Upgrade Cash Rewards vs Venmo Credit Card 2024 (2024)

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Upgrade Cash Rewards vs Venmo Credit Card 2024 (1)

Written by investor.com

December 18, 2023

In head-to-head competition, which of these rewards credit cards wins out? Here’s what each has to offer and how they fare when put to the ultimate test — the cash back you’ll earn for using them.

Upgrade Cash Rewards
Use the Upgrade Card at retail locations and online and earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases when you pay them back. Funds from your line of credit are also available to be sent to your bank account. Welcome offer: Get a $200 bonus when you also open a Rewards Checking account and make three qualifying debit card transactions within 60 days.

Venmo Credit Card
With the Venmo Credit Card automatically earn 3% cash back on your eligible top spend category, 2% on the next, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.

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diningDining

theater_comedyEntertainment

local_gas_stationGas

monetization_onOther

local_pharmacyPharmacy

card_travelTravel

local_shippingAmazon

storefrontCostco

constructionHome Improvement

shopping_bagOnline Shopping

smart_displayStreaming

local_taxiTransit

powerUtilities

kitchenWhole Foods

receipt_longWholesale Clubs

Calculate Cash Back


Upgrade Cash Rewards

Read review

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Bonus

$200

Apply Now

On Upgrade’s site
Rates & Fees

Best for Rewards Rotators


Venmo Credit Card

Read review

Cashback Per Year

$...

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Apply Now

Want to compare more cards? Use our full calculator.

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Which credit card earns more cash back overall?

Based on identical spending inputs, you’ll earn $180.00 cash back per year with Upgrade Cash Rewards and $185.16 with Venmo Credit Card. For context, the average annual rewards payout from the cashback credit cards in the investor.com database is $181.73.

The annual rewards payout assumes you charge $1,000 each month spread across the following spending categories: Dining ($145), Entertainment ($134), Gas ($140), Groceries ($198), Travel ($128), Pharmacy ($15), and Other ($240). The dollar amounts for each category are based on consumer spending data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (i.e., how much the average American spends proportionally across the major credit card rewards categories). But you can — and absolutely should! — customize the inputs based on your actual monthly spending habits, using our rewards calculator.

To ensure the most accurate results possible, the rewards calculations for Upgrade Cash Rewards and Venmo Credit Card incorporate bonus rewards rates, spending caps, default rewards rates and annual fees, where applicable.

Is the Upgrade Cash Rewards good?

Calling this a “cash back credit card” is a loose interpretation of the genre. The Upgrade Cash Rewards card is basically a no-grace-period personal loan packaged in plastic, offering rewards that can only be used for one thing — paying down your balance.

thumb_up Likes

  • 1.5% rewards rate on purchases as they’re paid off
  • No security deposit required
  • Predictable monthly payments and fixed payoff date
  • Balances subject to fixed-rate APR
  • Offers prequalification
  • No late fees

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Rewards can only be applied as a statement credit
  • No grace period on purchases or transfers
  • Welcome bonus requires opening a checking account
  • Loans ineligible for cashback rewards
  • Charges 3% foreign transaction fee
  • No extra benefits
  • No authorized users allowed
Category Default Rate Bonus Rate Bonus Spend Cap Bonus Spend Period (Months)
Gas 1.50% - - -
Travel 1.50% - - -
Dining 1.50% - - -
Entertainment 1.50% - - -
Pharmacy 1.50% - - -
Groceries 1.50% - - -
Other Purchases 1.50% - - -

Is the Venmo Credit Card good?

The Venmo Visa may be the card for you if you simply can’t be bothered with things like picking monthly bonus categories … or lifting a finger to redeem your rewards. No judgment! Just facts.

thumb_up Likes

  • Automatically pays 2% and 3% back on top eligible monthly spending categories
  • No cash back rewards spending caps
  • Rewards automatically credited to your Venmo account each statement period
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Preapproval available

thumb_down Dislikes

  • Application by in-app invitation only
  • 1% default cash back rate is ... what it is
  • Only occasionally offers a sign-up bonus
  • No joint/authorized users allowed
  • 3% fee when used for person-to-person payments (srsly?)
  • No 0% promotional APR on purchases or balance transfers
Category Default Rate Bonus Rate Bonus Spend Cap Bonus Spend Period (Months)
Gas 1.00% - - -
Travel 1.00% - - -
Dining 2.00% - - -
Entertainment 1.00% - - -
Pharmacy 1.00% - - -
Groceries 3.00% - - -
Other Purchases 1.00% - - -

More Comparisons

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compare_arrows Compare cash back credit cards

Select and compare two credit cards head to head to see which offers the most bang for your buck.


