Aspiration Zero Credit Card vs. the Competition
How does the Aspiration Zero Credit Card stack up to competitors of similar ilk? The card is pretty unique, but let’s take a look at it next to other cash back credit cards.
| Aspiration Zero Credit Card | Chase Freedom Flex℠ | Citi® Double Cash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit required | Good | Good/Excellent | Good/Excellent |
| Annual fee | $60 | $0 | $0 |
| Regular APR | 13.15% – 22.95% (Variable) | 17.24% – 25.99% Variable | 16.24% – 26.24% (Variable) |
| Sign-up bonus | $300 cash bonus after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | $200 cash bonus (20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points) for spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | For a limited time, earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. |
| Rewards | 0.5% back for all purchases, 1% back on purchases if 60 transactions are made each month, 1 tree planted for every transaction you make with your card. | 5% cash back on eligible purchases in rotating categories, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases. | 2% cash back on unlimited purchases without category restrictions — you’ll get the first 1% cash back when you make purchases and the second 1% cash back when you pay for those purchases. |
| Perks and benefits | PYC program allows you to round up purchases in order to plant an extra tree with each transaction. Track your tree-planting progress in-app. | 0% APR with purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, cellphone protection, secondary rental car insurance (primary if used outside the U.S.). | 0% intro APR with balance transfers for 18 months, access to Citi Entertainment. |
Chase Freedom Flex℠
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On the Secure Website
With the Chase Freedom Flex℠ you earn 5% cash back on eligible purchases in rotating categories, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases — all with no annual fee. New cardholders also get a $200 bonus for spending $500 within first three months of opening your account.
The card also offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from account opening.
Read more: Chase Freedom Flex℠ Review: The Perfect Card for Frequent Travelers and Diners
Citi® Double Cash Card
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On the Citi Secure Website
The Citi® Double Cash Card has no annual fee and offers 1% cash back when you make a purchase, plus an additional 1% back when you pay off that purchase — so if you practice responsible credit card usage and pay off your bill before interest can accumulate, you’ll be getting 2% cash back total.
The card also offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for a full 18 months.
Read more: Citi® Double Cash Card vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Should You Get the Aspiration Zero Credit Card?
If you’re concerned about climate change and want to do your part in giving back to the planet with a simple swipe of your credit card, then the Aspiration Zero Credit Card could be for you.
However, keep in mind that there are some unbelievably lucrative credit cards out there that offer no (or low) fees and much higher rewards. Whether you want to travel the world for free, earn lots of cash back, offset astonishing gas prices, etc., there’s a card that fits your shopping style.
All this to say, you should only open this card if you want to do so deliberately for the planet.
With a moderate annual fee and low cash back rates, this isn’t the right card for everyone. But if you’re interested in offsetting your carbon footprint and want a practically zero-touch approach, planting a tree with every swipe of your Aspiration Zero Credit Card is a pretty cool way to go.
Read more: Conscious Consumerism: How to Spend Your Money with Intention
How to Apply for the Aspiration Zero Credit Card
If you decide to open this card, visit the Aspiration Zero homepage, where you can read more about the product. You’ll have to enter your email and a few other personal details before you land on the proper application page.
The Bottom Line
The Aspiration Zero Credit Card is structured in a way that if everyone on the planet used the card, we could entirely offset the carbon footprint of the human race — which sounds pretty awesome, in theory.
However, not everyone will use the card, as it offers a very low cash back return rate for a credit card, particularly one with a $60 annual fee. The fact is that swiping this card is an altruistic move. There are dozens of credit cards with greater rewards potential.
But if your desire to combat climate change outweighs your desire to earn cash back or save on fees, then the Aspiration Zero Credit Card may be for you.
Featured image: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock.com
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Aspiration Zero Disclosure*Terms and conditions apply. To qualify for this one-time $300 statement credit bonus offer, Cardholders must make net qualifying purchase(s) (minus returns and other adjustments) of $3,000 or more with their Aspiration Zero Credit Card within 90 days of account opening. Maximum of one $300 statement credit bonus offer per person. This offer is valid to approved Cardholders until 11:59 p.m. EST 9/30/2022. Statement credit will be applied to the next billing cycle after net purchase qualification threshold is met within the first 90 days of account opening. Your Aspiration Zero Credit Card account must remain open and be in good standing at the time when the one-time statement credit bonus offer is awarded in order to qualify. The Aspiration Zero Mastercard is issued by Beneficial State Bank pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Beneficial State Bank, Member FDIC 2021.
