Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Review: Are the High Fees Worth It for Credit Building?
July 1, 2025
.webp)
.webp)
Rebuilding credit after financial setbacks isn't easy. But should it cost you $250 per year in fees? The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® promises to help rebuild your credit without a security deposit—but those high fees add up fast. Let's break down the math to see if this card delivers enough value to justify its cost.
What Makes the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Different?
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard®, issued by Celtic Bank, stands out in the credit-building space for one key reason: it's an unsecured card that accepts applicants with poor or no credit history.
Here's what that means: You don't need to put down a $200-$500 security deposit like you would with secured cards. Your cash stays in your pocket, making it accessible if you're already stretched thin financially.
The card reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) every month, so responsible use can help rebuild your credit history over time. You'll typically start with a credit limit between $300-$1,000, and after making your first six monthly payments on time, Surge automatically increases your credit line.
The catch? You'll pay premium prices for this opportunity.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2249", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Boosting Your Credit Score", "headerHint" : "Credit Builder" } ]]
Breaking Down the Real Cost: $250+ Per Year
Let's calculate what the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® actually costs:
Year 1 Costs:
- Annual fee: $75-$125 (depending on creditworthiness)
- Monthly maintenance fee: $0 (waived first year)
- Total Year 1: $75-$125
Year 2+ Costs:
- Annual fee: $99-$125
- Monthly maintenance fee: $10-$12.50/month = $120-$150/year
- Total Year 2+: $219-$275 per year
Example scenario: If you have a $500 credit limit and pay the higher fees, you're spending $275 annually—that's 55% of your credit limit just in fees.
ROI Calculation:
- Spend $5,500 annually on Surge → Earn $110 back at 2% with a rewards card
- Surge's $250 annual fees + $0 rewards = -$250 net
- Break-even analysis: You're paying $360 more over 18 months compared to a no-fee secured card
Compare this to alternatives like the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card (no annual fee, no deposit required) or Capital One Quicksilver Secured ($0 annual fee with 1.5% cash back)—and suddenly Surge's value proposition becomes much less compelling.
The Surge card’s initial credit limit is relatively high for a card aimed at rebuilding credit. The card’s fees could run you close to $250 a year, which is hard to justify. Unless you absolutely can’t get another credit-building alternative, the Surge Platinum Mastercard’s high cost makes it a tough recommendation for long-term use
Key Features: What You Get for $250/Year
Despite the high costs, Surge does offer several credit-building features:
✓ No security deposit required – Unlike secured cards where you must lock up $200-$500, Surge keeps your cash accessible
✓ Reports to all three bureaus – Monthly reporting to Experian, Equit, and TransUnion builds your credit file
✓ Automatic credit limit increase – Make 6 on-time payments and your limit increases automatically, potentially doubling your starting line
✓ $300-$1,000 starting limit – Higher than many entry-level credit builders (though fees immediately reduce available credit)
✓ Fixed APR – Among the highest rates on the market; carrying a balance is extremely expensive
✓ Mastercard acceptance – Use anywhere Mastercard is accepted, plus zero fraud liability protection
What you DON'T get:
❌ No cash back or rewards
❌ No sign-up bonus
❌ No additional purchase protections beyond basic Mastercard coverage
❌ No path to upgrade to a better card
Should You Apply? Decision Support Framework
✓ You might consider Surge if:
- Your credit score is below 600 and you've been rejected by other cards
- You cannot afford a $200+ security deposit for a secured card
- You need to start rebuilding credit immediately and have no other options
- You can commit to paying the full balance each month
- You have a plan to upgrade to a better card within 12-18 months
✗ Skip Surge if you:
- Can afford even a $200 security deposit (secured cards offer better value)
- Qualify for no-deposit alternatives like Chime Credit Builder or Self
- Have a credit score above 600 (you likely qualify for better options)
- Need rewards or perks to offset the annual fee
- Plan to carry balances (that 35.9% APR will destroy your finances)
Common objections addressed in FAQs:
- "I don't have $200 for a deposit" → We'll show you no-deposit alternatives below
- "My credit is too bad for anything else" → Multiple cards accept scores in the 500s
- "I need credit fast" → Pre-qualification takes minutes for most alternatives
Better Alternatives: Compare Before You Apply
Before committing to $250+ in annual fees, consider these alternatives that might work better for your situation:
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["3069", "3058", "3280"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["No Annual Fee", "Flat Cash Back Perks", "Cash Back on Gas"]} ]]
Hard vs. Soft Credit Pull: Application Process Explained
Surge offers pre-qualification, which means you can check your approval odds without hurting your credit score:
Step 1: Pre-Qualify (Soft Pull)
- Visit the Surge website
- Enter basic info: name, address, income, last 4 of SSN
- Get instant feedback on approval likelihood
- No impact to credit score
Step 2: Full Application (Hard Pull)
- If pre-qualified, complete full application
- This generates a hard inquiry (typically 5-10 point temporary score dip)
- Approval decision usually within minutes
Step 3: Initial Fee & Activation
- Annual fee ($75-$125) is charged to your account immediately
- This reduces your available credit from day one
- Example: $300 limit - $95 fee = $205 available credit
- Card arrives in 7-10 business days
Income verification: Surge may require bank account access or proof of income to verify ability to repay.
