Is Upgrade OneCard Essentials the right fit for you?
Last Updated: 11/06/2026
SuperMoney User Recommendation Score +88
Strongly recommended16 total votes
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Highlights
Community Rating
Strongly recommended
Purchase APR (Variable APR)
19.99% - 29.99%(Verified 11/06/2026)
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Balance Transfer APR (Variable APR)
19.99% - 29.99%(Verified 11/06/2026)
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Credit Score Range
600 - 850
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Annual Fee
$0
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Number of Reviews
Upgrade OneCard Essentials Review
This is a cashback credit card issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Upgrade OneCard is issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Upgrade is a financial technology company, not a bank. If you're wondering whether Upgrade OneCard Essentials is the right card for you, read on.
Key Takeaways
- Generous reward rate. You can get a rewards rate of up to 3x.
- APR: This is not a great card for people who carry a balance. It has a variable regular purchase APR that ranges from 19.99% up to 29.99%.
- No annual fee. This is a great option for people looking for a low-maintenance cashback card. It gives you cashback on your eligible purchases, but you don't have to pay an annual fee for the privilege.
- A 5% balance transfer fee. Upgrade OneCard Essentials charges a fee of 5% on balance transfers. For example, a balance of $1,000 could cost $50 in transfer fees. The minimum fee is $10.
- Charges foreign transaction fees. Avoid using this card when traveling abroad because it charges a commission of up to 3% every time you make a transaction outside the U.S.
- Soft credit pull. You can check whether you prequalify for Upgrade OneCard Essentials without a hard pull on your credit report. Most credit card issuers don't offer this option.
- Poor credit accepted. This card will consider people who have poor credit.
Pros & Cons of Upgrade OneCard Essentials
| The Good | The Bad |
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Upgrade OneCard Essentials FAQ
Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials have a cash back or rewards program?
This is a cashback card. This means you earn a percentage of your purchases as cash back rewards.
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Internet / Cable / Phone Services | 3 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gas | 3 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groceries | 3 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | 3 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Every Purchase | 1 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EV Charging | 3 % cash back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials have a signup bonus?
This card doesn't offer a cash signup bonus.Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials offer an annual loyalty bonus?
This card doesn't offer a cash loyalty bonus.What are the Upgrade OneCard Essentials benefits?
Upgrade OneCard Essentials provides the following benefits:
- Emergency Support
- Zero fraud liability
- Travel Assistance
- Reports to major credit bureaus
What are the relevant APRs for Upgrade OneCard Essentials?
According to the Federal Reserve Board, the average regular APR for accounts that carry a balance (as of September 2026) is 22.15%. This card has lower than average regular APRs.Upgrade OneCard Essentials has a variable purchase APR that ranges from 19.99% up to 29.99%. The card has a variable balance transfer APR that ranges from 19.99% up to 29.99%. It also has a variable cash advance APR that ranges from 19.99% up to 29.99%.
Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials have an intro APR offer on balance transfers?
No, it does not come with an intro APR offer for balance transfers.Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials have an intro APR offer on new purchases?
This card does not offer an intro APR rate on new purchases.What are the fees for Upgrade OneCard Essentials?
| Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Returned Payment Fee | $43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign Currency Transaction Fee | 3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Fee | $0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No Annual Fee? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Late Fee Amount | $30 - $41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum Cash Advance Fee ($) | Starting at $10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Advance Fee (%) | Starting at 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This card does not charge an annual fee, which makes it a smart choice for consumers looking for a low-cost cashback card.
There is a late fee of up to $41 . Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials have a foreign transaction fee?
Upgrade OneCard Essentials charges a foreign transaction fee of up to 3%. For example, if you spend $2,000 on a week vacation abroad you would pay a foreign transaction fee of $60. If you travel abroad you may want to leave this card at home and apply for one that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.What is the customer service phone number for Upgrade OneCard Essentials?
The customer service number for Upgrade OneCard Essentials is (844) 319-3909.
What is the support contact email for Upgrade OneCard Essentials?
The support contact email for Upgrade OneCard Essentials is support@upgrade.com.
How do people rate the customer service and user experience of Upgrade OneCard Essentials?
Overall, Upgrade OneCard Essentials is strongly recommended based on community reviews that rate customer service and user experience.
Does Upgrade OneCard Essentials report your account activity to credit bureaus?
Yes, Upgrade OneCard Essentials reports to the following credit bureaus:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Making regular on-time payments to a creditor that reports to one or more credit bureaus will demonstrate your financial responsibility and may help build your credit.
Does Upgrade Inc perform a hard credit pull?
As is the case with most providers, a hard credit pull will occur if you accept an offer after checking your rates. Upgrade allows you to check your rate with a soft pull that has no impact to your credit score.How to apply for Upgrade OneCard Essentials
- Visit the website of Upgrade OneCard Essentials.
- Fill in the application form. You will typically need to provide general financial information, such as your Social Security Number, address, and annual income.
- Check the information is accurate and submit your application.
If your credit score is preventing you from qualifying for this credit card, check out our guide for the best credit cards for bad credit.
