Petal 2 Visa
By Alex Compton · Last verified
The fee-free starter card that proved cash flow underwriting works, now closed to new applicants.
Welcome Bonus
None recorded
Last recorded offer
Spend Requirement
None recorded
Last recorded requirement
Annual Fee
$0
Last recorded · No FTF
Credit Score
No
credit history required (cash flow underwriting)
Common Questions
Is the Petal 2 Visa discontinued?
Yes. No welcome offer, closed to new applications. The fee-free starter card that proved cash flow underwriting works, now closed to new applicants.
What can I use instead of the Petal 2 Visa?
The closest open alternatives we track are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Savor, Chase Freedom Unlimited. Each links to our full review with its current offer and complete breakdown.
Open Alternatives
The Petal 2 is gone, but these cards do a similar job and are still accepting applications.
The best first travel card in the game. Full transfer partner access for $95.
3% on dining, groceries, entertainment and streaming. No fee.
1.5x on everything, and a points multiplier when paired with a Sapphire.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
No numeric welcome bonus recorded
This product has no points- or cash-denominated offer to plot. Dated no-offer observations, non-points benefits, corrections, and primary-source links remain preserved in the table below.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06 | $0 | No recorded spend | Earliest recordNo welcome offer, closed to new applications | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledgerEvent-level primary-source attachments begin with the September 2026 verification system. Older records remain visible but are not retroactively presented as evidenced.
Historical record · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
Last Recorded Earning Rates
These terms are historical context and are not presented as current.
- 1xAll purchasesRises to 1.25% after 6 on-time payments and 1.5% after 12
- 1xSelect merchant offers earn 2% to 10%
Last Recorded Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Last Recorded Benefits
Confirm availability and enrollment requirements with the issuer.
- ✦No fees of any kind: no annual, late, foreign transaction, or returned payment fees
- ✦Cash flow underwriting approves applicants with no credit file
- ✦Cash back grows to 1.5% with on-time payment history
- ✦Reports to all three credit bureaus
Why it earns its spot
- +Zero fee structure was unmatched in the starter category
- +Approval without any credit history
- +Existing cardholders keep their accounts and reporting
Where it costs you
- −Closed to new applications after the Empower acquisition
- −New applicants are routed to the Tilt Card instead
- −Product development has stalled under the new owner
The Compound Verdict
Petal 2 was the best first card in America for people with thin files, and its closure is a real loss. Empower bought Petal in 2024 and has since shut new applications, steering applicants to its Tilt Card. If you already hold one, keep it open: the zero-fee terms are grandfathered and the aging tradeline helps your score.
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