What Does the Upgrade Visa with 1.5% Cash Back Have to Offer? Unlimited 1.5% Rewards and $20,000 Pre-approval

Updated: Oct 2, 2024

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Upgrade Visa Card Review

The Upgrade Visa with cash rewards is one of the most exciting cards. It offers you a credit installment at sign-up and 1.5% cashback rewards. It also has a fixed APR. Its approach to credit allows you to pay the slightest interest at the fastest possible time. Upgrade will help you to strengthen your credit by reporting to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. And the main perk of this card is there are no fees associated with it; thus, prequalifying for one doesn’t require a hard inquiry into your credit history. Upgrade Visa accepts people with at least a 600 FICO score (FAIR) and above.

Upgrade Visa Card Review

What is the Upgrade Visa Card with Cash Rewards?

The Upgrade Visa card with Cash Rewards is a top-of-the-line innovative credit card with 1.5% cash rewards and some distinctive perks and features, making it a viable option for anyone’s pocket. If you’re looking to strengthen your credit up to a remarkable amount, you’ll adore the fact that there aren’t any fees associated with this card. The minimum credit to apply is FAIR (580-669 score by FICO).

Update
The Upgrade recently introduced new Upgrade Bitcoin Visa with 1.5% Bitcoin rewards and Upgrade Triple Cash Visa with 3% cash back.

This card is issued by Cross River Bank, a very reliable bank, and is further insured by the FDIC. While other cards might advertise that they have minimal fees, the amount of cards without penalty rates, foreign transaction fees, and opening fees is minimal – and upgrade is one of them. This card isn’t for people with bad credit or no credit. It is a card for those with Fair credit (600 FICO) and above. It offers you a fee-free experience. The fixed APR will depend mostly on your credit score and pre-approval balance.

What makes this card appealing is its acceptance rates, which are good on their own terms. That’s a great option for getting up to $20,000 or even up to $50,000 if combined with a personal loan offer. These things and many more make up the bulk of the Upgrades offer—getting a high credit line and making the credit improvement that much easier.

PRO Tip
Checking your credit line is free and won’t impact your score. Check Your Credit line, Now!
You may also consider getting the Upgrade Personal Loan that has a higher credit line – up to $50,000.

Upgrade Visa Card Top Features

The Upgrade Visa card is ideal for anyone looking for a sound credit card to build a credit score. It’s a top-of-the-line card that offers access to cheaper credit through cards and loans. An interesting thing about this card is its approach to paying with credit, which is unique to this card.

  • Cash Back Rewards. The Upgrade Visa card with cash rewards offers 1.5% unlimited cash back on all card purchases.
  • Reports Your Credit. The card doesn’t have a standard credit limit; it provides policyholders with a pre-approved line of credit specifically made to help the policyholder predict the balance payment amount, all while reporting the spending to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. This card reports to all 3, making it a great option for any credit-improving strategy. While building your credit isn’t going to be easy, using a card like this significantly simplifies the process.
  • Has No Fees. One of the most interesting features of this card is that it has absolutely no associated fees. There are no foreign transaction fees, no annual or opening fees, and the card even has a fixed APR, which is excellent in its own right.
  • High Approval Rates. The amount of APR on your card will depend on your prior creditworthiness, which is determined by your prior credit score. You’ll likely get accepted to the Upgrade Visa if you have at least Fair credit, as its approval rates are high. The whole card management system is through a gorgeously designed online website, making it easy to access your card and view your spending. Since the card is based on the Visa platform, this application is unrivaled by any other card. Visa is the most popular credit card platform in the world.

RELATED: Card Offers Reporting Credit Explained

The Upgrade Visa Card Offer Summary

Not an Ordinary Credit Card. This card doesn’t function like a regular credit card. After you sign up for the card, you will get a credit line with many different term options. Your credit terms rest anywhere from 12 to 60 months, depending on your prior credit history. That means you’ll get a better credit payoff option if you have a solid prior credit history. This card is purposefully built around making purchases and paying off credit, but its lack of ATM availability makes it a poor instant cash card. You can transfer all the funds from your Upgrade credit card with cash rewards into any debit or credit card and pay no transfer fee, which makes the card as viable as any other but adds the tedious task of constantly transferring funds.

