Surge Mastercard vs Upgrade Select Visa

Different Type of Unsecured Credit Card

Targeting individuals with poor credit, the Surge Platinum Mastercard and Upgrade Select Visa are examples of unsecured credit cards. Both require a pre-approval process. Surge offers credit limits ranging from $300 to $1,000, while Upgrade Select provides limits from $500 to $2,000, with APRs varying between 21.49% and 29.9%, and maturity terms spanning 24 to 36 months.

In this comparative analysis, we'll delve deeper into these cards to determine which one stands out as superior.

What is Surge Mastercard?

The Surge Mastercard, obtained through a pre-approval process that doesn't affect credit scores, extends offers with credit limits starting from $300 up to $1,000. These limits double with responsible repayment behavior. The associated fees and credit limits for each version are outlined below:

Fees and Credit Limit

Card	Annual Fee	Monthly Fee	Credit Limit
Surge $1,000	$125	$0*	$1,000 $2,000 after 6 on-time payments
Surge $750	$125	$0*	$$750 $1,500 after 6 on-time payments
Surge $500	$125	Year 1 = 0 Then $12.50/month	$500 $1,000 after 6 on-time payments
Surge $300	$75 Y1, then $99	Year 1 = $0 Then $12.50/month	$300 $600 after 6 on-time payments

What is Upgrade Select?

Among the Upgrade Cards aimed at those with lower credit scores, the Upgrade Select Visa stands out. It carries a $39 annual fee and offers credit limits ranging from $500 to $2,000, alongside APRs between 21.96% and 29.9%. Repayment can be made over 24 or 36 months, akin to a loan.

Upgrade Select operates uniquely, treating each card usage as a draw, allowing either full repayment or installment payments over a fixed term, resembling a line of credit.

Similarities

Both have pre-approval process

Both Surge Mastercard and Upgrade Select Visa feature a pre-approval process that doesn't affect credit scores. Surge offers a range of credit limits from $300 to $1,000, while Upgrade Select provides limits from $500 to $2,000, accompanied by APRs and maturity terms.

Major Differences

Upgrade Select and Surge are different in the following ways:

Surge is a regular unsecured card while Upgrade Select works like a loan in a credit card

Surge is a standard unsecured credit card, whereas Upgrade Select functions more like a loan within a credit card, with flexible repayment options.

Upgrade Select has lower annual fee

Upgrade Select boasts a lower annual fee compared to any Surge version. Upgrade's $39 annual fee is $86 lower than the $125 annual fee than Surge charges for their $500, $750 and $1,000 version. Furthermore, both the $300 and $500 limit Surge version charges a monthly fee from the second year onwards.

Surge Mastercard has potential higher maximum credit limits

Surge Mastercard has the potential for higher maximum credit limits, reaching $4,000, whereas Upgrade Select caps at $2,000.

Upgrade Select has 10% Cash Back program

Upgrade Select offers a 10% cashback program with select merchants, a feature absent in Surge Mastercard.

Which is Better? Surge or Upgrade Select?

While Surge $750 and $1,000 versions offer higher initial credit limits, Upgrade Select wins in terms of lower fees. Considering the pre-approval process's lack of impact on credit scores, exploring offers from both cards is advisable. Opting for Surge might be tempting if offered higher credit limits, but if faced with lower limits, Upgrade Select's lower fees make it the wiser choice.