Merit Platinum Card: Is the Merit Platinum Card Worth It?

The Merit Platinum Card is a credit card targeted at consumers looking to build or repair their credit. This card comes with some benefits offered by Horizon Card Services but also has significant limitations and fees that cardholders should understand before applying.

This post review will examine the key features, pros and cons, fees, and alternatives to the Merit Platinum Card. Whether you have bad credit or no credit history, it is essential to weigh all factors to determine if this card suits your situation.

Features of the Merit Platinum Card

The Merit Platinum Card is an unsecured credit card issued by Horizon Card Services. Key features include:

$500 credit limit for purchases at Horizon Outlet online store
0% APR on purchases (but late fees apply)
Reports to one credit bureau to help build credit
No credit check is required for approval
Automatic enrollment in Horizon Card Services membership plan

This card is geared for those new to credit or trying to rebuild credit. It offers a small line of credit with no interest, but charges many fees and has significant usage restrictions.

Automatic Horizon Card Services Membership

A unique aspect of the Merit Platinum Card is that all cardholders are automatically enrolled in the Horizon Card Services membership program. This provides benefits like:

Roadside assistance
Legal assistance
Prescription discounts
Identity theft protection

However, the membership costs a steep $24.95 per month, billed to your card. You can cancel, but will then be charged $6 per month in maintenance fees instead.

So while the membership provides some useful benefits, it also tacks on a large annual fee to hold the credit card itself. This is important to factor in when weighing the overall value.

Building Credit

The Merit Platinum Card requires no credit check or employment verification for approval. So it can help those with bad credit or no credit history to start establishing a credit profile.

The card reports your payment history to one credit bureau, Experian. Responsible use by paying on time can positively influence your credit score over time.

However, approval is generally guaranteed, so there is a limit to how much the card can help build credit compared to options that do involve credit checks and graduations. And only reporting to one bureau also limits the credit building capabilities.

Usage Restrictions

A major downside is that the Merit Platinum Card can only be used to make purchases at Horizon Outlet, an online department store owned by the issuer. Your $500 credit line does not have any other flexibility or usage.

For Horizon Outlet devotees, this card can provide financing. But for the majority of consumers, the inability to use it anywhere else seriously detracts from the benefits and convenience of the card.

Rewards and Benefits

The Merit Platinum Card does not offer any rewards program or cash back on purchases.

As mentioned, you do gain access to Horizon Card Services benefits like roadside assistance, discounts, and protections through the automatic membership. But given the high monthly fees, the value of these benefits is questionable.

There are also no other common credit card perks like 0% intro APR offers on purchases or balance transfers; sign-up bonuses; rental car insurance; or extended warranty protection.

Fees and Costs

Let’s take a detailed look at the various fees charged by the Merit Platinum Card:

Monthly membership fee – $24.95 per month for Horizon Card Services benefits, but charged to your card
Maintenance fee – $6 per month if you cancel membership
Residential delivery fee – $2 per Horizon Outlet order
Signature delivery verification – $3.50 per Horizon Outlet order
Late fee – Up to $20 if payment is late
Returned check fee – $25 if your payment check bounces
Card activation – $5 one-time fee when approved

You’ll also be charged small transaction fees that can add up when making purchases at Horizon Outlet. So in total, expect to pay around $300 or more in annual fees to hold this card.

The lack of any rewards combined with all the fees severely cuts into the value derived from such a limited $500 line of credit.

Pros and Cons

Here is a quick overview of the main pros and cons for the Merit Platinum Card:

Pros

No credit check for approval
Can help build credit history
0% APR on purchases
Roadside assistance and other benefits

Cons

Only reports to one credit bureau
Restricted usage at Horizon Outlet
Numerous fees add up quickly
No rewards program

Alternatives to Consider

While the Merit Platinum Card is marketed to those rebuilding credit, there are some other alternatives that may be preferable:

Secured credit cards – Require refundable security deposit, but allow flexible usage and cash back rewards.