Fixed Payments. After each month concludes, your remaining balance will go into an installment plan with a fixed monthly payment amount, which you can pay off depending on your initial credit terms (12-60 months). While this might sound too good to be true, when combined with the fees associated with this card, none of which there are, this card is a viable option for anyone.

Innovative Website & App. This card’s website is a great thing. While credit cards have had a tough time adapting to the virtual age, all card management and optimization is done through the gorgeous Upgrade website. The website isn’t only slick with its design; it’s also a gorgeously designed GUI interface that allows you to navigate it with ease.

Fixed APR. One of the best things about this card is its fixed APR. Most cards have a “variable APR rate. “When it comes to this card, the APR is fixed, and if your prior credit history is decent at least, you’ll find that after the preapproval offer, the APR itself is lower than most competitors’.

This card has no fees. It has dedicated itself to reducing the number of payments you’ll make when working with credit. It helps you pay off your credit while paying the minimum amount of interest possible.

PRO Tip
This card is available to those with prior credit history, but at times, people with absolutely no prior credit history aren’t accepted. That makes it a bit tough to apply for the card, but since it doesn’t induce a hard inquiry into your credit history – you have nothing to lose by getting preapproval while trying to apply for this card.

Upgrade Visa Card Advantages

  • 1.5% Unlimited Cash Back rewards for all card purchases.
  • The approval rates of this card are high. They even accept people with FAIR Credit and above.
  • This card does not have associated fees, such as an annual fee, card opening fee, or foreign transaction fee.
  • Card management is done through the Upgrade Visa website, which makes any task associated with this card enjoyable.
  • Its credit features make paying off credit a breeze and ensure that you pay off your credit with the least amount of interest at the fastest time possible.
  • This card’s most automatic aspects are based on your prior credit history.
  • The website will notify you about any payments made through this card, and the monitoring capabilities are top-of-the-line—both free.
  • This card has a fixed APR rate, which depends on your prior credit and preapproval amounts.
  • The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, meaning that improving your credit is as simple as adhering to your credit repair strategy.

Upgrade Visa Card Disadvantages

  • Upgrade Cards cannot be used at an ATM.
  • The card is not available to people with bad credit or bankruptcies. To qualify, you must have at least fair credit.
  • No cash withdrawal features

Why Do We Like It?

It is quite difficult not to like a unique card like this. The first thing we like about this card is that it has no fees associated with it and gives 1.5% cash rewards on all card purchases. The no-fee policy only makes improving your credit that much simpler.

Strengthening your credit through this card is easy. It’s available to people with fair credit. Through the use of this card, you can improve your credit with ease. It reports to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, meaning enhancing your credit score is done quickly. It has many credit options and a fixed APR rate. The credit payment options and APR rates are decided after preapproval and are based on your prior credit score. Applying for this card doesn’t trigger a hard inquiry into your credit history, meaning it won’t tarnish it.

To put everything into perspective, this unique credit card focused on paying credit off with the least financial and strategic effort. It does most of the heavy lifting for you. The dedicated team behind this card has announced plans to include benefits and bonuses to make it even better for policyholders. This card has immense credit-building potential and an even better credit payment option.

RELATED: Compare all four Upgrade Credit Cards side by side

What Can Be Better?

Even if there are plans to include bonus features into this card, we can’t fail to mention that there are currently none. It’s a unique card; it does have some faults when it comes to its actual real-life application of it.

Even if there aren’t any fees associated with this card, you can’t use an ATM. This card is based on the Visa platform, and the Visa is the most popular credit card platform in the world. With relative ease, you can transfer your funds from your Upgrade account into your other credit or debit card, but it’s still tedious. This card is a viable option for teaching people about credit and responsibility, but it is apparent unavailability for people without any prior credit history and those with bankruptcies. It would be great to have an option for those with bad credit to get approved, too.

