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The Merit Platinum Card review

Kliment Dukovski
Kliment Dukovski
Last updated:  

A store credit card with high monthly fees.

  • Get this card if you want to shop at the Horizon Outlet website.
  • Pick something else if you want a credit you can use anywhere.
  • Apply with no credit history or with a poor credit score.

$299.4

Annual fee

N/A

Purchase APR

300

Recommended credit score

Details

Annual fee$299.40
Welcome OfferN/A
RewardsN/A
Purchase APRN/A
Balance transfer APRN/A
Recommended minimum credit score300
IssuerStore card

Expert review

Kliment Dukovski

Review by

Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.

Expert review

The Merit Platinum Card is a store card option for loyal Horizon Outlet store shoppers. The card’s approval requirements are low and you get $750 unsecured credit to use without interest on your purchases. But it’ll cost you $14.95 monthly. That’s almost $180 a year — higher than many reward credit cards.

As a part of your membership program, you get access to My Privacy Protection, My Universal RX, My Roadside Protect and My Legal Assistance programs. If you use any of these, paying for the card may be worth it.

How to apply for the Merit Platinum Card

  1. Click Apply now.
  2. Submit your email and ZIP code and click Continue activation.
  3. Fill out the application form.
  4. Review the form and submit.

What credit score do I need?

There’s no minimum credit score or credit history necessary.

Card benefits

  • No credit check. The card provider won’t do a credit check or employment check when you apply. This means you can be approved even if you have poor credit or no credit score at all.
  • High credit limit. You start off with a $750 credit limit, which is decent for this type of card.

What are the membership programs you get with this card?

You get access to:

  • My Universal RX. Get up to 40% off of covered prescriptions in local participating pharmacies.
  • My Roadside Protect. Get up to three service calls or towing requests within a 12-month period for up to 15 miles that don’t exceed the $50 operator fee. Anything above that and you’re liable for the cost. Also, you can’t ask for more than one towing or service call within 30 days and no more than three service calls.
  • My Legal Assistance. Get toll free and Internet access to legal resources. Get one free 30-minute consultation with a legal professional in your area specializing in the area you need counseling in.

What to watch out for

  • Not a standard credit card. You can only use this card for purchases made at the Horizon Outlet shopping site. Use it anywhere else and you’ll be declined.
  • Monthly fee. You’ll pay $14.95 each month for the Merit Platinum. This is $179.40 annually. Even with benefits like free credit report, a discount on approved prescriptions, roadside assistance and access to some legal consultation — the fee might not be worth it.
  • Reports to just one credit bureau. Merit Platinum Card reports to one credit bureau, and it doesn’t mention anywhere on its website which bureau. It’s best to use a credit-building card that reports to all three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

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Bottom line

The Merit Platinum Card may only be worth considering if you often shop at the Horizon Outlet store and you use the card’s membership programs. Otherwise, other cards for building credit or other store cards may be a better choice.

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