FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

Upgradecard.com Reservation | Pre-Approval Offer Invite

An UpgradeCard.com reservation number is a 15-digit pre-approval code that you receive in a mailed offer. You can use this code on the Upgrade website to respond to a pre-selected offer for a personal loan or Upgrade Card. For more information on "Invitation to Apply" offers, read our guide on Invitation Versus Prequalified Credit Card Offers.

How to use your reservation number

1. Locate the code: The 15-digit code is typically found at both the top and bottom of the offer letter you received from Upgrade.

2. Visit Upgradecard.com: Go to the official Upgrade website at upgradecard.com.

3. Enter the code: Click the link that says "Receive mail? Click here" to enter your pre-approval code and begin the application process.

What the number does

  • The reservation number lets Upgrade know which specific pre-approved offer you are responding to.

  • It does not guarantee final approval, but allows you to apply for the offer that was already extended to you.

  • For the Upgrade Card, a hard credit pull occurs when you formally accept an offer and submit a full application. Checking your initial eligibility with a pre-approved offer only involves a soft credit pull, which does not affect your credit score.

    What this means for your credit

  • Soft Pull: When you use your reservation number from a mail offer on upgradecard.com to see what loan or card you might qualify for, Upgrade performs a "soft inquiry". This pre-qualification step is for your information only and will not harm your credit score.

  • Hard Pull: If you decide to proceed and formally apply for the Upgrade Card, Upgrade will perform a "hard inquiry" to make a final lending decision. This typically causes a small, temporary dip in your credit score.

  • Summary

    1. Checking offers on upgradecard.com with a reservation number: No hard pull.

    2. Formally applying for and accepting an Upgrade Card: Yes, hard pull.

    Should you accept the Upgradecard.com offer?

    Accepting an Upgrade Card offer is a good idea for those with fair to good credit who want the predictability of a personal loan for large purchases but the flexibility of a credit card. It is not a good option for people who pay their balance in full every month or who have excellent credit, as more rewarding traditional cards may be available.

    How the Upgrade Card works

    The Upgrade Card is a hybrid of a credit card and a personal installment loan.

  • When you make a purchase, that amount is converted into a loan with a fixed interest rate and a set repayment schedule, such as 24 or 36 months.

  • Your monthly payment is a fixed amount, so you always know exactly how much you need to pay each month to clear your balance.

  • Your credit line "recharges" as you pay off your existing loan balances.

  • Reasons to consider the offer

  • Predictable payments: The fixed monthly payment makes it easier to budget and pay down debt faster than with a traditional credit card's minimum payment.

  • Accessible for lower credit scores: Upgrade is known for approving applicants with fair credit (typically 600–660), a bracket often rejected by traditional card issuers.

  • Rewards: Many of the Upgrade cards offer unlimited cash back rewards, often 1.5% on all purchases, which is credited to your account as you pay.

  • No annual fee: Many Upgrade card options have no annual fee, saving you money over some other cards for fair credit.

  • Pre-qualification: You can check your personalized offer using your mailed reservation number without any impact on your credit score.

  • Potential drawbacks

  • High APR: While rates are fixed, your APR could be very high if you have lower credit, potentially as high as 29.99%.

  • Not a traditional credit card: If you need the flexibility to carry a revolving balance and pay varying amounts each month, a traditional credit card might be a better fit.

  • Fixed payments regardless of rewards: Even if you earn cash back, your fixed monthly payment amount does not decrease. The reward is applied to the balance, which reduces your total payoff time, but your monthly bill stays the same.

  • Negative customer reviews: Some users have reported unexpected credit limit decreases and poor customer service.

  • Possible credit score dip: While the initial pre-qualification is a soft pull, a formal application will result in a hard credit inquiry that may temporarily lower your score.

  • Before you decide

    Consider your financial habits and what you need from a credit product.

  • For large, planned expenses: If you need to finance a large purchase and want a fixed, predictable payment plan, the Upgrade Card is a strong option.

  • For everyday use: If you tend to make many small purchases and pay your balance in full each month, a standard rewards credit card may be better.

  • Check alternatives: Use your pre-qualification results to compare the Upgrade offer's interest rate against other products, including 0% intro APR cards if you have good credit or secured cards if you are rebuilding.


  • * See the online Upgradecard.com credit card reservation application for details about terms and conditions and reservation number.





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    Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score

    FICO® Credit Scores

    A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.

    FICO® Score Ranges:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    What is a Credit Score?

    A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.

    Why is a Credit Score Important?
    A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.

    FICO® Credit Score Facts

    Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores

    • Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.

    • Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.

    • Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.

    • Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.

    Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.

    Advertiser Disclosure:

    The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.

    About Our Offers:

    The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.