Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® review

Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® review

Updated: March 20, 2024

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Updated: March 20, 2024

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Ratings Policy
Credit Building Rating:
3.7 rating
3.7 rating
3.7 / 5
Cost of Membership3.5
Ease of Building Credit3.4
APR1.2
Features0.0

In a Nutshell:

The Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa is a practical credit building card with a better-than-most rewards program that offers several ways to earn cash back rewards and plenty of discounts. The high APR might give some pause, but if the balance is paid off in full each month, interest fees shouldn’t be a problem.

See rates and fees

Learn more about this card

Average cost of membership per year ($3,600 annual spend)
$5 ($100 in cash back rewards minus $95 annual fee)

Excellent

Security deposit required
$0

Excellent

Initial credit limit
Starting at $500

Average

Access to higher credit line?
Future credit line increases may be granted based on your overall credit performance, but no specified time period.

Average

APR
29.74% Variable

Fair

Annual fee
$95

Poor

Other rates and fees

  • Foreign transaction fee: 3% or $1, whichever is greater
  • Cash advance APR: 29.74% Variable
  • Cash advance fee: $10 or 5% (whichever is greater, see terms)
  • Late payment fee: Up to $39 (terms apply)
  • Penalty APR: None
  • Returned payment fee: Up to $39 (terms apply)
Average

Rewards

  • 5% cash back on gas, groceries, cell phone services, internet, and cable or satellite TV service purchases (on first $5,000 in spending, then 1%)
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
Very Good

Pros

  • No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn.
  • Cash back is applied to your account automatically.
  • You can check if you pre-qualify online.

Cons

  • Only earn 5% on first $5,000 in bonus category spending
  • Can only redeem cash back as a statement credit.
  • High annual fee.
  • High APR, regardless of your credit history.
  • No timeline for evaluating credit limits.
  • No sign-up bonus
  • Charges a foreign transaction fee
Average

Other Notable Features: Free online credit score and credit report summary (terms apply), fraud liability protection, customizable account notifications and alerts, flexible due date, no penalty APR, shopping discounts

The Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa is a solid choice for people with fair credit who are looking to get the most cash back bang for their buck from a rewards program. The best rewards programs with the highest returns are typically reserved for those with higher credit scores. However, the Platinum X5 Visa offers a competitive rewards program that allows credit builders to benefit, while working on their credit history. While there is an annual fee, the rewards can offset it.

Decent initial credit limit

Because this card is targeted toward people with fair to good credit scores, the initial credit limit is reasonable at $500, which is a bit higher than you’ll find on some other Credit One cards, which often start you out at a limit of just $300. Another upside is that cardholders with low initial balances can expect credit increases based on consistent responsible use. Credit One conducts automatic account reviews, which can be a great incentive for paying off balances in full and on time.

Maximum rewards and big benefits

This card offers big benefits when used for everyday purchases, such as groceries, gas, cell phone and internet service and cable and satellite TV. Cardholders get 5% cash back up to $5,000 on these purchases, then 1% cash-back thereafter.

Meanwhile, other purchases also yield 1% cash-back.

Furthermore, cardholders have the chance to earn even more rewards − 10% cash back− if they remember to use their card at the participating retailers. They also get access to exclusive discounts available only to Visa cardholders.

Average, but not ideal, annual fee

Because this card is marketed toward those with fair to good credit scores, it can get away with charging an annual fee of $95. But beware: cardholders will also pay handsomely for late payments or carrying a balance.

We estimate the average cardholder earns about $110 per year in rewards. When you subtract the annual fee, that means you earn about $15 in rewards each year. That isn’t too bad when you’re building – or rebuilding – credit. Since many credit building cards come with no rewards program at all – a net positive is a better deal.

Higher than usual APR

You’ll want to avoid carrying a balance with the Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa card, as the card charges all users a high variable APR of 29.74%, regardless of credit history.

While this is much higher than the average credit card APR, it’s in line with the average APR for a credit card designed for someone with fair credit and is actually a bit lower than several credit-building alternatives.

Moderate fees and penalties

The Platinum X5 Visa charges your typical fees, up to 5% (minimum $10) for cash advance fees and 3% ($1 minimum) for foreign transaction fees.

The late payment fee is where cardholders will really pay. At up to $39 per late and returned payment (plus the applicable interest), these fees are no joke – and may cost more than the initial expense.

Other card benefits

Besides the Platinum X5 Visa maximum cash-back rewards program and discounts from top retailers, it offers other benefits:

  • Free online credit score and credit report summary (terms apply)
  • Custom notifications, payment reminders and fraud alerts
  • Notification preference by text, push notification or email
  • Zero liability and fraud protection
  • Secure access to online account information (paperless)
  • Anytime account management via mobile banking app
  • Automatic account reviews for credit increases
  • Optional credit protection

High odds of approval

Because the Platinum X5 Visa is geared toward customers with fair credit scores, the odds of approval are high. The annual fee, low initial balance and higher than usual APR are designed to motivate good credit performance.

You can also check out your prequalified offers with no affect to your credit score, to help determine your chances of approval.

Why get the Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa?

  • You want a competitive rewards program for those with fair credit whose options might be limited.
  • You’re trying to build or rebuild credit
  • You are looking for built-in incentives to pay on time

How to use the Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa:

  • Use the card to pay for all eligible monthly bills: gas, groceries, internet, TV and cell phone for 5% cash back.
  • Pay off balances in full each month to avoid late payment and high interest fees.
  • Use it at participating merchants for up to 10% more in cash-back rewards.
  • Take advantage of other shopping discounts exclusive to Visa cardholders.

Is the Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa worth it?

With a high annual fee and APR, the Platinum X5 Visa card is best suited for responsible cardholders who avoid carrying a balance and strategically spend to maximize rewards. As long as you don’t get buried in steep fees, the card can be particularly lucrative for one accessible to those with lower credit scores. If you are still improving your score but are eager to get in on the rewards game, the Platinum X5 Visa can be a good choice.

About the author

All reviews are prepared by CreditCards.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the bank’s website for the most current information.

Responses to comments in the discussion section below are not provided, reviewed, approved, endorsed or commissioned by our financial partners. It is not our partner’s responsibility to ensure all posts or questions are answered.

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