Arro vs Reflex

Reflex Platinum Mastercard comes from the same company as Surge and has near-identical terms: a $300 to $1,000 starting limit, a fee of $75 to $125 in year one, and 35.90% APR. Arro starts smaller, at up to $300, and costs up to $60 a year with 24.99% APR and no hard pull.

Checked November 9, 2026 against Arro's own pages and the independent sources listed below. Written by the ArroCardApply Editorial Team.

Two card characters side by side
On this page
  1. Arro vs Reflex at a glance
  2. The differences that matter
  3. What a year costs
  4. Choose Arro if
  5. Choose Reflex if
  6. Verdict

Arro vs Reflex at a glance

FeatureArro CardReflex Platinum Mastercard
Product typeUnsecured MastercardUnsecured Mastercard
FeeUp to $60 a year (less in year one on small lines)$75 to $125 first year, then $99 to $125
APRFrom 24.99%35.90% fixed
Credit limitUp to $300 to start, up to $2,500$300 to $1,000 to start
DepositNoneNone
Credit checkNo hard pull (soft inquiry)Hard inquiry when you apply
Reports toEquifax, Experian, TransUnionEquifax, Experian, TransUnion
Where it worksAnywhere Mastercard is acceptedAnywhere Mastercard is accepted
Rewards1% on gas and groceriesNone

Figures as published by: NerdWallet: Arro Card review (April 6, 2026); NerdWallet: Reflex Platinum Mastercard review. Checked November 9, 2026. Issuers change terms, so confirm on the issuer's own site before you apply.

The differences that matter

Fees. Reflex charges $75 to $125 in the first year and $99 to $125 after that. The fee is taken from your limit before you use the card. Arro charges up to $60 a year.

APR. Reflex: 35.90% fixed. Arro: from 24.99%.

Limit. Reflex starts at $300 to $1,000. Arro starts lower and grows through in-app tasks to as much as $2,500.

Approval. Reflex relies on your credit report and runs a hard inquiry when you apply. Arro relies on bank activity with a soft inquiry.

Foreign purchases. Reflex charges 3%. Arro charges nothing.

What a year costs

ScenarioArro CardReflex
Pay in full every month$12 to $60$75 to $125
Carry a $150 balance all year$49.48 to $97.48$128.85 to $178.85

Our arithmetic from each product's published fee and APR: yearly fees plus one year of interest on $150 where interest applies. Reflex: fee depends on the offer. Arro: membership depends on starting limit. Try other amounts in the Arro Card cost calculator.

Choose Arro if

  • You want to keep yearly costs under $60.
  • You have a thin file or a low score but steady income.
  • You want to avoid a hard inquiry.

Choose Reflex if

  • You need a higher limit immediately.
  • You have fair credit and no regular deposits for Arro to read.
  • You want cash advance access and accept the cost.

Verdict

Reflex and Surge are the same trade: more limit for much more money. NerdWallet's own review says the fees and interest make Reflex hard to recommend. Arro is the cheaper way to get an unsecured, reported card.

Still comparing? See all nine in cards like Arro, or read our Arro Card review.

Questions people ask

Are Reflex and Surge the same card?

They are separate cards from the same company with nearly identical fees, APR and limits.

Which has the lower APR, Arro or Reflex?

Arro, at 24.99% to start against 35.90% for Reflex.

Sources

Keep reading

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