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Updated Apr 16, 2026 · research
Upromise World Mastercard
BarclaysUpromiseEditorially reviewed

Upromise World Mastercard

Earn 1.529% cash back on purchases when your Upromise account is linked to an eligible College Savings Plan, or 1.25% otherwise. $100 welcome bonus after $500 spend in 90 days. $0 annual fee.

Entry LevelPersonal
Mastercard
Credit profile: good
$0
Annual fee
1.53% back purchases with linked college savings plan
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

100 cashback

$100 estimated value

Spend $500 in 90 days

Verifiedproduct page
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Card Offers

public

100 cashback

Verified

$100 estimated value

Spend $500 in 90 days

product page

Earning Rates

purchases with linked College Savings Plan
1.53%cash back

Upromise Program account linked to eligible plan

purchases without linked plan
1.25%cash back

Upromise account not linked

gift card purchases at MyGiftCardsPlus
1%cash back

Eligible gift cards, powered by Upromise

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee makes the card low-risk to hold long-term
  • Elevated 1.529% cash back rate when linked to an eligible College Savings Plan
  • Solid $100 welcome bonus with a modest $500 spend requirement in 90 days
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles
  • No foreign transaction fees for international use

Cons

  • Base cash back rate of 1.25% is below average compared to flat-rate competitors
  • Higher earning rate requires linking to a College Savings Plan, adding a setup step
  • No bonus category rewards for dining, groceries, gas, or travel
  • Cash back is tied to the Upromise ecosystem, which may not suit those without college savings goals
  • The $250 annual cap on gift card cash back limits the upside of that benefit

Key Takeaways

  • Earn 1.529% cash back when linked to an eligible College Savings Plan, or 1.25% without the link
  • $100 welcome bonus after $500 in spending within the first 90 days
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles, then 18.49% to 29.49%
  • No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Up to $250 cash back annually on eligible gift card purchases at MyGiftCardsPlus

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
18.49% - 29.49%
Balance Transfer APR
18.49% - 29.49%0% intro APR for 15 months
Cash Advance APR
29.74%

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

4 benefits including 1 hidden gems

Travel Credits

Purchase Protection

Statement Credits

Lifestyle Benefits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Up to $250 Cash Back on Gift Cards via MyGiftCardsPlus

Cardholders can earn up to $250 in cash back per calendar year on eligible gift card purchases at MyGiftCardsPlus, a benefit that is easy to overlook but adds meaningful value for those who regularly buy gift cards.

Free FICO Score Access with Alerts

The card provides ongoing free access to your FICO credit score online along with alerts, which is a useful monitoring tool for cardholders working to maintain or improve their credit standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Upromise World Mastercard?
The Upromise World Mastercard has a $0 annual fee. There is no fee waived for the first year; it is simply $0 ongoing.
How does the cash back rate work?
Cardholders earn 1.529% cash back on purchases when their Upromise account is linked to an eligible College Savings Plan. If the account is not linked to an eligible plan, the rate drops to 1.25% cash back on all purchases.
What is the welcome bonus and how do I qualify?
New cardholders can earn a $100 cash back welcome bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. The bonus is credited as cash back through the Upromise program.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Upromise World Mastercard charges 0% in foreign transaction fees. This makes it a usable option for international purchases without added currency conversion costs.
What is the intro APR offer on balance transfers?
The card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles. After the intro period, the ongoing balance transfer APR ranges from 18.49% to 29.49% based on creditworthiness.
What credit score is needed to apply?
The Upromise World Mastercard generally requires good credit for approval. Applicants should review their credit profile before applying to gauge eligibility.
What is the MyGiftCardsPlus cash back benefit?
Eligible gift card purchases at MyGiftCardsPlus can earn up to $250 cash back per calendar year through the Upromise program. Purchases must qualify under the program's terms, and conditions apply.
Can I access my FICO score with this card?
Yes, the Upromise World Mastercard provides free online access to your FICO credit score along with alerts. The account must be open, active, and in good standing to access this benefit.
What fraud protection does the card offer?
The card carries $0 fraud liability, meaning cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized charges. This is a standard Mastercard benefit and requires prompt reporting of any suspicious activity.
How does the Upromise program work with this card?
Cash back earned with the card flows into a Upromise account, which can be linked to an eligible College Savings Plan such as a 529 account. Linking to an eligible plan also unlocks the higher 1.529% earning rate on purchases.

About This Card

This card is best for parents, students, or families actively saving for college through a 529 or other eligible College Savings Plan who want to direct everyday spending rewards toward education costs. It also suits balance transfer seekers who want a no-annual-fee card with a competitive intro period.

The Upromise World Mastercard offers cash back rewards directed towards college savings through the Upromise program. Earn 1.529% cash back when linked to an eligible College Savings Plan, 1.25% otherwise. Up to $250 annual cash back on gift cards at MyGiftCardsPlus. Features include no foreign transaction fees, $0 fraud liability, free FICO score access, and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles.

The Upromise World Mastercard is one of the few no-annual-fee cash back cards that directly channels rewards into a college savings account, offering a higher earning rate specifically for cardholders linked to an eligible 529 plan.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Upromise World Mastercard

100 cashback, worth about $100 estimated value, with no annual fee.

Spend $500 in 90 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

Reward Program

Upromise

Earns Cash Back

Learn more

Card Categories

CashbackNo Annual FeeCollege Savings

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

We collect card details from official issuer pages, then verify them through editorial review.

Last updated:

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 4 of 4 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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