Monday, July 17, 2023
HomeDebt FreeGroup One Platinum Card Review 2023 (Should You Get It?)

Group One Platinum Card Review 2023 (Should You Get It?)



The Group One Platinum card may seem like a dream come true for folks with bad credit. No credit check, no employment check, and no interest charges—seems almost too good to be true, right?

Well, yes and no. 

The catch is that you can only use the card’s $750 credit line on the Horizon Outlet online store. It doesn’t report to any of the major credit bureaus, either.

But don’t dismiss this card just yet. It comes with a seven-day free trial, so you can test the waters before committing. And if you’re a shopaholic who regularly buys from the Horizon Outlet website, this card can be handy.

So, let’s find out if the pros outweigh the cons and if the Group One Platinum card is really worth it— 

This article will show you:

  • How the Group One Platinum card works.
  • Its fees, bonuses, and benefits.
  • What to keep in mind before you get one.

Read more credit card reviews:

Also check out our Free Credit Card Payoff Calculator.

What is Group One Platinum Card? How Does it Work?

First off, the Group One Platinum card isn’t your typical credit card. 

It’s more of an unsecured line of credit, meaning you don’t have to pay a security deposit

And, unlike most credit cards, it doesn’t give you cash back or points for being a loyal customer.

The card also doesn’t require a credit score check—anyone can enjoy the 0% interest and membership benefits for a monthly fee. 

But the card comes with a credit limit of $750 that you can only use at the Horizon Outlet online store.

This could be the best or worst thing to happen to you, depending on your shopping needs.

Where can I use Group One Platinum card?

The Group One Platinum is exclusively for use at the Horizon Outlet

It’s an online store that sells a wide range of products—you can shop for clothing, home decor, small electronics and appliances, toys, and books. 

Do you splurge on such goodies often? If yes, then owning this credit card may be a wise move.

Minimum monthly payment and 0% APR

Because the Group One Platinum card appeals to folks with bad credit, you may confuse it with a secured card. 

But it’s far from it—the card doesn’t need you to put down a security deposit to prove your creditworthiness. 

Simply fill out the quick online application and get approved for a $750 credit line.

Unlike secured cards, the Group One Platinum card also doesn’t have a high-interest rate—in fact, it doesn’t charge any interest at all

You’ll have to make a minimum monthly payment of at least 10% of your current balance or $25, whatever is greater in value.

Group One Platinum monthly membership fees

Applying for the Group One Platinum card will automatically sign you up for Group One Platinum card membership.

It’s a program by Horizon Card Services that gives you extra perks, like:

  • Privacy protection.
  • Discounts at local pharmacies.
  • Roadside assistance.
  • Credit monitoring services.
  • Legal assistance.

Now, here’s the deal with the costs—there’s no annual fee, but the membership itself will set you back by $14.95 every month

That’s about $180 a year—pretty pricey, especially if you don’t take advantage of the membership benefits. 

However, if you make good use of the roadside assistance perk (which covers up to $150 for three tows or service calls), it’s nearly worth the entire annual fee.

But what if you don’t have enough money in your bank savings account? You may automatically be switched to a reduced membership (how rude). 

This option only costs $6.95 a month and gives you access to all the benefits except for roadside assistance. 

But don’t sweat it—you can choose to switch back to the full membership whenever you want.

Group One Platinum Merchandise Card: Quick Summary Review

Here’s our quick Group One Platinum review and overall rating:

Details

Metric

Rating

APR

0% interest on purchases

5/5

Annual fee

$0 annual fee but a $84–$120 membership fee per year depending on the type of membership 

3/5

Intro offer

N/A

3/5

Standard cashback rate

N/A

3/5

Maximum cashback rate

N/A

3/5

Overall rating

3.4/5

Group One Platinum Catalog Credit Card Fees

Here are all the key fees you should consider before getting your hands on this merchandise credit card:

Details

Metric

Annual fee

N/A

Monthly membership fee

$6.95 or $14.95 per month

Late payment penalty fee

$20

Return payment penalty fee

$25

Monthly maintenance fee

$6 if the account is inactive

Residential delivery

$2

Signature verification upon delivery

$3.50

Initial credit limit 

$750

Intro APR

N/A

APR for purchases

N/A

Balance transfer APR

N/A

Application fee

$0

Account activation fee

$0

Credit score needed

No minimum credit score

Group One Platinum Credit Card: Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick glance at all the pros and cons of getting this Group One credit card:

Pros

  • Fast and easy application.
  • $750 credit limit.
  • 0% APR on purchases.
  • 7-day free trial.
  • No employment or credit check to apply.
  • Additional perks such as discounts on medicines, free legal consultations, towing service, and more.

Cons

  • Usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com.
  • High annual fee.
  • No welcome bonus or rewards programs.
  • Doesn’t report your payments to any credit agency.
  • No mobile app for iOS or Android.

