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Fizz Card Review 2025: Is This Credit-Building Debit Card Worth the Monthly Fee?
July 1, 2025
The Fizz Debit Card has gained attention as a unique credit-building solution designed specifically for college students and young adults. But with monthly membership fees and a hybrid approach that blends debit and credit features, is the Fizz Card worth your money? This comprehensive review examines the pros, cons, and real-world performance of this fintech product.
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What Is the Fizz Card?
The Fizz Card is a credit-building debit card that launched in January 2023 through ShoulderTap Technologies. Despite being marketed as a "debit card," it functions more like a secured credit card with unique safeguards designed to prevent debt accumulation.
When you use the Fizz Card, you're technically borrowing money that must be repaid daily. The card connects to your existing bank account and sets daily spending limits based on your available balance, ensuring you can't spend more than you have.
Key Features:
- No credit check required for approval
- Daily payment system with automatic repayment
- Reports to all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
- 0% APR and no interest charges
- Cash-back rewards at select merchants
- SafeFreeze technology that locks your card if payments are missed
How the Fizz Card Works
The Fizz Card operates through a three-step process:
- Connect Your Bank Account: Link an existing bank account with at least $150
- Daily Spending Limits: Your spending limit adjusts daily based on your bank balance
- Automatic Repayment: Purchases are automatically paid off daily from your linked account
This system ensures you're building credit through small daily transactions while avoiding the debt traps associated with traditional credit cards.
Fizz Card Pricing and Fees
One significant change since Fizz's launch is the introduction of mandatory membership fees:
Student Pricing:
- Monthly: $5.99/month
- Quarterly: $15.99/quarter
- Annual: $59.99/year
Non-Student Pricing:
- Monthly: $11.99/month
- Quarterly: $34.99/quarter
- Annual: $129.99/year
Additional Fees:
- No interest charges
- No late fees
- No ATM fees (operator fees may apply)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Expedited card delivery: $15 for first card, $30 for replacements
Pros of the Fizz Card
Excellent for Credit Building
The Fizz Card reports to all three major credit bureaus, giving it an advantage over competitors like the Current Build card, which only reports to TransUnion. Users in studies have seen average credit score increases of 30-48 points within the first year.
No Risk of Debt Accumulation
The daily payment system and spending limits based on bank balances make it virtually impossible to accumulate debt. The SafeFreeze feature locks the card if payments are missed, preventing further spending until the balance is cleared.
Strong Customer Reviews
The Fizz Card maintains impressive ratings across review platforms:
- Trustpilot: 4.6/5 stars (186 reviews)
- App Store: 4.7/5 stars (1,300+ reviews)
- Google Play: 4.5/5 stars (438 reviews)
Cash-Back Rewards
While not as robust as traditional credit card rewards, Fizz offers cash-back opportunities at merchants popular with college students, including Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and campus bookstores. Rewards occasionally reach up to 25% cash back during promotional periods.
Cons of the Fizz Card
Monthly Membership Fees
The introduction of mandatory membership fees is a significant drawback. At $5.99/month for students, the annual cost of $71.88 could be better invested in a high-yield savings account or used for other financial goals.
Limited Spending Power
Since spending is limited to your bank account balance, the Fizz Card won't help in emergency situations where you might need access to credit beyond your available cash.
Restrictive Rewards Program
Cash-back opportunities are limited to specific merchants and change frequently. Unlike traditional credit cards with consistent reward categories, Fizz users must constantly check the app for current offers.
Target Market Limitations
While marketed to college students, the card's functionality may be too restrictive for users seeking to build substantial credit history or those who need higher credit limits.
Fizz Card vs. Alternatives
Traditional Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards like the Discover It® Student Cash Back offer:
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for six months
- 5% rotating categories with 1% on everything else
- Cashback Match for the first year
However, they require more discipline to avoid debt and may be harder to qualify for without a credit history.
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Secured Credit Cards
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card provides:
- No annual fee
- Rewards earning potential
- Graduation to unsecured card after responsible use
The main difference is the required security deposit ($200-$2,500) versus Fizz's membership fee structure.
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Other Credit-Building Debit Cards
Competitors like Extra charge higher fees ($20-25/month) but offer different features, while the Chime Card™ has no fees but requires a Chime checking account.
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Who Should Consider the Fizz Card?
The Fizz Card works best for:
- College students new to credit who want guardrails against overspending
- Young adults with no credit history who struggle with traditional credit card qualification
- Individuals recovering from credit mistakes who need a safe way to rebuild
- Parents wanting to help their children build credit responsibly
Who Should Skip the Fizz Card?
Consider alternatives if you:
- Have good credit and can qualify for traditional rewards credit cards
- Need higher credit limits for larger purchases or emergencies
- Want to minimize fees and prefer free credit-building options
- Prefer traditional banking with physical branch access
The Bottom Line
The Fizz Card represents an interesting approach to credit building, particularly for college students and credit newcomers. Its safety features genuinely prevent debt accumulation, and the credit-building results appear legitimate based on user reviews and company studies.
However, the monthly membership fee structure makes it a more expensive option compared to free alternatives like secured credit cards or traditional student credit cards. The restrictive spending limits and rewards program also limit its long-term utility.
Our Recommendation: The Fizz Card can be valuable for specific users who need credit-building guardrails and don't mind paying for that security. However, most users would benefit more from starting with a free secured credit card or student credit card, which offer greater flexibility and long-term value. If you're considering the Fizz Card, start with the annual plan to reduce costs and set a timeline for graduating to a traditional credit card once you've established a positive payment history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fizz a real bank?
No, Fizz is a fintech company. Banking services are provided by Patriot Bank, N.A., which is FDIC-insured.
Does Fizz really build credit?
Yes, Fizz reports to all three credit bureaus monthly. User studies show average credit score increases of 30-48 points in the first year.
Can I use Fizz internationally?
The Fizz Card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, with no foreign transaction fees.
What happens if I cancel my Fizz membership?
You'll lose access to the card and line of credit at the end of your subscription term. This may impact your credit utilization and available credit, potentially affecting your credit score.
Is there a credit limit with Fizz?
Your spending limit is based on your linked bank account balance and adjusts daily. There's no traditional credit limit since you can only spend money you actually have.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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