If you have a tough credit history and need an unsecured card right now—without providing a security deposit—you might come across the Reflex Platinum Mastercard. It exists to provide a lifeline to those with very few other options. It offers an opportunity to take a step forward. As an unsecured card, no security deposit is required.
A Financial Tool That Comes with a Warning Label: The Reflex Platinum Mastercard
The Lifeline It Offers: Why This Card Exists
This card’s main purpose is to give you access to a credit line when others won’t. Here’s how it can help:
- No Security Deposit Needed: This is the biggest draw. Unlike a secured card, you don’t need to tie up hundreds of dollars in a deposit to get started, which can be a huge help if cash is tight.
- A Chance to Rebuild Your Reputation: The card reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This is your opportunity. By making every single payment on time, you can begin to build a positive history.
- Room to Grow (Potentially): After six months of consistent on-time payments, your account may be reviewed for a credit limit increase. This can be a positive sign of progress on your credit-rebuilding journey.
The High Price of This Lifeline
Consider these significant costs:
- Very High Fees: The card charges a high annual fee that is billed upon opening, immediately reducing your available credit. After the first year, it may also charge a monthly maintenance fee, significantly increasing the annual cost.
- Extremely High-Interest Rate (APR): The card carries a very high fixed APR, currently 35.90%. Carrying any balance from month to month will result in substantial interest charges that can quickly overwhelm your budget.
Who Should Consider This Card?
This card is for the person who has been turned down for other, more affordable credit-building tools (like secured cards) and absolutely needs an unsecured credit line for a critical need. It is for someone who is incredibly disciplined and has a rock-solid plan to pay the bill in full every month to avoid the crippling APR. Think of it as a temporary, emergency bridge to a better financial future, not a card to be used for everyday spending.