Group One Platinum Reviews: A Look at Pros and Cons in Detail

Pros

Here’s why we dig the Group One Platinum card—

Fast and easy application

Applying for this card is as easy as it gets. 

You simply need to: 

  • Visit the Group One Platinum card website.
  • Fill out an application form. 
  • Provide general financial information, such as your Social Security number, address, and annual income.
  • Click “Submit.”

And that’s it. 

Once your application is accepted, you can access the Group One Platinum card right away.

No employment or credit check

Is lack of a good credit score preventing you from qualifying for most credit cards? You won’t have to deal with this pain when applying for the Group One Platinum card. 

This card doesn’t have a minimum credit score or annual income requirement, so there’s no real entry barrier.

Expect to get approval without a credit or employment check.

$750 credit limit

Folks with bad credit scores usually get stuck with credit limits that are as exciting as watching paint dry—between a measly $100 and $300. 

That’s because people with bad credit are considered at high risk of defaulting on their balance.

Fortunately, this isn’t the case with the Group One Platinum card. Regardless of your credit, you’ll get access to a decent $750 credit line. 

Read more:

0% APR on purchases

The Group One Platinum card gives you a 0% APR. If you’ve been looking to get a credit card, you’ll know that’s pretty amazing. 

But what does 0% APR actually mean? 

It means you won’t have to pay the annoying interest on your credit card balance. So you can save money on big purchases and get out of credit card debt more quickly. 

Learn more about what makes a good APR.

Seven-day free trial

When it comes to credit cards, you don’t usually get to “try before you buy.” 

The Group One Platinum card is an exception, with a seven-day free trial offer that lets you test out the card without paying any fees. 

Make the most of this time and figure out if the card actually suits your needs before you commit. 

You can start by checking out the Horizon Outlet online store—this is where you’ll be doing all your spending. 

Additional perks

Applying for this card will automatically put you on the Group One Platinum membership program—a Horizon Card Services program that gives you additional benefits in exchange for a monthly fee. 

Here are the key perks:

  • My Privacy Protection: Access unlimited privacy protection when using your card within Horizon’s online portal.
  • My Roadside Protection: Get up to three service calls or towing requests per year free of charge (up to 15 miles and not exceeding the $50 operator cost).
  • Credit Hawk: Leverage 24/7 credit monitoring services through Credit Hawk.
  • My Universal RX: Get unlimited access to up to 40% discounts at select local pharmacies.
  • My Legal Assistance: Receive one free 30-minute consultation with a specialized legal professional (excluding criminal defense).

Cons

Here’s everything you should bear in mind when signing up for the Group One Platinum card—

Usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com

This is a store credit card, meaning you can only use it when shopping on the Horizon online website. You can’t whip it out, say, to pay for groceries at Walmart. 

But this online retail shop does have a wide spread of items, including clothing, home decor, electronics, books, and more. 

So, whether getting the Group One Platinum card is a good idea solely depends on your shopping habits.

High annual fee

Technically, this Group One credit card doesn’t carry an annual fee. But it does come with a monthly fee—and a rather hefty one at that.

Depending on the type of card membership, you’ll pay either $6.95 or $14.95. 

This quickly adds up to a yearly cost of around $84 or $180. 

No welcome bonus or rewards programs

For the rather painful monthly fee, you’d think the card comes up with a sign-up offer or a cashback program

Unfortunately, the Group One Platinum card has none of these perks.

Doesn’t report payments to credit agencies

Yes, you can bag this credit card with a bad credit score, but you won’t be able to use it to build credit

That’s because the Group One Platinum card doesn’t report your financials to any credit card bureaus.

How does all this work?

It’s simple: If you get this credit card, it won’t show up on your credit report—and credit scoring companies like FICO and VantageScore won’t have any data to assign you better scores. 

Read more:

No mobile app

There’s no Group One Platinum app for iOS or Android. 

Visiting the website for Horizon card services is the only way you can access your credit card account online.

Group One Platinum Card Reviews: Top Alternatives

Here’s how the Group One Platinum card compares to other top store credit cards:

Feature

Group One Freedom Card

JCPenney Credit Card

Kohl’s Card

Indigo Card

Rating

3.4/5

3.7/5

3.9/5

2.8/5

Annual fee

$0

$0

$0

$99/year

Intro APR

N/A

0% intro APR for 18 months

N/A

N/A

Regular APR

0% APR on purchases

30.24% variable APR on purchases

30.24% variable APR on purchases

29.99% variable APR on purchases

Rewards program

None

Earn 1 point per $1 spent with your credit card

Earn 1 point per $2 spent any other way you pay

Get a $10 reward for 200 points earned

Boosted earning rate on Kohl’s Rewards

None

Additional benefits

Privacy protection

Roadside protection

Credit Hawk credit monitoring services

Free legal assistance

Discounts at select pharmacies

150+ credit savings days for JCPenney Credit Cardmembers

Special financing offers with JCPenney Credit Cards

Special anniversary offer every year

35% off one purchase after opening the card

Global transactions

Fraud protection 

Reporting to major credit bureaus

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Balance transfer

No

No

No

No

Late payment fee

$20

$41

$40

$40

Recommended credit score

Poor to fair (300–699)

Fair (650–699)

Fair (650–699)

Poor to fair (300–699)

Group One Platinum: Useful Links

Is the Group One Platinum Card Good for Me?

