Welcome to The Surge Mastercard is an increasingly popular cash back rewards credit card issued by Celtic Bank. Featuring no annual fee, a rewards program, and mobile app capabilities, the Surge Mastercard aims to provide an innovative and convenient experience for cardholders. Keep reading for a detailed overview of the Surge Mastercard’s fees, APR, pros and cons, rewards program, credit limit, application and approval process, and more.
Surge Mastercard Fees
Annual Fee:
- Range: $75 to $125, depending on your creditworthiness.
- Frequency: Charged annually.
Monthly Maintenance Fee:
- Range: $0 to $10, depending on your creditworthiness.
- Frequency: Charged monthly (up to $120 annually).
Other Fees:
- Cash Advance Fee: 3% (minimum $10).
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%.
- Late Fee: Up to $41.
- Returned Payment Fee: $35.
- Over-the-limit Fee: $35.
Surge Mastercard APR on Purchases
The Surge Mastercard has a variable APR on purchases, meaning it can fluctuate depending on your creditworthiness and market conditions. However, the range itself is quite high, sitting between 25.90% and 29.99%.
Here’s a quick recap of the Surge Mastercard’s APR on purchases:
- Range: 25.90% to 29.99%
- Variable: Fluctuates based on your creditworthiness and market conditions.
- High compared to other cards: Significantly higher than the average credit card APR, currently around 14.56%.
Surge Mastercard Pros & Cons
| Feature | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Building | Reports to all three major credit bureaus, potential for high credit limit increase with on-time payments. | No guarantee of credit score improvement, high fees could negate benefits. |
| Accessibility | No security deposit required, unlike secured credit cards. | Available primarily to individuals with limited or damaged credit history. |
| Mastercard Acceptance | Widely accepted by millions of merchants. | Annual and monthly fees add up. |
| No Rewards | None offered, unlike many other credit cards. | Potentially high APR can lead to significant interest charges on purchases. |
| Fees | Annual fee ($75-$125), potential monthly maintenance fee ($0-$10), cash advance fee, foreign transaction fee, late fees, returned payment fee, over-the-limit fee. | Predatory marketing concerns raised by some reviewers. |
Surge Mastercard Review
Positive Reviews:
- Credit Building: Many users appreciate the reporting to all three credit bureaus and the potential for a doubled credit limit. They report seeing positive impacts on their credit scores with responsible use.
- Accessibility: No security deposit makes it accessible for those with limited financial resources.
- Mastercard Acceptance: Convenience of being widely accepted by merchants.
Negative Reviews:
- High Fees: The annual and monthly fees are a major point of criticism, outweighing the credit-building benefits for some users.
- High APR: The variable APR is significantly higher than average, leading to significant interest charges if not paid off quickly.
- Predatory Marketing: Some reviewers express concerns about aggressive marketing tactics targeting vulnerable individuals.
- No Rewards: Lack of cashback or points programs compared to other credit cards.
Who is the Surge Mastercard Right For?
Whether the Surge Mastercard is right for you depends on your unique financial situation and credit goals.
Good fit for:
- Individuals with limited or damaged credit: The Surge Mastercard can be a helpful tool for rebuilding credit by reporting payments to all three major bureaus and offering the potential for a higher credit limit with responsible use.
- Those without access to security deposits: Unlike secured credit cards, the Surge doesn’t require an upfront deposit, making it accessible for individuals with limited financial resources.
- People who need widespread card acceptance: As a Mastercard, the Surge is accepted by millions of merchants globally.
Compare The Surge Credit Card vs. Popular Alternatives
| Feature | Surge Mastercard | Secured Credit Card (Capital One Secured Mastercard) | Credit-Builder Loan (Avant Loan) | Mainstream Credit Card (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Limited or damaged credit | Building credit | Building credit | Good/excellent credit |
| Credit Building | Reports to all three bureaus, potential for higher credit limit increase | Reports to all three bureaus | Reports to all three bureaus | Reports to all three bureaus |
| Security Deposit | No | Required (typically $200-$500) | No | No |
| Annual Fee | $75-$125 | $0-$95 | N/A | $95 |
| Monthly Fee | $0-$10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| APR Range | 25.90%-29.99% | 14.99%-24.99% (varies by issuer) | N/A (fixed rate) | 14.99%-23.99% |
| Rewards | None | None (some offer cashback or points) | N/A | Travel points, dining & grocery rewards |
| Acceptance | Mastercard network | Mastercard network | N/A | Mastercard or Visa network |
| Potential Drawbacks | High fees, high APR, no rewards | May not be widely accepted, security deposit required | Fixed monthly payments, limited flexibility | High annual fee, potential for foreign transaction fees |
Surge Credit Card Credit Limit
The Surge Mastercard credit limit can range from $300 to $1,000 initially, depending on your creditworthiness. The higher your credit score and income, the higher your starting credit limit is likely to be. However, there is a way to double your credit limit up to a maximum of $2,000 simply by making your first six monthly payments on time. This can be a great way to build your credit score quickly.
