Surge Mastercard vs Reflex Mastercard

Quick Introduction

Both the Surge Mastercard and the Reflex Mastercard are both issued by Continental Finance, which issues a couple of other credit cards all targeted at people with bad credit. I am going to compare both cards below. But as a quick preview, both these cards have more in common than actual differences.

Similarities in Fees and Rates

Both Surge and Reflex have identical fees and rates. And both have fees and rates that are not fixed and will vary based on different individuals's credit situation. Below is a brief summary of their fees and rates (you can scan it from the table above too). They KEY FEATURE for both cards is that your credit limit will double after 6 months if you pay on time during that period.

Annual Fee - The annual fee will range between $75 and $99 during the first year and $99 from the second year onwards.

Monthly Maintenance Fee - Though there is no monthly fee during the first year, from the second year onwards, there will be a monthly fee between $0 to $10 a month. So you might not get charged a monthly fee at all.

APR - The APR ranges from 24.99% to 29.99%.

Starting Credit Limit - The starting credit limit ranges between $300 to $1,000. You may be offered a starting credit limit of $300, 500, $750 or $1,000.

Double Your Credit Line After Six Months - Your credit limit will double after six months if you pay your first six bill payments on time. That means a starting limit of between $300 - $1,000 will double to between $600 and $2,000.

Possible Terms

Here are some possible terms that you may be offered on both cards:

• $1,000 starting credit limit, a $99 annual fee and no monthly fee with a 25.9% APR.
• $700 starting credit limit, a $99 annual fee and no monthly fee with a 25.9% APR.
• $500 starting credit limit, a $99 annual fee and a monthly fee of $10 a month from the second year onwards, and a 29.9% APR.
• $300 starting credit limit, a $75 annual fee for the first year followed by a $99 annual fee from the second year onwards. There is also a $10 monthly fee from the second year onwards. The APR is 29.99%.

Other Similarities

• Free Experian Vantage Score - Both the Reflex and Surge offer free Vantage credit scores from Experian.


• Mobile App - Both have the same mobile app from Continental Finance


• Issued by Celtic Bank - Both cards (though marketed by Continental Finance) are also issued by Celtic Bank.


• Pre-qualify with no impact on credit score -

So Which Card is Better? Both are the SAME!

As you can see from the very quick scan and analysis above, both the Surge and Reflex credit card are esentially identical in features aside from the card name and design. They are marketed by the same company and issued by the same bank. The real attractiveness of both cards are that you are not locked into any specific terms and conditions. If you credit score is on the "upper end" of the bad credit spectrum, you are likely to get better terms (like no monthly fee and the lowest rate they offer and even a starting credit limit of $1,000). If your credit score and financial situation isn't as good, then you are likely to get charged and monthly fee and perhaps a lower starting credit limit.

However, what ever terms you get approved for, your credit limit will double after 6 months if you pay your bills on time during the first 6 months. Both cards also offer a pre-approval process which involves a soft pull on your credit report with no impact on your credit score. That way, if you are not pre-qualified or pre-approved, you will save yourself a hard inquiry.

If you are contemplating either one of these cards, they are essentially the same. Just pick the design you like and see if you are pre-approved.