Aspire Credit Card – The Cash Back Rewards Card for Fair Credit

If you’re working on building or rebuilding your credit score, the Aspire Cash Back Reward Card could be a helpful tool. This credit card is designed for those with fair or average credit, offering cash-back rewards, credit monitoring, and the opportunity to increase your credit limit over time with responsible usage.

In this blog post, we will explore all the key details of the Aspire Credit Card, including the benefits, features, costs and fees, application process, activation steps, online account management, payment options, and more. Whether you’re considering applying or are already a cardholder, this is a must-read resource.

Benefits of the Aspire Credit Card

While the Aspire card has some drawbacks in terms of fees that we’ll cover shortly, it does offer several valuable benefits, especially for those in the fair credit range:

Cash Back Rewards – Earn 3% cash back on gas, grocery, and utility bill payments, and 1% back on all other eligible purchases.
No Security Deposit Required – Unlike many credit cards for fair/average credit, the Aspire is an unsecured card that does not require an upfront refundable security deposit.
Credit Monitoring – Enjoy free access to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score from TransUnion, updated monthly, so you can track your credit-building progress.
Potential Credit Limit Increases – With responsible card usage like making on-time payments, Aspire regularly reviews accounts for credit limit increase opportunities over time.
Prequalification Available – Check if you prequalify for the card with only a soft credit pull, before officially applying with a hard inquiry. This allows you to see your potential initial credit limit.
Credit Protection Option – Though it comes at an additional monthly fee, cardholders can add an optional Credit Protection Plan to have minimum payments or balances canceled in certain hardship events.

Key Features

Earn 3% Cash Back on gas, grocery, and utility payments
Earn 1% Cash Back on all other eligible purchases
Annual Credit Limit Review for potential increases based on your payment history, credit use, and income
Credit Monitoring with free FICO score access
Mobile App for account management and services
Credit Protection Plan Option for covering payments in case of hardship events like job loss or disability
No Security Deposit Required
Initial Credit Limits from $350 to $1,000 based on your creditworthiness
Mastercard Benefits including $0 fraud liability and other standard Mastercard cardholder benefits

Costs and Fees

The Aspire card aims to keep costs manageable for those with imperfect credit scores, though there are some important fees to be aware of:

Annual Fee: As low as $85, depending on your creditworthiness
Account Maintenance Fee: There is no monthly fee for the first year, but after that a $5 to $12 monthly maintenance fee will apply (up to $144 per year), based on your credit profile.
APR: 29.99% or 36% Fixed APR based on your credit. This is quite high compared to average credit card interest rates, so it’s best to pay balances in full each month.
Late/Returned Payment Fees: Up to $40
Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

How to Apply for the Aspire Credit Card

Applying for the Aspire card is a straightforward online process:

Check Your Pre-Qualification Status (recommended but optional) by providing some basic personal information for a soft credit pull preview of your potential approval and credit limit.
Complete the Full Application by submitting details like your full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, total annual income, monthly mortgage/rent payment, and more.
Confirm Your Offer – The issuer will do a hard credit check and if approved, allow you to confirm your initial credit limit, interest rate, and fees before finalizing your account.
Receive Your Card – The Aspire Credit Card will arrive by mail within 7-10 business days if approved.

For the best chances of approval, you’ll want a credit score in the fair range of 580-669, a decent income compared to your existing debt, and recent positive credit behavior. Having a full-time job or other recurring income source is also important.

How to Activate Your New Aspire Credit Card

Once your Aspire Credit Card arrives, you’ll need to activate it before making any purchases:

Find the Sticker on Your Card with the activation website or phone number
Go to the Website listed on the sticker and follow the instructions. You’ll need to enter details from the card like the 16-digit card number to verify your identity.
Call the Phone Number on the sticker if you prefer to activate by phone and follow the automated activation process.
Set Your PIN for making transactions that require a PIN, like getting cash advances from ATMs.
Download the Mobile App (optional) and enroll your card to access your account digitally

With your Aspire card activated, you’re ready to start using it for purchases or balance transfers wherever Mastercard is accepted.

How to Log Into Your Aspire Credit Card Account

Managing your Aspire Credit Card account is easy thanks to the online banking platform and mobile app. Whether you need to check your balance, review transactions, make a payment, redeem rewards, or update your personal information, you’ll want to log into your account regularly.

