Subscribe to the monthly Wealth Awesome Canada update here

Neo Financial Credit Card Review 2024: What Makes It Different?

Financial JournalistChristopher Liew, CFA
Christopher Liew is a CFA Charterholder and has held several roles in the finance industry. He’s worked as an investment wholesaler at Sentry and CI Financial, a financial advisor at RBC, and an energy trader at Enmax. He is Alberta-based while he’s in Canada, but spends much of his time working and living in other countries. Christopher speaks English and studied accounting and finance at the University of Alberta. He is one of the founders of Wealth Awesome where he has written articles and created videos for our subscriber base of over 20,000 Canadian investors.

Expertises: finance, investment, stocks, retirement, canada
Neo Financial Credit Card Review
 

With so many credit cards on the market, how do you know which one to get? I think we’ve all struggled with that problem from time to time.

Most people are looking for a no-fee card that benefits them in some way. The Neo Financial Credit Card does exactly that.

With no fees on their Standard account, Neo offers cashback rewards and even a savings account to its users.

But is it worth it, and does it hold up against other credit cards? After looking into the company a bit more, I’ve found that it is a solid option for almost everyone.

If you are thinking of opening a new card or making a switch, read on.

Our Verdict
Neo Financial Credit Card and Savings Review
8.5

Neo Financial Credit Card

Cashback Credit Card

Neo Financial rewards its users for spending and saving with their high-interest savings account and impressive cashback rewards program. 

Pros
  • Earn cashback rewards on purchases at retail partners
  • No fees or minimums on Neo Money
  • Easy to use mobile app to access and manage your account
Cons
  • No insurance coverage
  • The savings account does not offer mobile deposit or cheque writing

How Does Neo Financial Work?

Neo Financial is a fin-tech company out of Canada. They offer a credit card with three levels of cashback rewards, as well as a savings account with a higher than average interest rate.

Neo is different from other credit card companies in that it is 100% digital. In addition to making purchases with your card, you can make deposits or send Interac e-Transfers no matter where you are.

The more purchases you make with your Neo Credit, the more cashback rewards you’ll earn.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Neo Credit?

Neo Financial recently updated their credit score requirements, making it easier for more Canadians to qualify for their credit card products. Here’s a quick summary of the new credit floors:

  • Neo Standard: Minimum credit score of 640+ (reduced from 710)
  • Neo World: Minimum credit score of 680+ (requires an individual income of $50k or household income of $80k)
  • Neo World Elite: Minimum credit score of 710+ (requires an individual income of $80k or household income of $150k)

These new credit score requirements expand access to Neo’s products, making it easier for those with lower credit scores to get approved.

Who Owns Neo Financial?

The founders of Neo Financial know a thing or two about success. Andrew Chau and Jeff Adamson started the Winnipeg-based online food delivery service Skip the Dishes. This innovative company allows users to order food from their phones.

Features and Benefits

Now that you know the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty and see what makes this company so unique.

Cashback Rewards

The biggest benefit to the Neo Credit is the rewards program. Earn cashback rewards instantly from thousands of brands and retailers, including local stores.

In addition to cashback, most retailers will give you an extra reward on your first purchase. The Neo Credit also guarantees you’ll receive at least 0.5% cashback on your purchases. If you fall below that, the company will top your rewards off.

The upside to Neo is that you can earn your rewards by paying everyday bills like your mobile phone and utilities. In addition, the company partnered with local businesses, so you can support those smaller shops within your community while earning cashback rewards for yourself.

Redeeming your rewards is simple. There is not a minimum amount needed, and you can redeem them at any time.

Neo Card Perks

You can customize your Neo Card perks to suit your needs. Here’s a breakdown of some of the perks:

  1. Everyday Essentials Perks: This perk allows users to customize their Neo Credit card with additional rewards in categories such as Travel, Food & Drink, Mind & Body, and more. By subscribing to Everyday Essentials Perks, users can gain boosted cashback on their most frequent purchases, such as gas, grocery, specialty foods, and liquor stores.
  2. Travel Perks: This perk includes worldwide lounge access, additional travel insurance coverage, boosted cashback at travel partners, and cashback on all foreign transactions. By subscribing to Travel Perks, users can enjoy premium travel rewards without annual fees or commitments.
  3. Premium Access Perks: This perk allows users to unlock early access to new features and customize their Neo Credit card with premium perks. Premium Access Perks also offer up to 20% cashback on first-time purchases, access to exclusive offers, extended warranty, and purchase protection coverage.
  4. Food & Drink Perks: This perk offers boosted cashback rewards at partner restaurants, bars, and cafes. By subscribing to Food & Drink Perks, users can stretch their dining dollar further and enjoy life’s everyday moments.
  5. Mind & Body Perks: This perk helps users achieve their health and wellness goals with subscription-based rewards. By subscribing to Mind & Body Perks, users can gain access to rewards that support their health and wellness, such as gym memberships, fitness classes, and more.
  6. Mobile and Personal Protection Perks: These perks include extended warranty and purchase protection coverage, as well as member insurance benefits underwritten by The Wawanesa Life Insurance Company. By subscribing to Mobile and Personal Protection Perks, users can protect their purchases and gain peace of mind.

You can learn more about these perks and how much they cost at the Neo website.

Neo Money

Neo Financial isn’t just focused on credit cards. The company also offers its own savings account, which boasts a higher than average interest rate.

The benefits to this account? No monthly fees or minimum balances required. Plus, there are unlimited free transactions.

