MASTERCARDMastercard Standard
Surge Mastercard
- Annual Fee
- $75 or $125/yr by version (set at approval)
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $75 or $125/yr by version (set at approval)
- Authorized User Fee
- $30
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- 3%
- Network
- Mastercard Standard
- Credit Required
- Poor
Earning Rates
- 0X
All Other
This card does not earn rewards - designed for credit building.
Benefits & Perks
Insurance & Protections
4 protectionsReports to all 3 bureaus
Build credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—monthly reporting to all major bureaus helps you establish or rebuild credit history
$0 fraud liability—complete protection
Zero liability for fraudulent charges—you're completely protected against unauthorized use
Zero Liability on unauthorized transactions
You won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions made in store, online, or via mobile device.
24/7 lost/stolen card assistance worldwide
Report lost or stolen cards 24/7 and get emergency card replacement and cash advance assistance worldwide.
Reviews & Analysis
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +Available to consumers with bad credit, limited credit, or no credit history
- +No security deposit required (unsecured card)
- +Reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- +Automatic credit limit increase reviews after 6 months of responsible use
Cons
- -High annual fee ($75 to $125 a year depending on the initial credit limit)
- -Monthly maintenance fee ($10 to $12.50) after the first year
- -Very high APR (35.9%)
- -No rewards or cash back program
- -Low initial credit limit ($300-$1,000 based on creditworthiness)
- -3% foreign transaction fee
- -High late payment fee (up to $41) and a $30 additional card fee
- -Not eligible for product change to better cards
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Consumers with limited, bad, or no credit seeking an unsecured card
- People who cannot qualify for other credit building options
- Those who need reporting to all three credit bureaus
- Individuals wanting automatic credit limit increase reviews
Not Ideal For
- Anyone who qualifies for lower-fee credit building alternatives
- Consumers who want rewards or cash back (no rewards)
- People who may carry a balance (35.9% APR)
- International travelers (3% foreign transaction fee)
- Those seeking a long-term everyday spending card
Details & Terms
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 35.9% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 35.9% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% |
| Authorized User Fee | $30 |
Media & Resources
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Surge Official | — | Surge Official |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Surge Official | — | Surge Official |
| Surge Official | Surge Official |