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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlliant Cashback Visa Signature Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Everyday Cash Back Mastercard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlly Unlimited Cash Back Mastercard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAmazon Prime Visa
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAmazon Visa
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAmerican Express Cash Magnet
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxApple Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBank of America Customized Cash Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlue Cash Everyday from American Express
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlue Cash Preferred Card from American Express
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBMO Harris Bank Cash Back Mastercard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBread Cashback American Express Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital One Quicksilver Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital One Quicksilver Rewards for Good Credit
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital One QuicksilverOne
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital One Savor Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital One SavorOne Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxChase Freedom Flex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxChase Freedom Unlimited
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCiti Custom Cash Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCiti Double Cash Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCostco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCredit One Bank American Express Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCredit One Platinum Rewards Visa (No Annual Fee)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCredit One Platinum Visa
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCredit One Platinum X5 Visa
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDiscover it Cash Back
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDiscover it Chrome Gas & Restaurant
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxNavy Federal cashRewards Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPayPal Cashback Mastercard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPenFed Power Cash Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPetal 2 Visa Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSam's Club Mastercard
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSoFi Unlimited 2% Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTD Cash Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTruist Enjoy Cash Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxU.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxU.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxUpgrade Cash Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxUSAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxUSAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVenmo Credit Card
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxWells Fargo Active Cash Card
Compare 0 of 2

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Methodology

The results of the investor.com Credit Card Rewards Calculator are based on the monthly spending amounts you enter and the annual dollar value of the rewards each credit card program pays per $1 spent. Credit card companies often express this payout amount as a percentage (e.g., 1.5% of every dollar spent) or on a points basis (e.g. ,1.5 points for every dollar spent). We converted all of them to a dollar amount (“Cash Back Per Year”) to make comparing offers easier.

To calculate the amount of cash back you could earn per year, we factored in:

  • Spend category inputs: The default dollar values for each “Spend Category” in the Best Cashback Credit Cards tool — gas, groceries, travel, restaurant, entertainment, pharmacy, other — are based on average American spending data from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We also include additional spend categories (such as streaming services, online shopping, utilities, transit, Amazon and more) to help you see which rewards cards are most closely aligned with your actual spending patterns. We encourage you to customize the monthly spend inputs for the most accurate results.
  • Tiered rewards rates: If a rewards credit card pays higher cashback rates on certain spending categories (also called “Bonus Rewards”), that difference is reflected in the total “Cash Back Per Year” tally.
  • Rewards spending caps: Some cards impose category- or time-based limits (monthly, quarterly, annually) that affect the amount of rewards you can earn. For example, a card may pay 3% cash back on groceries on up to $1,000 of spending each quarter, then revert to the base/default rewards rate until the following quarter. We accounted for bonus spending caps and timeframe in the calculations.
  • Default rewards rates: Purchases that exceed a spending cap are usually subject to a lower default rewards rate (e.g., 1% or 1.5%). We mathed that out too.
  • Annual fees: If a rewards card charges an annual fee, we deducted that amount from the “Cash Back Per Year” total to provide a true accounting of a card’s annual rewards payout.

What’s not included in the “Cash Back Per Year” total is the cash value of any sign-up/introductory bonus. We highlight any Welcome Bonus separately. While sign-up bonuses can be the most lucrative part of getting a new cashback rewards credit card, not everyone will want or be able to do what it takes to earn the extra cash. (It usually requires spending a certain amount in a specified time period after the card is activated.)

Upgrade Cash Rewards vs Venmo Credit Card 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the credit card limit for upgrade cash rewards? ›

The Upgrade Visa offers personal credit lines from $500 to $25,000, depending on your credit history. While that rivals some of the best high-limit credit cards on the market, there's no guarantee the issuer will offer you a high limit since it depends on your credit history.

