft inquiries,” as they have no impact on your credit score.
Do the Milestone and Mission Lane Credit Cards Offer Pre-Qualification?
The Mission Lane Card and the Milestone Card offer a quick pre-qualification for potential applicants. This feature makes both cards versatile offers for anyone looking to boost their credit score but afraid they may not qualify due to late payments, bankruptcies, or other negative financial events.
How to Apply
Here is all the information you’ll need to apply for both credit cards:
What Information Do You Need to Apply for the Milestone Mastercard?
- Full name
- Address
- Email address
- Contact phone number
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Monthly income
- Monthly expenses
What Information Do You Need to Apply for the Mission Lane Visa?
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Address
- Housing
- Monthly rent/mortgage payment
- Employment status
- Annual income
- Current banking information (account types)
- Email address
- Contact phone number
Credit Score Needed
Both cards are designed for those building or repairing credit. This reality means that the typical FICO credit score for an applicant for the Milestone and Mission Lane is around 600 to 640. Both credit cards are available for applicants with credit scores ranging from 300 to 850.
Annual Fees
Annual fees with credit repair cards vary significantly. Cardholders can expect a higher annual fee the lower their starting FICO or VantageScore credit score. As a general rule, expect to pay a yearly fee of up to $100 for a credit card of this type, with some charging significantly higher fees and no annual fees.
The Milestone Gold Mastercard features a variable annual fee of between $35 and $99. Again, these yearly fees will vary depending on your offer. Like Milestone, Mission Lane also features a variable annual fee. Unlike Milestone, however, some Mission Lane Visa Card applicants may qualify for a card with no annual fee. Other applicants may receive an annual fee rising as high as $75 per year.
Starting Credit Limits
The Milestone Mastercard has a $300 credit limit. Because Milestone charges the annual fee immediately, the starting credit limit will vary between $201 and $265. Once the annual fee is paid, the credit limit will return to $300.
The Mission Lane Visa has a $300 credit limit to start. This actual credit available may vary depending on the annual fee, however. Like the Milestone Card, Mission Lane charges the annual fee upon card activation, meaning the starting credit limit runs between $225 and $300. Once that fee is paid, the limit will return to $300.
Credit Limit Increases
The Mission Lane Visa may offer cardholders a credit limit increase; make your payments on time. Mission Lane may provide a credit limit increase. Many subprime credit cards offer the chance at potential credit limit increases after 6-12 months. On the other hand, Mission Lane offers credit limit increases wherever possible – regardless of the time frame.
The Milestone Mastercard does not currently provide credit limit increases. According to the card’s own FAQ page, “there is not a credit limit increase program at this time.”
Rewards
Neither Mission Lane nor Milestone offers cash back rewards or points on select purchases. Neither 0% intro APR periods nor sign-up bonuses are associated with the cards.
Payment Network
The Mission Lane credit card operates 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 Mission Lane Visa offers 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 Milestone 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 Milestone Mastercard 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:
 |
 |
|
| Card | Milestone® Mastercard® | Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card |
| Prequalify? | Yes | Yes |
| Credit limit increases? | N/A | Yes |
| Zero Fraud Liability? | Yes | Yes |
| Unsecured credit? | Yes | Yes |
Featured image by Gam-Ol /PixaBay
