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How does the Adro Credit card work?
How does the Adro Credit card work?

Learn how the reserve account works, and how it helps you from overspending

Updated this week

Your Adro World Mastercard is a new type of spending card. It's used like a credit card, but it's secured against your account. You can only spend what's in your reserve account balance, which protects you from overspending.

When you use your Adro credit card, you'll earn cashback on qualifying purchases.

How does my reserve account work?

In order to make purchases with your credit card, you'll need to add money to your Credit Account. This acts as your reserve account balance (otherwise known as 'Available to spend').

For example:

You add $10 to your new Credit Account. Your 'Available to spend' is now $10, before you've made any purchases.

Now, you decide to spend $4 at a convenience store. Your 'Available to spend' decreases to $6. ($10 - $4 = $6)

You know you have a few larger purchases coming up, and want to make sure you can spend with your Adro Credit card. You decide to add $5,000 to your Credit Account. Your new 'Available to spend' is now $5,006. ($6 + $5,000 = $5,006)

Are there any fees for adding money to my reserve account?

There are no fees for adding to or withdrawing money from your reserve account.

How long does it take for the money to show up so I can start spending on my Adro Credit card?

You'll need to wait for the money to arrive in your Adro account before you can start make purchases with your Adro Credit card.

The processing timelines are different for each bank/financial institution that is sending the money to Adro, especially when doing an international transfer. There is often a delay of a few days between when the money leaves your sending account, and when it shows in your Adro account. If you don't see the money immediately in Adro once it has been taken out of your other account, this is normal.

Adro does not have control over when the money arrives. This is dependent on the sending bank.

How did you move the money?

Money will typically show up in Adro within:

Through ACH transfer (including services like Flutterwave, Wise, Remitly, Western Union, etc.)

2 to 5 business days, starting the day after you initiated the transfer

Through international wire transfer

2 to 5 business days, starting the day after you initiated the transfer

Processing time for wire transfers can vary greatly depending on your bank, so it can take longer than 5 business days, although this is unlikely.

From a linked account

1 to 2 business days

If initiated prior to 2:00 PM Eastern Time, the day you initiated the transfer counts as the first business day

Can I withdraw money from my reserve account (Credit Account)?

Yes. You can withdraw money from your reserve account at anytime. Doing so will also decrease your 'Available to spend'.

Is my 'Available to spend' like a credit limit?

Think of your 'Available to spend' like your spending limit on a credit card. You can increase or decrease your spending limit by adding or withdrawing money from your reserve account.

Purchases on your card will decrease your 'Available to spend' amount.

Will I have to make a monthly payment like a regular credit card?

No. With the Adro World Mastercard, you don’t have to worry about paying off your balance at the end of the month. You can’t overspend, and will never have to worry about overdraft fees.

Unlike a traditional credit card, you can only spend the money that’s secured in your reserve account.

What's the interest rate (APR) on my Adro Credit card?

A credit card’s interest rate is the price you pay for borrowing money. For credit cards, the interest rates are typically stated as a yearly rate. This is called the annual percentage rate (APR).

With the Adro credit card, because your spending limit is based on the balance in your reserve account, you're not borrowing any money. This means there is no interest rate or APR.

Can I use my Adro Credit card at an ATM?

Yes. To access cash, you can use it to withdraw money from your reserve account, which will also decrease your 'Available to spend'.

You can’t add money to your account through an ATM at this time. Learn more about withdrawing at an ATM.

Does my Adro Credit card help me build US credit history?

Yes. When you use your Adro Credit card to make purchases, it will help you build US credit history each month.

No action is required on your end. Your credit history is automatically reported to the three main credit bureaus in the US: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

What's the difference between the Adro Credit card and a secured card?

The Adro Credit card doesn't require a security deposit. Your spending limit ('Available to spend') on the card can be increased or decreased as you add or withdraw from your reserve account. This gives you more flexibility in case of upcoming large purchases or if you need access to your funds.

With a secured credit card, you’ll need to make a one-time refundable security deposit that serves as collateral for the credit card issuer. The credit card issuer places a hold on your security deposit, which is returned once you close your account or change to an unsecured card instead.

The credit limit on the secured card is fixed, and is typically equal to the deposit amount.

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