$100 GeniusCash + Up to 1% cash back on purchases + 2% interest on your balance.*
Pros & cons
Pros
- No credit check required.
- 10% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $100 earned.
- Earn up to 2% interest on your balance.
- Lower foreign exchange fee of 1.5%.
Cons
- Only earns 1% cash back on 3 categories.
- Does not improve your credit score.
- No insurance included.
Your rewards
$100 GeniusCash offer
On approval, receive $100 GeniusCash on us when you apply for KOHO Core Mastercard using this offer page.
GeniusCash offer expires on Aug 31, 2026.
Getting your welcome bonus
Based on $3,000 in monthly spending, you can get up to 10% in your first 3 months on up to $1,000 in spending which translates to an estimated $95.◊
For all welcome bonus details click here.
How you earn rewards
Each card earns rewards differently. Part of choosing your card is deciding what type of rewards you want to get. With KOHO Core Mastercard, here's how you earn rewards:
- 1% cash back on groceries , restaurants , and transportation
For all reward details click here.
How much your rewards are worth
The dollar value of your rewards depends on the specific rewards program ‒ and what you choose to redeem your points for. For KOHO Core Mastercard in particular, if you spend $3,000 per month, here's our estimated annual rewards earned depending on which reward you choose:
| Direct deposit | $180 |
Calculating your annual rewards
$36,000 annual spending x 0.50% return on spending = $180 annual rewards
$180 annual rewards − $0.00 annual fee = $180 net annual rewards
Details and eligibility
- Estimated Credit Score
- 660 - 724
- Personal Income
- N/A
- Household Income
- N/A
- Annual Fee
- $0.00
- Extra Card Fee
- $0
- Card type
- Prepaid
- Purchase
- N/A
- Cash Advance
- N/A
- Balance Transfer
- N/A
Genius Rating
KOHO Core Mastercard's 3.2 Genius Rating is based on the weighted average of the following scores:
Methodology
All scores are produced by our math-based rating algorithm that takes into account over 126 credit card features.
KOHO Core Mastercard review
If you're interested in a prepaid card, KOHO has a few options for you to consider. Here we have the KOHO Core Mastercard, the entry-level card.
Like other KOHO Mastercard, this isn't just a prepaid card – it's a hybrid spend-save account.
You'll earn rewards on some of your purchases. If you have direct deposit set up, you'll also earn 2% interest on your prepaid balance.
How KOHO Mastercards work
KOHO Mastercards really function like a chequing account, and your card works like a debit card. You fund your account, then you use your card to pay for purchases.
When you make certain types of purchases, you'll earn rewards.
The KOHO Core Mastercard also functions as a high-interest savings account if you have a direct deposit set up. There are also some extra features you can use, like credit building.
KOHO also offers 4 tiers of their card. If you want more features, you can change your level any time. Each level charges a monthly fee, though there are ways to get the lowest paid tier for no fee.
Earning cash back with the KOHO Core Mastercard
KOHO Mastercards earn cash back on purchases, even the entry-level version. Here's what you'll earn:
- 1% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation
Your rewards simply get deposited into your prepaid balance.
Benefits to the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard
Beyond earning rewards, this card comes with some benefits.
1. Earn interest on your prepaid balance
KOHO accounts can earn you interest on your balance, provided you have a direct deposit set up. With this account, you'll earn 2% on your balance, in line with many high-interest accounts out there.
2. Improve your credit with Credit Building
On their own, prepaid cards don't have any impact on your credit score. But KOHO has an add-on called Credit Building that helps you build your credit.
Core gives you access to Credit Building without a monthly fee.
3. Lower foreign exchange fee
For purchases in foreign currency, the KOHO Core Mastercard can help save you a bit of money. Instead of the typical 2.5% fee, the KOHO Core Mastercard charges a lower fee of 1.5%.
4. Send money abroad with KOHO International Money Transfer
You can send money to people in over 190 countries right from your KOHO prepaid balance.
There are no hidden fees, and your recipient will typically receive the money in about 2 days.
During our research, we found the typical fee to be about $4 for every $1,000 sent, but this varies by currency.
2 downsides to the KOHO Core Mastercard
Here is a major factor you'll want to consider.
1. Low rewards on purchases
Sadly, the rewards are quite poor. Many credit cards offer rewards on all your purchases, and not just a select few categories.
Comparison to other KOHO tiers
There are 4 tiers at KOHO – the KOHO Essential Mastercard, KOHO Extra Mastercard, and the KOHO Everything Mastercard. Here's how the 4 of them compare.
| KOHO Core Mastercard | KOHO Essential Mastercard | KOHO Extra Mastercard | KOHO Everything Mastercard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earn Rates | * 1% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation | * 1% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation | * 1.5% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation * 0.25% cash back on all other purchases | * 2% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation * 0.5% cash back on all other purchases |
| Average Earn Rate | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| KOHO Earn Interest rate | 2% | 2% | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Foreign Exchange Fee | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $4, waived if you have a direct deposit set up or deposit $1,000 per month | $12 | $14.75 |
Each has varying rewards, interest rates, and monthly fees. The best part of KOHO is you can easily change between cards. If you want more features, you can go up a tier. And if you aren't getting enough value out of your monthly fee, you can go down a tier.
Leave a review
These are our thoughts on the KOHO Core Mastercard. If you have the card, leave your own review for others to read.
FAQ
What does the KOHO Core Mastercard offer for rewards?
The KOHO Core Mastercard is a cash back card, and you'll earn 1% cash back on groceries, restaurants, and transportation. Your cash back automatically gets deposited back into your KOHO account.
What special features does the KOHO Core Mastercard come with?
The KOHO Core Mastercard comes with a few special features. It charges a lower foreign exchange fee of 1.5%, comes with free credit building, and offers an interest rate of 2% on your balance if you have a direct deposit setup.
What are the income requirements and annual fee of the KOHO Essential Mastercard?
The KOHO Core Mastercard has no income requirements and no annual fee. This is the only version of KOHO's prepaid Mastercards that has no monthly or annual fee.
Key benefits
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