With positive customer reviews and no security deposit required, the Blaze Mastercard can be a good choice for those looking to boost their credit score.

In this Blaze Mastercard review, you’ll find out everything you need to know.  

Blaze Mastercard Stats

If you have less than perfect credit, using a credit card responsibly can be an effective strategy for repairing it.

But how do you qualify for a credit card when your score is low? This is where the Blaze Mastercard may be able to help. 

Here are some key details about this unsecured credit card designed specifically for people who want to rehab their credit. 

• Issuing Bank – The Blaze Mastercard is issued by First Savings Bank.
• APR – All cardholders pay a fixed purchase APR of 29.9%.
• Annual Fee – All cardholders pay a $75 annual fee, which reduces the amount of credit you have available. Some cardholders have left online reviews saying they got First Savings Bank to waive the annual fee after a couple of years of on-time payments and responsible use.    
• Credit Limit – Most people start out with a $350 credit limit, but those with higher credit scores report receiving up to $1,500 in purchases.
• Credit Line Increases – Users who pay their bills on time and maintain an account in good standing are eligible to receive a limit increase after six months. 
• Secured vs. Unsecured – The Blaze Mastercard is an unsecured credit card, which means you don’t have to put down a security deposit. 
• Customer Service – Customer service is based in the United States and is reported to be excellent. 
• Mobile App – Use the free mobile app to manage your account and receive alerts via text when you near your spending limit or your payment due date is approaching.
• Foreign Transactions — Foreign transactions are available on the Blaze Mastercard® credit card, and they don’t charge any foreign transaction fees, which is a huge plus.

At $75, the Blaze Mastercard’s annual fee is higher than most other unsecured credit cards. If you want to forego the restrictions of a secured card, however, the higher-than-average annual fee might be worth it. 

The Pros and Cons of Blaze Mastercard

Every credit card has its pros and cons. Here are the advantages and possible disadvantages to keep in mind if you’re interested in the Blaze Mastercard.

6 Pros of Blaze Mastercard

Here are the positives of the Blaze Mastercard, and the reason the card generally scores high marks among users.

1. Easy to Get Approved

The Blaze Mastercard is marketed toward people with fair to poor credit, which means you don’t need a high credit score to get one. With a minimum credit score in the upper 500s, you have a decent chance of getting approved.

This is good news if you’re in the market for a new credit card and don’t want to rack up a bunch of hard inquiries that can pull down your credit score.

2. No Deposit Required

Because the Blaze credit card is an unsecured card, you don’t need to come up with a security deposit when you open your account.

On the other hand, you’ll probably receive a relatively low credit limit if your credit is low. On the plus side, you can usually get this increased if you use your card responsibly for at least six months.  

3. No Hidden Fees

People with bad credit often have few options when it comes to credit cards, and many of these options saddle you with loads of hidden fees. 

The Blaze card comes with no hidden fees. You won’t pay any surprise maintenance fees, setup fees, monthly service charges, or fees for foreign transactions.

Do note, however, that the payment fee is up to $25.

4. Increase Your Credit Limit

Like most cards designed for people with bad credit, Blaze typically starts you out with a $350 credit limit. However, most people are eligible to receive a credit line increase of up to $1,000 as long as they make all their payments on time for six months.

Because a higher credit limit can boost your credit score, this is a great perk for those looking to repair their credit.

5. Superb Customer Service

Users around the web report being impressed with the prompt and easy-to-reach customer service associated with the Blaze credit card.

Knowing you can quickly reach a live human on the phone can give you peace of mind as you go about repairing your credit. 

6. Reporting to Credit Bureaus

Blaze Mastercard will report your on-time payments to all three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax), so you can rest easy knowing your good credit practices are getting recorded.

6 Cons of Blaze Mastercard 

Like a lot of credit cards made for those with poor credit, Blaze Mastercard has a few drawbacks. Here are six to watch out for.

1. High Annual Fee

As with the majority of cards offered to people with bad credit, the Blaze card comes with a higher than average annual fee. Cardholders pay $75 per year, which can seem high when you consider that many people will only receive a $350 credit limit. 

However, you can ask for a higher limit after around six months of good credit use. This means paying your bill on time and keeping your credit utilization below 30 percent.

