What the X1 Credit Card Offers
The X1 Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Deserve, a fintech company that specializes in credit products for people building or rebuilding their credit history. The card earns cash back on purchases — typically 1% across the board, though some categories may offer higher rates depending on the current offer. There is no annual fee, and the card reports to all three major credit bureaus, which means responsible use can help build your credit score over time.
The card is designed for people who may not have an extensive credit history or who are working to improve a lower score. Unlike many traditional rewards cards, the X1 does not require a perfect credit history to be considered. The approval process is faster than many bank cards, and you can check your likelihood of approval without a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Key Takeaways
- The X1 Credit Card charges no annual fee and reports to all three credit bureaus, making it useful for credit building.
- You earn cash back on purchases, usually at a flat 1% rate, though promotional categories may vary.
- The card is designed for people with limited credit history or lower credit scores, not for those with excellent credit seeking premium rewards.
- You can check your approval odds before submitting a full process, which does not hurt your credit score.
- The card comes with a mobile app where you can track spending, set budgets, and monitor your credit score.
How to Open an X1 Credit Card Account
Start by visiting Deserve's website and selecting the X1 Credit Card product. You will see a button to check your approval odds. Click it and enter your basic information — name, email, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This check does not trigger a hard inquiry, so it will not affect your credit score. Deserve will tell you within seconds whether you are likely to be approved.
If the odds look good, proceed to the full process. You will need to provide your full Social Security number, current address, employment status, and annual income. Have a government-issued ID ready to verify your identity. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. Once you submit, Deserve typically makes a decision within minutes to a few hours.
If you are approved, you can set up your card when ready in the mobile app and use it for digital payments right away. A physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are not approved, Deserve will tell you why and may offer you the option to reapply after a certain period or to try a different product.
What Documents and Information You Will Need
Have these items ready before you start the process:
- A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Your full Social Security number
- Your current residential address
- Your employment status and annual income (you do not need to provide a pay stub, just the figure)
- A valid email address and phone number
You do not need to upload documents or provide proof of income during the process. Deserve verifies your identity electronically and may request additional documentation only if there is a discrepancy or if you are flagged for fraud review.
Understanding the Rewards and Fees
The X1 earns 1% cash back on all purchases by default. Deserve occasionally runs promotional categories that earn higher rates — for example, 2% or 3% on groceries or gas for a limited time — but these are not may provide and change throughout the year. Check the app or Deserve's website to see what categories are currently boosted.
Cash back is posted to your account monthly and can be used to pay your statement balance, withdrawn to a linked bank account, or left to accumulate. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and there is no expiration date on rewards.
The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no late payment fees (though interest will accrue on a late balance). There is a cash advance fee if you withdraw cash at an ATM, so use the card for purchases rather than cash withdrawals.
How Credit Limits Work on the X1
Your starting credit limit depends on your credit profile and income. First-time applicants typically receive limits between $500 and $2,500, though some receive higher limits. Deserve does not publish a minimum or maximum, so your limit is based on their internal assessment of your creditworthiness.
You can request a credit limit increase after you have held the card for at least 6 months and have made on-time payments. Log into the app, navigate to your account settings, and look for the option to request an increase. Deserve will review your account and may grant the increase without a hard inquiry.
Your credit limit and utilization (how much of your limit you use each month) are reported to the credit bureaus. Keeping your balance low relative to your limit helps your credit score, so try not to use more than 30% of your available credit in any given month.
Using the X1 App and Managing Your Account
Once your account is open, read the Deserve app (available on iOS and Android) to manage your card. The app shows your current balance, available credit, recent transactions, and cash back earned. You can set spending budgets by category, receive alerts when you approach your limit, and view your credit score — Deserve provides a free score update monthly.
You can make payments directly from the app to your card balance. Payments typically post within one business day. You can also set up automatic payments so your full balance or a minimum payment is paid on your due date without you having to remember.
The app also lets you freeze or unfreeze your card when ready if it is lost or stolen, and you can view your credit report summary to understand what factors are affecting your score.
Building Credit With the X1 Card
The X1 is designed to help you build credit history because Deserve reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means your on-time payments, low balances, and account age all contribute to your credit score over time.
To maximize credit building, make at least your minimum payment on time every month — ideally, pay your full balance to avoid interest charges. Keep your balance well below your credit limit. Do not close the account once you have built your credit; older accounts help your score, so keeping it open and active (even with small occasional purchases) is beneficial.
After 6 to 12 months of responsible use, you may be offered credit limit increases or may be approved for other cards with better rewards or lower interest rates. The X1 is a starting point, not a permanent card — it is meant to help you graduate to better options as your credit improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to be approved for the X1?
Deserve does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. The card is designed for people with limited credit history or lower scores, but approval depends on your full profile — income, employment, existing debt, and payment history all factor in. The best way to know is to check your approval odds on their website, which takes 30 seconds and does not hurt your score.
Can I use the X1 card internationally?
Yes, the card works abroad and has no foreign transaction fees. However, your bank or card issuer may charge a currency conversion fee depending on how the transaction is processed. Check with Deserve before traveling if you want to confirm the exact terms for your specific trip.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you miss your due date, interest will accrue on your balance at the card's current APR (which varies by applicant). Your missed payment will be reported to the credit bureaus and will hurt your credit score. Pay as soon as you realize you are late to minimize the damage. Set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date by accident.
Can I transfer a balance from another card to the X1?
The X1 does not offer balance transfers. If you want to move debt from another card, you would need to pay it off using the X1 as a regular purchase card, which means you would pay interest on the new balance unless you pay it off when ready. For large balance transfers, look for a card that specifically offers a 0% introductory period on transfers.
How long does it take to receive the physical card?
The physical card arrives within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use the card for digital payments (online, in-app, or contactless) when ready after approval through the Deserve app, so you do not have to wait for the physical card to start earning rewards.