Surge Credit Card: Review & 5 Alternatives (2025)

Our Surge credit card review will fill you in on who the card was made for, card details, how to apply for the card, and how to use it to build or rebuild credit. Additionally, we offer some fine alternatives to the Surge card.

Some things in life are absolute; that carton of milk is either good, or it’s really bad. Other things are less binary — like your credit. The FICO credit score can range anywhere from 300 to 850, and everyone seems to have a different definition of “bad credit.”

In general, though, if you have bad credit you tend to know it — particularly when applications for financing get rejected. Being turned down for credit can be a blow, but there are options for obtaining credit and rebuilding your score.

One such option is the Surge Mastercard® credit card. A subprime card with flexible credit requirements, the Surge credit card is an unsecured card available to consumers with bad credit, no matter how you define it.

Review | Application | Check Status | How to Use | More Options (5)

For most people, the best thing about the Surge card is that it will report to all three major credit bureaus. This means that you can use the Surge card to improve damaged credit, provided you maintain your card in good standing.

The Surge card is also unsecured, meaning you won’t need to put down a deposit or pre-load the card to use it. Those at the very low end of the FICO score spectrum who have trouble getting approved for other unsecured cards may have better luck with a Surge card.

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

at Continental Finance'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.1

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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• Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
• See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
• Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
• Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
• Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
• Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
See website for Details	See website for Details	35.90% Fixed	$75 - $125	See website for Details*

Additionally, the credit line should be manageable for most people; the maximum spending limit on the card is $500, and what portion of that maximum you are approved for will depend on your credit score.

You’ll want to be sure to completely pay off your Surge card every month. This is good advice for any credit card, but it’s especially important when you consider the super high APR that comes with the Surge card.

You can also expect to see a hefty annual fee show up shortly after you open the card. While the annual fee drops slightly after the first year, you’ll start to see an additional monthly maintenance fee after the first 12 months that more than makes up for the decreased annual fee.

Applying for the Surge credit card is quick and easy, and can be completed entirely online through the link below.

• Apply for the Surge Mastercard®

If you can’t apply online for any reason, you can call the Surge Customer Service team at: 1-866-449-4514. Customer Care Specialists are available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This card is not available in CO, WA, WV, or MN.

When applying for a Surge credit card online, most users can expect a decision almost immediately right through the website, with a letter to follow within a few days. If you have an issue with your application, or need to check the status of it for some reason, you can call customer service at:

1-866-449-4514

To check the status of your account at any time, you can use the Continental Finance sign-in portal. The portal is also where you can make online payments on your account as well as choose to receive electronic statements.

To get the most out of your Surge card, you should use it to make a small purchase during the month, then pay your balance in full when your statement arrives. Over time, as you make on-time payments and never miss payments, your credit report should start to reflect your good financial behavior.

Never carry a balance on your Surge card. The sky-high APR on the card means carrying a balance will be very expensive, and should always be avoided. Use your Surge credit card solely to improve your poor credit, not as a way to make purchases you cannot pay off right away.

If it turns out the Surge card is not for you, or you just want to see other options, check out our picks for the top five credit cards for bad credit. Comparison shopping is the best way to ensure you get the best rates — and the lowest fees — for which you can qualify.

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on APRs, fees, approval ease, rewards, educational resources, and issuer reputation. We focus on providing the best options for those rebuilding credit and compare similar offers to find a balance between accessibility and affordability. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

3.0/5.0

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

3.0/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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• PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
• Start building credit by keeping your balance low and paying all your bills on time each month.
• When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
• Credit Limit Increase Eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
• We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	See Provider Website	See Provider Website	Fair/Poor

Brink’s Armored™ Account

at Netspend'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.9

Brink’s Armored™ Account

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on APRs, fees, approval ease, rewards, educational resources, and issuer reputation. We focus on providing the best options for those rebuilding credit and compare similar offers to find a balance between accessibility and affordability. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

Brink’s Armored™ Account

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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• Brink’s knows Security! 24/7 access to a suite of security benefits to help keep your account armored.
• Get access to over 100,000 Brink’s Money ATMs.
• Get paid faster than a paper check with direct deposit.
• Add funds to your Brink’s Armored Account and use Brinks Armored debit card anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
• Account opening is subject to registration and ID verification. Terms & fees Apply. Deposit Account is established by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	Variable Monthly Fees	Not applicable

Milestone® Mastercard® – $1,000 Credit Limit

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.8

Milestone® Mastercard® – $1,000 Credit Limit

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on APRs, fees, approval ease, rewards, educational resources, and issuer reputation. We focus on providing the best options for those rebuilding credit and compare similar offers to find a balance between accessibility and affordability. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

3.5/5.0

Milestone® Mastercard® – $1,000 Credit Limit

3.5/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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• Guaranteed $1,000 credit limit if approved.
• Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
• Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
• Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
• Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
• Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	35.90%	$250 the first year; $99 thereafter	Fair

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

at Chime'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.8

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on APRs, fees, approval ease, rewards, educational resources, and issuer reputation. We focus on providing the best options for those rebuilding credit and compare similar offers to find a balance between accessibility and affordability. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

4.5/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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• Credit Builder is a secured credit card
• Using Credit Builder can build your credit history
• Limit risk of overspending by setting your own limit with money you move into the secured deposit account.
• Chime Checking Account required to apply for the Credit Builder Card

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	No annual fees	Poor/Fair/Limited/Damaged

Milestone® Mastercard®

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

BAD CREDIT RATING

★★★★★

4.8

Milestone® Mastercard®

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit cards for bad credit based on APRs, fees, approval ease, rewards, educational resources, and issuer reputation. We focus on providing the best options for those rebuilding credit and compare similar offers to find a balance between accessibility and affordability. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

3.8/5.0

Milestone® Mastercard®

3.8/5.0

About this rating

Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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• Greater access to credit than before - $700 credit limit
• Get a Mastercard accepted online, in store and in app
• Account history is reported to the three major credit bureaus in the U.S.
• $0 liability* for unauthorized use
• Access your account online or from your mobile device 24/7
• *Fraud protection provided by Mastercard Zero Liability Protection. If approved, you'll receive the Mastercard Guide to Benefits that details the complete terms with your card.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	See terms	See terms	Fair/Good

+See All Credit Card Reviews for Bad Credit

When your milk goes sour, your breakfast options often sour with it; few people really enjoy dry cereal. The same thing can be said of your credit; when your score sours, so too do your credit options. That said, there are options, including the Surge Mastercard®, which can be used to build your credit and improve your score.

Just remember that rebuilding your credit is a journey; it can’t be accomplished overnight. It takes months, or even years, of dedicated work to rebuild a bad credit score — but it is possible. Be diligent, and your score will grow.