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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Merrick Bank Double Your Line card review: A costly way to increase credit
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
also contributed to this story
June 13, 2024 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
A credit-building card offers an automatic credit line increase after several months of on-time minimum payments.
No security deposit is required, and the card reports to major credit bureaus, helping users establish or rebuild credit history.
The card charges multiple fees, including an account setup fee, a first-year annual fee, and a monthly fee after the first year.
It does not provide any rewards or welcome offers, making it less appealing compared to other starter or secured cards.
What to consider
Approval is limited to those who receive a mailed invitation from the issuer.
The card's fees can add up quickly, potentially outweighing the benefit of the credit line increase.
No rewards are earned, and other starter cards may offer better value or lower costs.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of alternative starter and secured cards, including pros, cons and eligibility factors for each.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Merrick Bank Double Your Line Credit Card Overview
While the standout feature of the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® card is the ability to easily double your credit limit, there are better options for those with poor to fair credit. The card is worth a look if you need to rebuild or build your credit, but with multiple fees and a high APR, it's a card that should largely be avoided. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Credit cards intended to help you build or repair credit often have the highest fees and APR rates. That's because the banks that issue these types of cards are taking on more risk if you cannot pay off your balance.
Utah-based Merrick Bank's Double Your Line card is no exception. If used correctly, it's a card that can help fix damaged credit — but it comes at a potentially serious cost. Its annual fee ranges between $0 and $72 for the first year. After that, you'll be charged up to $6 per month to hold this card.
Since this is a credit-building card, you do not need a good credit score to be approved. Let's examine the details of the Double Your Line credit card to see if it makes sense for you.
The information for the Merrick Bank Double Your Line credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Merrick Bank Double Your Line pros and cons
Pros
Cons
Easy to get approved
Credit line increase after several on-time payments
Fraud protection and free credit monitoring
No security deposit required
Has an account setup fee and first-year annual fee
It's uncommon to see a welcome offer for a credit-building card, and the Double Your Line card is no exception. You won't receive a traditional welcome offer with this card.
THE POINTS GUY
The closest thing to a welcome offer the Double Your Line card has is the ability to double your credit line after paying the minimum payment on your account for the first seven months your account is open.
While this won't give you any rewards, having a higher credit line can help improve your credit score by lowering your credit utilization — which can help you be eligible for more lucrative rewards cards later.
As a credit-building card, Double Your Line's main draw is improving your credit score. It reports to the major credit card bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), which allows you to build a credit history that eventually can help you be approved for future financial products.
JUSTIN PAGET/GETTY IMAGES
Unlike a secured card, the Double Your Line card provides a revolving line of credit without requiring a security deposit. Your starting credit line will be between $300 and $1,500, a nice range for a starter card. This credit line will automatically double after you make at least the minimum payment on your account for seven months.
Other card benefits include the ability to monitor your FICO score, fraud protection and customer support.
While these are nice, they're only beneficial for those focused on improving their credit scores. If you're looking for a starter card with more than minimum benefits, you'll want to explore other options.
Earning and redeeming rewards on the Merrick Bank Double Your Line
The Double Your Line card is not a rewards card, meaning you won't earn any cash back, points or miles on this card.
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Again, the main purpose of this card is to build your credit rather than earn rewards that can be redeemed for travel or other products and services. Still, some credit-building cards earn rewards, so fully research your options before deciding on a card.
Which cards compete with the Merrick Bank Double Your Line?
The Merrick Bank Double Your Line card may be the right fit for you. Before choosing a starter card, however, it's worth considering some other options.
If you prefer Chase: The Chase Freedom Rise℠ is another option geared toward building credit, and it earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase. It's especially good for anyone who already banks with Chase because your approval odds increase substantially if you already have a Chase checking or savings account with at least $250. To learn more, check out our breakdown of the Chase Freedom Rise.
If you want a secured card: The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards is a solid choice for a secured credit card. Like the Freedom Rise, this card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases. While you'll need a security deposit to get a credit line with this card, that deposit can be as low as $200. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards.
If you're a student: The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good card to look into if you're currently a student. It has a great earning structure, with 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services and grocery stores.
The information for the Chase Freedom Rise credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Is the Merrick Bank Double Your Line card worth it?
If you want the guarantee that your credit line will be doubled after several months of responsible payments, this card may be worth seriously considering. However, the card comes with some significant fees, making it a weak competitor compared to other starter cards. Most will be better off with a secured credit card or a different starter credit card.
The Merrick Bank card is far from the best option, even for those with poor credit. On one hand, the fairly simple way to increase your credit limit is beneficial. However, with many fees and a high APR, I'd recommend looking elsewhere. A secured card is likely your best option, since you can build credit and get your deposit back eventually.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
