Deserve credit cards: How they work and how to apply

Many banks, on the other hand, simply look at traditional factors like your FICO score and current income.

How to apply for a Deserve card

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Deserve card. Also, consider whether you’re comfortable giving Deserve read-only access to your bank account.

What credit score do I need to apply for a Deserve card?

If you have limited or fair credit — below 670 — consider applying for the Deserve® Edu Card.

Do I have to be a US citizen to apply for a Deserve card?

You may apply for a Deserve card even if you’re not a US citizen. If you’re an H-1B or L1 visa holder, you’re eligible for a card if you can provide sufficient employment and income information.

You can also apply for the Deserve® Edu Card as an international student. You’ll need the following information:

• Proof of a US bank account
• Student visa
• Passport
• I-20 form

Information you’ll need for a Deserve application

• Personal information.
  Full name, email address, date of birth and citizenship status.
• Contact information.
  Permanent address and primary phone number.
• Financial information.
  Social Security number, monthly housing expenses, monthly income, available assets, employment status, occupation and employer name.
• Bank account information.
  Deserve will look through your bank transactions during its approval process.

How to apply for a Deserve card

• Visit the application page of the card you want to apply for
• Complete the application form with your personal, contact and financial information
• Connect your bank account
• Review your information and submit your application

How long will it take to get my Deserve credit card?

It takes up to three business days for your Deserve application to be reviewed. If you’re approved, expect your card in the mail within 10 to 15 business days.

Compare cards like Deserve

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Name	Product	Filter values	Minimum deposit required	Purchase APR	Annual fee	Recommended minimum credit score
Citi® Secured Mastercard®			Starting at $200	22.49% variable	$0	New to credit	A no annual fee secured card for people who are new to credit or have limited credit history.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card			N/A	19.99% to 29.49% variable	$0	550	A high-limit no-annual-fee credit card that's ideal for rebuilding scores as low as 550. See if you prequalify with no impact to your credit.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card			N/A	12.99% to 26.99% variable	$0	New to credit	Build your credit with rewards and no fees: Apply if you're new to credit or have a fair to good score of 600 or higher. See if you prequalify with no impact to your score.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Deserve rewards program

The Deserve® Edu Card offers 1% cash back on all purchases.

How can you redeem cash back?

Deserve will redeem cash back automatically for you and apply it to your balance as statement credit in $25 increments.

Typical features and benefits of a Deserve card

• No annual fee.
  None of Deserve’s cards have annual fees.
• No foreign transaction fees.
  Use your Deserve card when you shop at foreign websites or travel abroad.
• No deposit required.
  Secured cards are one of the most effective ways to build credit. However, they require security deposits. The Deserve® Edu Card is available to consumers who are new to credit, and doesn’t require a deposit.
• Cash back.
  The Deserve® Edu Card offers cash back, which is redeemed automatically as statement credit.
• No balance transfers or cash advances.
  None of Deserve’s cards offer balance transfers or cash advances, which may feel limiting. However, you could see this as a positive. Many consumers get in trouble with these transactions, so it may be helpful to not have access to them at all.
• Purchase APR of 18% to 25% variable.
  With a weaker financial profile, you’re more likely to qualify for an APR near the higher end of that range.
• Mastercard Platinum benefits.
  Enjoy Mastercard perks like price protection, extended warranties, car collision damage waivers, ID Theft Protection and access to Travel Assistance Services.

How does Deserve keep my credit card information secure?

Deserve guards your data through physical security measures — as well as electronic measures, such as data encryption and firewalls.

Deserve may share your information with third parties for these purposes:

• To help its service providers perform necessary functions
• To process payments for your Deserve card
• To enable data collection or social media services
• To allow Deserve to transfer or sell some of its assets

According to Deserve, it doesn’t rent or sell your personal information to third parties.

You can access your personal information by logging on to your online Deserve account or by emailing privacy@deserve.com.

Bottom line

Deserve offers credit cards to consumers who otherwise might not be able to qualify. It offers impressive products that appeal to different customer segments.

If you’re not sure a Deserve card is right for you, compare the best secured cards and look into other rewards cards.

Frequently asked questions

• If I need to submit additional documents, how do I do that?

  Deserve will send you an email with a secure website link. There, you can upload PDF scans or photos of your documents.

  The company doesn’t accept documents through email or mail.

• How does a Deserve card help me build credit?

  Deserve reports your payment history to consumer credit bureaus. If you consistently make on-time payments, you’re likely to see an increase in your credit score.

• Can I apply for a Deserve credit card without a Social Security number?

  This depends on your applicant status. Deserve recommends following the instructions in the card application.

• Will Deserve initiate a hard pull on my credit history when I apply for a card?

  Yes. You don’t need a credit history to apply for a card, but Deserve will check yours if you have it.