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To get most credit cards, you need a credit history. And in the US, you almost always need to have a Social Security number.
This can make it nearly impossible for new immigrants to get access to credit, at least until you’ve obtained a Social Security number.
The Jasper Mastercard doesn’t require you to have one. Even if you’ve just arrived in the country, that’s no obstacle to obtaining a line of credit.
The Jasper Mastercard isn’t just for new immigrants, either. It’s also a great choice for young professionals or anyone with a scant credit record.
You can use this card to build credit while taking advantage of cash back rewards on everyday purchases. Let’s take a closer look at this unique card.
The Jasper Credit Card is a Mastercard offered by Web Bank. Web Bank is an FDIC-insured bank that focuses on online operations, and Jasper is simply their card brand.
The nice thing about the Jasper card is that you can use it just about anywhere because it’s a Mastercard.
Mastercard is accepted by most payment processors, brick-and-mortar stores, and sites like Amazon.
This means you won’t have to worry about whether or not your card will be accepted. You can travel throughout the US and the world without encountering many obstacles.
To obtain a Jasper credit card, you’ll first need to apply. If you have a TransUnion credit record, they will take that into consideration. If not, they will consider your income, employment, and other available information.
Once you’re approved, you’ll earn 1% cash back on all purchases. If you refer friends who sign up for a card, that number can go up as high as 6%.
The card is accepted anywhere that takes Mastercard and has a limit of up to $5,000 depending on your financial record.
You’ll also gain access to a mobile app which makes it easy to track your spending and pay your monthly bill.
Here’s a quick overview of the Jasper Mastercard’s basic features. After that, we’ll get into more specifics.
There is no history or credit scorerequired to obtain the Jasper Credit Card. Even if you have no credit, you can still qualify if you have sufficient income and a job in the US.
As a result, the Jasper card is a great choice for recently graduated young professionals who have yet to build any sort of credit history.
Be warned: Jasper checks your TransUnion score if you have one. We’ve heard about people getting rejected with scores in the low-to-mid 600s, so this is not a card for people with bad credit. They just take other factors into account if you have no credit record whatsoever.
Another related benefit is that card applicants who are new immigrants don’t have to immediately provide a Social Security number.
As long as you have a job with a US employer, you’ll have 60 days to provide your Social Security information. This will help you get through your first few weeks in the US until you have your card.
Many credit cards charge a percentage fee for transactions in foreign countries or using foreign currency.
Oftentimes, this fee is as high as 2 or 3 percent, wiping out any rewards the card may offer. The Jasper Credit Card charges no fees for foreign transactions.
Whether you’re shopping in Athens, Georgia or Athens, Greece, you’ll pay only what the merchant is charging you.
The Jasper Mastercards pays 1% cash back on all purchases, starting from the day you first receive the card.
That alone isn’t bad, but there are plenty of rewards cards that pay a higher rate. However, you have the potential to earn as much as 6% cash back by referring your friends.
You’ll receive an additional 1% cash back each for the first two friends you refer. For the next six friends, you receive an additional 0.5% each.
Each “boost” lasts for a full 12 months from the date your friend signs up for a card. The more people you refer, the more cash back you’ll earn!
To manage your account, you’ll need to use the Jasper App. There’s no browser-based version for use on PC.
That said, the app works surprisingly well and is available for free on Android and iOS. As part of the experience, it sends you push alerts when your bill is due or when there’s an important announcement.
This can be hugely helpful if you’re new to the country and need help understanding the US credit system.
The credit limit for the Jasper Mastercard is up to $5,000. Keep in mind that this is a maximum, not the guaranteed limit for everybody. Your actual limit will depend on your income, credit history, and other factors.
We’ve already discussed the basics of Jasper Mastercard Rewards. You get 1% cash back on all purchases, along with bonus referral money. Here’s a bit more detail about how the program works.
Earning rewards is automatic. As soon as you get your card, you’ll start to earn 1% cash back automatically.
If you earn a referral bonus, you’ll get that percentage automatically as well. However, the cash back money won’t be immediately available.
To unlock your rewards, you’ll first have to make three on-time payments. Interestingly enough, those three payments don’t have to be consecutive.
For example, you could make two on-time payments, pay late the next month, and pay on time in the fourth month to unlock your rewards.
Once unlocked, your rewards are automatically applied to your statement at the end of each month. In effect, it works like a discount of one percent or more.
Let’s say you spend $800 this month. At a cash back rate of 1%, you’d earn $8, which would then be applied as a payment, leaving you with a balance of $792. At 6%, that payout would be increased to $48. So, on a $800 bill, you’d only actually have to pay $752.
The OpenSky Secured Credit Card is a secured card, which means you have to make a deposit. If you want a credit limit of $500, for example, you’ll have to deposit $500, which you can then borrow against.
Because this represents almost zero risk for the lender, even people with bad credit can usually obtain a secured card.
The downside is obvious: other than building your credit, you’re not achieving much. You may as well just put the money in savings.
That said, building your credit is a huge benefit and can be difficult to do when your score is low. But for people with no credit whatsoever, the Jasper Credit Card is going to be a better choice. If nothing else, there’s no deposit, and you get some cash back.
The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card is a 1% cash back rewards card similar to the Jasper Mastercard.
The main difference in the rewards system is that there’s no referral program. Instead, after 12 months of on-time payments, your base rate rises to 1.5%. In other words, there’s no potential for absurd, 6% rewards, but the base rate is more reliable.
Another major difference between these cards is that the Petal® 2 does require at least an average credit record. If you don’t have a score in the low 600s or higher, you’ll be better off applying for a different card.
Like the OpenSky card, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is secured. You’ll need to put down a deposit for the amount of your credit limit, which can be between $200 and $2,500, depending on your credit history and income.
There are also no rewards. This is a decent card if you’ve got bad credit and need to rebuild with a positive track record. But for people with no credit, the Jasper Mastercard provides a better value.
Yes. The Jasper is a good credit card for people with no credit history or who do not have a Social Security number.
It allows you to access the credit system and even provides cash back rewards. That said, if you have good credit, there are rewards cards that pay a higher percentage.
The Jasper Mastercard is issued by Web Bank, an FDIC-insured financial institution. Jasper is the financial technology brand owned by Web Bank.
Yes, but only when you first apply. It also only consults TransUnion, so your Equifax and Experian scores won’t be affected.
On the downside, Jasper does not communicate payments to Experian, either. Payments are only reported to TransUnion and Equifax.
No. The Jasper Mastercard is not a secured credit card and does not require any security deposit.
With zero annual fees, it’s tough to say why the Jasper Mastercard wouldn’t be worth it. The more important question is whether you qualify for a card with more robust rewards.
Yes, the Jasper Mastercard works with both Apple Pay and Google Pay.
As you can see, the Jasper Mastercard provides a great value for people who need to establish a credit history.
Better yet, it actually provides rewards. Yes, there are better rewards programs out there, but they usually require a good score.
For starter cards, 1% cash back is a pretty good rate! Combine that with a generous maximum credit limit, and you’re looking at a solid choice for many people.
Kim Pinnelli is a Senior Writer, Editor, & Product Analyst with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has been a professional financial writer for over 15 years, and has appeared in a myriad of industry leading financial media outlets. Leveraging her personal experience, Kim is committed to helping people take charge of their personal finances and make simple financial decisions.
