If you’re looking for convenient credit cards that are different from other traditional offers and combine the convenience of fixed payments of a personal loan, lower rates, and benefits of a Visa card, Upgrade cards might be right up your alley. Upgrade offers four Visa credit cards with similar benefits and rewards, but each is fundamentally different. Whether you need a card for improving credit with no fees, getting cash back on payments for specific categories, or earning bitcoin rewards, Upgrade credit cards offer the flexibility of a credit card combined with the predictability and low cost of a personal loan. All four cards come with no fees, fixed-rate monthly balances, equal monthly payments, set payoffs, and can be used online or at retail locations. Let’s compare Upgrade credit cards so that you can make an informed decision.
4 Upgrade Credit Cards
Financial startup Upgrade offers a suite of Visa credit cards that combine the features of personal loans and credit cards. They offer four cards:
- Cash Rewards – unlimited 1.5% cash back on payments, no fees, average to excellent credit requirement;
- Triple Cash Rewards –unlimited 3% cash back on payments for health, auto, and home purchases, earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, no fees, average to excellent credit requirement;
- Bitcoin Rewards – unlimited 1.5% cash back in bitcoin, no fees except bitcoin exchange fee, average to excellent credit requirement. Each payment you make on your purchases will buy you bitcoin, kept in a cryptocurrency wallet;
- Classic Card – credit line from $500 to $25,000, no fees, excellent for improving credit but doesn’t offer any rewards.
Upgrade credit cards are issued by Sutton Bank and can be used as you would use a regular Visa credit card. Any unpaid balances will be automatically converted to installment plans that allow the cardholder to make equal monthly payments with a fixed interest rate. You make your monthly payments over a set period, just like a personal loan. The cards can also be used as personal loans. Each card has a credit line that you can borrow against. To use this feature, cardholders need to request that their funds be sent to their bank accounts.
Upgrade Cards Compared – the Similarities
The Upgrade cards share quite similar features, so much that they are nearly identical. All offer the benefit of no transaction fees and the same range of interest rates and credit limits. The terms for qualifying, though, can differ depending on factors like your credit score, credit usage history, and so on. You can use all cards internationally at no foreign transaction fees. The cards also share some limitations:
- Upgrade cards can’t be used at ATMs for cash advances;
- Cardholders aren’t allowed to transfer their balances from another credit card onto any Upgrade credit card.
The cards work the same way. Cardholders earn their rewards by making payments toward their balance instead of earning as they spend. The only exception is the Upgrade Visa card for improving credit. While it can help to improve your credit, the card doesn’t offer a rewards program.
Upgrade Cards Comparison Table
| Cash Rewards | Triple Cash Rewards | Bitcoin Rewards | Upgrade Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Regular APR | 8.99% -29.99% | 8.99% -29.99% | 8.99% -29.99% | 8.99% -29.99% |
| Cash Advance | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Late Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | Unlimited 1.5% cash back | Unlimited 1% – 3% cash back | Unlimited 1.5% back | No rewards |
| Reward Categories | All transactions | Home, Auto, and Health | Bitcoins | |
| Credit Limit | $500 to $25,000* | $500 to $25,000* | $500 to $25,000* | $500 to $25,000* |
| Fraud Liability | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Review | Upgrade Rewards Card Review | Upgrade Bitcoin Comparison | ||
| Learn More | More | More | More | More |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply | Apply | Apply |
Upgrade Cards Compared – the Differences
The only difference between Upgrade Cash Rewards, Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards, Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards, and Upgrade Card is the rewards program. The Upgrade Visa Cash Rewards offers a reward of earning 1.5% cash back at a flat rate. The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa has a tiered cash back reward structure, allowing you to earn 3% cash back in a wide range of health, auto, and home purchases, including:
- Home improvement and hardware stores;
- Home appliances and furniture;
- Cleaning and landscaping services;
- Auto repairs, dealership, and auto parts purchases;
- Sporting goods stores, gym equipment purchases directly from vendors, gym memberships;
- Pharmacies and doctor’s visits;
- Beauty and health services.
The Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Card differs from the rest by offering cryptocurrency rewards. This card is part of the growing selection of cryptocurrency rewards cards and allows the cardholder to earn 1.5% back in bitcoin. Each time you make a payment on a purchase, bitcoins will be purchased and held in your crypto wallet. The crypto wallet is provided by a trading and custody platform, NYDIG. While you can’t transfer your bitcoins to a separate wallet, you can trade them after a 90-day holding period in the form of a statement credit.
If you sell your bitcoins, the proceeds will subject you to a 1.5% transaction fee. The only card that doesn’t offer any rewards is the Upgrade Card. Instead, it allows you to improve your credit by granting a personal line of credit.
Upgrade Credit Cards – Benefits, Pros, and Cons
Benefits
- Available to those with fair, good, and excellent credit score (FICO scores 600 and up for cash back and bitcoin rewards);
- Earning cash back rewards on all purchases and a chance to improve credit (Upgrade Card)
- Fixed monthly payments and no fees;
- Top features like no hard pull on your credit report and access to a virtual card;
- Standard benefits of a Visa credit card;
- Predictable payments of a personal loan and lower costs;
- Top security features.
Pros
- No fees to acquire and use the cards;
- An excellent alternative to balance transfer offers;
- An option to choose cash back or improving credit;
- Hybrid credit card/personal loan financial tool;
- No annual fee, activation, or maintenance;
- No foreign transaction fees;
- Qualify with average credits;
- High rewards rate;
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Cons
- No sign-up bonus offer;
- Limited availability;
- Some benefits of traditional credit cards are lacking (0% intro APR);
- No option to save up your cash back;
- Upgrade cards are unavailable to residents of Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Iowa.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the right Upgrade card for you, it all comes down to how you want to earn and redeem rewards. If you’re looking to build your credit, an Upgrade Card is the best option. If you have a major, health, auto, or home purchase coming up, the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards is the most suitable solution. If you’re more into trading cryptocurrencies, the Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa is the right choice for your needs. If earning cash rewards on payments is all you need, the Upgrade Cash Rewards is the card you’re looking for.