This review is set in the current time, and we will objectively point out all the rights and wrongs of this card. Objectively, this doesn’t make an excellent daily card, even if it can offer up to a $20,000 credit line. Since you can’t draw out instant cash from the ATM, the upgrade will disappoint if you desperately need cash. But it can be a good option if you want to make a large purchase with credit.

PRO Tip
Although there are cons associated with this card, the pros outweigh them tenfold. The credit billing potential, the pay off features, and the features unique to this card make it an ideal option for people looking to get into Good or Excellent credit score. It does have some room for improvement, but at this current moment, it’s a very viable credit card option.

Where can I Use the Upgrade Card?

This card is an ideal option for people who are looking to strengthen their credit scores in the right way. Building your credit score requires an intricate credit-building strategy, which will require both a credit strategy and a great tool. The Upgrade Visa Credit Card with cash rewards is a good option for a credit improvement strategy while earning cash back.

  • It reports to all three major credit bureaus, meaning that credit reparation is streamlined and happens promptly. Its application process is swift, and as long as you have fair or above credit, you’re bound to be accepted into the mists of this card.
  • This unique card focuses on helping people pay their credit off with the minimum fees and APR. Its APR rate is fixed but depends on your prior credit and preapproval amount.
  • This card does not charge fees, making it even easier on the pocket. It attempts to minimize costs by excluding them from the card and helping you pay off your credit with as few fees, interests, and time as possible.

How Easy Is It to Use the Card?

Using this card is pretty easy but has a couple of setbacks. It’s not available for cash withdrawals, making it a poor option if you have to have quick cash. There are no cash advances, either. Although you can transfer all of your funds from this account to any other through a great online platform, the lack of this feature reflects poorly on the card. Using this card for credit itself, which can be up to $20,000, on the other hand, is the easiest thing in the world. Since most things about the credit, initial APR, and pay-off time are determined automatically on preapproval, you don’t have to think when you open it. Most of these things will depend on your prior credit history, which is excellent.

Using this card to improve your credit is also top-of-the-line, as it reports to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. All the management, monitoring, and actual optimization of this card are done through the internet, through the online website of the Upgrade Visa Credit card. The website comes with an interactive GUI interface, making the actual usability aspect of this card one of its best features. The best part about the interactivity, monitoring, and alerts that this website gives you? All of them are free of charge and are courtesy of opening an account on the website and using your card.

How to Contact Upgrade Company?

  • Customer Support: toll-free line at 1-855-997-3100 (Monday-Friday, 6 A.M. – 6 P.M., Saturday and Sunday 6 A.M. – 5 P.M. Pacific Time)
  • Help Center: click here
  • Email Address: contact@upgrade.com
HeadquartersFor Standard MailFor Courier Deposits (FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Upgrade Inc.
Suite 2300
275 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
Upgrade, Inc.
DEPT LA 24576
PASADENA, CA 91185-4576
Upgrade, Inc.
24576 14005 LIVE OAK AVE
IRWINDALE, CA 91706-1300

What are the qualification requirements for Getting an upgrade card?

This great credit and installment loan card comes with relatively low qualification requirements. It has relatively high acceptance and approval rates, making it a great option for anyone with a fair credit or above. Sadly, it doesn’t seem very available for people without any prior credit history, bad credit, or those with bankruptcies, making it a relatively poor starting credit card. A good thing about the card is that the application process is done through the online GUI interface, requiring minimal information. The complete list of qualifications and requirements for these cards is:

  • American Citizenship
  • SSN (Offers with no SSN Needed: Secured Sable One, Deserve EDU, Jasper Mastercard)
  • Annual income
  • Additional annual income
  • City, State, Zip Code
  • Prior credit history (min 600 FICO to get preapproved for credit)
  • Employment history
  • Real address ( Not a P.O. box )

How to Apply for Upgrade Visa Card with Cash Rewards

Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®
Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®

