Deserve^® PRO Mastercard Review [2024]: Build Your Credit And Earn Cash Back Rewards

CREDIT CARDS - CASH BACK CREDIT CARDS

The Deserve PRO Mastercard is a great option for individuals who want to earn rewards but don’t meet the credit requirements of more popular rewards cards.

By Kevin Payne

Edited by Jess Ullrich

Updated Nov. 20, 2024

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NOTE:

The Deserve Pro Mastercard is not currently open for applications and is taking new cardholders by invite only. Instead, you might consider checking out our list of the best credit cards for students or the best credit cards for those with no credit.

Many rewards credit cards require you to have good or excellent credit for approval. Unlike many other card issuers, Deserve is a venture-backed fintech company that offers a few rewards credit cards designed to help build credit.

The Deserve Pro Mastercard is one of these cards. It offers cashback bonuses along with a handful of travel perks. no foreign transaction fees but is missing some key benefits to make it a more complete rewards card.

Keep reading to learn more about the Deserve Pro Mastercard to determine if it’s the right choice for your wallet.

In this Deserve Pro Mastercard review

Who should get the Deserve Pro Mastercard?
Card basics
Deserve Pro Mastercard benefits and perks
Drawbacks to the Deserve Pro Mastercard
Earning & redeeming cash back with the Deserve Pro Mastercard
Deserve Pro Mastercard FAQs
Other cards to consider

Who should get the Deserve Pro Mastercard?

The Deserve Pro Mastercard could be a good option for those with a limited credit history. And unlike secured credit cards, which are popular options for those with limited credit, it doesn’t require a security deposit. Whether you are younger or just moved to the U.S. and haven’t had time to build a credit history, Deserve might offer a card option for you. And your payment history will be reported to the credit bureaus, which could help you build credit over time.

If you don’t meet the credit requirements of top-tier rewards cards but still want to earn rewards for their spending, the Deserve Pro could also be worth considering. If you have more established credit and a good credit score, you might find more value with the best rewards credit cards. Deserve Pro doesn’t allow balance transfers. There are other no-fee credit cards that offer those types of perks, especially for individuals with good to excellent credit.

Card basics

Card type	Cash back
Credit card issuer	Celtic Bank
Credit card network	Mastercard
Reward rate	3% cash back on travel and entertainment, 2% at restaurants (3% and 2% rates apply to the first $500 spent each billing cycle in these categories combined, then 1%); and 1% on all other purchases
Foreign transaction fee	None

Deserve Pro Mastercard benefits and perks

Cashback rewards: Cardmembers earn 3% cash back on travel and entertainment, 2% at restaurants (3% and 2% rates apply to the first $500 spent each billing cycle in these categories combined, then 1%); and 1% on all other purchases.
Airport lounge access: The Deserve Pro card comes with a one-year Priority Pass membership, provided you meet the offer’s requirement of spending $1,000 on your card in the first 90 days.
Cell phone insurance: If you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Deserve card, you’ll also receive cell phone protection up to $600 per claim ($1,000 total per 12-month period) against theft and damage.
Rental car insurance: Cardholders can get a car rental collision damage waiver and theft insurance coverage. To access coverage, rent a car using your Deserve Pro Mastercard and decline the rental company’s insurance.
Mastercard benefits: Deserve Pro comes with access to Mastercard World benefits like Mastercard ID Theft Protection, online shopping discounts, select travel assistance services and benefits, and more.

Drawbacks to the Deserve Pro Mastercard

No balance transfers: The card doesn’t allow balance transfers or cash advances.

Earning & redeeming cash back with the Deserve Pro Mastercard

Potential earnings in years one and two

Here's a look at how your cash back can add up with the Deserve Pro Mastercard.

Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.

Year one earnings: $543

Year two earnings: $543

These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at cash back earned via spending with the Deserve Pro Mastercard. If you spend frequently in this card’s bonus categories, your yearly values could increase considerably.

Best ways to earn

The card features a simple cashback rewards structure. You’ll earn 3% cash back on travel and entertainment, 2% at restaurants (3% and 2% rates apply to the first $500 spent each billing cycle in these categories combined, then 1%); and 1% on all other purchases. Note that bars don’t count as restaurants with the Deserve Pro card. Since other rewards cards offer a higher rate on everyday spending, this card might not be the best card to use outside its bonus categories.

It’s important to note that there’s a cap on bonus rewards earning with this card. You’ll earn the bonus cashback rates for the first $500 in combined travel and entertainment, restaurants purchases, each billing cycle. After that, you’ll earn 1% on everything else.

Categories	Rewards rate
travel and entertainment	3%
restaurants	2%
everything else	1%

Maximizing your redemptions

There's only one redemption option available with the Deserve Pro Mastercard — statement credits. Statement credits are issued automatically by Deserve in $25 increments. Your cashback rewards have no expiration as long as your account is open, which likely won’t matter since this card gives you automatic redemptions. Cashback redemptions aren’t available if your account is closed or not in good standing.

Deserve Pro Mastercard FAQs

Is the Deserve Pro Mastercard a good card?

Deserve Pro Mastercard could be a good card if you are looking to build your credit while still earning cashback rewards. If your credit isn’t up to par, you probably won’t qualify for the best rewards credit cards on the market.

What credit score do you need for the Deserve Pro Mastercard?

Like most credit card issuers, Deserve doesn’t publish any specific FICO credit score requirements. Also, having a credit history isn’t necessarily required to qualify for Deserve Pro as this lender also considers other factors in determining eligibility.

What's the credit limit on a Deserve Pro Mastercard?

The credit limit on the Deserve Pro Mastercard is up to $10,000, and your total limit will be based on your creditworthiness.

Do you need a Social Security number for the Deserve Pro Mastercard?

You may need to share your Social Security number during the application process for the Deserve Pro card. A Social Security number might not be required if you are an international student applying for the Deserve EDU Mastercard.

Does the Deserve Pro Mastercard have a sign-up bonus?

No, unfortunately, there is no sign-up bonus offer included with the Deserve Pro Mastercard.

Other cards to consider

If you have established credit, the Deserve Pro might not be the best credit card for you. A more lucrative cashback rewards card to consider is the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®. This card offers 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and 3% cash back on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, cardmembers have a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 19.99% - 28.74% Variable).

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you can redeem your cash back for statement credits, gift cards, or Amazon shopping, or you can book travel inside the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. There’s also a welcome bonus with this card: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).

Read our Chase Freedom Unlimited review.

If your spending varies from month to month, the Citi Custom Cash^® Card is another cashback card to consider. Cardmembers earn 5% cash back in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent, then 1% cash back), plus unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases; plus, as a special travel offer, earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. Citi Custom Cash is also a good alternative if you want access to a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)) and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)).

It’s missing some of the travel benefits found with the Deserve card, but it does come with free credit score access so you can track your progress as you build credit.

Read our Citi Custom Cash Card review.

Get Cash Back and Travel Perks