What credit score do you need for a Venmo credit card? ›

The Venmo Credit Card offers a range of benefits for users who frequently use the Venmo app, including cashback rewards and seamless integration. While the minimum credit score requirement is not explicitly stated, aiming for a FICO score of at least 670 will increase your chances of approval.

How much is the credit limit for Venmo credit card? ›

The starting credit limit for the Venmo Credit Card is $250 or more; everyone who gets approved for this card is guaranteed this limit. However, depending on your credit standing, you could get a much higher credit limit.

Is it hard to get the Venmo credit card? ›

You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the US or its territories to apply. You must have a Venmo account in good standing, that has been open for at least 30 days prior to application. An approved Venmo Credit Card application will result in a hard credit inquiry, which may impact your credit bureau score.

What are the disadvantages of an upgrade card? ›

The unpredictable reduction in credit limit can lead to higher credit utilization ratios, further damaging one's credit profile. Based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend Upgrade to anyone, not even my worst enemy. The stress and negative consequences are simply not worth it.

What credit score do you need for an upgrade credit card? ›

Applicants with FICO credit scores of 600 or above can qualify for the Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa®, and unlike a lot of other cards available to those with less-than-stellar credit, there's no security deposit or annual fee.

What is the $200 bonus on the Venmo card? ›

You'll get a higher 2% cash back rate on all purchases and you can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, there's a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. After that, a 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR applies.

Is the Venmo credit card an actual credit card? ›

The Venmo Credit Card is a Visa® credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. You can split Venmo Credit Card transactions with friends on Venmo and use the money in your Venmo account to make payments towards your bill. The Venmo Credit Card and the Venmo Debit Card also have unique rewards programs specific to each card.

Can you use a Venmo credit card like a regular credit card? ›

There are several ways to use your Venmo Credit Card account: you can make online purchases using your virtual card number, you can use your physical card in stores and online, or you can use your Venmo Credit Card as a payment method within the Venmo app.

What credit card is the easiest to get? ›

Comparing the easiest cards to get
Card NameAnnual feeFICO score required
Indigo® Mastercard®$0-$99 depending on creditworthiness300 to 670
Capital One Platinum Credit Card$0580 to 740
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card$0580 to 740
Discover it® Student Chrome$0No credit history
3 more rows
Jun 28, 2024

How to increase credit limit on Venmo card? ›

You can request a credit line increase for your Venmo Credit Card by contacting Synchrony Bank at 855-878-6462. Some cardholders also have the ability to request a credit line increase in the Venmo Credit Card section of the Venmo app. Requesting a credit line increase will not result in a hard inquiry on your credit.

Who does Venmo credit cards pull from? ›

The Venmo Credit Card is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license from Visa USA Inc. VISA is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.

Why did I get declined for a Venmo credit card? ›

Poor internet connectivity can lead to multiple transactions failing. Card Use: Venmo may decline your transaction if your bank account or card status is blocked. Sometimes, the bank or card issuer may decline transactions due to busy servers or peak hours.

Is there a catch to the Venmo card? ›

You don't want to pay foreign transaction fees

Note that the Venmo Debit Card can't be used outside of the United States or for online purchases with international merchants. If you're interested in the Venmo Debit Card but travel abroad often, you'll want to have alternative payment options on hand.

How many credit cards should you have? ›

It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.

What is the limit on the upgrade debit card? ›

You may be able to request a limit increase by logging on to your account online and navigating to the section that allows you to manage your debit card. If not, you can call the number on the back of your debit card to speak with a customer service representative.

What is the maximum credit card limit you can get? ›

The highest credit card limit you can get is over $100,000 according to reports from credit card holders. But like most credit cards in general, even the highest-limit credit cards will only list minimum spending limits in their terms. The best high limit credit cards offer spending limits of $10,000 or more.

What is the credit limit on a cash card? ›

The credit limit is the maximum amount that can be charged to your account for purchases and cash transactions combined. The cash limit is the portion of your credit limit that you can specifically use for “cash” transactions (I.e. cash advance, convenience cheque or transfers).

Does upgrading a credit card increase the limit? ›

In the case of upgrading your Credit Card, you may upgrade the credit card you current owe, in order to take advantage of the benefits that come with it. However, it may not come with an enhanced credit limit. In such a case, you may opt to use multiple credit cards even if you upgrade a single credit card.

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