Surge Credit Card Review – Help for Less-Than-Perfect Credit
Joy Wallet is advertiser-supported: we may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren't influenced by compensation. To read our full disclosure, click here.
JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
I got my first credit card when I was 19 years old. Of course, I had no credit back then, so my options to open a credit line were limited. But I knew that any credit card I got could help me get started on my way to building a solid credit history. Now, a decade later, there are so many more credit cards on the market than I remember having access back then. Fortunately, some credit cards can help you get started on the right foot, whether you're just starting or rebuilding your credit. The Surge credit card is one of them.
Jump To
What is Surge Credit Card?
The Surge card is an unsecured credit card offered by the Continental Finance Company (CFC). CFC was founded in 2005 and has become one of America's leading credit card services for consumers with less-than-perfect credit. The Surge Credit Card is a Mastercard, so it can be used anywhere that Mastercard is accepted.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
How does the Surge Credit Card work?
You must go through the application process to get a Surge credit card. When you review information about the card, you'll see an "Apply Now" button.
Clicking on this button will take you to the prequalification page. Here, you'll need to provide information about yourself, including your name, home address, social security number, and monthly income. After filling out this information, you can click on the "See My Card Offers" button. Since this is only a prequalification, filling out and submitting this form will not affect your credit score.
Typically, you'd expect clicking this button to bring you to a page that shows you which cards, interest rates, and credit limits you qualify for. However, for some reason, the website could not confirm my identity, so it did not bring me to any available credit card offers.
So, that was a bummer. But, I got some information about the other products that CFC offers besides the Surge card. Presumably, you might expect to receive offers for these cards as well.
Sometimes, it seems the company sends out offers via direct mail. If you received a direct mail offer, you could use the website to accept the offer and go through the application process.
Whether you click "Apply Now" or "Accept Mail Offer!" you'll go through the same prequalification and application process. If you prequalify for a card, you can then apply for the card. Applying will show up on your credit report, so it's essential only to apply if you intend to go through with it and use the card. In most cases, you'll receive your approval or denial immediately on the website and receive a letter to confirm your status within a few days. You can expect to receive your credit card in the mail within a couple of weeks if approved.
Related: Best Credit-Building Credit Cards
How much does the Surge Credit Card cost?
Applying for a Surge Credit Card is quick and free, but there are costs associated with the card. The card is a credit-building card and provides an initial credit limit ranging from $300 to $1,000. If you make your first six monthly minium payments on time, Surge will automatically double your initial credit limit.
You should also be aware of credit card interest with any credit card. Your Surge card will be assigned an annual percentage rate (APR) between 24.99% and 29.99%. This is also known as the regular APR. Every month, you'll receive a credit card statement, including a due date, minimum payment, and your total statement balance. The statement balance is the amount you must pay before your due date to avoid being charged interest. You'll receive an interest charge if you do not pay off your entire statement balance. Interest charges are based on a daily rate, which is your interest rate divided by 365. Then, the daily rate is multiplied by your current credit card balance. The amount that results from this shows up on your credit card statement as your interest charge.
There are a few other fees that you may run into with this card, as well. It has a cash advance fee of 3% or $10 (whichever is greater), a foreign transaction fee of 3%, and a late payment fee of up to $41.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Surge Credit Card features
In addition to a credit card's fees, it's important to understand the features of a credit card. Here's what you can expect from the Surge card.
Prequalification
You can submit a quick prequalification form to determine whether or not you will likely get approved for the card. The prequalification does not require a credit check, so it will not affect your credit score. Then, if you don't prequalify for the card, you don't need to go through the application process, during which your FICO credit score would be accessed.
Known credit limit
Surge makes it clear that if you're approved, you will have an initial credit limit of at least $300. The initial credit limits can go all the way up to $1,000. Your credit limit will be based on your credit report.
The option to increase your credit limit
Your initial credit limit is just a starting point. After 6 months, you may be eligible for a potential credit limit increase if you've shown that you're a reliable credit cardholder. If you don't request a credit limit increase, your account will still be reviewed after 12 months to determine eligibility.
0% fraud liability guarantee
The unfortunate truth is that people in the world try to gain access to credit cards that are not theirs. That's why Surge offers a no fraud liability guarantee to inform customers that they will not be held liable for unapproved purchases on their credit cards.
Free credit score check
Surge also offers free credit score checks in partnership with the major credit bureaus. Surge will provide monthly reports of your account to the credit bureaus, which will be used to update your credit report.
Who is the Surge credit card best for?
The Surge card is a sound card for anybody who thinks that it could be helpful for them. That being said, there are a few reasons why the Surge card could be the best option for some people.
People with fair or poor/bad credit
It can be challenging to get a credit card if you don't have a high credit score. This can be frustrating, especially if you want a credit card designed for building credit. Fortunately, this card is available to people with fair or poor credit.
Credit score ranges
Credit score ranges can vary depending on the credit scoring model used. Generally, a credit score lower than 580 is considered to be in the poor credit range. The fair credit range is usually between 580 and 669. The ranges then move up into good (670 to 739), very good (740-799), and excellent (800+).
People who want a high initial credit limit
Surge offers the potential for a higher initial credit limit than some other credit cards that are designed for poor or fair credit individuals. Even so, it's important to remember that if you qualify for a higher initial credit limit, you need to be careful not to overspend. You'll need to show that you can make full, timely payments to improve your credit score.
Who shouldn't use the Surge credit card?
As mentioned above, this card can be an excellent option for some people. However, there are also cases where it might be possible to find a better card for their situation.
People who have good, very good, or excellent credit
Since the Surge card is designed for people with fair or poor credit scores, it might not be the best option for those who fall into the good, very good, or excellent credit ranges. Typically, you'll likely qualify for more (and better) card options if you have a higher credit score.
