No human interaction, the algorithm makes all the decisions, and the “customer service phone number” is a thing of the past. That’s the Albert Mastercard for you. Meet the debit card of the twenty-first century—
Is this cash card legit, though? And how does it work?
Let’s dissect it together to learn its biggest pros, shadiest cons, and everything in between—
This article will show you:
- What the Albert cash card is all about.
- Its pros, cons, fees, and perks.
- Good alternatives.
Read more:
Albert Credit Card at a Glance
Full name: Albert Mastercard® debit card
Best for: Guaranteed approval
Issuer: Sutton Bank
Card network: Mastercard®
Credit score needed: None
How Does Albert Work?
Albert is a finance app with features to help manage and grow your finances: automatic savings, budgeting tools, and instant cash advances when you need a little extra.
It also offers access to real human, financial advisors who can lend you a helping hand.
The Albert Mastercard is linked to this app for seamless analytic tracking of your spending.
Also known as the Albert Cash card, it’s a debit card issued by Sutton Bank.
It’s not a credit card, so getting one doesn’t require a credit check. You can use the card for daily transactions, bill payments, and small cash withdrawals at ATMs.
Remember
Albert card is a debit card, so it doesn’t let you build credit.
Albert Bank Card: Overall Card Review
*Only Genius subscribers can get the rewards (an average of $2 per tank of gas and $1.50 per fast food order).
Albert Mastercard Pros & Cons
Pros
- Real-time tracking of spending habits.
- Automatic savings based on your personalized budget.
- No credit checks are required.
- No hidden fees or minimum balance requirements.
- Eligible for instant cash advances.
Cons
- Not a credit card, so it can’t help build a credit history.
- It’s all digital, which might be bad for those loving traditional banking.
- The Albert algorithms make the decisions.
- Advanced features require a fee.
- No rewards program or interest on your balance.
Pros—What we like
Real-time tracking of spending habits
With Albert Mastercard, your money’s movements are as transparent as it gets. You can see where every dime goes, right when you spend it. Think of it as your personal money detective.
Automatic savings based on your personalized budget
The card uses smart tech to figure out how much money you can save. It takes in your income and expenses, crunches the numbers, and sets aside a budget without you doing any heavy lifting.
No credit checks are required
Signing up for the card doesn’t require a credit check. A lot less paperwork, a lot more peace of mind.
No hidden fees or minimum balance requirements
This card doesn’t surprise you with hidden fees or minimum balance requirements. It’s like the straightforward friend who always tells you like it is.
Eligible for instant cash advances
Cash crunch out of the blue? Albert Mastercard can give you instant cash advances.
Cons—Keep in mind
It can’t help build a credit history
Albert Mastercard isn’t a credit card. So if you’re looking to build up credit history, this isn’t the tool for the job.
Read more:
It’s all digital
It might be bad for those who want a more traditional banking. You depend solely on mobile access, as there’s no physical branch. That means few customer service options (mostly in-app chat).
The Albert algorithms make the decisions
Albert’s smart tech makes the decisions around budgeting and saving. Some might find it comforting, while others might miss having human involvement.
Advanced features require a fee
The card’s advanced features (like Albert Genius) come with a fee. If you want the extras, you’ll have to shell out a bit more.
No rewards program or interest on your balance
Albert Mastercard doesn’t include any kind of rewards program or offer interest on your balance.
Key Albert Mastercard Fees & Rates
|
Fee |
Detail |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
|
Monthly maintenance fee |
$0 |
|
APR |
0% |
|
Balance transfer fee |
$0 |
|
Cash advance fee |
None if you pay it off on time |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
$0 |
|
Late fee |
$0 |
|
Over limit fee |
$0 |
|
Cash reload fee |
$0 |
|
ATM withdrawal at the in-network ATM |
$2.50* |
|
ATM withdrawal at the out-of-network ATM |
$2.50 |
|
Replacement card |
$0 |
|
Inactivity fee |
$0 |
|
Albert Genius monthly fee |
$8 |
*Waived if you’re an Albert Genius subscriber.
Things to Know About the Albert Debit Card
What bank does Albert use?
Albert partners with Sutton Bank, an FDIC-insured financial institution, for their spending accounts and Albert Card services.
So, while Albert is essentially a financial technology company, your funds in Albert’s spending accounts are held by Sutton Bank—your money is federally insured and safe up to $250,000.
Where can I load cash to my Albert card?
You can’t directly load cash onto the Albert card. Instead, deposit cash to another bank and then transfer it to Albert using their app—or set up direct deposit with your job to automatically load your paycheck onto the card.
Does Albert report to credit bureaus?
For now, Albert doesn’t report to credit bureaus. The Albert Mastercard (or Albert Cash Card) is a debit card, not a credit card.
That’s why your activity with the card doesn’t directly influence your credit score or credit history—any overdrafts, loans, or cash advances with Albert Instant aren’t reported to credit bureaus.
Read more:
How to transfer money from Albert’s card to a bank account
To transfer money from your Albert bank card to another bank account:
- Open the Albert app.
- Select the “Cash” tab.