132 User Ratings

at Upgrade's secure site

Card Details

Intro APR

N/A

Ongoing APR

14.99% -29.99%

Balance Transfer

No

Annual Fee

$0

Credit Needed

Fair

Snapshot of Card Features
  • $200 bonus1 after opening a Rewards Checking Plus account and making 3 debit card transactions*
  • Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on card purchases every time you make a payment
  • Combine the flexibility of a credit card with the predictability of a personal loan
  • No annual fee
  • No touch payments with contactless technology built in
  • See if you qualify in minutes without hurting your credit score
  • Great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for
  • Mobile app to access your account anytime, anywhere
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability

Open Details +

The whole application process is done through the Internet, and it’s a straightforward process. Unlike many other cards, applying for the Upgrade Visa Card with Cash Rewards is streamlined, and you’ll see the results fairly quickly. The application process does not induce a hard inquiry into your credit history, meaning that your credit score isn’t going to suffer. If you want to apply for this card, you will make an account on the Upgrade website. You can apply quickly online. After getting to the application page, you must provide minimal information to start the application process.

After you’ve put all your information in and made your account, the only thing left is to wait for a response. Unlike other cards, the pre-approval response will arrive quickly, ensuring all your expectations are met. Unlike other cards, you will get a proposal from the upgrade team before your card is approved. It will give you an APR rating and a credit installment based on your pre-existing credit history.

In most cases, both of these are going to be highly pleasurable. After you accept it, it’s only a matter of time before your card arrives. Since this card is based on the VISA platform, you can use it virtually anywhere that accepts cards. An important thing to note is that you can’t use it to withdraw cash from an ATM. On the other hand, you can transfer funds from this account into your bank account through the Internet, making the process available but a bit tedious. Overall, the application process is quick, simple, and streamlined.

Am I Safe When Applying for an Upgrade Visa?

Security is a top-of-the-line priority, and every card has its management, use, and monitoring through the Internet. Regarding this card, you don’t have anything to worry about. As long as you keep your card to yourself, you will have nothing to worry about. This card’s website is not only gorgeous, but it’s also well-protected. It is protected by layers of state-of-the-art encryption, ensuring that you’re not only going to have a good time using it but also a safe time using it. The features of this card are primarily based on the Visa platform, which is renowned for its security standards. If you have any worries about the safety or status of your card, you can contact customer support. The customer support at Upgrade and Visa is helpful and will help you resolve any problem you might encounter while using this card.

Offer Recap

This card is a quality one with a unique approach to credit. Its distinctive features make it ideal for people looking for anything from a credit-strengthening card to one that will help them pay off their credit with the slightest interest. This card doesn’t require an excellent credit score; on the contrary – it requires fair credit. You’re almost guaranteed approval for this card if you have a fair prior credit history and no bankruptcies. It will help you strengthen your credit while earning cash back, as long as you’re responsible. This card is an excellent tool for any credit improvement strategy.

Currently, it doesn’t come with any bonuses, but the Upgrade Visa Card with Cash Rewards team has announced plans to include bonuses in the future. Your credit balance is automatically adjusted and put within the prerequisite credit installment at the end of each month. The application process is quick and done through the card website. The application doesn’t induce a hard inquiry into your credit history, meaning it’s a viable option for anyone, as they have nothing to lose by getting preapproved.

The qualifications for this card are at a fair minimum, which is mandated by federal law. Using the card is as easy as opening an account, receiving a card, and using it anywhere Visa cards are accepted – virtually anywhere in the world. One major drawback of this card is that you can’t use it at an ATM. This is a powerful card and an excellent option for anyone looking for a card to supplement their credit limits and improvement strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimers
**Accept your loan offer and your funds will be sent to your bank or designated account within one (1) business day of clearing necessary verifications. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes the transaction. From the time of approval, funds sent directly to you should be available within four (4) business days. Funds sent directly to pay off your creditors may take up to 2 weeks to clear, depending on the creditor.

***Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 9.99%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade’s bank partners. Information on Upgrade’s bank partners can be found at https: //www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/.



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