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Jasper Cash Back Mastercard®
REVIEW

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In A Nutshell

The Jasper Mastercard (from Webbank and formerly CreditStacks Mastercard) is an ideal credit card for foreign professionals who have just arrived in the US with no US credit history and social security number. Since most US based credit card issuers require a social security and a credit history from applicants, it is very difficult for new professionals on a working visa to get a credit card. Jasper aims to make it easier by not initially requiring a social security number or credit history. Instead, they will look at other factors like income etc.

The card is also great for new to credit young professionals. There are many young professionals who did not get any credit card in college to build their credit history and graduate with a great job without any credit history or one with a very thin file. Jasper is ideal for such folks as well.


Card Details

Cash Back Program Earn 1% cash back on every eligible purchase. *Terms Apply
https://www.jaspercard.com/disclosures/rewards_terms
 
Annual Fee $0*
Regular APR 15.49% -24.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fee 0%
Cash Advance APR 24.99%-29.99% (Variable)
Late Payment Up to $27


Fees - The Jasper Credit Card has no annual fee* or foreign transaction fee.

Credit Limit - You will be given a credit limit of up to $5,000.

Earn 1% Cash Back - Jasper allows you to earn 1% cash back for every eligible purchase. The cash back will be automatically credited to your next statement as a statement credit.

Credit Bureau Reporting - Jasper reports to to all three major credit bureaus.

Mobile App - Jasper has a mobile app where you can manage your account. One thing to note is that you can only manage you account from the app. You cannot manage it from your desktop computer.


Mastercard Benefits

Security Benefits

  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection Provided by CSID
  • Satisfaction Guarantee on Purchases for 60 days - If you are not satisfied with any purchase, you can get a full refund within 60 days.
  • Purchase Assurance - From theft, damage within 90 days
  • Price Protection - You are protected if you find a lower price within 60 days of your purchase
  • Zero Liability - On unauthorized purchases.

Travel Benefits

  • Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
  • Travel Accident Insurance with Baggage Delay
  • Lost or Damaged Luggage Insurance
  • MasterRental® Collision Waiver
  • Mastercard Airport Concierge
  • Priceless City Offers and Experience
  • Online Travel Booking Tool

Cell Phone Protection

  • Cell Phone Protection - You are protected against theft and damage if you pay your cell phone bills with the Jasper Mastercard.


How Jasper Evaluates Applicants With No US Credit History?

The biggest selling point of the Jasper Mastercard is that those who are here on a US working visa and have no credit history can apply. Jasper looks at different factors to decide on whether you are eligible for the card depending on how long you have been in the US.

Less Than One Year in the US - For those of you who have been in the US for less than a year, you will need to provide your passport, Visa information and proof of US employment . If you have not gotten your Social Security Number (SSN) at the time of application, it is ok. However, once you have gotten it, you have to provide it within 60 days of your card application. Also, if you have been in the U.S. for less than and one year and are in the country on a work visa, you will not get any hard pulls on your credit report.

US Citizen or Green Card Holder, More Than One Year in US - If you are a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or if you have been living in the U.S. for more than one year at the time of application, Jasper will run a hard credit inquiry.


Competition

To be honest, there is hardly any competition that Jasper Mastercard faces as far as cards targeting those who have just arrived in the US. Deserve used to have a credit card that is like Jasper. However, Deserve now only has a card that targets international students who do not have SSN called the Deserve Edu.

Folks who come to the US on a work visa like the H1B or L1 visa also have alternatives. For example, American Express will give you up to two cards for every international Amex cards that you have. Mainstream issuers like Wells Fargo and Citi also give exceptions to workers here on a work visa especially if your company have direct deposit relationship with these banks.

However, if you do not have one of these cards (like Amex or Citi) from your home country and your credit card is issued by a local bank in your country, then the Jasper Mastercard is perhaps the card you have to look at.


Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Ideal for Alien residents on a work visa - Workers just arriving in the US on a work visa have hardly any credit history. Using your income and other criteria gives you a much better chance at getting a US credit card.

  • No Annual Fee* and Foreign Transaction Fees - This card has no annual fee* and foreign transaction fee. This is really helpful because if you are here on a working visa, chances are that you will take a couple of vacations back home and you can use this card since they do not charge any foreign transaction fees.

  • Can Upload I-797 form if Visa is not stamped on passport during application - Jasper is very flexible in this aspect of their application.

  • Earn 1% Cash Back - This card started off with no reward program. But as of October 2020, they now allow you to earn 1% cash back on every eligible purchase. *Terms Apply
    https://www.jaspercard.com/disclosures/rewards_terms

  • Report to all three major credit bureaus - Jasper reports to all three major credit bureaus. They started doing so since June 2021 and previously did not report to Experian.

  • Cell Phone Insurance Protection - Jasper is one of the few credit cards that offer this feature.

  • Can add to Apple Pay and Google Pay - This is a must for any credit card today.

Cons

  • Cannot Add Authorized Users At The Moment - At this moment, you cannot add an authorized user. Jasper does say on their website that they are working on this issue at the moment.

  • $5,000 Maximum Credit Limit May Be Too Low For Some - Jasper is targeting foreign workers with high income so a $5,000 credit limit may be low for a high paying white collar worker on a six figure salary.


Our Take: Is the Jasper Mastercard Good?

If you are moving or have moved to the US, getting a credit card is not the easiest thing because you simply do not have a credit history. While some issuers will accept applicants with no Social Security Number (SSN), most will still perform a "hard inquiry" credit check.

The advantage that Jasper Mastercard offers to those who are coming or have just arrived in the US on a work visa is that they will not perform a credit check. Rather they will rely more on factors like your job and income. What is more appealing is that you can actually apply for this card before you starting your new job in the U.S. (you do need to provide a US address).

When you arrive in the US to work, chances are that you will have to get a new US cell phone and have a US based plan. Jasper Mastercard offers cell phone protection insurance against theft and damage if you pay your monthly cell phone bills with the card. This is a very useful feature to have.

You have to be aware that there are issuers like American Express that will issue you up to two cards in the US for every international Amex you have from your home country. However, if you do not have an Amex but rather a credit card from your local bank back in your home country, then the Jasper Mastercard is a perfect credit card to get when you arrive in the US.


How to Apply?

To apply for the Jasper Mastercard, new arrivals on a work visa need to provide the following:
  • Passport
  • Proof of Employment
  • Proof of Income
  • Work Visa
  • Address in the US

Green card holders or US Citizens do not need a passport or work visa. However, they still need a valid U.S. address and proof of income which can be provided via PLAID or uploaded. Below is a screenshot of the first application page.

jasper application page
jasper application page


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