The Fine Print: Fees That Add Up Fast
Beyond the annual and monthly fees, watch out for these additional costs:
- Late payment fee: Up to $41
- Cash advance fee: 5% or $10 (whichever is greater)
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% (waived first year for limits under $500)
- Premium card design fee: $9.95 (yes, really—they charge for a different looking card)
- Expedited service fee: Varies; disclosed when requested
- Authorized user fee: $30
Example of how fees consume your limit:
Starting limit: $500
- First-year annual fee: -$125
- One late payment: -$41
- Available credit after fees: $334 (33% reduction)
This fee structure makes it very difficult to maintain low credit utilization, which is ironic for a card meant to help build credit.
Maximizing Value (If You Already Have the Card)
If you already have the Surge card or decide to apply despite the costs, here's how to minimize damage and build credit effectively:
Strategy 1: Pay In Full, Always
With an APR, carrying even a $200 balance costs $72/year in interest. Combined with fees, you'd pay $322 annually to borrow $200. Pay your full statement balance every month without exception.
Strategy 2: Keep Utilization Under 10%
Your fees already reduce available credit, so be extra careful about utilization. On a $300 limit, that means keeping balances under $30 before your statement closes.
Strategy 3: Use for Small, Recurring Expenses
Set up a small automatic payment (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) and autopay the full balance. This ensures on-time payments without overspending.
Strategy 4: Set a 12-Month Exit Plan
Don't keep Surge forever. After 6-12 months of on-time payments, your credit should improve 50-100 points. At that point, you can qualify for better cards with:
- No annual fee
- Lower APR
- Actual rewards
- Better credit limits
Strategy 5: Monitor All Three Bureaus
Verify Surge is reporting correctly to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Use free services like Credit Karma or your bank's credit monitoring to track progress.
Bottom Line: Last Resort, Not First Choice
The Surge® Platinum Mastercard® can help rebuild credit—but it's expensive, restrictive, and offers zero rewards for your spending. At $250+ per year in fees, you're essentially paying for the privilege of having a credit card, not getting value from it.
Our verdict: Surge should be a last resort for credit builders. Before applying, exhaust these alternatives:
- Try a secured card with no annual fee (even if it requires a deposit you'll get back)
- Consider no-deposit options like Chime Credit Builder or Self
- Check if you can be an authorized user on someone else's card (often builds credit faster)
- Look into credit builder loans that build credit while you save
When Surge makes sense: Only when you've been rejected by multiple other options, can't afford any security deposit, and need to start rebuilding immediately. Even then, commit to a 12-month exit strategy to upgrade to better cards once your score improves.
The math doesn't lie: Paying $250+/year for a no-rewards card with an APR is a tough pill to swallow. Unless you have absolutely no alternatives, your credit-building dollars will go further elsewhere.
Use Kudos to find better options: Our AI-powered card recommendations can help you find lower-cost credit builders that match your spending patterns—and once your credit improves, we'll help you maximize rewards from better cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Surge® Platinum Mastercard® a secured credit card?
No. The Surge Platinum Mastercard is an unsecured credit card, meaning you don't have to pay a security deposit to open an account. This makes it accessible if you don't have spare cash for a deposit, but the trade-off is extremely high fees—$75-$125 annual fee plus up to $12.50/month starting in year two.
What credit score do I need for the Surge card?
The Surge card accepts applicants with poor credit or limited credit history. While there's no published minimum score, many users report approval with scores in the 500-600 range, including those with past bankruptcies or defaults. You can check pre-qualification on the Surge website without affecting your credit score.
How do I avoid interest on the Surge Platinum Mastercard?
The Surge card has a standard grace period on purchases. To avoid the APR interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date every month. If you carry any balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at that very high rate. Given the steep APR, this card should only be used if you can commit to paying in full.
Are there other cards with no deposit requirement for bad credit?
Yes! Several alternatives don't require security deposits.
Will Surge increase my credit limit?
Yes. After you make your first six monthly payments on time, Surge automatically reviews your account for a credit limit increase. Many users report their limit doubling (e.g., from $300 to $600). This can help lower your credit utilization ratio and potentially boost your credit score further.
Can I upgrade the Surge card to a better card later?
Unfortunately, Surge doesn't offer an upgrade path to a better card. Once your credit improves (typically after 12-18 months of responsible use), you'll need to apply for a new card with better terms—then you can close or downgrade your Surge account to avoid ongoing fees.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
