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Surge Mastercard® Credit Card review

Kevin Joey Chen

Last updated: 7 January 2020

You can apply with fair credit, but beware of sky-high fees and interest rates.

Get this card if you have a low credit score and want an unsecured card.

Pick something else if you don’t want to pay high fees or interest.

Apply with a credit score of 580 or higher.

$99

Annual fee

25.9% to 29.99%

Purchase APR (variable)

580

Recommended credit score

Product Name	Surge Mastercard® Credit Card
Card type	Mastercard
Annual fee	$99
Purchase APR	25.9% to 29.99% variable
Balance transfer APR	N/A
Cash advance rate	25.9% to 29.99% variable
Cash advance fee	$5 or 5% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater
Cash advance fee description	No cash advance fee for the first 12 months, then $5 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee	3% of the transaction value
Interest free period	Up to 25 days
Late payment fee	Up to $39
Returned payment fee	Up to $39
Additional cardholder fee	$30

Recommended minimum credit score	580
Security deposit	$50, $100, $150 or $500 for secured version
Minimum age	18 years of age

Expert review

Review by

Kevin Joey Chen

kevin.chen@findercrew.com

Kevin Joey Chen is a credit cards, banking and investments writer whose work and analysis have appeared on CNN, U.S. News & World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com. He's passionate about helping you get your finances in order and expertly navigate the cutting-edge financial tools available -- including credit cards, apps and budgeting software.

Expert review

The Surge Mastercard® Credit Card is an unsecured card available to consumers with damaged credit. It has a $99 annual fee. It also has a $0 to $10 monthly maintenance fee starting the second year, which could add up to as much as $120 annually. Purchases and cash advances attract a 25.9% to 29.99% variable APR.

While these costs aren’t unheard of for unsecured subprime cards, they’re extremely expensive. Meanwhile, there are secured cards you may qualify for that have much lower annual fees.

To its credit, the Surge Mastercard® Credit Card has a grace period on interest, unlike some other subprime unsecured cards. That means you can avoid interest payments if you pay off your card balance in full each billing cycle. Furthermore, Continental Finance, the card servicer, will report your payment history to the three major US credit bureaus, which is vital for improving your credit score.

These features aren’t spectacular, however; in fact, they’re standard in the vast majority of cards. Strongly consider comparing more credit cards before settling on this one.

The Surge Mastercard® Credit Card isn’t necessarily an unsecured card

While the card is marketed as an unsecured card, you may be required to put down a security deposit depending on your credit. Continental Finance doesn’t state how you might get this deposit back while you’re a cardholder. That’s a contrast to a provider such as Discover, which will review your account starting at eight months to see if it can return your deposit.

Card benefits

Apply with credit of any type.
Continental Finance, the card servicer, markets this card to consumers with all levels of credit — good, bad and limited.
Payment history reported to the three major bureaus.
As you pay your card bills, Continental Finance will report your payment history to the three major US credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. With consistent on-time payments, you’ll steadily build your credit.
Receive a starting credit limit of $500 to $750.
This is a good starting limit for a subprime card. However, watch out for the annual fee, which will reduce your available credit right away.
Get a decision on your application quickly.
Continental Finance advertises a quick application process. Because you can apply online, you may receive an immediate decision on your application. If Continental Finance needs to review your application further, allow 7 to 10 business days to hear back.
Transaction fees waived for the first 12 months after account opening.
For the first 12 months, you won’t pay cash advance or foreign transaction fees. Still, strongly consider avoiding cash advances, as they’ll accrue interest right away.

What to watch out for

Annual fee: $99.
This is a very high annual fee, especially for a card that doesn’t offer rewards. If you don’t want to pay this cost, consider a secured card, which can be a lot cheaper. The Surge Mastercard® Credit Card annual fee will be deducted from your credit limit each card year. If you start with a $500 limit, for example, it will drop to $401 immediately.
Monthly maintenance fee: $0 to $10 starting the second card year.
Starting your second card year, Continental Finance will charge up to $10 every month as a maintenance fee, which adds up to as much as $120 a year. This is highly unusual for most credit cards, and it can get expensive. As with high annual fees, however, monthly maintenance fees aren’t unheard of with subprime cards. To avoid these costs, look into secured cards.
You may be required to put down a security deposit.
Continental Finance will review your application for an unsecured card. However, it may approve you for a secured card instead. In that case, you may need to put down a refundable deposit of $50, $100, $150 or $500. Continental Finance may use this deposit to pay off your balance if you don’t pay your card bill.
High interest.
Your purchase and cash advance APR will be 25.9% to 29.99% variable, which is an extremely high rate. Strongly consider paying off your balance in full each month, or you could find your interest multiplying faster than you expect.
Penalty and transaction fees.
You’ll pay up to $39 per late payment and up to $39 per returned payment. These are standard across the credit card industry. After the first 12 months, you’ll pay the greater of $5 or 5% per cash advance and a 3% fee per foreign transaction.

How to apply for the Surge Mastercard® Credit Card

Click apply now to see if you prequalify without affecting your credit score.
Complete the application form with details like your name, address, contact information and annual income.
Review your application and submit it.

What credit score do I need?

You can apply with limited, fair or even good credit. Continental Finance markets this card as a tool that helps you build or re-establish credit.

