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Part of the Advance America chain · locations
Advance America in Phenix City, AL
Phenix City, AL's Advance America storefront at 1105 E 280 Byp offers payday and title loans with local service.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Advance America Review
Located at 1105 E 280 Byp in Phenix City, AL, this Advance America storefront provides convenient access to cash loans and financial services in a standalone facility. The Phenix City location operates Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and is closed on weekends, making it easy to stop by during weekday business hours when you need immediate financial assistance.
At this Phenix City Advance America branch, you can access payday loans, title loans, and other short-term financial solutions. Call +1 334-297-0228 to discuss your specific needs or visit in person to complete your application quickly.
If you're a Phenix City resident facing an unexpected expense or need quick cash before your next paycheck, bring valid ID and proof of income—this location can often process loans the same day. Advance America specializes in accessible short-term lending when traditional banks aren't an option.
Services & Features
ACH and debit card payment processing
Bank account verification via Plaid
Check Cashing (in-store locations)
In-store loan applications with same-day cash
Installment Loans (3–12 month terms, select states)
Live chat customer support
Money Order Service (in-store locations)
Online account management portal (online.advanceamerica.net)
Online loan applications with next-business-day ACH funding
Payday Loans ($100–$2,000, 7–30 day terms)
Revolving Lines of Credit (up to ~$4,000, select states)
Vehicle Title Loans (select states)
Feature Checklist
Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection
Pricing Plans
Payday Loans
Free /mo
- Loan amounts $100–$2,000
- 7–30 day repayment terms
- In-store cash within ~30 minutes of approval
- APR typically 300%–700% (e.g., 304.17% APR on $300 for 14 days in FL)
- No application or upfront processing fee
- Available in-store and online in qualifying states
Most Popular
Installment Loans
Free /mo
- Multi-month repayment terms (3–12 months)
- Available in select states
- APR typically 143%–348% (e.g., 207.4% APR on $500 in FL)
- Fixed scheduled payments over loan term
- Apply in-store or online
Title Loans
Free /mo
- Secured by borrower's vehicle title
- Available in select states
- APR as low as 36% on loans over $5,000
- Borrower retains use of vehicle during repayment
- Apply in-store
Lines of Credit
Free /mo
- Revolving credit up to approximately $4,000
- Available in select states
- Borrow, repay, and re-borrow as needed
- Apply online or in-store
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Founded in 1997 — nearly 30 years operating as a licensed consumer lender
- 750–1,500+ storefront locations across 22–28 states for in-person same-day cash
- In-store approval and cash disbursement in approximately 30 minutes
- A+ BBB rating with accreditation achieved in 2024
- No application fees or upfront processing fees on any loan product
- Multiple loan types available — payday, installment, title, and lines of credit
- Online portal with Plaid-verified applications, payment management, and live chat support
Cons
- Payday loan APRs of 300%–700% make these among the most expensive legal borrowing options in the U.S.
- BBB customer review score is just 1.7/5 across 154 reviews, with ~302 complaints filed in the past 3 years
- Not available in all states — only 22–28 states depending on loan product
- Maximum payday loan of $2,000 makes this unsuitable for needs beyond small emergency cash
- High-cost repeat borrowing model is associated with debt cycles that worsen underlying financial instability
Rating Breakdown
Value 2.0
Effectiveness 1.5
Customer Service 3.8
Transparency 3.4
Ease of Use 4.0
Compare the Best Personal Loan Options
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Advance America legitimate?
Yes. Advance America is a registered company, headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, founded in 1997. They hold a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are BBB-accredited.
How much does Advance America cost?
Advance America plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- Spartanburg, SC
- BBB Rating
- A+
- BBB Accredited
- Yes
- Certifications
- BBB Accredited Business (since 2024)
- Starting Price
- Free/mo
- Setup Fee
- None
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on Advance America
Advance America is best suited for borrowers with poor credit who face an urgent, small-dollar cash shortfall and have exhausted lower-cost alternatives like credit union payday alternative loans or employer advances. With payday loan APRs running 300%–700% and a BBB customer review score of 1.7/5, the primary caveat is steep cost and mixed service quality — this is a last-resort product, not a routine financial tool.
CFPB Transparency Report
Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Issues Resolved
- 99.8%
- Timely Responses
- 97.5%
Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-03-23
Best For
- Individuals with poor or no credit who cannot qualify for a bank personal loan or credit union product
- Consumers facing a genuine small-dollar cash emergency (medical copay, utility shutoff, car repair) in a state where Advance America operates
- Borrowers who need in-person, same-day cash and have no access to lower-cost alternatives
- Existing Advance America customers in states with relatively more regulated fee structures
Updated 2026-04-29
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Financial Wellness Guides
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Read guide →Financial Terms Explained (10 terms)
New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
Interest & Rates
APR — Annual Percentage Rate
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Why it matters
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Compound Interest
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Why it matters
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
MAPR — Military Annual Percentage Rate
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
Why it matters
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
Usury Rate — Usury Rate (Interest Rate Cap)
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Why it matters
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
How Loans Work
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Fees & Costs
Late Fee — Late Payment Fee
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
Why it matters
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
NSF Fee — Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
Why it matters
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
Legal Terms
Usury — Usury (Illegal Interest)
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
Why it matters
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Credit Cards
Cash Advance — Credit Card Cash Advance
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Why it matters
Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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