Additionally, several reviews online mention cardholders may be able to get the annual fee waived after a couple years of responsible credit use. 

2. Low Credit Limit

Unless your credit score is good, you probably won’t get a very high credit limit with the Blaze Mastercard. Most cardholders report receiving a $350 credit limit to start. 

However, some users with higher credit scores say it’s possible to get a credit limit as high as $1,500. This does seem to be an exception rather than a rule, however. 

3. High APR

At 29.9 percent, Blaze Mastercard’s APR is on the high side. This rate can hurt you financially if you carry a balance each month.

If you aren’t sure you’ll be able to pay your card off each month, it might be better to look for alternatives to the Blaze Mastercard, like the Credit One Bank Platinum Visa card. Otherwise, you could end up racking up interest from month to month. 

One good thing to note is this card doesn’t come with a penalty APR.

4. Limited Max Credit Line

The Blaze credit card’s credit limit maxes out at $1,500. If you’re looking to really boost your credit utilization rate, this lower limit probably won’t be much help.

5. Rewards Are Extra

The Blaze card offers some cash-back rewards and benefits, but you have to pay for a premium membership to access them. At $4.95 a month, the extra fees might not be worth it for most people. 

You also won’t earn any points with this card.

6. Unclear Terms on Credit Limit Increases

Blaze doesn’t explicitly spell out what it takes to qualify for a credit limit increase. Although many people report that it takes about six months to qualify for a bigger credit limit, you won’t find this in writing anywhere in the card’s terms and conditions.

You can always contact Blaze Mastercard customer service and request a higher credit limit. However, there’s no guarantee you’ll get one.

You can find the terms and conditions for the Blaze Mastercard here.      

7. No Balance Transfers

A balance transfer is when you consolidate your debt from one credit card to a different card. Unfortuntately, the Blaze Mastercard® credit card doesn’t offer balance transfers.

Standard vs. Secured Credit Cards: Which One Is It?

The Blaze Mastercard is an unsecured credit card, meaning you don’t have to make a deposit to open an account.

Secured credit cards have their own positives and negatives. If you’re in the market for a credit card that lets you rebuild your credit, it’s worth researching the pros and cons of secured credit cards.   

Are You Eligible to Apply?

One of the biggest draws of the Blaze Mastercard is the ease of qualifying. Cardholders say it’s relatively easy to get approved, making the card a good choice for people with less than stellar credit scores. 

The Blaze card has an online application that asks for some basic information, including your name, social security number, and address.

When you fill out the application, you’ll also have to disclose your income. As long as you have a steady job with a regular income, you shouldn’t have any difficulty qualifying for the card.

First Savings Bank will pull your credit report when you apply, and your credit score will be a significant factor in determining whether you qualify. 

However, some users say they were approved even just a few months out from finalizing a bankruptcy.

It goes without saying that a higher credit score will improve your chances of getting approved. However, plenty of cardholders with poor credit have received a card.

3 Steps to Apply for a Blaze Credit Card

Applying for a Blaze Mastercard is a straightforward process. You should be able to accomplish it in three steps.

#1. Check Your Credit Score

This step is optional, but it’s a good idea to know your credit score before you apply. While the Blaze Mastercard is known for approving applicants with lower credit scores, it helps to know just where you stand before you submit your application.

You can get your credit score for free by signing up for the Discover Scorecard. It’s totally free, and it takes roughly five minutes to submit your information and get your score. 

If your score is low, you should get your free copy of your credit report so you can see what’s pulling down your score. That way, you can take the necessary steps to improve your credit score before you apply for a credit card. 

#2. Submit Your Application

The Blaze Mastercard application is available online. It asks for basic identifying information, as well as your gross annual taxable income, annual non-taxable income, and monthly rent or mortgage. 

When you’ve filled everything out, you can submit your application with the click of a button. 

#3. Wait for a Decision

Once you’ve submitted your application, the only thing left to do is wait for a response. Some users report receiving a decision within a day or two, while others say they waited up to a month. 

On average, it seems you can expect to wait about a week to hear back, with most people receiving a response a bit sooner than that. If approved, you’ll receive login credentials to access your dashboard and pay your statement once you start using the card.

