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Last updated on April 12th, 2022
Surge Mastercard® Credit Card
- Regular Purchase APR See Terms*
- Cash Advance APR See Terms*
- Annual Fee See Terms*
-
Credit NeededBestCards.com uses a variation of FICO Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card.Fair , Poor
- Processing Network Mastercard
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Mastercard Zero Fraud Liability Protection (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Checking Account Required
- Regular Purchase APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance APR: See Terms*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- Annual Fee: See Terms*
- Foreign Transaction Fee: See Terms*
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: See Terms*
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: See Terms*
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Join today!At a Glance
The Surge Mastercard® from Celtic Bank can be an ideal pre-qualification option for people who need to repair or continue building their credit due to less than perfect credit or poor credit. Though it bears annual and maintenance fees, it does, however, provide attractive perks for qualified cardholders – including the potential for a double your credit limit increase in as little as six months..
Ideal for Those Who:
- Have fair or poor credit and need to build or repair their credit ratings
- Prefer a pre-qualification card that will immediately inform them whether they would be approved prior to applying
- Want to double their credit line by up to $1,000 by making their first six monthly minimum payments on time
- Don’t want a secured credit card or can’t afford a security deposit
- Want a card that reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
- Want the security of an optional credit protection program
Surge Mastercard Review
The Surge Mastercard is a versatile unsecured credit card offer that provides a pathway towards better credit. It offers cardholders a relatively low credit limit, which might save them from falling into unmanageable debt. Additionally, cardholders have one APR that applies to both purchases and cash advances (balance transfers cannot be performed with this card). This card also includes a handful of perks, such as credit protection and a maintenance fee waiver for the first year.
Almost Anyone Can Apply
You may be under the impression that only people with good credit ratings can apply for a credit card. That’s not always the case, though. There are plenty of options for consumers with fair or poor credit, and the Surge Card is one of those.
You can potentially get approved for the Surge card regardless of what credit history you have. However, you should remember that applicants with poorer credit ratings may get approved for lower credit limits. Additionally, this credit card features a high APR, which is common with credit cards for people with less-than-excellent credit ratings. Nevertheless, this credit card can help you build your credit so that you can apply for better credit cards in the future.
In addition, one of its standout benefits is the fact that you can immediately find out whether you would be approved or not by pre-qualifying. Doing so does not affect your credit score, which allows you to better prepare for getting your card. If you are not eligible to qualify, your credit will remain intact.
What Are Some Similar Cards to the Surge Card to Consider?
Milestone® Gold Mastercard
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Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Why Choose the Indigo Card?
Destiny™ Mastercard®
Why Choose the Destiny Card?
Tools to Build Your Credit
Other noteworthy perks included with the Surge Mastercard are monthly reporting to the big three credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – and free credit limit increases. By reporting your on-time payments every month, Surge gives you the ability to move up in the credit standings, which will look favorably if you are eventually hoping to secure a mortgage, purchase a car, or apply for a new job.
Double Your Credit Line
In addition, the card issuer performs automatic account reviews free of charge. Doing so can result in a credit limit increase, thereby boosting your purchasing power and your available credit – two important factors in calculating your credit score.
Simply make your first six monthly minimum payments on time and Surge will raise your credit limit – doubling your purchasing power.
Speaking of credit score, with this card you are able to periodically check your credit score for free. Surge uses VantageScore – one of the major credit scoring models – and updates your score monthly based on how you have managed your finances. Being able to view your score puts you in a better position to make the necessary adjustments to build your credit.
Monthly Credit Reporting
Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus - TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax
Free Credit Score
Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian when signing up for e-statements
Mastercard Protection
Mastercard Zero Fraud Liability Protection (subject to Mastercard guidelines), auto rental insurance, price protection, and EMV chip card
Fees Associated with the Surge Mastercard
There are a few fees cardholders need to pay in order to use the Surge Mastercard. There is an annual fee and a monthly maintenance fee, as well as a one-time fee if you would like to request an additional card. The monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first 12 months from the date that you open your account. This feature makes the Surge Card an attractive option if you plan to use the card for a short period of time before upgrading to a different card.
FAQs About the Surge Mastercard
Here are answers to everyday questions you might have about the Surge Mastercard:
Applying
- Founded in 2005, Continental Finance Company (“CFC”) is one of America’s leading marketers and
servicers of credit cards for consumers with less-than-perfect credit. The company specializes in
providing access to credit products and services to consumers who are largely overlooked by traditional
credit card issuers and local banks
You’ll need to provide personal information, including your:
Full name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Physical address (No P.O. Box)
Estimated gross monthly income
- No, current product offerings do not allow co-applicants at this time, but you may add an authorized user
during the application process or anytime after your account is opened.
- In most cases, an instant decision is provided. However, in some cases additional information is needed
in order to make a decision which could take up to 30 days.
Living with the Surge Mastercard
- If you’re approved and you fully fund any security deposit (if applicable), your credit card and welcome
materials will be mailed within (3) business days.
- Credit Protection is an optional debt cancellation program offered with your credit card account.
- The Surge Mastercard is available in all 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia.
Surge Card Ratings
How does the Surge stack up? Here are a selection of expert reviews for the card:
User Testimonials
What is the Surge Mastercard like to live with? Before deciding if the card is right for you, here’s what our readers and members think about the card:
Should You Apply for the Surge Mastercard?
The Surge Mastercard from Celtic Bank can be a great match if you need to build or improve your credit due to having fair or poor credit. While there are fees and a higher-than-average APR with this card, these features are standard with many credit cards for consumers with little to no credit.
The ability to pre-qualify makes it easy and quick to know ahead of time whether you will be approved, and the fact that it does not impact your credit score makes it even better. Plus, the available tools – including free credit limit increases, sending your activity to credit reporting bureaus, and free credit score access – give a helping hand in increasing your credit faster and with more peace of mind.