Applying for the Group One Platinum card gives you a $750 unsecured credit line and 0% APR

That can come in handy if you’re planning to make a big purchase soon. But, like we said, this is a merchandise credit card you can only use to shop at the Horizon Outlet online store. 

Plus, you’ll pay hefty membership fees to access extra perks. These costs can add up to a whopping $180 a year. 

This is why we said that getting the Group One Platinum card can be a good or bad idea, depending on your shopping habits. 

The Group One Platinum card does come with some extra perks that could make it worth your while—think roadside assistance and legal consultation

For example, using their towing services thrice a year can quickly save you over $150. 

The Group One Platinum card also doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement or an employment check

So, if a less-than-stellar credit score is holding you back from getting a line of credit, this could be a viable option for you.

Is getting a store credit card worth it?

If you’re considering getting the Group One Platinum card, you may also be wondering if getting a store credit card is a good idea at all. They come with limited usability after all. 

Freddie Huynh, Vice President for Data Optimization at Freedom Debt Relief, explains,

Merchandise cards can be worthwhile in some situations. One is when the benefits are truly worth it. These can include free shipping, associated promotions, coupons, and sales. However, the key is to ensure these benefits are exclusive. Some retailers offer the same perks even without the credit card.

Freddie HuynhVice President for Data Optimization at Freedom Debt Relief

FAQ

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the Group One Platinum card:

Is Group One Platinum legit?

Yes, the Group One Platinum card is legit. It’s issued by Horizon Card Services—a company that offers similar credit cards like the Merit Platinum card, Horizon Gold Credit Card, and more. 

Horizon Card Services has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)—which determines their scores based on: 

  • Complaints about the organization on BBB.
  • Type of business.
  • Transparency in business practices.
  • Failure to honor commitments to BBB.
  • Licensing and government actions.
  • Advertising and marketing issues.

But some customers have raised complaints about hidden costs and fees. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully before getting any credit card

Is Group One Platinum a real credit card?

Group One Platinum is a credit card, but not a typical one. It’s a retail or merchandise credit card you can only use to shop at the Horizon Outlet online store.

This card offers a $750 unsecured line of credit, meaning you pay no security deposit. This isn’t a cashback credit card either, so you won’t get rewards for being a loyal customer. 

You also won’t pay the typical annual fee but, instead, a $14.95 monthly fee to get additional perks.

If you’re looking for serious credit-building options, check out the Capital One Platinum card, Reflex Platinum Mastercard, and Chime Credit Card.

Can I use my Group One Platinum card anywhere?

No, you can only use the Group One Platinum card at the Horizon Outlet—an online store selling everything from stylish clothing and home decor to smart gadgets and books. 

Owning this credit card makes sense if you tend to splurge on these items. But unlike most of the best credit cards and select store cards, the Group One Platinum card doesn’t offer a cashback program.

How can I apply for the Group One Platinum card?

Applying for the Group One Platinum card is very easy. 

Here are the key steps:

  • Head over to the Group One Platinum card website.
  • Fill out the application form. 
  • Mention accurate details about your Social Security Number, address, and how much income you make in a year.
  • Make sure all the information you entered is on point, then hit the submit button.

You’ll get a notification once your application is approved. This is much faster than how long it takes to get a typical credit card

Once approved, you’ll automatically join the Group One Platinum card membership and qualify for a $750 credit line.

Why should you apply for the Group One Platinum card?

Consider applying for the Group One Platinum card if:

  • You need a card that doesn’t require a credit or an employment check.
  • You have a bad credit score or no credit history at all.
  • You enjoy the convenience of online shopping and don’t mind paying the monthly membership fee.
  • You can fully leverage Group One Platinum’s perks, including roadside assistance, legal aid, and prescription discounts.
Does the Group One Platinum Card report to all credit bureaus?

Unfortunately, the Group One Platinum Card doesn’t report to any credit bureau right now. Initially, the card used to report to Equifax, as confirmed by customer service.

But starting January 2022, Equifax ceased accepting reports from the Group One Platinum Card. The issuer has disagreed with this decision, but they’re yet to reach an agreement.

What is the customer service phone number for the Group One Platinum card?

The Group One Platinum card customer service number is (800) 251-6144.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -
Google search engine

Most Popular

Recent Comments