Credit builder loans – Help establish payment history and credit mix without credit cards.

Local credit unions – Offer bad credit loans, credit builder cards, and financial counseling.

Become an authorized user – Get added to a family member or friend’s account responsibly.

Prepaid debit cards – Allow card transactions and payments without requiring credit checks.

Retail store cards – Department store cards tend to have lower requirements for approval.

Each option has pros and cons to weigh based on your credit situation and financial habits. But they provide more flexibility and lower costs in many cases.

Is the Merit Platinum Card Worth It?

The Merit Platinum Card offers an easy way to get approved for those with bad credit or no credit history. It can help establish a credit file and payment history with responsible use.

However, the severe usage restrictions, lack of rewards, and numerous fees make it a poor choice for most looking to build or rebuild credit. The Horizon Card Services membership provides some benefits but comes at a steep annual cost.

The card may be worth considering for:

Current Horizon Outlet shoppers
Those unable to qualify for any other credit

The card is likely not worth it for:

Anyone not regularly shopping at Horizon Outlet
Those who want to build credit across all bureaus

Thoroughly assess your credit situation and financial habits before applying. In many cases, there are better credit cards or alternative programs to help build credit without such heavy restrictions and fees.

Eligibility Requirements

Since the Merit Platinum Card does not require a credit check, eligibility is generally open to all applicants regardless of income or credit score.

Both current Horizon Card Services members and new applicants can qualify. Simply submit an online application to begin the approval process.

Given approval is nearly guaranteed, those with bad credit, limited credit, or no credit history can qualify for this small starter credit line.

How to Apply for the Merit Platinum Card

Applying for the Merit Platinum Card is quick and easy through their online application form. simply go to the Horizon Card Services website and click “Apply Now” to begin.

You’ll need to provide some basic personal information like:

Name
Address
Date of birth
Social security number

No credit check is required, so you won’t need to provide income, employment, or other financial details.

The application only takes a few minutes to complete. Acceptance is virtually guaranteed, but you’ll receive a notification by email within 24 hours confirming your new account approval and details.

Once approved, your Merit Platinum Card will arrive by mail within 5-7 business days. You can then activate it using the included instructions.

Merit Platinum Card Login

To log in to your Merit Platinum Card account online, go to the Horizon Card Services website and click on “Account Login” in the top right corner.

You’ll be prompted to enter your 16-digit card number and 4-digit security PIN. These can be found on your card and the activation letter you received.

Once logged in, you can view your account balance, available credit, recent transactions, statements, and other details. It allows you to closely monitor your account, usage, fees, and payments through the secure online portal.

Be sure to bookmark the login page for quick access whenever you need to manage your account. You can also opt for paperless statements by going into your account settings.

Making Payments on Your Merit Platinum Card

Your Merit Platinum Card monthly statement will detail the minimum payment due and payment due date.

You have multiple ways to pay your bill:

Set up automatic payments from a checking account
Pay online through the account portal
Mail a check or money order
Use an ATM bill payment slip
Schedule a one-time or recurring payment over the phone

Be sure to pay at least the minimum payment by the due date each month to avoid late fees. Pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.

You can also set payment reminders and alerts through your online account to help stay organized.

Conclusion

The Merit Platinum Card offers guaranteed approval and the ability to start building credit history, which can be invaluable for those with damaged or no credit.

However, the lack of flexibility in where you can use the card, minimal additional benefits, and numerous fees make it less appealing compared to other credit building tools.

You have to carefully consider both the pros and cons before applying to determine if the Merit Platinum Card aligns with your credit needs or if you may be better served through secured cards, credit builder loans, or other programs. Monitor your credit reports and scores diligently to track your progress.

With responsible habits, you can establish and rebuild credit over time – with or without the Merit Platinum Card. But be sure to find the right fit for your financial situation.

Check Out: