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Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® Review 2025 – Is It Worth the High Fees?
February 6, 2025
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is marketed as a second chance for people with poor credit. It’s an unsecured credit card that can help build credit history, but steep fees and a sky-high 35.9% APR make it a questionable tool. Is the Reflex card worth it for rebuilding credit? Let’s break down its features, costs, pros and cons, and whether you have better alternatives.
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Key Features of the Reflex Platinum Mastercard
Despite its costs, the Reflex Platinum Mastercard does have some features designed to help users start their credit journey:
- Soft Pull Pre-Qualification: You can check if you’re pre-qualified online with no impact to your credit score. This is a useful feature if you’re unsure whether you’ll get approved – you’ll get an idea of your odds first.
- Unsecured Credit-Building: This card is aimed at people with “less-than-perfect credit” who can’t get approved for traditional cards. Because it’s unsecured, you don’t need to tie up money in a security deposit. Using the card responsibly can demonstrate positive credit usage to lenders. Payment history is the most important factor of your credit score, and the Reflex card gives you an opportunity to add positive history each month.
- Credit Line Increases: The standout feature is the credit limit doubling after six on-time payments. For example, if you start with a $500 limit and make at least the minimum payment by the due date for six cycles, you’ll be eligible for a bump to a $1,000 limit. Many user testimonials and reviews confirm this increase, though remember it’s contingent on good behavior.
- Online Account Management: You can manage your Reflex card account through a mobile app or website – checking your balance, making payments, and viewing your monthly Experian Vantage 3.0 score update. The score access is a nice perk for those actively tracking their credit.
- Standard Protections: Being a Mastercard, the Reflex card comes with $0 fraud liability and likely includes Mastercard ID Theft Protection and other basic benefits. However, it lacks premium perks. There is an optional “Credit Protection” plan that can cover your payments in certain situations like involuntary unemployment, but be cautious – those plans can be costly and have many exclusions.
Important: If you get the Reflex card, try to set up automatic payments from your checking account to ensure you never miss a due date. Missing a payment not only hurts your credit but also would incur a hefty late fee. Since the whole goal here is to build credit, you want to avoid any missteps that would drag you down.
Pros and Cons of the Reflex Platinum Mastercard
Reflex Platinum Mastercard at a glance comes with a mix of potential benefits and serious drawbacks. We’ve summarized the main pros and cons below:
Pros
- No security deposit required: This is an unsecured card for those with bad or limited credit – you don’t have to put down money upfront as collateral.
- Available to low credit scores: Applicants with poor credit have a chance of approval. The issuer says “all credit types are welcome,” and there’s even a pre-qualification with no hard credit check to see your odds without hurting your score.
- Credit limit can double in 6 months: The initial credit line ranges from $300 to $1,000, and if you pay on time for six months, you’re eligible to have your limit automatically doubled. This can improve your credit utilization and give you a bit more breathing room.
- Reports to all three credit bureaus: Like most credit-building cards, Reflex reports your payment history to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. On-time payments can gradually boost your credit score.
- Extras: credit score monitoring and fraud protection: Cardholders get free access to their VantageScore 3.0 credit score from Experian each month. You also have standard Mastercard benefits like $0 fraud liability on unauthorized charges.
Cons
- High annual and monthly fees: The Reflex card’s fees are much higher than average. There’s an annual fee of $75–$125 in the first year, charged when you open the account. In subsequent years it’s $99–$125 annually, plus a monthly maintenance fee of up to $10–$12.50. That adds up to a shocking $225–$275 in total yearly fees from year two onward – an enormous cost compared to the ~$24 average annual fee on credit cards.
- Extremely high interest rate: The card carries a 35.90% fixed APR on purchases, which is higher than many penalty APRs on other cards. Carrying a balance on this card is very expensive – for context, the average credit card APR is around 22.6%. This Reflex rate will quickly balloon your debt if you don’t pay off purchases in full each month.
- No rewards or perks: Unlike some starter cards, the Reflex Platinum Mastercard offers no cashback, points, or mileage rewards for your spending. You’re essentially paying hefty fees without earning any direct benefits on purchases.
- Many additional fees: Beyond the annual/monthly fees, watch out for a 3% foreign transaction fee on any purchase abroad, a late payment fee up to $41, and even an authorized-user card fee of $30. There’s no initial activation fee (a small mercy), but overall the card finds other ways to nickle-and-dime users.
- No upgrade path to a better card: This card is issued by Continental Finance, and they do not offer an upgrade to a regular, lower-fee card once your credit improves. You’re essentially stuck with the fees unless you apply for a different card elsewhere. In contrast, some other issuers will let you transition to a better product over time – Reflex does not.
- Requires a checking account: You must have an active checking account to qualify for the Reflex card. Most people have one, but this could be a hurdle if you rely on alternative banking.
If these cons feel overwhelming, consider alternatives before committing. Cards like a secured credit card from a major bank or a credit-builder loan might cost you less in the long run. The free Kudos browser extension can even help you compare credit card options tailored to your credit profile, so you’re not stuck with sky-high fees when rebuilding credit.
Comparing Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® with Other Credit Cards
When considering the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the credit builder card category:
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Credit Builder account
- Key features: No credit check to apply, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: No minimum security deposit required
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Minimum $200, which becomes your credit limit
- Key features: 1.5% cash back on most purchases, automatic credit line reviews
- Standout feature: Earn rewards while building credit
Current Build Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Build account
- Key features: No credit check required, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: Linked to Current banking app for easy fund transfers
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® excels in helping credit builders improve their credit score
- Chime Credit Builder offers flexibility with no minimum deposit
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides cash back rewards
- Current Build integrates with banking app for convenient use
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Is the Reflex Platinum Mastercard Worth It?
The Reflex Platinum Mastercard can legitimately help you build or rebuild credit, but it does so at a steep price. In fact, personal finance experts often caution that Reflex should be a last resort for credit-building.
Here’s our take on who might consider this card and who should stay away:
Who might use this card
If you have a credit score in the 500s or no credit history at all and you’re getting denied elsewhere, the Reflex card’s easy approval can be a lifeline. It’s a real credit card, so using it responsibly will report positive activity to the bureaus. Some users choose Reflex after bankruptcy or past credit troubles as one of the only unsecured options available to them. In these cases, Reflex can serve as a temporary tool to boost your credit score into the mid-600s, after which you could qualify for better products. Just remember, “temporary” is key – you don’t want to pay these fees longer than necessary.
Who should avoid this card
If you can qualify for virtually any other credit product – for example, a secured credit card from a major bank or a credit union – you’ll likely be better off with that. The fees on Reflex are so high that even a secured card is cheaper in the long run, since you can get your deposit back later. Moreover, carrying a balance on Reflex is extremely costly due to the 35.9% APR. For context, if you carried a $500 balance on this card for a year, you’d incur nearly $180 in interest charges alone. That could almost pay for a deposit on a secured card that charges 0% interest (if you pay in full) and maybe even earns rewards. Better options exist for many people, so be sure you’ve explored those alternatives before settling on Reflex.
Considering alternatives
If your credit is truly bad, a credit-builder loan or a secured card from a local credit union might be options. While the Reflex card isn’t outright “scammy” – it delivers on building credit if used correctly – it is an expensive and somewhat predatory product in a market with a few less painful choices.
Bottom Line
The Reflex Platinum Mastercard is only “worth it” if you have no better way to start rebuilding credit. It does what it promises – you can get approved with bad credit, and by using it carefully, you can raise your credit score over time. Just remember that you’re paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege of that second chance.
If you do go with Reflex, try to: 1) Pay the balance in full each month (to avoid the outrageous interest), 2) Set up autopay to never be late, and 3) plan to graduate to a no-fee card as soon as your credit improves into the fair/good range. At that point, you should cancel the Reflex card to stop incurring its fees – by then you’ll have better credit and can move on to more affordable credit tools.
In conclusion, the Reflex Platinum Mastercard can be a credit-building stepping stone, but it’s one that comes with sharp edges (fees). Be sure to shop around and compare your options. Using tools like Kudos can help you discover credit cards suited to your situation, so you won’t feel stuck with high fees. Remember, rebuilding credit is absolutely possible – and ideally, you want to do it in the most cost-effective way available to you.
Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® FAQ
What credit score do I need for the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® accepts applicants with credit scores below 600, and even those with poor credit in the 500s may qualify. The card is specifically designed for consumers with bad credit, limited credit history, or those rebuilding after financial difficulties like bankruptcy. You can prequalify online without affecting your credit score to check your approval odds before formally applying.
How much does the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® cost annually?
The total annual cost can reach $275 per year after the first year. This includes an annual fee of $99-$125 plus monthly maintenance fees of up to $12.50 per month ($150 annually). In the first year, you'll pay $75-$125 as an annual fee, but the monthly maintenance fee is waived. Additional fees include $30 for each authorized user and 3% foreign transaction fees.
What is the APR on the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® charges a fixed APR of 35.90% for both purchases and cash advances. This rate is significantly higher than the national average credit card APR of around 22%, making it extremely expensive to carry a balance. The high APR means that carrying even a small balance can result in substantial interest charges.
What credit limit will I get with the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
The initial credit limit ranges from $300 to $1,000, depending on your creditworthiness, with a maximum credit limit of $4,000. However, fees are deducted from your available credit immediately upon approval. For example, if you receive a $300 credit limit, your initial available credit may be only $225 after the annual fee is assessed.
Can I increase my credit limit on the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
Yes, you can potentially increase your credit limit in as little as six months by making on-time payments. Many cardholders report having their credit limit doubled after making their first six monthly minimum payments on time. The issuer reviews accounts periodically for future limit increases, and there's no fee for credit limit increases.
Does the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® report to credit bureaus?
Yes, the card reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This reporting is essential for building or rebuilding your credit history. Consistently paying your bill on time is the most efficient way to improve your credit score with this card.
Are there better alternatives to the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
Yes, secured credit cards like the Discover it® Secured Credit Card and Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card require a security deposit but have $0 annual fees and often better terms. These alternatives can be more cost-effective for credit building, as your security deposit is refundable when you close the account in good standing.
Can I prequalify for the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® without affecting my credit?
Yes, you can prequalify for the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® online without a hard credit inquiry. This soft pull prequalification process gives you an idea of your approval odds without impacting your credit score. Only the formal application will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
What happens if I miss a payment on the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
Missing payments can result in late fees up to $41 and will negatively impact your credit score since the card reports to all three credit bureaus. Given that the primary purpose of this card is credit building, missing payments defeats the goal and can set back your credit rebuilding efforts.
Does the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® offer any rewards?
No, the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® does not offer any rewards, cash back, points, or miles. The card is focused solely on credit building rather than providing rewards for spending. This lack of rewards, combined with high fees, makes it an expensive option compared to some other credit-building cards.
How long does it take to get approved for the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®?
It may take a few business days to receive a decision on your Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® application. After approval, it usually takes 3 business days to receive your physical card in the mail. Some applicants may receive instant approval if they prequalify and meet all requirements.
Can I upgrade the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® to a better card later?
Unfortunately, Continental Finance does not offer an upgrade path to a better card with lower fees. Once your credit improves, you'll need to apply for a different card with another issuer and consider canceling the Reflex card to avoid ongoing fees. This lack of upgrade options is a significant disadvantage compared to other credit-building cards.
Is the Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® worth it for credit building?
The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® can help build credit, but it has significant drawbacks like high fees and APR, making it an expensive credit-building option. It's best viewed as a last resort for those with severely damaged credit who cannot qualify for secured cards or other alternatives. Most financial experts recommend exploring secured credit cards or credit-builder loans first, as they typically offer more affordable paths to credit improvement.
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