Written by: Eric Bank
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker
Preapproval is a wonderful concept. Imagine if your high school counselor announced that you were preapproved by Harvard. Or the Nobel Committee sent you a telegram preapproving you for the Peace Prize.
Surge doesn’t want to be left out. The difference is that Surge credit card preapproval can actually happen. While preapproval doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the card, it sure swings the odds in your favor. As for a Harvard degree or the Nobel Prize, well, you never know.
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Surge Lets You See in Advance Whether You’re Eligible Without a Hard Inquiry
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® preapproval process couldn’t be more straightforward. Just visit the website and submit the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Social Security number
- Email address
- Phone number
- Total monthly income and primary source
- Date of birth
You’ll also answer three questions regarding owning an active checking account or debit card, your intention to take cash advances, and your desire for an additional card. Finish by checking a few boxes certifying your age and authorizing prequalification.
You can fill out the preapproval form by following the links below to the issuer’s website:
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- All credit types welcome to apply!
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score From Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified without impacting your credit score
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Free online account access 24/7
- Checking Account Required
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 minutes | 29.99% APR (Variable) | Yes | 8.5/10 |
Surge doesn’t pull your credit report during this stage but verifies your information using different means. If you have poor credit, the last thing you want is to lose a few more points on a credit card application guaranteed not to be approved, which is what a rejected prequalification attempt means.
You’ll receive an invitation to finish the application process if you’re preapproved. This is when Surge performs a credit inquiry to one of the major credit bureaus.
If everything checks out, Surge will approve your card and specify an interest rate and credit limit. You can then e-sign the cardmember agreement and set up the user ID and password for your online account. You will then receive your new Surge® Platinum Mastercard® in the mail in seven to 10 days.
Once it arrives, activate the card online via your Surge credit card login or by calling the number on the attached sticker. Then remove the sticker, sign the back, and start shopping.
Benefits of the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Celtic Bank issues the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®, and Continental Finance Company sponsors it. The card’s chief benefit is that it will double your credit line after a period of timely payments. This means that each month, you must:
- Pay at least the minimum amount due (typically about 5% of your balance). Your first monthly bill will include the annual fee.
- Make the payment by the due date, 25 days after the end of the billing cycle, an interval known as the grace period. You’ll never pay interest on purchases if you consistently pay your entire balance before the grace period ends.
Other Surge® Platinum Mastercard® benefits include:
- An initial credit limit of up to $1,000, which is relatively high for a subprime unsecured credit card
- Mastercard Zero Liability Protection
- Free access to your Experian VantageScore
- Reporting your payments to each major credit bureau. Always paying on time is the most efficient way to build or rebuild credit.
You’ll notice that rewards aren’t on the benefits list. If you’re unsure whether the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is your best credit card option, consider the five alternatives reviewed next.
5 Alternatives to the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®
Each of the following subprime cards has its charms. You may find one more inviting than the Surge® Platinum Mastercard®.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and find out in 60 seconds if you’re approved.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
Pros: The PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card is the kind of card you get when you need a second chance because it accepts less-than-perfect credit. This credit card provider reports your monthly activity to the major credit bureaus, and you may earn a credit limit increase after 12 months of responsible card use.
Cons: This unsecured card charges the maximum interest rate, and its annual fee may exceed those of competitors. You’ll pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, a one-time setup fee, and a monthly fee (which it may waive for the first year).
- Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
- Good anywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- $0 fraud liability**
- Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion®†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
**Fraud liability subject to Mastercard® rules.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 29.99% or 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
Pros: The Fortiva® Mastercard® Credit Card lets you earn cash back on eligible gas, grocery, and utility purchases and payments. This unsecured card also provides $0 fraud liability, free credit scores, transaction alerts, and prequalification that won’t hurt your credit score. In addition, the card supports balance transfer transactions and doesn’t charge a penalty APR for late payments.
Cons: The card charges high interest rates and fees, including foreign transaction fees. You must wait 60 days after account opening before you can access your free credit scores.
- Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
- Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
- Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
- No security deposit
- Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 score from TransUnion®†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 29.99% or 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
Pros: The Aspire® Cash Back Reward Card pays a high cash back rate (as a statement credit) on select purchases and a flat 1% on all other eligible purchases. You may qualify for a relatively high credit limit, and you can prequalify without a credit check. The card provides free Equifax VantageScores and $0 fraud liability.
Cons: The card charges high APRs and fees. There is a 60-day delay following account opening before you can receive your free credit scores. Rewards can only be redeemed for a statement credit.
4. Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard®
This offer is currently not available.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pros: The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Mastercard® may boost your credit line when you make timely payments for a consecutive period. Preapproval won’t hurt your credit history or score. The card reports each monthly payment to all three credit bureaus and provides free FICO credit scores. You also receive $0 fraud liability and free mobile account access.
Cons: The card may charge signup, annual, and monthly maintenance fees.
- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- 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
- Checking Account Required
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 minutes | 29.99% APR (Variable) | Yes | 8.0/10 |
Pros: The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® may offer you an initial credit limit of up to $1,000. You’ll also get periodic credit limit increase reviews. This card can help you build or rebuild credit with responsible use, and you can prequalify without fear of your application being rejected.
Cons: As with most unsecured cards for bad credit, it charges a high APR and annual fee. But as we always advise, you can avoid interest altogether by paying your bill in full each month.
What Credit Score Do You Need For a Surge Credit Card?
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is for consumers who don’t have perfect credit. It requires a minimum credit score of 500.
This is a poor FICO score, good enough for only a handful of unsecured credit cards. If your score is below 500, consider a secured card instead. They require a security deposit but generally offer better perks than unsecured cards.
Most of the alternatives to the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® have similar credit score requirements. If you’d like to qualify for better quality credit cards, you’ll have to improve your score into Fair territory (580 to 669 on the FICO scale).
The better credit cards do not charge signup or monthly fees, have APRs of 25% or less, and offer significant perks.
Can I Use the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® to Improve My Credit?
Surge does its part by reporting your monthly payment activity to each major credit bureau. That puts the burden on you to capitalize on this reporting.
The most important way to build credit is to pay your bills on time. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score, the single most significant factor.
Prompt bill payments should increase your credit score within six to 12 months. Payments more than 30 days delinquent can send your credit score reeling, and each late payment remains on your credit reports for seven years.
Another significant way to benefit from credit bureau reporting is to keep a lid on your debt. FICO attributes 30% of your score to your total debt, measured partly by your credit utilization ratio (i.e., credit spent divided by total available credit). You can help your score by keeping your balances below 30% of your available credit.
Is the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® a Good Credit Card?
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is good at what it aims to do, which is to allow you to charge purchases and spread payments over multiple months despite your credit type. In return, you must pay several significant fees and a high cash advance and purchase APR.
Cards for subprime credit don’t offer much beyond approval. You’ll be ahead of the game if you can earn rewards on your purchases and receive pleasant customer service.
You can’t beat secured credit cards for the best deals: They cost less in the long run (after refunding your deposit) and offer better perks. Moreover, you can build credit just as quickly with a secured card as you would with the unsecured variety.
See If You’re Preapproved For a Surge Credit Card Online
It is simple to check for Surge credit card preapproval. You’ll know whether to formally apply for the card in under five minutes and without harming your credit history.
The Surge card provides a convenient way to rebuild poor credit with responsible use. If you succeed, you’ll have access to more rewarding cards and lower borrowing costs.
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