Deserve EDU Review

Who is the Deserve EDU Card for?

If you're a college student studying in the United States and are looking for a starter credit card, the Deserve EDU card might be one of the best options out there for you. No social security is needed to obtain this card so international students are welcome to apply as well.

The Deserve EDU card is entirely designed for college students. From free Amazon Prime to no annual fees, the benefits that come alongside this card can be useful to any college student.

 If you’re a college student who is looking for a beginner credit card that lets you build up your credit score but at the same time offer a ton of rewards, the Deserve EDU card is definitely worth looking into.

No Initial Bonus

Unsurprisingly, just like with most other first credit cards, the Deserve EDU card has no initial or welcome bonus. This makes sense as welcome bonuses usually require spending a significant amount in the first few months after opening the account, which most college students are not looking to do.

Other Benefits

Although there is no welcome bonus, the Deserve EDU card has a benefit that is quite rare among credit cards targeted towards college students: cashback. No matter the type of purchase, you will receive 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases. This is a fantastic benefit for a starter credit card.

In order to separate itself from the rest of the credit cards directed towards college students, Deserve EDU has partnered up with other companies to offer an assortment of rewards to its users. To start off, all Deserve EDU cardholders will receive one free year of Amazon Prime after opening an account. Amazon Prime can be extremely useful. From buying dorm room decor to textbooks, a whole free year of Amazon Prime is helpful for any college student.

Additionally, since Deserve EDU runs on the Mastercard network, Mastercard will offer cell phone protection when you pay up your cell phone bill with the Deserve EDU card. This protection plan will provide coverage for up to $600 should your cell phone ever be stolen or damaged. 

Other partnership benefits include $100 off a Feather subscription, a furniture rental company, three months of talk & text through Mint Mobile, and $10 off a Lemonade insurance plan.

One of the most standout benefits of the Deserve EDU card is its lack of foreign transaction fees. Whether you’re studying a semester abroad or going back home for summer break, not having to pay foreign fees can be super handy. Finding a student credit card with no international fees is extremely rare.

Technology

Like most credit cards nowadays, the Deserve EDU card offers chip and contactless technology. These chips have enhanced security, leading to safer purchases, and greater acceptance of purchases at chip terminals around the world. The credit card can also be added to your smartphone’s digital wallet, allowing for easy purchases.

No Annual Fee

One of the main selling points of this card is it does not have an annual fee. No college student wants to pay an annual fee to use their credit card. With the many benefits the Deserve EDU card provides, the zero annual fees are the icing on the cake. With its lack of an annual fee, you never have to worry about additional payments. 

APR

Of course, like with almost every other credit card out there, the Deserve EDU card has an APR in effect when you miss a payment. The APR, however, is quite higher than average at 18.74%. This can be punishing to college students learning how to pay off their credit card statement every month. It is important to note that this card does not allow for cash advances or balance transfers either. Although most college students do not need a card that offers cash advances or balance transfers, this can be a deal-breaker to a select few who need it.

Conclusion

Overall, the Deserve EDU card is a fantastic first credit card for college students. With its zero annual fees, tons of partnerships, and no foreign fees, college students will be able to receive a variety of benefits as they use this card. However, the high APR for purchases can be punishing if you miss a payment.