Jasper Mastercard® Review: A Credit Card For Professionals On The Move
- New to Credit
The Jasper Mastercard® is the premium US-based Mastercard with a high credit limit, and no annual fee,³ especially helpful to customers who are new to credit in the U.S., such as young adults who have recently started their professional lives and professionals who have recently relocated to the U.S. for work.
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Helpful for young professionals in the U.S. who are new to credit and building credit from scratch
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No Social Security Number² required to apply if you are new to the US and in the country on a work visa
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No annual fee³, no security deposit, and no foreign transaction fees
- *Jasper Legal Disclosure:
- ² No SSN is required to apply for applicants who are new to the U.S. and are in the country on a work visa. SSN is required within 60 days of card activation. Card can only be activated from within the US.
- ³Review the Jasper fee schedule
For professionals who have recently relocated to the U.S., getting access to financial services isn’t an easy process. Something as simple as qualifying for a credit card is seemingly impossible without a U.S. credit history.
But Jasper has turned that entirely around by making it easier for working professionals to get a credit card, even without a local credit history¹ or a Social Security Number².
Designed to help high-earning, quality employees who have recently moved to the U.S. build a credit history, Jasper reports your spending and payments to the credit bureau Equifax and TransUnion and also shares guidelines, recommendations, and best practices to help you build credit with ease.
This way, you can rest assured knowing your brand-new credit history is off to a good start.
But is it the best choice for you?
How does the Jasper Mastercard work?
If you’re newly relocated to the U.S., you may already know it’s tough to establish a credit history. Applicants without a Social Security Number² or past credit record are often denied without consideration of their income or ability to pay. This is because most financial institutions rely heavily on established credit-reporting methods.
Without a credit history to look at, credit card companies don’t know your credit score, your credit utilization rate, or if you’ve been delinquent on payments.
But Jasper doesn’t rely solely on traditional factors like credit history¹ to qualify for a credit card. Instead, they consider your income, career field, and debt-to-income ratio to determine if you’re a good candidate.
Game-changer benefits with Jasper
I’m calling them game-changer benefits for a good reason; take a look!
A Social Security number² is not needed to apply
That’s right: you don’t need a Social Security Number² to apply for a Jasper credit card.
Jasper is different because they use proprietary underwriting procedures to see if you qualify. Being able to apply without a Social Security Number² or a local credit history¹ makes Jasper a perfect opportunity for employed professionals who have recently moved to the U.S.
To apply for a Jasper MasterCard®, you’ll need:
- A passport
- Visa information
- Proof of U.S. employment
Knowing you don’t need a local credit history¹ or Social Security Number² to apply is a pretty big deal. And definitely, the relatively high credit limit of up to $5,000 and being able to apply up to 60 days in advance of starting your new job in the U.S. is a convenient feature of the card.
But the benefits don’t stop there! Your Jasper Mastercard has basic shopping and travel protections, and even more advanced features that make it super attractive.
You can apply up to 60 days before you start your new job in the U.S.
Another excellent feature of the Jasper Mastercard – you can apply up to 60 days before starting your new job in the U.S. Since moving requires a substantial amount of planning, knowing you can jumpstart the credit card application process in advance is a great benefit.
Plus, there’s a higher spending limit than most companies offer. Since you can get up to a $5,000 credit line, Jasper sets you on the right path to establishing a local credit history¹.
If you apply in advance and you’re approved, your Jasper Mastercard will be waiting at your verified U.S. work-location address.
Once you receive your Social Security Number², make sure to notify Jasper so they will correctly report your information to the credit bureau Equifax and TransUnion. Until then, make sure you’re making all payments by the due date to show you’re a credible customer.
1% cash back on all eligible purchases
Jasper offers 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, and you’ll receive your cash back automatically every month as a credit to your account, as long as your account is active and in good standing.
There are no foreign transaction fees
There are no fees or extra charges to use your card internationally so you can use your card while traveling or visiting your home country, without worrying about additional costs.
Many other cards charge a fee of up to 3% for international purchases, and that certainly doesn’t bode well for a card that is attracting individuals like yourself who very well may be moving to the U.S. from another country and will likely be booking many international trips.