Provider Disclosure: Upgrade OneCard Essentials has variable APRs of 19.99% to 29.99% for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances, based on creditworthiness. APRs vary with the Prime Rate and will not exceed 35.99%. No annual fee. Balance transfer and cash advance fees are 5% of each transaction or $10, whichever is greater. Foreign transaction fee: 3%. Late payment fee: up to $30 for the first late payment and $41 for later ones. Returned payment fee: up to $43. Optional Pay Over Time plans carry a fixed monthly fee of up to 1.72% of the amount. Earn 3% cash back on gas, groceries, streaming and utilities (excluding Target and Walmart) and 1% on all other purchases, with no maximum. Card issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Terms accurate as of November 6, 2026 and subject to change.
View Upgrade OneCard Essentials's published terms & conditions
SuperMoney Disclosure: SuperMoney.com is an independent, advertising-supported service. The owner of this website may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. Read more...
Editorial Disclaimer: Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone and have not been approved or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution, including those that are advertising partners.
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Hours of Operation
Sunday6:00AM - 5:00PMMonday5:00AM - 7:00PMTuesday5:00AM - 7:00PMWednesday5:00AM - 7:00PMThursday5:00AM - 7:00PMFriday5:00AM - 7:00PMSaturday6:00AM - 5:00PM
Other Services by Upgrade Inc
Availability
Available in 45 states.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
SuperMoney Net Recommendation Score
SuperMoney users strongly recommend this product, giving it a user recommendation score of +88, or 4.8 on a 5-point rating scale.
+88
-1000+100
No one recommends
Everyone recommends
Reviewer Sentiment Over Time
Upgrade OneCard Essentials Community Reviews
Would you recommend Upgrade OneCard Essentials to your friends?
KK
Kidus K.
Jul 10, 2023
Would Recommend
One of the standout features of the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa is its mobile app, which deserves special mention for its remarkable intuitiveness and seamless functionality. Managing payments through the app is a breeze, and the user-friendly interface makes it a joy to navigate. Compared to other lesser-known credit cards, the Upgrade app truly shines, providing a convenient and efficient way to handle transactions and stay on top of finances.
What ...Show More
KS
Kirk S.
Feb 3, 2023
Would Recommend
Love this card! Flat 2.2% cash back on everything. Simple, powerful and very user-friendly. The early pay feature is awesome!!
MC
Mazhar C.
Nov 25, 2022
Would Recommend
I love cash rewards cards. I believe that any card that could potentially offer their consumers to receive rewards of any kind should do so. It is a great incentive and shows that they care to keep the customers that they have happy. Great choice!
MA
Muhammad A.
Jul 25, 2022
Would Recommend
I would highly recommend this credit card, with no annual fee, it is one of the best!
Vanessa J.
Apr 12, 2022
Would Recommend
I love cash rewards cards. I believe that any card that could potentially offer their consumers to receive rewards of any kind should do so. It is a great incentive and shows that they care to keep the customers that they have happy. Great choice!
Kayla P.
Feb 25, 2022
Would Recommend
The cash back rewards feature is one of my favorite reward features offered by visa! The application process was easy, straight forward, and I quickly got approved. 5 out of 5 stats from me!
BM
Bonnie M.
Feb 24, 2022
Would Recommend
This company offered a line of credit based on my score. There were no long questionnaires just that I was being rewarded for my good credit. Within a matter of one day funds were deposited. And they are always checking in with me to see if there is anything they can assist me with.
BO
Bobmanuel O.
Feb 23, 2022
Would not Recommend
Please do not apply for this card. Your card will arrive with a bill already past due. They will demand a $32 late fee before you even receive the card.
Taylor B.
Feb 14, 2022
Would Recommend
Very good intro credit care. Super quick process to apply and no annual fees. Be sure to look into autopay to get a lower rate
ES
Emily S.
Nov 3, 2021
Would Recommend
No annual fees and get cash back perks easily with the card! since it's at 1.5% The sign up process is super easy and you can get a lower rate if you choose to autopay.
GL
Grace L.
Aug 13, 2021
Would Recommend
This card is good because it has Lower than average purchase APRs and it considers fair to poor credit score users. You'll also earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is a plus.
MS
Michelle S.
Jul 7, 2021
Would Recommend
I would highly recommend this credit card, with no annual fee, it is one of the best!
SC
Shoane C.
Jun 28, 2021
Would Recommend
This is one of the best credit cards that you can have. I got this credit card for my daughter about 6 months ago, and I must say that it's the best. Earn cash back as you make payments on purchases. Get pre-approved in minutes. $0 Fraud Liability. No Fees. Unsecured Card. Build Your Credit. Predictable Payments. Contactless Card. These are really the reasons why I choose to get this ...Show More
RP
Rene P.
May 29, 2021
Would Recommend
One thing that can be said about this Upgrade Visa Card is the application process was very simple. Payments can be made on the mobile app, which I have to mention is incredibly intuitive and seamless in comparison to other lesser-known credit cards. It works like a loan system but you can keep the money on the account and use it as you need it. I'd recommend this card or ...Show More
Imoleayo L.
May 5, 2021
Would Recommend
Using Upgrade Visa Card comes with a very enjoyable experience. I get my cash backs without fail and the customer service is great. It was pretty easy for me to apply for and get my card working due to their swift and efficient mode of operation.
LD
Layla D.
Apr 23, 2021
Would Recommend
I had no credit history due to being afraid of credit cards. This card helped me get started on the path to getting a better credit score. The customer service was friendly and answered my newbie questions about credit cards which helped me make the leap to getting my first credit card.
Showing 16 of 16 reviews
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