People looking for a rewards card
One of the greatest perks of credit cards is the rewards. Some cards offer cash-back rewards, while others might provide travel or other tips. Unfortunately, the Surge credit card does not provide any bonuses. So while it's a good option to help rebuild credit, it might not be as beneficial if you have a credit score that would qualify you for a rewards card.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Pros and cons of Surge credit card
Pros
- The card is available to customers with poor or fair credit scores.
- The prequalification and approval process for the credit card is quick and easy.
- There is the opportunity to increase your credit limit after as little as 6 months after opening the account.
- It allows the opportunity to build credit without taking out a secured credit card. Since it's an unsecured credit card, no security deposit is required to receive a credit limit.
- The Surge card offers a 25-day grace period to pay off your statement balance after closing the last billing cycle without interest charges.
- CFC provides a mobile app that cardholders can use to make payments, monitor account activity, and more.
Cons
- The Surge card has high fees and a high APR.
- The Surge card offers no rewards.
- The application process can be delayed if the card issuer is unable to verify your identity or eligibility.
- Surge does not provide a balance transfer between cards.
Surge vs. competitors
Credit card | APR | Initial credit limit | Annual fee |
Surge | 24.99% - 29.99% (variable) | Between $300 and $1,000 | Between $75 and $99 |
Indigo | 24.90% variable APR | $300 | $75 for the first year and $99 for the following years |
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 29.99% | $200 | $39 |
Indigo
Indigo Platinum Mastercard
Card Name
Indigo Platinum Mastercard
APR
35.9%
Recommended Credit Score
N/A
Annual Fee
$75 for the first year; $99 thereafter
Why We Like It
- Credit-building card
- Pre-qualify without affecting your credit
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Annual Fee
$39
Special Offer
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back
Special Offer Terms
on every purchase, every day
Rewards Rate
1.5 % Cash Back on every purchase, every day. 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Terms
Why We Like It
- Earn unlimited cash back on every purchase.
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn.
- Cash back doesn't expire.
- You can be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as six months.
FAQs
How do I increase my credit score?
There are several things that you can do to increase your credit score. Having a line of credit open is a good first step because it allows you to demonstrate your ability to use your credit line and make on-time payments. If you're working on rebuilding or increasing your credit score, it's important to ensure that your payments are received before the due date. Mobile apps and online payment methods make this easy because your payments can usually be processed by the next business day. It's also helpful to keep your credit card usage low. You'll want to use the credit card so you can make payments, but the goal is to keep the balance on your card low by paying it off each month. This will help you keep your credit utilization rate low because it shows that you have a good amount of credit available to you. Finally, you should be careful about how many cards you apply for and keep open. When you ask for prequalification for a card, it does not impact your credit score. However, if you go through a complete application, your credit report will be pulled and affect your score. It's a good idea to have a card or two open, but you don't want to overdo it. You should also carefully consider the cards you open because, ideally, you'll want to keep them open for a while. When you close a card, it reduces your available credit and impacts your credit utilization ratio. When you close cards that you opened a long time ago, it can also affect the length of your credit history.
Why is my credit score important?
Credit scores show lenders what your creditworthiness is. Simply put, it is a number that shows how “worthy” you are of loaning money to. Any lender will look at your credit score to decide whether or not to approve a loan or line of credit for you. Your credit score may also be used to determine factors such as your interest rate. It’s a good idea to check your credit report and/or credit score so you understand what range you fall in. The information in your credit report can also be useful because it can help you understand what you need to do to increase your credit score.
How do I choose the right credit card?
Comparing your options is really the best way to find the right card for you. Prequalifying for a card is a great way to do this, because while it cannot guarantee that you will be approved for a card, it can give you an idea whether you’re likely to be approved. You’ll want to consider the requirements for each card that you’re interested in, including the required minimum credit score. Before selecting a card, you’ll want to make sure you understand all of the fees associated with a card. This includes the annual fee, late fee, monthly maintenance fee, interest rates, and more. Ideally, you’ll want to find a card that will give you all of the benefits and rewards that you want for the lowest amount of fees.
The bottom line
The Surge credit card is an unsecured Mastercard designed for people who need help rebuilding their credit. It offers a generous initial credit limit, with the opportunity to increase it in as little as six months. However, there are also several fees to note with this credit card, including its annual fee and monthly maintenance fee.
While the Surge card can be an excellent option for those with poor credit, it is probably not the best option for those with higher credit scores. The card does not offer any rewards and probably wouldn't be very beneficial to someone who can qualify for other credit cards that offer rewards and other perks. Compared to its direct competitors, though, this card does provide benefits that can stand above the rest when it comes to credit cards designed for rebuilding credit.
No matter what type of card you're looking for, the best thing to do is to look around and compare your options. You can start by getting a free credit report so you can understand your credit score and what cards in which you may qualify. From there, you should compare cards based on your needs and the associated fees to see which card can give you the best value.
Joy Wallet is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor, financial advisor, loan broker, insurance producer, or insurance broker. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. Joy Wallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Featured estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.
Our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market. We are compensated by our partners, which may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on our site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice. Our editorials are grounded on independent research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
We value your privacy. We work with trusted partners to provide relevant advertising based on information about your use of Joy Wallet’s and third-party websites and applications. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing information about your web browsing activities with Meta (Facebook) and Google. All of the web browsing information that is shared is anonymized. To learn more, click on our Privacy Policy link.
Images appearing across JoyWallet are courtesy of shutterstock.com.
JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Writer
Ashley Hart is a lead copywriter and digital marketing expert covering finance, law, real estate, music, entertainment, health and wellness.
Share this article