Compare secured cards

Name	Minimum deposit required	Purchase APR	Annual fee	Recommended minimum credit score
Citi® Secured Mastercard®	Starting at $200	23.99% variable	$0	580	A no annual fee secured card for people who are new to credit or have limited credit history with a fair to average credit score.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	Starting at $200	18.89% variable	$35	300	A secured Visa® credit card that helps you build your credit quickly.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card	Starting at $200	9.99% fixed	$48	300	This secured card can help you rebuild your credit with an initial deposit of $200 to $1,000.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com	See terms	See issuer's website	See terms	300	Can't decide on a card? Get personalized credit card offers with CardMatch™.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
First Progress Platinum Elite MasterCard® Secured Credit Card	Starting at $200	19.99% variable	$29	300	Build your credit with all three major credit bureaus.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card	Starting at $200	13.99% fixed	$39	300	Designed for those with little or poor credit, the Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Classic Secured Credit Card has no minimum credit score requirements and no processing or application fees to worry about.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The First Latitude MasterCard® Secured Credit Card	Starting at $200	25.99% variable	$0	300	No credit history or minimum credit score required for approval.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Capital One® Secured Mastercard®	$49, $99 or $200	26.99% variable	$0	580	Get access to a higher credit line after making your first 5 monthly payments on time.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

Bottom line

You can apply for the Surge Mastercard® Credit Card even if you have low to fair credit. However the card comes with steep fees and interest, and you’re not guaranteed to get the unsecured version. For this reason, you could find a better card that serves your needs.

Strongly consider a secured credit card instead, which you can get by providing a refundable security deposit.

Frequently asked questions

For a credit card provider, taking on a new customer comes down to risk. It wants to make sure that if you use your card, you’ll pay back what you owe.
Because a secured card requires an upfront deposit, your provider can take this deposit if you don’t pay your card bill. This is why many secured-card providers are willing to offer lower fees: There’s less risk of them getting stiffed on unpaid debt.
If you have an unsecured card, meanwhile, your provider has to trust you’ll pay back what you owe. If you have bad credit, you’re seen as a riskier customer. The cards you qualify for will likely come with high fees as a way to mitigate that risk.

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Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.

Ask a question Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.

16 Comments

Andrew
August 28, 2019

When is my Surge MasterCard arriving?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Jhez
  August 28, 2019
  
  Hello Andrew,
  
  Thank you for your comment.
  
  You can expect to get the card within 10 days from the card approval.
  
  Regards,
  Jhezelyn
  
  Reply
Nakia
July 9, 2019

Where do I send my first payment to?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Jeni
  July 9, 2019
  
  Hi Nakia,
  
  Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
  
  If you wish to know more on payment methods with Surge Mastercard credit card, please visit their official page and log in or contact their customer service number that is written on this page.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Thank you and have a wonderful day!
  
  Cheers,
  Jeni
  
  Reply
Mark
February 21, 2019

How long does it take to process payment after it has been scheduled today?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Joshua
  February 23, 2019
  
  Hi Mark,
  
  Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
  
  The payment process is done almost immediately. However, sometimes, it takes up to 36 hours for your statement balance to get updated.
  
  You may also want to directly speak to your provider to confirm and obtain more information.
  
  I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  Cheers,
  Joshua
  
  Reply
Sharon
December 16, 2018

How long does it take for the card to arrive?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Anndy
  December 18, 2018
  
  Hi Sharon,
  
  Thanks for your question.
  
  The approval for this card is almost immediate and once approved, you can expect to receive the card within 10 days.
  
  Cheers,
  Anndy
  
  Reply
Michael
November 6, 2018

How to set up online payments?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Jhez
  November 7, 2018
  
  Hello Michael,
  
  Thank you for your comment.
  
  If you’re referring to setting up an auto-pay (online), you may log in to your Surge account and set up your account for auto pay.
  
  Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
  
  Regards,
  Jhezelyn
  
  Reply
melissa
June 30, 2018

do yall have a fax number ?

Reply
- joelmarcelo
  June 30, 2018
  
  Hi Melissa,
  
  Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
  
  Please note that you came through finder. We are a comparison and general information website that help users make better decisions. Anyway, there is no information anywhere on Surge Mastercard’s fax number. You can speak to their customer service by calling 1-866-449-4514 instead to clarify on your question. Please send us a message again if you need anything else.
  
  Cheers,
  Joel
  
  Reply
Rachel
April 10, 2018

I’m wondering if I got approved for my surgecard

Reply
- joelmarcelo
  April 10, 2018
  
  Hi Rachel,
  
  Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
  
  For this card, approval is instant and you can expect the card within 10 days. If you see the deposit taken from your account, chances are the card is on its way. To follow up, please call the Surge customer service team at 866-449-4514. They are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m and tell them you applied through finder.
  
  Cheers,
  Joel
  
  Reply
Amanda
March 23, 2018

I was approved instantly yesterday for the surge master card I got to looking for an email confirming it and I’ve not seen one. What can i do to use my ref number to pull whatever info I need?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Ron
  March 25, 2018
  
  Hello Amanda,
  
  Good day! Appreciate you contacting finder regarding your inquiry today.
  
  May I confirm if you applied for the card and got approved online? If so, usually there should be a confirmation email sent to you upon approval with the status of the application, refrence number and general expectations for the terms. However, if you have not received any email, it would be best to directly contact Surge to confirm the status of the application using your reference number. If possible you may also request for an email to be sent to you.
  
  If you’re approved and you fully fund any security deposit (if applicable), your credit card and welcome materials will be mailed within (3) business days, at which time you will be informed of your credit limit.
  
  To ensure your security, new cards can only be activated over the phone. Call from the phone number that you provided on your application to the toll-free activation number printed on the sticker affixed to your new card within 30 days after you receive your card in the mail.
  
  Hope this helps!
  
  All the best,
  Ron
  
  Reply