Upgrade cards are a great unconventional alternative for people with poor credit limits. Also, these cards are perfect for people who like to keep things in control and have a clear plan. The cards are issued by Sutton Bank, and you can use them to purchase in stores. Moreover, you can also use them online like any other credit card.
Upgrade eases the payback of its credit bills as it offers various installment plans to accommodate the varying financial situation of its clientele. Furthermore, instead of an interest rate that increases each month, these payment plans allow you to make equal monthly payments with a fixed interest rate.
In this regard, the Upgrade cards to similar to a personal loan. Correspondingly, Upgrade provides its cardholders the option to use the cards as a personal loan if you borrow funds against your credit line.
Different Upgrade Cards
Upgrade offers an intriguing choice to its clientele as it features various cards, each of which has distinctive benefits. These are perfect for meeting different needs and fulfilling different goals.
Upgrade is a leading financial setup known for the suite of cards it offers that is a bridge between credit cards and personal loans as they have the best of both worlds. The four cards it features are:
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®: With this card, you can earn 1.5% cash back on the purchases you make using the card. Cardholders can take advantage of this cashback in the balance of their card the following month.
The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa®: If you’re looking for a credit card that offers cashback, this is the one for you. It allows you to earn 3% cash back on home, auto, and health purchases. Not to mention, you get 1% cashback on everything else.
The Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa® Credit Card: This card offers a 1.5% back on all the purchases you make in the form of Bitcoin. Bitcoins are bought and held in your crypto wallet every time you make a payment using this card.
The Upgrade OneCard: Earn 3% cash back on everyday purchases and 2% cash back on everything else when you open an Upgrade Rewards Checking account to use with the card and meet requirements. If you don’t have an Upgrade Rewards Checking account, you’ll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Similarities between Upgrade Cards
Upgrade cards are similar in most of their features. Each card provides cardholders the same credit limit range and interest rates. Meanwhile, past usage and credit score determine the term they qualify for. Moreover, the most attractive feature of Upgrade, i.e., no annual fees, is also common among all its cards.
Apart from the perks, the few limitations are also uniform. Cardholders will not be able to use them at ATMs or transfer a balance between their Upgrade card and other credit cards.
Different Features of Upgrade Cards
Fundamentally, there is only one difference between the different Upgrade cards, their rewards program. The OneCard’s ongoing rewards include earning 3% cash back on basic everyday purchases, including utilities and payments made for streaming services.
On the other hand, Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® is a flat-rate cashback card. You can earn 1.5% back through this card if you get approved. Thirdly, the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa® is a tiered cashback card. Its rewards program enables cardholders to earn 3% back in a wide selection of basic utilitarian services like home, auto, and health. These include:
- Purchases at the hardware store.
- Purchases made at home appliance and furniture stores.
- Payments for cleaning services and landscaping.
- Payments for health and beauty services, including spas.
- Purchases for auto parts and your auto repairs.
- Payments for gym memberships and gym equipment are ordered directly from vendors and sporting goods stores.
- Payments for doctor’s visits and pharmacies.
- Health and beauty services, including spas.
Lastly, the Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Visa® Credit Card is what attracts people with interest in the crypto market. This is a growing collection of cards that offers cardholders rewards in the form of cryptocurrencies.
This card offers a 1.5% cashback in the form of Bitcoin that is bought under your name and stored in NYDIG provided crypto wallet. Nevertheless, cardholders cannot transfer their rewarded crypto t another wallet. However, after a 90-day holding period, they can sell it for a 1.5% transaction fee.
Upgrade Card Competitors
| Card Name | Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa | Avant Credit Card | Prosper Card |
| Credit | 580-740 | 580-740 | 300-670 |
| Reward rate | Earn 1.5% cashback unlimited cash every time you make payments | Does not offer cashback, miles, or points | Does not offer cashback, miles, or points |
| Intro offer | No current offer | No current offer | No current offer |
| Annual fee | $0 | $59 | 0 first-year annual fee with AutoPay enrollment. $39 annual each year thereafter |
| Intro Purchase APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Regular APR | 8.99% – 29.99% APR | 27.24% Variable | 21.24% – 32.24% variable based on Prime Rate |
| Intro Balance Transfers APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The Upgrade card combines the flexibility of a card with the low cost and predictability of a loan. Also, it charges $0 fees – $0 annual fee, $0 activation fees, and $0 maintenance fees. Moreover, it offers no-touch payments with built-in contactless technology.
People can easily check if they qualify in minutes without hurting their credit score. Not to mention, Upgrade gives access to a virtual card while you wait for your card to arrive in the mail. It is also great for large purchases with predictable payments you can budget for.
Cardholders have easy access through their mobile app which allows them to check their account anytime, anywhere. With Upgrade cards, you can enjoy peace of mind with $0 fraud liability.
CONCLUSION
Undeniably, Upgrade cards come with the best features and have the best cashback rewards. The facilities that Upgrade provides, along with the ease of use and accessibility, are unbeatable, making it score way ahead of its competitors. Moreover, Upgrade has a choice of options for cardholders to suit the individual needs of more people.
Jamie Johnson is a sought-after personal finance writer with bylines on prestigious personal finance sites such as Quicken Loans, Credit Karma, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Bankrate, and The Balance. Over the past five years, she’s devoted more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to topics like mortgages, loans, and small business lending.