Important update (as of May 2026): Petal 1 and Petal 2 are no longer accepting new applications. After Empower Finance signed the definitive agreement to acquire Petal in April 2024 and closed the deal that quarter, the brand has transitioned to Tilt Card, Inc. (NMLS #2295169). New applicants are now offered Tilt cards instead, while existing Petal cardholders keep their accounts and benefits. The comparison below describes how Petal 1 and Petal 2 differed when both were open to new applications, and how today's alternatives line up if you came here looking to apply.
Choosing between the Petal 1 vs Petal 2 credit card used to come down to your credit profile and how much you valued rewards. Both cards skipped annual fees on the standard Petal 2, both looked at your bank account instead of just your credit score through cash flow underwriting, and both reported to the three major credit bureaus. The right pick depended on your current credit profile, your spending habits, and how much you valued rewards.
This guide breaks down the historical differences and points you to the cards you can actually apply for today. Petal cards continue to be issued by WebBank, and Tilt has confirmed many features carry over.
Petal 1 vs Petal 2 Credit Card at a Glance
The Petal family targeted users who did not fit the box of a traditional credit card. Petal 1 was the no-annual-fee starter card for thin or no credit. Petal 1 Rise (a separate card in the same family, not a rename of Petal 1) carried a $59 annual fee in exchange for slightly different approval criteria. Petal 2 was for fair to good credit and offered stronger rewards.
All three cards used cash flow underwriting through the Petal app, which linked to your bank account and reviewed income, savings, and bill payments. All reported to all three major credit bureaus, which is what helped your score grow over time. The main differences came down to rewards, credit limits, and approval odds.
What Petal 1 Offered (Historical)
Petal 1 was built for people with no credit or limited credit. It came with a $0 annual fee and reported to all three credit bureaus.
Cash back on Petal 1 was 1% to 10% at select national merchants only. There was no flat-rate cash back on everyday spending. Variable APR ran in the 28.24% to 33.24% range. Credit limits were typically lower, often in the $300 to $1,000 range, depending on cash flow and credit profile.
Petal 1 was best viewed as a stepping stone. Use it for small purchases, pay it in full each month, and build a record that could lead to better cards down the road.
What Petal 2 Offered (Historical)
Petal 2 was the flagship Petal card and targeted fair to good credit. It also had no annual fee and reported to all three bureaus.
Rewards were stronger here. You earned 1% cash back on all purchases right away, 1.25% after six on-time monthly payments, and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments. You also got 2% to 10% cash back at select merchants who partnered with Petal.
Credit limits were higher, often $500 to $10,000 depending on profile. The APR was variable and depended on creditworthiness, but it was usually lower than Petal 1.
Petal 2 was a long-term card you could keep using as you built. The rewards structure paid you back for paying on time, which lined up with smart credit habits.
What to Apply for Today Instead
If you came to this page hoping to apply for Petal 1 or Petal 2, here are the closest active alternatives. Each reports to all three major credit bureaus.
The Self Visa Credit Card is the cleanest path for thin or no credit. It pairs a credit-builder loan with a secured Visa, and as of January 2025 you can also unlock the card with a $100 minimum security deposit. The annual fee is $25 (waived in year one) and it reports to all three bureaus.
The Current Build Card is a no-credit-check, no-deposit option for builders who want a debit-style experience that still reports to bureaus. There is no annual fee.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
For fair credit looking for cash back similar to what Petal 2 offered, Capital One QuicksilverOne earns 1.5% on every purchase with a $39 annual fee. Discover it Secured pays 2% on gas and dining (up to $1,000 quarterly) plus 1% on everything else, with a chance to graduate to an unsecured card after responsible use.
If you specifically want the cash flow underwriting model Petal pioneered, the new Tilt Card is the direct successor and is being rolled out by Tilt Card, Inc. through Petal's existing app and underwriting stack.
Petal 1 vs Petal 2 Credit Card: Side by Side (Historical)
Here is a quick comparison of the key features as they existed when both cards were open:
- Annual fee: Petal 1 charged $0; Petal 2 charged $0.
- Starting cash back: Petal 1 had 1-10% only at select merchants. Petal 2 started at 1% on all purchases plus 2-10% at select merchants.
- Credit needed: Petal 1 fit no credit or limited credit. Petal 2 fit fair to good credit.
- Credit limits: Petal 1 was typically lower. Petal 2 ranged higher based on profile.
- Variable APR range: Both cards landed in the 28.24% to 33.24% range, accurate as of January 2026 disclosures.
- Application: Both apps used cash flow underwriting via your linked bank account.
If you had any kind of credit history, Petal 2 was the better deal of the two. If you were starting from zero, Petal 1 was usually the only Petal you could land.
Who Petal 1 Worked For
Petal 1 made sense if you had no credit history at all, were declined by Petal 2, wanted a no-deposit starter card with no annual fee, or planned to graduate to a better card after 12 to 18 months of on-time payments.
If you do not qualify for the Tilt successor either, secured options like the Self Visa Credit Card or OpenSky still work. Both report to all three bureaus and have flexible approval rules.
Who Petal 2 Worked For
Petal 2 fit you if you had a fair to good credit score (often 600 and above), wanted immediate cash back rewards on every purchase, needed a higher credit limit for everyday spending, or wanted a card you could keep for years without paying an annual fee.
The bonus 1.5% rate after 12 on-time payments rewarded good habits. That added up to real money over a year of regular use.
If the Petal 2 appeal for you was earning cash back while still building, the Aspire Mastercard fills that same gap among cards you can apply for today. It rewards everyday spending and reports to the bureaus, so you keep earning while you grow the payment history that opens the door to mainstream rewards cards later.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Bottom Line
The Petal 1 vs Petal 2 question is now a historical comparison rather than an apply-today choice. If you are starting credit from zero, the Self Visa Credit Card and Current Build Card are the closest active alternatives. If you have fair credit and want cash back, Capital One QuicksilverOne or Discover it Secured cover the same ground Petal 2 used to. Existing Petal cardholders should keep using their cards normally — the underwriting and reporting continue under the Tilt brand.
Related Reading
- Best credit cards to build credit
- Credit-builder secured credit cards
- Best secured credit cards
- Improve your credit score
- Build credit fast
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for a Petal 1 or Petal 2 credit card in 2026?
No. Following Empower Finance's April 2024 acquisition of Petal, applications for Petal 1, Petal 1 Rise, and Petal 2 are closed. New applicants are routed to the Tilt Card from Tilt Card, Inc. (NMLS #2295169). Existing Petal cardholders keep their accounts and reporting continues to the credit bureaus.
Is Tilt Card the same as Petal?
Tilt Card, Inc. is the rebranded entity that took over Petal's card portfolio after the Empower acquisition. WebBank remains the issuer, and Tilt has confirmed many of the new card's features mirror what Petal offered, including credit-bureau reporting and cash flow underwriting.
Can I upgrade from Petal 1 to Petal 2 if I'm an existing cardholder?
Existing cardholders may receive upgrade invitations after a stretch of on-time payments and improved credit, but there is no guaranteed upgrade path. Contact Petal/Tilt support for the most current options on your account.
What if I get denied for the Tilt Card replacement?
If you are denied for the Tilt Card, secured options like the Self Visa Credit Card or OpenSky still accept applicants with limited or damaged credit and can help you build a positive payment history while you work toward better options.
