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.

Best of Deserve credit cards

Deserve currently offers three credit cards, all aimed at different segments of the population. The three options include a credit-builder card, a student card and a card with strong rewards.

Deserve® Classic Card

Read reviewThe Deserve® Classic Card is for those with limited or no credit. It’s uncommon among subprime unsecured cards because it has no annual fee. If you want to build credit but don’t want to put down a deposit for a secured card, this could be a fit.

The perks

• Annual fee: None.
  Most subprime unsecured cards have annual fees.
• You can apply with no credit history.
  If you need to start building credit, the Deserve® Classic Card is an excellent choice.
• Unsecured card.
  Often, those with no credit apply for secured cards, which require upfront security deposits. The Deserve® Classic Card is an uncommon unsecured card — it’s open to consumers with no credit, but it doesn’t require a deposit.
• Credit limit up to $1,500.
  Depending on your financial profile, you may receive up to a $1,500 credit limit. That’s relatively high for a subprime card.

Deserve® Edu Card

Apply now

Read reviewThe Deserve® Edu Card doesn’t offer the highest rewards among student products, but it comes with decent cash back.

The perks

• Annual fee: None.
• Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases.
  This is a decent rewards rate for a student card.
• Amazon Prime Student subscription credit.
  If you pay for your Amazon Prime Student subscription with your Deserve® Edu Card, Deserve will issue credits to reimburse you up to a lifetime total of $59.
• No foreign transaction fees.
  The Deserve® Edu Card is an excellent choice if you’re planning on studying abroad or traveling during breaks.

Deserve® PRO

Read review

If you have good to excellent credit, Deserve created this product for you. The card’s biggest strength is its solid rewards on travel and entertainment. You’ll also earn cash back on restaurant and delivery-app spending.

The perks

• Annual fee: None.
• Rewards: Up to 3% cash back.
  Earn 3% cash back on travel and entertainment. Earn 2% cash back on restaurant and delivery-app spending. And earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Compare Deserve’s credit cards

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Name	Product	Filter values	Rewards	Purchase APR	Annual fee
Deserve® Edu Card			1% cash back on all purchases	18.74% variable	$0	Apply now View details	Designed for college students to build credit history and earn rewards.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Deserve® PRO			3% back on travel and entertainment and 2% on dining up to $500 combined each billing cycle, then 1% after that and on all other purchases	15.99% to 22.99% variable	$0	View details	This cashback travel card stands apart from standard travel credit cards because it comes with no annual fee and Priority Pass™ Membership.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Deserve® Classic Card			N/A	22.99% variable	$0	View details	Designed to help build credit history with no deposit required. Apply if you're new to credit or have a fair to good score over 650.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com			See terms	See issuer's website	See terms	See offer View details	Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Full list of Deserve credit cards

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 or Deserve® Classic Card. You’ll have a better chance of qualifying for the Deserve® PRO with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.

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.

Deserve rewards program

If you get the Deserve® Edu Card or Deserve® PRO, you can earn cash back.

• The Deserve® Edu Card offers 1% cash back on all purchases.
• The Deserve® PRO offers 3% cash back on travel and entertainment, 2% cash back at eligible restaurants and 1% cash back on all other 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 and Deserve® Classic Card are available to consumers who are new to credit, and neither requires a deposit.
• Cash back.
  The Deserve® Edu Card and Deserve® PRO offer 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.

See offers for cards from other brands

CardMatch™ from creditcards.com

• Find card offers you are more likely to qualify for without impacting your credit score.
• Save time by comparing matched offers from multiple partner banks.
• You may be matched to special offers based on your credit profile.
• See your matched offers in less than 60 seconds.
• Get matched to the card feature that's right for you. Find cards with low interest, cash back, balance transfers, and travel rewards.
• Users may not be matched with all offers or banks. Matches are based on a user's credit profile. See the CardMatch terms and conditions for more details.

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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.