- Tap “Transfer funds.”
- Choose “To external account.”
- Select or add the desired bank account.
- Enter the transfer amount and confirm the transaction.
Depending on the receiving bank’s policies, transfers may take a few business days to process.
How to apply for the Albert bank card?
Getting your hands on the Albert card is easy:
- Download the app: Hop onto your phone’s app store, look for the Albert app, and hit that download button.
- Open an account: Once the app’s installed, open it up and follow the prompts to create your Albert account.
- Apply for the card: Inside the app, you’ll find the option to apply for the Albert card. Just follow along with the process.
Bear in mind approval will depend on specific eligibility requirements, so check those out as you go along.
How do the Albert Cash advances (instant advances) work?
How do you borrow money from Albert?
Albert Instant lets you access a cash advance of up to $250 when you’re in need of some quick cash before payday.
Here’s how it works: Once you’ve set up your Albert account and linked your primary checking account, Albert uses its algorithms to analyze your income and spending habits.
If the system determines you’re eligible based on these factors (like consistent paycheck deposits), it can offer you an advance.
Using the Instant feature, you can request an advance of up to $250 off your paycheck with 0% APR.
Your advanced amount then gets deducted from your next paycheck deposit automatically.
Alternatives: How Does Albert Mastercard Compare to Other Free Cards?
Let’s see how Albert Mastercard stacks up against a secured and unsecured credit card:
Albert Bank Card: Useful Links
Download the Albert app for Android or iOS.
Download the cardholder agreement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.
Check out our credit card payoff calculator.
Albert Cash Card Reviews (Actual Consumer Reviews of the Card)
Some folks say they received an Albert card, even though they never applied for it:
“Looks like they offer a cash advance or something for setting up an account. I assume someone used my info to set up and get the cash, leaving me with the tax bill. I had to give my name and the last four digits of the card number, and they said they closed it. So it’s either a super elaborate plan to get the last four digits of my card number, or it was a fraudulently opened account that is now closed.”
Others mentioned it’s tricky to contact the Albert Corporation:
“It seems there’s no way to talk to anyone at Albert. If I email them, it says they only correspond via the email registered to the account. The phone only has automated info with no way to talk to a person.”
Is Albert Mastercard Good for Me?
Let’s recap the most important aspects of the Albert bank card to help you decide—
Albert card is a fee-free debit card. You can use it to pay bills or even get a small cash advance—but don’t expect to build credit while doing so.
Not to put shade on the company, but there are pretty much only negative reviews of the card online.
If you want to pay $8 a month, you could be an Albert Genius subscriber and get a little cashback (we’re talking a few bucks here and there).
For your money, you could get a better card and earn cashback while at it (for example, choosing the Capital One QuicksilverOne card).
If your credit card roster is full, though (or completely empty by choice), the Albert debit card could be an option. Being a part of the Mastercard network and FDIC insurance coverage give it a little more credibility.
FAQ
Does Albert pay two days early?
Yes, Albert does offer a feature that allows users to receive their paychecks up to two days early. Typically, banks hold funds until the official payday.
However, with early direct deposit features, Albert can give users access to their money as soon as the payer initiates the deposit. This could mean getting your money two days before your traditional payday.
Keep in mind that actual deposit speed will depend on when your employer submits your payment information. If you want to learn about a credit card with the same direct deposit feature, check out Varo Credit Card Review.
How long does Albert take to verify the account?
Typically, the verification process for Albert’s accounts can take anywhere from a few minutes up to a couple of business days.
It varies based on factors like the information provided during sign-up and the speed of the linked bank’s confirmation process.
So it’s best to get the app rolling, and the verification will follow soon after.
How long does Albert take to deposit money?
Deposits to Albert usually show up within 1–3 business days.
However, if you’re setting up a direct deposit, it could take a little longer—normally around five business days.
Also, if your cash is inbound from another bank, the transfer speed might depend on that bank’s policies. Just a reminder that weekends and holidays can slow things down a bit.
What time does Albert’s direct deposit hit?
Direct deposits typically hit your Albert account as soon as Albert receives the funds from your employer/payer.
However, the exact timing can depend on when the payer initiates the deposit to Albert. In many cases, users can expect to receive their direct deposits in the early morning on the date of payment.
Keep in mind that this can vary, and some deposits might arrive slightly earlier or later.
Can I overdraft my Albert card?
No, Albert’s algorithms protect you from over drafting your account by declining transactions that could potentially put you in an overdraft.
If an overdraft happens, you could get reimbursed.
What happens if you don’t pay Albert back?
If you find yourself unable to reimburse your Albert cash advance, you’re prohibited from taking out any more money until the advance has been fully paid off. You won’t be charged any late fees.
However, if you’re more than 15 days late on your repayment, your ability to receive further cash advances will be put on a 30- to 90-day hold post-repayment.
Is Albert FDIC insured?
Yes, funds held within Albert’s checking account are FDIC insured. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category.
This means your money is protected up to the maximum allowed by law should anything happen to the bank. Thus, with Albert, you have the peace of mind knowing your deposits are safe and secure.
