AvantCard

[Anonymous]

Hello all.

So during my app spree a couple weeks ago, Credit Karma suggested I apply for the AvantCard offered by online lender Avant.

I was approved with a $1,000 SL at 22.24% with a $29.00 AF.

Considering my recent approvals for AmEx Gold Delta Skymiles, Chase Freedom Unlimited, BoA BankAmericard, and NFCU More Rewards Amex.. is this even a card worth having?

I've never heard of Avant previously in the credit card world. Their website is a joke. I log into my account and don't even have any kind of like account options. I can't even reset my password. I just called after activating my card and logging in and realizing I can't update my password. Their instructions were to log out and click "forgot password." I said.. "So I should log out, and click 'forgot password?' to reset my password even though I know my password?" Yep.

Also, I'm in the process of dumping my subprime cards (Credit One Visa, Credit One Mastercard, Merrick Bank, First National Credit Card) and this one seems strangely familiar at 22.24% with a $29 AF. I wasn't sure whether this was considered a "prime" card or not, but I'm guessing Chase, BoA, AmEx, NFCU, and the likes, won't be impressed by an "AvantCard"?

What's the scoop? Do I call and cancel this thing now that I've received it? Or let it help me with my util since it has a lower AF than any of my other subprime cards? Do I even need this thing? So new to this having real credit cards thing. Don't really know what to do here.

[Adkins]

If you've already paid the AF, I'd keep the card for now and cancel it before the next annual fee hits. If you haven't paid the AF yet, I'd cancel the card now. It's a better subprime than credit one but it is subprime and with your other cards, you don't need it. 

[Anonymous]

+1, no need for it.

[AverageJoesCredit]

This is why you should only take CK recomendations with a grain of salt. Though you did get approved its because they can make money off you in the AF. With the cards you listed i wouldnt even keep the card.

[Anonymous]

LOL OP, I was looking under your current cards and saw the last 2.  What cards have a car and motorcycle?  Then I hovered and realized...  

[Anonymous]

Now I'm on the phone with these jerks and they said because I activated the card (I opened the letter, went to activate the card, then realized the $29 AF) the $29 AF is now due. So even if I cancel right now, I still have to pay the $29 AF. What do I do?

I'm chasing the ladder asking to speak to higher ups. It's absurd. Of course, they're saying "but you could have just gone and made purchases with it and now you're trying to close the account." -- I'm like.. No. I just told you I want to MAKE SURE there is no AF due so that if I close the card right now with the expectation that nothing is due, you don't go and report bad marks on my credit because of this AF. Why would I want you to also report charges on top of that?

Their logic is flawed. But, yeah. What do I do?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymouswrote:

LOL OP, I was looking under your current cards and saw the last 2.  What cards have a car and motorcycle?  Then I hovered and realized...  

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That's hilarious. Customized cards, man! Don't you know all subprimes offer card customization? It makes pulling it out of your wallet less embarassing. "How would you like to pay today, sir?" "With this lovely picture of my car, of course!"

No, really though, I saw other people doing it and I thought, "hey, that's cool!" I'm really proud of the fact that I've gone from an 18.5% APR with Exeter Finance to an 8.19% APR with NFCU in just 32 months, so, hey, I list it!

[Anonymous]

May have to just bite the bullet and pay the AF, lesson learned and move on when the AF comes up again.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymouswrote:

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@Anonymouswrote:

LOL OP, I was looking under your current cards and saw the last 2.  What cards have a car and motorcycle?  Then I hovered and realized...  

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That's hilarious. Customized cards, man! Don't you know all subprimes offer card customization? It makes pulling it out of your wallet less embarassing. "How would you like to pay today, sir?" "With this lovely picture of my car, of course!"

No, really though, I saw other people doing it and I thought, "hey, that's cool!" I'm really proud of the fact that I've gone from an 18.5% APR with Exeter Finance to an 8.19% APR with NFCU in just 32 months, so, hey, I list it!

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Yeah, that's something I'd be VERY proud of as well.  Congrats on the progress, this card, notsomuch... 

[Anonymous]

Ok, good news. Supervisor #3 waived the AF despite activation.

I requested some kind of document showing that the card would be immediately closed with a $0.00 balance for my records.

They seemed a bit insulted.

I said, "I truly appreciate your consideration and the fact you've waived this fee for me, I just want to protect myself against any automated system or computer error. If it shows up in a month or two as a bad mark showing that I owe $29.00, I'd just like something to reference back to the fact that you did this for me."

They said they can't do it until the account is officially closed out in their system and they'll send me an email.

Should I trust them? Anything else I can do?