| Last updated on November 15th, 2024
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
- 35.90% (Fixed) Regular Purchase APR
- See website for details* Cash Advance APR
- See website for details* Intro Purchase APR
At a Glance
The Surge Mastercard® can be an ideal pre-qualification option if you need to repair or continue building your less-than-perfect credit score. Though it bears annual and maintenance fees, it does, however, provide attractive perks for qualified cardholders.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
- See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
- Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
- Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
- Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Access to your Vantage 3.0 Score from Experian (when you sign up for e-statements)
- Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
- Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
- Intro Purchase APR: See website for details*
- Regular Purchase APR: 35.90% (Fixed)
- Cash Advance APR: See website for details*
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $75 - $125
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You have fair or poor credit and need to build or repair your credit ratings
- You prefer a pre-qualification card that will immediately inform you whether you would be approved prior to applying
- You don’t want a secured credit card or can’t afford a security deposit
- You want a card that reports activity to the three major credit bureaus
- You want the security of an optional credit protection program
In-Depth Review: Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
The Surge Platinum Mastercard offers a range of benefits that may make it a smart choice for individuals seeking credit growth. This card has something for everyone, from building or rebuilding your credit to doubling your credit line.
Who Can Benefit from Surge?
The Surge Platinum Mastercard can be beneficial for the following types of individuals:
Individuals with a Limited Credit History
Those with a limited credit history or who are working on building their credit may benefit from the Surge Platinum Mastercard. Since it’s not a secured card, it can be a suitable option for establishing or improving credit without requiring a security deposit.
People Rebuilding Credit
Individuals who are in the process of rebuilding their credit may find the Surge Platinum Mastercard useful. While it doesn’t offer rewards, it can still provide an opportunity to demonstrate responsible credit management, which is essential for improving credit scores (and is a reward in itself).
How to Get the Surge Mastercard
Credit Requirements
You can get approved for the Surge card with fair to poor credit. However, you should remember that applicants with bad credit may get approved for lower credit limits.
Pre-Qualify with No Credit Score Impact
A great feature of the Surge® Mastercard® is the ability to pre-qualify without fears of harming your credit. This simple form allows you to quickly find out your likely approval status without affecting your credit score. This feature provides valuable insight, helping you prepare effectively for obtaining your card. If you don’t qualify, your credit remains unaffected.
Continental Finance has the following rules regarding who is eligible for its credit cards:
- Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Social Security Number (SSN): Applicants need to provide a SSN to prove U.S. citizenship and eligibility.
- U.S. address: Applicants must provide a United States mailing address; PO Boxes are not allowed.
- Proof of income: Applicants need to provide proof of income and demonstrate the ability to make the minimum monthly payment.
- Bank account: Applicants need to provide a valid checking or savings account to link to the card for payments.
- Credit: Bad credit (sub 500 FICO Score) or better required.
Credit Building Benefits
One of the key advantages of this card is its ability to help you build or rebuild your credit history. With responsible use and timely payments, the Surge Platinum Mastercard can effectively improve your credit score. This is especially beneficial for individuals who may have had past credit issues or are new to credit.
Mastercard Benefits
Cardholders also enjoy basic protections through the Mastercard payment network. The Surge Card is a Platinum Mastercard product, meaning cardholders can expect the following essential benefits:
- Zero Liability Protection
- Mastercard Global Services
- ID Theft Protection
Other Card Benefits
Other features of the Surge Mastercard include:
- Credit reporting: Surge reports to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.
- Credit score access: Cardholders get free access to their Vantage 3.0 score from Experian when signing up for e-statements.
- EMV chip: Surge cardholders have added security with EMV chip technology. They can also use their card with smart wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Mastercard acceptance: The Surge Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Comparison
When comparing the Surge Mastercard to other near-prime card options, it’s important to consider a few key factors. These include the Fortiva® Mastercard®, Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®, Aspire® Cashback Rewards, and Total Visa® Card.
Online Pre-Qualification Tool
One great feature that all these cards have in common is the availability of an online pre-qualification tool. This tool allows you to check if you qualify for the card without impacting your credit score. It’s a helpful option for anyone concerned about potential credit score dings.
Annual Fees
All of these cards charge an annual fee, but the exact amount depends on both the specific card and your creditworthiness. Here’s a breakdown of the fees:
- Fortiva® Mastercard®: The first-year fee ranges from $49 to $175, with subsequent years having a fee of up to $49.
- Surge® Platinum Mastercard®: The annual fee ranges from $75 – $125
- Aspire® Cashback Rewards: The first-year fee is $49 to $175, and subsequent years have a fee of up to $49.
- Total Visa® Card: The initial fee is $75, followed by a $48 fee in subsequent years.
Rewards Programs
When it comes to rewards, the Fortiva® Mastercard® and Surge® Platinum Mastercard® do not offer any rewards program. However, the Aspire® Cashback Rewards card provides 3% cash back on gas, groceries, and utilities, along with 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. Similarly, the Total Visa® Card offers 1% cash back on all purchases.
Tips for Using the Surge Mastercard Responsibly
To make the most of your Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card and maximize your credit potential, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Pay On-Time: Late payments can hurt your credit score and overall credit potential. Set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you never miss a payment.
- Keep Your Credit Use Low: Aim to keep your outstanding balance below 30% of your available credit limit. This shows lenders that you are responsible and not overly reliant on credit.
- Monitor Your Score Regularly: Take advantage of the free credit score and monitoring services offered by the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Credit Card. This allows you to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Avoid Unnecessary Debt: While having a credit card can be convenient, it’s important to use it wisely. Avoid making unnecessary purchases or taking on more debt than you can comfortably repay.
What We Like About Surge
Reports to Credit Bureaus
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is designed to help people with bad credit build their credit history. One of its key benefits is the reporting of payments to all three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. These credit agencies collect and analyze data to determine your credit score.
While reporting payments to all three credit bureaus is important for establishing credit, it is worth noting that this feature is not unique to the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®. Many other credit cards for people with bad credit also offer this service.
Things to Consider
Pay Attention to Surge’s Fees
The Surge Mastercard is like other credit repair cards in that it comes with associated fees. There is a variable annual fee, a monthly maintenance fee, and a one-time fee if you would like to request an additional card. Fortunately, the monthly maintenance fee is waived for after the first year for cardholders with credit limits of $750 or $1,000. This feature makes the Surge Card an attractive option if you plan to use the card for a longer term.
FAQs
Here are answers to everyday questions others have asked about the Surge Mastercard:
- 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.
- 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.
- Payment usually takes 1 to 3 business days to post to the account.
- Surge may allow cash advances, depending on your offer. Check your terms and conditions.
Surge Card Ratings
How does the Surge stack up? Here is a selection of expert reviews for the card:
Should You Apply for the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®?
The Surge Mastercard can be a great match if you need to build or improve your credit due to having fair or poor credit. While this card has fees and a higher-than-average APR, 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.
Browse Other Card Offers:
Editorial Disclosure – The opinions expressed on BestCards.com's reviews, articles, and all other content on or relating to the website are solely those of the content’s author(s). These opinions do not reflect those of any card issuer or financial institution, and editorial content on our site has not been reviewed or approved by these entities unless noted otherwise. Further, BestCards.com lists credit card offers that are frequently updated with information believed to be accurate to the best of our team's knowledge. However, please review the information provided directly by the credit card issuer or related financial institution for full details.