Logging In Online

Go to the Aspire Credit Card website and click “Login” at the top
Enter your Username (this is sometimes your full card number)
Enter your Password
Click “Log In”

If this is your first time logging in, you’ll likely need to verify some personal information to finalize setting up your online account access.

Logging In Through the Mobile App

Download the Aspire Credit Card app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
Open the app and click “Login” on the welcome screen
Enter your Username and Password
Allow any necessary permissions like location services
You’re now logged into the app!

If you haven’t registered your account in the app yet, you’ll go through a setup process using your card number, Social Security number, date of birth, and more to verify your identity.

Troubleshooting Login Issues

If you have trouble logging in, either online or in the app, try these steps:

Review your login credentials carefully to ensure no typos
Click the “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password” links
Use identifiers like your date of birth and Social Security number’s last 4 digits to confirm it’s your account
Reset your username and/or password
Make sure you’re using the correct Aspire Credit Card website/app

If login issues persist, the next step is to call Aspire customer service at 1-800-459-8451 for further account access troubleshooting.

Setting Up Account Alerts

Once logged into your account online or through the app, be sure to set up account alerts and notifications so you’re always aware of:

Payment due dates
Account balances
Pending and posted transactions over certain amounts
Cash back rewards balance updates
Potential fraud alerts

Setting useful alerts can help you stay on top of your Aspire account activity and avoid missed payments or overdrafts.

Why You Should Log In Regularly

Checking your Aspire Credit Card account frequently protects you against fraud and billing errors. It also allows you to track your cash-back rewards balance, monitor your credit utilization, and ensure your payments are processing correctly.

Making your online Aspire account a financial hub puts you in full control of your credit card for optimal credit-building through consistent on-time payments.

Forgotten Aspire Credit Card Login Details

If you forget your online banking login credentials for your Aspire card account, you have a few options to regain access:

Visit the login page and click “Forgot Username/Password”
Use identifiers like your date of birth and Social Security number’s last 4 digits to confirm your identity
Reset your username and/or password
Call customer service at 1-800-459-8451 if you continue having login issues

For security purposes, your online account access may be disabled temporarily after multiple failed login attempts. Following the appropriate steps can restore your ability to view and manage your Aspire account.

How to Make Payments on Your Aspire Credit Card

The Aspire Credit Card issuer offers several convenient ways to make your minimum monthly payments:

Online or Mobile – Log in to your account and use the “Make a Payment” option to pay from your bank account
Pay by Phone – Call 1-855-802-5572 and follow the automated phone payment system
Pay by Mail – Send checks or money orders to the provided remittance address
Pay In-Person – Some retailers and service providers like Western Union may allow you to make an Aspire payment for a potential fee

No matter which method you use, be sure to make at least your minimum payment by the monthly due date to avoid potential late fees of up to $40 and negative credit score impacts. Setting up automatic payments online can help ensure you never miss one.

Other Need-to-Know Details

Report Lost/Stolen Card: Call 1-855-922-5311 immediately if your Aspire card is lost or stolen to limit fraud liability
Credit Limit Increases: After your first 12 months, Aspire may review your account annually for credit limit increase eligibility based on factors like your income and payment habits
Authorized User Cards: You can add authorized users like spouses or children to your Aspire account to give them spending abilities tied to your credit limit and rewards
Card Design: The standard Aspire Credit Card has a sleek charcoal grey design
Customer Service: Reach the Aspire support team at 1-855-922-5311 or through your online account messaging

With its cash-back rewards program, credit-building potential, and flexible credit limit up to $1,000, the Aspire Cash Back Reward Card presents an intriguing option for those with fair/average credit scores.

Despite its potentially high fees, the no-security deposit design and rewards categories like gas, groceries, and utilities can make it worthwhile if used responsibly to build credit over time through consistent on-time payments. Just be sure to understand and account for the annual fee and other costs.

Conclusion

Working on improving your credit can unlock new financial opportunities from better interest rates to higher credit limits to more premium rewards cards down the road. The Aspire Credit Card aims to provide a credit-building tool and spending aid for those rebuilding or establishing their credit profiles.

If your score falls into the fair/average range, applying for the Aspire Cash Back Reward Card could be an option worth exploring on your path to brighter financial futures.