Advance America

Payday loans · also money transfer, money orders · 1424 E Ridge Rd Ste. 6

★ 5.0 · 406 ratingsHours listed

Should you go here?

Well reviewed, but the loan itself is expensive.

Borrowers leave fewer bad reviews here than at 63% of McAllen stores. The risk is the product: fees are high and renewing adds the fee again. Compare a cheaper option first.

Good sign

What borrowers say5.0★

406 ratings. Known for fast service. Known for explaining the terms clearly.

What borrowers say ↓

Good sign

Bad reviews1%

of its written reviews are 1–2★, a lower share than at 63% of McAllen stores.

How it compares ↓

Watch out

What it costs$433 / month

In fees on a $1,000 loan, at the McAllen area average. Texas sets no cap on these fees.

Work out your cost ↓

Check it

Who they lend to

An ITIN works instead of an SSN. Prepaid cards aren’t accepted.

Before you go ↓

Check it

LicenceLook it up

Loan stores in Texas need an OCCC licence for each location. Check this one before you sign.

OCCC licence search ↗

A cheaper routeA credit-union loan could save you about $1,231 on $1,000 over 3 months →0.7 mi away · title loansTitleMax Title Loans — ★ 5.0, few bad reviews →

From ratings and written reviews of this store, state fee data (OCCC, Q2 2026) and the chain’s own website. Checked September 2026. We don’t lend and no store pays us.

How it compares

Against every loan store in McAllen.

Rating

5.0Higher than 62% of McAllen loan stores. City average is 4.5.

Lowest rated in McAllenHighest

Bad reviews (1–2★), share of written reviews

This store1%

Average McAllen payday loan store1%

Bad reviews by year · 0% in 2026

212223242526

What borrowers say

Ask for Emma
Known for fast service
Known for explaining the terms clearly

Counted in 201 written reviews. Bars: mentions per 100.

What borrowers appreciate

Fast service30 reviews · 14.9 per 100
Explains the terms clearly8 reviews · 4 per 100

Work out what you’d repay

Payday lenders in the McAllen area report an average fee of $30.28 per $100 for 21 days (OCCC, Q2 2026) — about $43.26 per $100 a month. Texas sets no cap on these fees, so ask this store for its own.

I want to borrow

and pay it back

You’d pay in total

$1,433

$1,000 you borrowed$433 in fees

Paid back in one go after about a month. If you can’t pay, renewing costs another $433 each month and doesn’t reduce what you owe.

Before you go

What to take, and what to ask before you sign.

Bring these

IDProof of incomeBank statementsSSN or ITINProof of address

Who they lend to

An ITIN works instead of an SSN
Prepaid cards aren’t accepted

At the store

Walk in, no appointment · Wheelchair access · Apply online first

Loans in Texas $200–$5,000Pay in store, by phoneCustomer service 877-505-0701

From advanceamerica.net, checked September 2026

Ask these at the counter

1
What is the total I’ll repay, in dollars, and when?
Borrowers here mention: known for explaining the terms clearly.
2
What happens if I can’t pay on the due date?
Ask what a renewal costs and whether they call your employer or references.
3
Can I pay it off early, and is there a fee?
Texas law says your contract must allow early payoff with no penalty. Ask them to confirm.

Payday loans in Texas: how they work, your rights, how to get out →

Check the licence: OCCC licence search or call 800-538-1579.

A cheaper route

Need $1,000 for 3 months? A credit-union loan could save you about $1,231.

A Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) from a federal credit union is $200–$2,000, repaid over 1–12 months, capped at 28% a year plus a $20 fee at most. You usually join the credit union first, which can take a day.

Credit-union PAL$1,067

This payday loan, renewed twice$2,298

Total repaid on $1,000 over 3 months, at the McAllen area average fee (OCCC) and the federal PAL cap (12 CFR 701.21).

Nearby alternatives

The closest real storefronts — at least two take a different route. Numbers match the map.

Been to Advance America?

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In borrowers’ own words

“Awesome customer service and fast process”
“Emma was very polite, and courteous...explained everything to me and had my loan ready in no time....very recommended..”

Short lines from 4–5★ written reviews of this store. Complaints are counted above, never quoted.

About this lender

Payday loans, and also money transfer, money orders.

Part of a chain: Advance America has 27 locations across the Texas cities we cover — Houston (13), San Antonio (5), El Paso (4), McAllen (2), Laredo (1), Brownsville (1), Fort Worth (1). See the Advance America brand page.

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