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Aspire Credit Cards Review 2023

Aspire Cash Back Reward Card
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Aspire Cash Back Reward Card
Aspire Cash Back Reward Card
Kale Havervold
May. 30, 2023
4 min read
Kale Havervold
Aspire Cash Back Reward Card Summary
Aspire Credit Cards are issued by the Bank of Missouri, which has a history dating back to 1891. Each card offers a secure and clear online application and complete control of your account, with online access from any device. The Cash Back Reward Card provides 3% cash back on gas, groceries, and utilities, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. You can set up account alerts, view your credit score for free, and both cards are unsecured.

Pros

  • Layers of security in place to protect your information
  • Cash Back Reward Card offers ample rewards

Cons

  • The fees are high
  • Interest rates can vary widely

Aspire Cash Back Reward Card at a glance

9
Editorial score

Fees

Multiple fees
8.0

APR

22.74% - 36% (variable)
9.0

Security

FDIC insured, SSL encryption and other security features
10.0

Customer service

Multiple communication options, wide range of hours
9.0

Online experience

User friendly site and app with detailed help center
9.0

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Overview

Aspire Credit Cards are issued by the Bank of Missouri. This bank provides a variety of services including investing, lending, personal banking, and more. It controls over $2 billion in assets and has dozens of branches.

You can complete the straightforward application process in minutes, and can make payments, check balances, and manage your account from any mobile or desktop device. You can also view your credit score online for free, lock a stolen or lost card, and have access to cash back rewards if you go with the Cash Back Reward Card.

Suitable for?

The Aspire Credit Cards are suitable for you if you value your security and privacy. In addition to using encryption to safeguard your information, it limits employee access to sensitive data and regularly reviews its security practices to ensure compliance.

Aspire Credit Cards are also suitable for those who want around-the-clock online access. Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can access your credit card account to make a payment, check your balance, set up alerts, or check your credit score. The Cash Back Reward Card is particularly suitable if you want to earn rewards by using the card responsibly.

Interest Rates and Fees 

The Aspire Credit Cards have a 22.74%-36% APR for purchases and a 25.74%-36% APR for balance transfers and cash advances. Each card has a $49-$175 annual fee the 1st year, then $0-$49 per year going forward. After the 1st year, there’s a monthly fee that ranges from $5 up to $12.50.

Your creditworthiness and the information you provide in your application will determine your rates and fees. The higher your credit score and the less risky you are to lenders, the better your interest rate and other terms will generally be.

Each card has no penalty APR, but charges up to $41 for late or returned payments. There’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, a cash advance fee of 5% or $5 (whichever is higher), and a 3% balance transfer fee after your 1st year.

Annual and monthly fee

A monthly fee of $5-$12.50 after the 1st year

$49-$175 annual fee for the 1st year, then $0-$49 annually

APR22.74%-36%
APR for cash advances and balance transfers25.74%-36%
Transaction fees

3% balance transfer fee (not charged the 1st year)

3% foreign transaction fee

5% or $5 fee for cash advances (whichever is higher)

Penalty feesNo penalty APR charged

Rewards & Cash Back

While the Aspire® Credit Card doesn’t have a rewards program, the Cash Back Reward Card does. The card offers you 3% cash back on gas, grocery, and utility purchases, and 1% for all other eligible purchases.

You’ll receive your cash back as an annual statement credit against your balance during the anniversary month of your account opening.

The Application Process

You can apply for the Aspire Credit Cards through a secure online process. The 1st step is completing a form to prequalify. You’ll need to provide your name, social security number, date of birth, phone number, and email address. The form also asks for your mailing address, monthly mortgage or rent payment, employer, and net income.

Submitting the form lets Aspire perform a soft inquiry on your credit, which won’t negatively impact your score. You’ll then receive an offer, which you can accept if you think the terms are appropriate. When you accept an offer, Aspire will perform a hard credit inquiry that could impact your credit score. The company will then approve or decline your application.

Help and Support

If you have questions or issues, you can call Aspire toll-free at 855-802-5572. There’s an online form you can fill out, and you can send mail to PO Box 105555, Atlanta, GA 30348-5555. Getting support is easy, and you will normally hear back via email within a day and get your call answered in minutes.

The website includes a Financial Forum section that can help you improve your financial knowledge. It covers topics like checking and savings accounts, overcoming financial crises, credit scores, and more.

Phone call hours: 8am-12pm (ET), Monday-Sunday

Security

Aspire takes your security seriously and uses sophisticated technology to protect your information. It uses SSL and SET encryption, as well as Transport Layer Security to keep data safe and free from unauthorized access.

The company reviews its security practices on a regular basis to ensure compliance and trains its employees on how to use confidential information safely. Only employees who use this sensitive data to do their job will have access to it.

Aspire cards are protected by Mastercard’s Zero Fraud Liability. This means that you won’t be held accountable for the unauthorized use of your card. You can set up alerts on your account to notify you if any fraudulent transactions take place—and lock your card if need be.

FAQ

What are the penalty fees associated with this card?

There are penalty fees for late payments and returned payments. The company charges the maximum fee that is legally permitted—currently $41. There is no penalty APR charged.

When can I see my credit score?

Once your account has been open for 60 days, you’ll be able to check your credit score. It is important to keep in mind that this score is for information purposes only, and not to make credit decisions.

What information does Aspire collect?

As detailed in the privacy policy, Aspire collects two types of information. The first is the information you knowingly choose to disclose, and the second is information collected about how you use its website.

Conclusion

Aspire Credit Cards give you full control over your credit account at any time, on any device. The application process is straightforward, and the company takes security and privacy seriously. The 3% cash back that the Cash Back Reward Card offers is great, but the interest rate and fees can be high.

Aspire Cash Back Reward Card Aspire Cash Back Reward Card Learn More

Methodology

This review was written using information from the Aspire website, its card agreement, and its privacy policy.

Kale Havervold
Written by
Kale Havervold
Kale Haverold is a freelance writer with over 5 years of experience crafting articles about credit cards, loans, debt, and a raft of other personal finance topics. His work has been featured on Top10.com, BestMoney, Yahoo, Hardbacon, and Loans Canada. Kale’s easy-to-digest, research-driven articles stem from his passion to share knowledge that helps readers make informed financial decisions.
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