Venmo Dabbles in Rewards by Offering Cash Back With Debit Card
Last year, Venmo, a popular peer-to-peer payment app launched its first debit card. This was great news for users who often pick-up bills or manage apartment finances as it allowed them to spend the money as soon as it hit their Venmo balance. Prior to the debit card, users would have to wait 2-3 days for the transaction to hit their bank account or they could pay a 25¢ convenience fee (although that's been recently changed to a percentage of the transfer) to have it in their account immediately.
Although the Venmo card isn't one we typically recommend since it doesn't offer any sort of travel rewards, it's interesting to see the mobile payment company dabbling in the world of rewards. Over the past couple of months they have offered welcome bonuses starting at $10 and have introduced cash back on purchases at select retailers. One current special allows cardholders to earn 5% cash back (up to $20) on purchases made at CVS, Chipotle, Trader Joe's and 7-Eleven from now through the end of June.
To be eligible for this offer, users must be Venmo cardholders and have received an invitation via email, app or notification.
They're also offering New Yorkers (or New York visitors with a Venmo card) cash back on subway fares June through July in partnership with Mastercard's Fareback Fridays.
Although these aren't the most lucrative rewards we've seen, it's exciting news coming from Venmo because it appears to be just the beginning of more rewards from the service.
If you're looking for a credit card that offers more cash back opportunities and rewards, check out the top cash-back credit cards. However, it's worth noting that in many cases you can get more value out of travel rewards credit cards.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.