There’s at least one truth about credit cards: One size does not fit all. In fact, credit cards come in almost as many varieties as the people who use them. Las Vegas-based Credit One Bank offers an array of credit cards for consumers. Here are some key features that can help you decide whether a Credit One credit card is right for you.
Rebuild Your Credit
If you’ve ever been denied a credit card or your credit score has taken a big hit, you might be hesitant to apply for other financial products. A Credit One credit card may be your pathway to getting your credit back on track.
Credit challenges can happen to anyone. A job loss or a medical emergency can lead even the most financially responsible person to miss a payment or two, or to amass a ton of debt. Credit One Bank prides itself on issuing credit cards to people who’ve been overlooked by other credit card issuers because they have less-than-stellar credit. If you’re nervous that you won’t be approved for a credit card, Credit One Bank might be a good place to start.
Even if you qualify only for a small line of credit at first, your Credit One account will be reviewed periodically to see whether you deserve an increase. You also can monitor your credit score and read a summary of your credit report for free each month.
Maximize Your Rewards
Credit One credit cards aren’t just good for rebuilding credit. They provide a number of other features that might appeal to you.
One such feature is 1% cash back rewards. Depending on which Credit One credit card you apply for, you may be eligible for 1% in cash back for every dollar spent on such categories as gas, groceries, and internet, cable or mobile phone services. If you’re going to be spending money on these items anyway, the 1% in cash back rewards can feel like a little bit of free money.
Keep in mind, though, that these rewards come at a cost. Credit One’s cards carry annual fees ranging from $39 to $99 and cash advance fees as high as 8%.
Cash back rewards are truly worth it only if you’re able to pay off your entire credit card balance at the end of each month. If you’re carrying debt, paying interest and paying fees, the interest and fees probably would offset any cash back rewards you earn.
Make the Most of Mobile
Three-fourths of millennials, baby boomers and members of Generation X use online banking services, according to a study by Jumio and Javelin Strategy & Research. If you’re one of them, Credit One credit cards deliver a number of mobile features that might be attractive. For instance, you can:
- Make payments, track purchases and manage your account via phone, tablet or app.
- Use your cards with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, enabling you to make purchases with your Credit One credit cards directly from your smartphone.
- Receive email or text alerts about such things as payment due dates and account activity.
Support Your Favorite Sport
There’s another type of person who might be drawn to a Credit One credit card: sports aficionados.
Fans of NASCAR can apply for the Credit One Bank Official NASCAR Visa, which offers special discounts from NASCAR partners and 2% cash back when you buy items at NASCAR.com. Meanwhile, fans of the Big 12 collegiate conference can show their school pride with a Big 12-affiliated card.
Also, Credit One Bank has said it’ll offer the official credit card for Triple-A baseball’s Las Vegas Aviators and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
Flaunt Your Personality
Some people have a creative flair. For a fee, Credit One Bank lets you choose from more than 20 designs so your credit card can be an extension of your personality. A specially designed credit card also can reduce the chances that your card will accidentally be picked up by someone else.
In addition, you can personalize your card by picking your payment due date. This way, you can ensure you’ve got the money to make every monthly payment.
Bottom Line
More than 7 million consumers carry Credit One credit cards. If you’re rebuilding credit, you like cash back rewards or you’re an avid sports fan, you might want to join them. But remember that these cards come with hefty APRs and annual fees.