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Does Cleo Cash Advance Report to Credit Bureaus?
July 1, 2025
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Quick Answer
Cleo markets its cash advance as having no credit check, no interest, and no late fees, and it does not present the advance as a credit-building product. On-time repayment of a Cleo cash advance is unlikely to help your credit score.
If building credit is your goal, Cleo's separate Credit Builder card is the product designed for that. According to Finder, that card reports to all three major credit bureaus.
What Is a Cleo Cash Advance?
Cleo is an AI money app that offers small cash advances to eligible users. According to Cleo's app store disclosures, advances range from $20 to $250 based on accrued, unpaid income, with $20 to $100 for first-time users and a maximum disbursement of $170 per day.
Same-day transfers carry express fees of $3.99 to $14.99 depending on the amount. Advances usually come with a paid subscription, which LendEDU lists at $5.99 a month for Plus and $14.99 a month for Builder, though Cleo says you can also request an advance without subscribing by emailing its team.
Does Cleo Cash Advance Report to Credit Bureaus?
Cleo does not describe its cash advance as something it reports to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, and it advertises the advance with no credit check. Cleo ties credit history to its Credit Builder subscription instead, so treat the advance as a budgeting tool rather than a way to build credit.
To confirm how your own account is handled, check Cleo's terms in the app or contact Cleo support. You can also review your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com to see whether any Cleo account appears.
Can a Cleo Cash Advance Hurt Your Credit?
Because Cleo says there is no credit check, applying for an advance should not add a hard inquiry to your credit report. Cleo also says it does not charge late fees on advances.
That said, an advance is still money you agreed to repay. Read Cleo's terms for how a missed or failed repayment is handled, and avoid relying on advances month after month.
How Cleo Credit Builder Reports to the Bureaus
Cleo's Credit Builder card is a secured card that requires a Builder subscription, with a minimum deposit as low as $1. Finder reports that Cleo reports the card to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, and that it does not report credit utilization because the card has no preset credit limit.
Positive Impact
- On-time payments on a reported account build payment history, which is the most heavily weighted factor in common scoring models.
- A new reported account can help people with thin credit files start a history.
Potential Negatives
- Late or missed payments on a reported account can lower your score.
- The monthly subscription cost adds up, so compare it with other ways to build credit.
Tips for Managing a Cleo Cash Advance
- Borrow only what you need. A smaller advance is easier to repay on your next payday.
- Skip express fees when you can. Standard delivery avoids the $3.99 to $14.99 same-day fee.
- Count the subscription cost. A monthly plan fee is part of what an advance really costs you.
- Use advances for true emergencies. Regular use can signal a budget gap worth fixing directly.
If you are comparing short-term options, our guide to credit card cash advances explains why those usually cost more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cleo do a credit check for a cash advance?
Cleo's app store listing says its cash advance has no credit checks, no interest, and no late fees.
Will paying back a Cleo cash advance build my credit?
Cleo does not present the advance as a credit-building feature. Its Credit Builder card is the product Cleo offers for building credit history.
How much can I get from Cleo?
Cleo's disclosures list advances of $20 to $250 based on accrued, unpaid income, and $20 to $100 for first-time users. Amounts are subject to eligibility and can change.
Which bureaus does the Cleo Credit Builder card report to?
Finder reports that the Cleo Credit Builder card reports to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
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