Identity theft resolution service
We know identity fraud is a real threat. For help uncovering identity theft and eliminating out-of-pocket expenses, this service has you covered.
The Identity Theft Resolution Service for Jasper contacts the authorities and restores your identity if you become a victim of identity theft.
Mastercard Identity Theft Alerts®
With hacking and data breaches on the rise, the risk of your personal information being bought or sold online is higher than it’s ever been.
The no-fee service from Mastercard Identity Theft Alerts will notify you if your identity has been compromised so you can use your card knowing your data is protected.
Price protection
It’s always frustrating to find a lower price on something after you already bought it. With Price Protection, you can get the price difference in a refund if you see the item at a lower price within 60 days from the date of your purchase.
To qualify, you must have used your card to purchase the object and the advertisement must be in print or from a non-auction internet ad. And, of course, it must be for the exact same product.
Purchase assurance
For purchases made with your Jasper Mastercard, you’re protected against accidental damage or theft of items for up to 90 days after you buy it. Even if you lose something you bought with your credit card, you can have it replaced with Purchase Assurance.
Satisfaction guarantee
In the event you made your purchase with your credit card and are unsatisfied with it, you may be eligible for reimbursement even if the merchant refuses to take it back.
While this scenario is only applicable for 60 days after your purchase, it’s definitely plenty of time to know if you want to return it or not.
Whether it’s buyer’s remorse or the product didn’t live up to your expectations, you’ll appreciate the Satisfaction Guarantee.
What are Jasper’s terms?
Priding itself on simplicity, Jasper’s terms and fees are straightforward and easy to understand. The interest rate compares nicely to other cards available for people with little to no credit history. But even with the better than average interest rate, it always serves you better to pay your balance in full each month.
There are no foreign transaction fees for using your card outside of the U.S., and no annual fee³, either. Plus, the credit line can go as high as $5,000, and that’s significant for employed professionals who have recently relocated to the U.S.
Other terms and conditions
- The annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases is relatively low: 15.49% - 24.99% Variable
- The APR for cash advances is higher which is standard practice for any credit card and comes in at 24.99% - 29.99% Variable
- There is no annual fee³, and this is one of the best advantages of this card
- There is no penalty APR if you fall behind on your payments
- You’ll pay a late fee of up to $27 if you don’t pay your bill on time
Will Jasper work for you?
As you know, getting a credit card in the U.S. without a credit score is a complicated process. When you add in the fact that you live in another country and don’t already have a Social Security Number², it’s almost impossible.
Jasper is looking to improve your odds by helping you establish a credit history without added fees or costs. Plus, Jasper offers 1% cash back on all eligible purchases, which will be automatically credited to your Jasper account each month.
Pros & cons
Pros
- International use — There are no fees or extra charges to use your card internationally.
- Reasonable APR — Jasper's terms and fees are straightforward and easy to understand.
- High starting credit limit — The credit line can go as high as $5,000.
- No annual fee³ — With no annual fee³, the Jasper Mastercard is even more attractive.
- 1% cash back — You'll earn 1% cash back on all of your purchases.
Cons
- Late fee — You’ll pay a late fee of up to $27 if you don’t pay your bill on time.
- No balance transfers — Jasper doesn't currently have a balance transfer offer.
Summary
If you’re a high-quality professional employee who has recently relocated to the U.S., Jasper is assuredly an excellent option to begin your journey. With the Jasper Mastercard, you can apply without having a Social Security Number² up to 60 days before you start your new job in the U.S., and fast-forward the process of building a local credit history¹ in the U.S.
It doesn’t have an annual fee³ or any foreign transaction fees, and the purchase APR is good — making it a great choice.
Legal disclosures
¹Applicants who have lived in the US for more than one year at time of application must provide SSN and application review will include a credit check.²SSN is required within 60 days of card activation. Card can only be activated from within the US. Applicants who have lived in the US for one year or more must provide SSN at time of application and undergo a credit check.
³Review the Jasper cardholder agreement and fee schedule.
The Jasper Mastercard® is issued by WebBank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. WebBank, Member FDIC © 2020
