ReviewsSurge Credit Card Review: There Are Better Options for Building Credit
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Are you looking to rebuild your credit from scratch? Well, the Surge Credit Card may be an option for you.
The Surge Credit Card is marketed as an alternative to secured credit cards for those who need to rebuild their credit. And while this is technically true, the marketing material fails to mention the high APR and the outrageous annual fees, which could just as easily add to your financial troubles if you’re not careful.
Read on to find out if the Surge Credit Card is a good fit for you. We also recommend a number of better alternatives to the Surge Credit Card at the end of this review.
If you’d like to take our word for it, and sign up for a great secured card that will help rebuild your credit, the Capital One Secured Mastercard is our favorite choice.
Not sure which card is best for you? Check with CardCruncher to see a list of credit cards that you’ll most likely qualify for:
Surge Credit Card Review
Before we dive in, let’s cover some of the Surge Credit Card’s key details.
- APR: See issuer site
- Credit Limit: $300 to $750
- Annual Fee: See issuer site
- Surge Credit Card Payment Due Date: 25 days after the closing of the billing cycle
Why to Apply for the Surge Credit Card
The Surge Credit Card may be a viable way to improve your credit score if it is used properly. Here are a few reasons to apply.
May help boost your credit: The Surge Credit Card reports your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus every month. These agencies compile reports on your credit history which are used by lenders to determine your creditworthiness.
Making your Surge Credit Card payments on time and paying the balance in full can help to raise your credit score over time, opening the door to better credit card offers.
Alternative to a secured card: This card is a nice alternative to a traditional secured credit card for those who don’t have the money to put down a security deposit.
In rare cases, you may be required to put down a small deposit of either $50, $150 or $500 in order to open your account, but most users don’t have to do this. If you do have to put down a deposit, it will be refunded to you when you close the account.
Decent credit limit: Your starting credit limit will be $300, $500, or $750, which should be enough if you’re only using the card for small purchases to help build your good payment history.
After the first year, you may receive the occasional credit limit increase up to a maximum of $750. But if your credit score has improved enough by this point, we recommend closing your Surge Credit Card and signing up for a better card instead of increasing your credit limit.
Surge Credit Card Login
If you’re already a cardmember, you can log in to your Surge Credit Card by following these steps:
- Go to https://continentalfinance.net
- Click the “Portal” button in the top right corner
- Click “Select Your Card”
- Select Surge Mastercard from the list of cards
- Click “Go To Portal”
Surge Credit Card Customer Service
Here are all the phone numbers and addresses associated with the Surge Credit Card’s customer service team.
- Customer service phone number: 1-866-449-4514
- Payment mailing address: Surge Card P.O. Box 31292 Tampa, FL 33631-3292
- Payment phone number: 1-800-518-6142
- Lost/ stolen card number: 1-800-556-5678
- Surge Credit Card Application status: 1-866-449-4514
Surge Credit Card: Drawbacks and Downsides
It’s a well known fact that if you have poor credit, you’ll pay more and receive less from your credit card. But the Surge Credit Card takes this to an extreme.
High APR: The Surge Credit Card’s APR is well above the industry average. Most secured credit cards max out at 25% APR, and some offer as low as 12% APR.
Lots of fees: The card’s monthly and annual fees also limit its usefulness. The annual fee is assessed before you begin using your card, reducing your credit limit.
And while that annual fee decreases after the first year, the monthly maintenance fee that kicks in adds to the annual cost. Really, the Surge Credit Card charges more fees than most top rewards credit cards, and it’s way out of line with comparable secured credit cards, most of which charge a fee under $50 or no fee at all.
Could lead to high debt: Whatever you do, make sure you make your Surge Credit Card payments on time and pay the balance in full. Otherwise, this credit-building tool could lead to unmanageable debt.
Say, for example, that you purchase an item for $300. If you pay that off the next month, you’ll pay $300. If you make the minimum $35 payment each month, it will take you 10 months to pay it off, and you’ll pay an extra $42.61 in interest.
And that’s before we factor in the other fees. When you consider the extra $216 you’ll pay annually, plus any late fees, the Surge Credit Card could end up costing you more than it’s helping you.
Another thing worth noting is that there is no sign-up bonus or rewards points that you can earn with this card. While these programs are less common among credit cards for people with bad credit, they are available and often a better value.
Surge Credit Card Alternatives
There are much better alternatives to the Surge Credit Card if you’re trying to rebuild your credit. We recommend going with one of these:
If you’re looking for a secured credit card with rewards, try the Discover it Secured Credit Card. There’s no annual fee and you only need a $200 security deposit in order to open an account. You earn 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants and 1% cash back everywhere else. It has a 24.49% variable APR.
If you’re looking for a card with no annual fee and a low deposit, consider the Capital One Secured Mastercard. The APR is a little on the higher end at 30.74% (Variable), but you can pay as little as $49 for a $200 credit limit. You’re eligible for a higher limit with no additional deposit needed after you make your first five monthly payments on time.
Surge Credit Card FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have about the Surge Credit Card.
When will I get my Surge Credit Card?
If you’re approved for the Surge Credit Card, you can expect to receive your card via mail within 3-5 business days.
How do I cancel my Surge Credit Card?
You can cancel your Surge Credit Card by calling Continental Finance’s customer service line at: 866-449-4514.
You may be asked to provide some personal information like your account number and the last four digits of your social security number so that the customer service rep can confirm your identity and ultimately process your cancellation.
How do I log in to my Surge Credit Card account?
Follow the instructions below to log in to your Surge Credit Card account:
- Go to https://www.surgecardinfo.com
- Enter the login credentials used when you first created your account
Note: If it’s your first time logging into your Surge Credit Card account, you will have to create a login and password on Continental Finance’s site here.
How do I check my Surge Credit Card application status?
You can check your application status by calling Continental Finance’s customer service line at: 866-449-4514.
You may be asked to provide some personal information like your address and the last four digits of your social security number so that the customer service rep can confirm your identity and application status.
Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the Surge Credit Card?
While the Surge Credit Card can help to rebuild poor credit, it should be used as a last resort. There are a number of better secured credit cards out there that offer the same benefits at a much lower cost to you.