Here’s a breakdown of the Surge Mastercard credit limit:
- Initial credit limit: $300 to $1,000
- Maximum credit limit: $2,000 (with on-time payments)
How to Pay Your Surge Credit Card Bill?
1. Online: This is the quickest and easiest way to make a payment. Simply log in to your Surge Credit Card account online or through their mobile app. You can then make a one-time payment or set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
Surge Mastercard Online Payment
2. By phone: You can also make a payment over the phone by calling Surge Credit Card customer service at 1-866-449-4514. This option is available 24/7, but keep in mind that there may be a wait time to speak to a representative.
3. By mail: You can send a check or money order to pay your Surge Credit Card bill by mail. Be sure to include your account number and the payment coupon from your monthly statement to ensure your payment is credited correctly.
4. In person: You can also make a payment in person at a participating bank or credit union. However, this option is becoming increasingly less common, so you may need to call Surge Credit Card customer service to find a location near you.
How do I check my Surge Credit Card application status?
- By phone:
Call the Surge Credit Card customer service line at 1-866-449-4514.
Be prepared to provide your Social Security number or application reference number when prompted.
A customer service representative can access your application status and update you on the decision.
- Online:
Unfortunately, Surge Credit Card currently doesn’t offer online application status tracking. This means you cannot log in to your account (you won’t have one until your application is approved) or use any web forms to check your status.
Phone:
- The primary phone number for Surge Credit Card customer service is 1-866-449-4514.
- This line is available 24/7, so you can call them at any time of day or night.
- Be prepared to answer security questions and provide your account number when prompted.
Website:
- While Surge Credit Card doesn’t currently offer online application status tracking, their website does have a contact form you can use to send them a message.
- You can find the contact form by visiting their website at https://www.surgecardinfo.com/ and clicking on the “Contact Us” link in the footer.
- Be sure to include your name, account number (if applicable), and the nature of your inquiry in your message.
Mail:
- You can also send Surge Credit Card customer service a letter by mail. The mailing address is:
Surge Credit Card
P.O. Box 3220
Buffalo, NY 14240-3220
How can I get a Surge Credit Card cash advance?
The Surge Mastercard does not offer traditional cash advances like withdrawing money from an ATM or through a bank teller. However, there are two alternative ways to access cash using your Surge Mastercard:
1. Balance Transfer: You can initiate a balance transfer to another credit card with a lower interest rate or introductory 0% APR period. By doing this, you can essentially access cash while potentially saving money on interest charges. However, keep in mind that balance transfer fees typically apply, so be sure to factor that into your calculations.
2. Convenience Checks: Some Surge Mastercard holders may receive convenience checks in the mail which can be cashed or deposited like regular checks. However, this is not guaranteed for all cardholders and it’s essential to clarify with Surge customer service if you have access to this option and any associated fees.
How do I log in to my Surge Credit Card account?
- If you already have an approved Surge Mastercard and have activated your account, you can log in to your online account through the following steps:
- Visit the Surge Credit Card website: https://www.surgecardinfo.com/.
- Click on the “Log In” button in the top right corner.
- Enter your username (which is typically your account number) and password.
- Click on the “Log In” button again.
- If you can’t remember your username or password, you can click on the “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot Password?” links on the login page. These links will guide you through the process of retrieving your login credentials.
Does the Surge Credit Card have pre-approval?
Yes, the Surge Mastercard does offer pre-approval options. There are two ways to potentially get pre-approved for a Surge Mastercard:
1. Online Pre-Qualification:
- The Surge Mastercard website offers a pre-qualification process where you can answer some basic questions about your income, employment, and credit history.
- This process is a soft credit inquiry, meaning it will not affect your credit score.
- Based on your answers, the system will give you an indication of whether you would be pre-approved for a Surge Mastercard and, if so, what your potential credit limit might be.
2. Current Celtic Bank Customers:
- If you are already a customer of Celtic Bank, the issuer of the Surge Mastercard, you may receive pre-approved offers for the card in the mail or even see them online in your account dashboard.
- These pre-approved offers typically come with a specific invitation code that you can use to bypass the pre-qualification process and directly apply for the card.
How do I apply for the Surge Credit Card?
1. Online Application:
- Visit the Surge Credit Card website: https://www.surgecardinfo.com/
- Click on the “Apply Now” button.
- Fill out the online application form, providing your personal information, income, and employment details.
- Review the pre-qualification estimate, if available.
- Review the terms and conditions, then submit your application.
2. By Phone:
- Call the Surge Credit Card customer service line at 1-866-449-4514.
- A representative will guide you through the application process over the phone.
Resources:
- Surge Mastercard website: https://www.surgecardinfo.com/
- Compare Surge Mastercard with other credit cards: https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/surge-credit-card