How Much Will You Earn in Rewards and Cash Back?

The Blaze Mastercard doesn’t offer rewards or cash back in the traditional sense. The closest it comes to a rewards program is the Premium Club, which allows cardholders to receive discounts on certain products and services. 

The Premium Club costs $4.95 a month. Members can get access to local and national discounts. 

According to the Premium Club site, membership gets you 15 percent off dining gift cards, discounts at over 8,000 spas and resorts, 40 percent off tickets for movies and theme parks, and discounts at certain hotels nationwide. 

Credit Limit Increases

The Blaze Mastercard offers credit limit increases capped at $1,500. However, it’s unclear what criteria you need to meet to qualify for an increase.

This is one area where cardholders report mixed experiences. While some users say they received an automatic credit limit increase after six months, others say they were denied an increase despite paying their monthly payments on time. 

It’s important to keep in mind that many factors go into a lender’s decision to offer a credit limit increase. For example, one or two 30-day late payments on your credit report could prevent you from qualifying for a bump in your spending limit.  

Cash Advances

You can take out cash advances with the Blaze Mastercard, with a cash advance fee of 2%.

The Blaze Mastercard cash advance APR is 29.9% (the same as the purchase APR), with no grace period available. 

Consumer Reviews from Around the Web

Overall, the Blaze Mastercard receives positive reviews online.

Folks at the myFICO forums had generally good things to say about the Blaze credit card. 

For example, several users reported they were able to get the annual fee waived after a couple of years of responsible use.  

A reviewer from Credit Karma reported being pleased with Blaze’s customer service, noting they got in touch with a representative quickly when they needed help.

By contrast, some reviewers have reported having a difficult time getting their credit limit increased. One cardholder posted their frustration surrounding this issue on the Better Business Bureau website.

Is the Blaze Mastercard Right for You?

Opening a credit card is one of the most effective ways of improving your credit score or building credit from scratch if you have no credit history to speak of.

When your credit score is low, however, it can be next to impossible to qualify for a credit card. While you can opt for a secured credit card, they require a security deposit and typically have low credit limits. 

The Blaze Mastercard seems to be a good middle ground between secured credit cards and regular cards. Because it’s an unsecured card, you don’t have to pay any money upfront. 

First Savings Banks also reports to all three credit bureaus, so you get credit for using your card and making your payments on time. This can help boost your credit score, which betters your chances of qualifying for traditional credit cards with higher spending limits down the road.

Overall, the Blaze card seems to be a solid building block on the path to improving your credit score and establishing yourself as a responsible credit user.  

Blaze Credit Card Alternatives

While Blaze appears to be a solid choice for building or rebuilding credit, there are other options out there. Here are three to consider. 

1. Get a Secured Credit Card

With a secured credit card, you make a deposit upfront. This is usually the same as your credit limit. 

A secured card can be a good option if your credit score is too low to qualify for a Blaze Mastercard or similar unsecured card.

Many secured cards offer guaranteed approval, which makes them ideal for people who need to rebuild after experiencing a huge dip in their credit score.  

2. Become an Authorized User

If you know someone with excellent credit, you can ask them to add you as an authorized user to their account. If you go this route, just make sure the credit card company reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. 

You’ll also want to be certain you can keep up with your payments, as falling behind or misusing the card will create a burden for the account holder. 

3. Open a Store Card

Retail cards are often easier to get than a traditional credit card. If you’re having a hard time qualifying for a regular credit card, a store card can help you improve your credit score. 

However, store cards tend to come with higher interest rates, and they might contain hidden fees. Make sure you read the fine print before you apply.   

Contact Information: How to Reach Blaze by Phone and Mail

Blaze offers its contact information on its website.

To mail in payments, use the following address: 

Payment Address

Blaze MasterCard

PO Box 2534

Omaha, NE 68103-2534

For other correspondence, send mail to:

Correspondence Address

Blaze MasterCard

PO Box 5096

Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5096

To speak to a customer service representative by phone, call: 

Customer Service

866-205-8311

Conclusion

With no hidden fees and straightforward terms and conditions, the Blaze Mastercard is a good choice for people looking to repair their credit. Initial credit limits are low, but there are opportunities to receive a higher limit over time.