You can deposit money, pay your bills, and even do Interac e-Transfers. You can link up your other bank accounts, making it easy to do transfers back and forth.

Neo Financial partnered with Concentra Bank to offer the account. Because that bank is a CDIC member institution, your deposits are eligible for CDIC protection up to $100,000. 

The only downside to the account is that you can’t write cheques or do mobile deposits. You also will not have access to a debit card.

Is Neo a Real Credit Card? Consider the Credit Building Benefits

Unlike popular companies like KOHO and Stack that offered prepaid cards, Neo is an actual credit card. That means you can build your credit by paying off your balances in full each month.

In addition, you’ll have a credit limit that you will need to be aware of. Neo can raise that limit automatically when you are eligible instead of making you apply for it.

Security

With fraud and identity theft an ever-present issue, you should learn about your credit card’s security functions before you use them. With Neo, you will have Mastercard Zero Liability. This protects you against unauthorized transactions.

In addition, you have other security features like freezing or unfreezing your card with the press of a button. Neo also lets its customers set limits on their spending, so they do not go overboard and over budget.

Neo Security

Easy to Use App for Money Management

You can download the Neo app and use it on your Apple or Android phone. It features a simple dashboard with features like paying bills, checking your cashback rewards, and more.

You can get real-time notifications regarding your transactions and see your spending details. A great tool if you are trying to keep better tabs on your money.

The app lets you browse through your rewards and store offers. You can cash out at any time – no pesky thresholds to meet.

You can also apply for the credit card and savings account directly from the app, making it convenient for everyone, no matter where you are.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Neo Credit?

What Credit Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Neo Card?

The majority of credit cards out there have certain income requirements or credit scores to obtain before issuing you a card. Neo has neither, making it easy for anyone to apply for a card.

To apply, you need to be the age of majority in your province and have a government-issued ID. At this time, Neo doesn’t operate in Quebec.

Neo Credit Card vs Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

Similar to Neo, Tangerine offers a no-fee credit card that gives its customers higher cashback rewards on two categories of their choice. You can choose between groceries, restaurants, recurring bill payments, and more. All additional purchases earn rewards at a lower rate.

Even the higher cashback reward percentage is slightly lower than Neo’s average. Plus, with this Tangerine card, you can only choose the higher cashback rate in two categories. Not so with Neo. They offer rewards on thousands of brands and even when shopping at local businesses.

Both are widely accepted and have no limits on the cashback you earn. With Tangerine, you can open up a savings account to deposit your cashback rewards. The benefit to this is you can add another category to gain higher cashback earnings. This means you are now eligible for three categories instead of two. 

One of the clear differences between Tangerine and Neo is insurance protection. Tangerine offers purchase protection for 90 days and an extended warranty for one year.

The bottom line is you will probably earn more rewards with Neo’s cashback percentage, but you won’t have insurance protection.

Neo Money Account vs EQ Savings Plus Account

EQ Bank is an online bank that offers a high-interest savings account. The rates between EQ’s Savings Plus and Neo’s Money accounts are similar, with Neo slightly edging out its competition.

EQ Savings Plus does not have any monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. However, because it’s a bank, it does offer a bit more. They have additional savings accounts, as well as mobile cheque deposits.

The bottom line is that it depends on what you’re looking for. If you just need a savings account with a high-interest rate – Neo is a good choice. However, if you are looking for a savings account and more, EQ Bank might fit your needs.

Customer Reviews

The majority of customers that reviewed the card and savings account found it favourable. Many users set up a savings account because of the high-interest rate.

Neo CX review 1

The Reddit user above continued this discussion in another thread and commented that he mainly used his savings to accrue interest. He kept other accounts at different banks, mainly for accessing cash and using other financial services.

And even though Neo’s Ultra tier costs $8.99 per month, one user does not hesitate to pay for it.

Neo CX review 2

The biggest complaint regarding Neo was its customer service. There seemed to be limited gripes regarding the actual credit card or savings account, but getting ahold of a real customer rep remained a big problem.

Neo CX review 3

I found the above comment again and again. Anyone experiencing any kind of problems will be hard-pressed to get in contact with the service center.

Neo CX review 4

Overall, users seem satisfied with Neo’s credit card and savings account. However, if you experience an issue, you probably won’t find the company so favourable as their customer service seems to be lacking.

Is Neo Financial Legit?

Neo Financial is a legitimate business. They are backed by ATB Financial, and the savings accounts are held with Concentra Bank, a CDIC member.

In addition, Neo’s credit cards include Mastercard’s zero liability backing.

Neo Financial recently made headlines when it secured $64 million in backing from Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel. The company hopes to secure a greater portion of the financial market and expand its products and services. This means adding more retailers to its rewards program and offering mortgage and lending options.

Neo Trusted partners

How to Apply

If you are interested in the Neo Credit Card, download the app or set up an account online. From there, you can complete the application. Once prequalified, the app will send you an invitation to open the savings account.

Next, you will need to verify your identity. Once finished and approved, you will have instant access to your new credit card via Apple Pay or Google Play. The physical card will arrive in a few weeks.

Who Benefits From a Neo Credit Card?

Neo sets itself apart from other credit card companies by offering high cashback rewards, even with local businesses. The best part is that there isn’t an income requirement to sign up, and customers with a variety of credit scores get approved.

If you’ve struggled with credit issues in the past, this card is an excellent choice to help you build your credit back up, all while earning rewards.

Offering a high-interest savings account just makes it all the more attractive. If you are in the market for a new credit card, apply for a Neo Credit Card.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *