Tomo Credit Card review 2024: Build your credit from scratch with no credit check required
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 2:55 a.m. UTC May 24, 2024
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Building credit from scratch can be challenging, and many of the best credit cards require existing history to get approved. If you’re not sure how to get a credit card with no credit, the Tomo Credit Card * The information for the Tomo Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a solution to this problem by skipping the credit check when you apply. Learn more in our full Tomo Credit Card review.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 35+ cards analyzed.
- 6 data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Tomo Credit Card basics
- Annual fee: $2.99 per month.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- Rewards: None.
- APR: None.
- Other perks and benefits: Cellphone protection and partner benefits with Lyft, DoorDash, ShopRunner and Fandango.
- Does the issuer offer a pre-approval tool? No.
- Recommended credit score: No credit required.
Tomo Credit Card review
The Tomo Card is a charge card, which means that you can’t carry a balance from month to month. While this means you need to pay off your balance in full each month, it also ensures that you never have to pay a dime in interest. If you don’t pay your balance in full, Tomo will freeze your account until you can pay off what you owe.
Originally, the Tomo Card offered 1% cash back on every purchase, but that’s no longer the case for new applicants. However, if you’re an influencer, you can request access to Tomo’s ambassador program — which allows you to earn 1% cash back for three months for each referral that gets approved. You can earn up to 20% back at a time, with a limit of $500 in cash-back rewards each month.
However, for everyday cardholders, the lack of rewards is one area where the Tomo Credit Card really falls flat, as many other starter credit cards offer you the chance to get rewarded for everyday spending while you build your credit.
Looking to build credit and aren’t sure where to start? We can help with our complete guide to building credit
Pros
- No credit check required: Tomo is designed for those with limited credit history but a strong bank balance so you can get approved if you link to your bank account.
- Lyft credits: Take three rides with Lyft in a month, and you’ll receive a $5 credit for your next ride.
- ShopRunner membership: You’ll receive a complimentary one-year ShopRunner membership, which offers free two-day shipping and free returns with dozens of top retailers.
Cons
- No rewards for new customers: While your top priority may be building your credit history, other starter credit cards offer rewards on everyday purchases. Unless you’re a legacy Tomo cardholder or qualify as an ambassador, you won’t earn anything.
- Monthly “participation” fee: While some credit cards for bad or no credit charge an annual or even a monthly fee, there are plenty of options that don’t charge one at all.
- Not all bank accounts can be linked: In lieu of a credit check, Tomo will ask you to link your bank accounts and use your income and expenses to determine your creditworthiness. You can’t get the card if your bank or credit union isn’t compatible with the third-party service that provides this connection.
Tomo Credit Card credit-building features
The Tomo Credit Card can help you build or rebuild credit because it doesn’t require a credit score to get approved. You link your bank account, and Tomo makes decisions about approval and your credit line based on your bank balance and other information. You spend on the card, pay it off in full each month, and Tomo reports the activity to all three credit bureaus to help you build credit.
How the Tomo Credit Card compares to other starter credit cards
The Tomo Credit Card may be a good choice for you if you’re brand new to credit or if you need to rebuild credit but don’t want to pay a security deposit. But before you make a decision, you might want to consider other starter credit cards that may be a better match.
Tomo Credit Card vs. Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card * The information for the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Petal 1 Card (issued by WebBank) will review your credit history if you have one. If you don’t, it uses a similar process as Tomo to evaluate your bank account information for approval. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee and offers 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants. However, its APR can be high compared to similar options. But for those who are confident they can pay their bill in full and on time, the card earns rewards, unlike the Tomo Card.
Tomo Credit Card vs. SuperCash Card * The information for the SuperCash Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The SuperCash Card is another option that doesn’t require a credit check, as it functions more as a credit-debit hybrid. Upon approval, you’ll deposit money into your Super account, with your current balance acting as your credit limit. Each month, Super will collect full payment from your account, with no interest charges and report the payments to all three credit bureaus. The card also offers 10% cash back on purchases with SuperTravel, 5% cash back on purchases in the SuperShop and 2% cash back on all other purchases — and there’s no annual fee.
Tomo Credit Card vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card
If you can afford a deposit of $200 or more, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card could be a good fit. The card offers 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year. The Discover it Secured Credit Card is one of the best secured credit cards on the market, with no annual fee and, starting at seven months, Discover will review your account to determine whether you qualify to get your deposit back and convert to an unsecured account.
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Discover it® Secured Credit Card
The Tomo Credit Card is right for you if:
If you’re looking to build or rebuild your credit history, the Tomo Credit Card offers a chance to achieve your goal without undergoing a credit check or putting up a security deposit. However, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare other options to determine whether it’s the right fit. The Tomo card may be right for you if:
- You’re building or rebuilding your credit. The Tomo Credit Card does not require a credit check or a credit score.
- You can’t afford a security deposit. Some of the best credit cards for building and rebuilding credit require you to put down a deposit that serves as your credit line. Tomo doesn’t require a deposit, so it may be a good choice if you’re short on cash.
- You’re willing to forgo rewards. Tomo no longer offers rewards on regular spending, so it’s best for those who don’t mind giving up earning power while building credit.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered when we developed our rankings included:
- Annual fees.
- Any other fees, like account opening fees, monthly maintenance fees or credit limit request fees.
- If the card earned any rewards and/or a welcome bonus.
- If the card requires a security deposit.
- If the card requires a credit score to apply.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
No, the Tomo Card does not require a security deposit as collateral to get approved.
When you apply, Tomo won’t run a credit check. The card issuer does report monthly payments to the credit bureaus, so using the card responsibly and paying on time can help you build a positive credit history. At the same time, missing a payment by 30 days or more could damage your credit and cause your account to be frozen until you pay the balance.
Tomo offers credit limits ranging from $100 to $30,000. Your credit limit, which is the maximum amount you can spend on the card, will be determined by your bank account information and other factors.
No, you’re required to pay your balance in full each month. If you don’t pay in full, your card will be frozen until you do.
Yes, but you’ll need to provide either a Social Security number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), as well as a government-issued ID.
*The information for the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card, SuperCash Card and Tomo Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
