May 9, 2024

The Indigo Platinum Mastercard is a bank card for individuals with a spotty credit score historical past seeking to rebuild their credit score rating. If you happen to don’t desire a secured bank card and wish to construct credit score, this conventional card could also be an inexpensive alternative. Nevertheless, low credit score limits and probably excessive charges make it a poor alternative for anybody with good credit score or who can qualify for a card with no annual charge and a decrease rate of interest. 

Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at how the Indigo Platinum Mastercard works so you may resolve if it’s the appropriate match for you.

TIME’s Take

The Indigo Platinum Mastercard is a standard bank card obtainable to candidates with low credit. Nevertheless, excessive charges and rates of interest might make it a poor alternative for somebody who qualifies for different bank cards. If you happen to find the money for a secured bank card deposit, a no-annual-fee secured rewards bank card may very well be a greater choice.

Who’s the Indigo Platinum Mastercard for?

The Indigo Platinum Mastercard is finest for somebody with lower than good credit score searching for a standard bank card that doesn’t require a safety deposit. Yow will discover out immediately in the event you qualify with a pre-qualification utility. This received’t impression your credit score rating and can reveal sure phrases, together with the annual charge you’d pay.

The cardboard carries a excessive annual share fee (APR) of 29.9%. You’ll additionally pay both $5 or 5%, whichever is greater, on every money advance transaction as much as a most of $100 and be charged 1% on overseas transactions, although these charges may be averted.

The annual charge varies relying in your credit score historical past. Annual charges vary from $0 with higher credit score to $99 for these with worse credit score. The Indigo Platinum Mastercard has 40 completely different cardholder agreements, so that you don’t know your charges and charges until you apply.

Credit score limits vary from $300 to $2,000. Nevertheless, cardholders with decrease credit score limits might discover themselves solely capable of entry a portion of their credit score initially. With the first-year annual charge of $75 for the lowest-tier model, your preliminary obtainable credit score can be simply $225. Hold these limits in thoughts, as utilizing greater than round 30% of your credit score restrict can hurt your credit score rating.

Rewards construction

It’s attainable to earn money again on qualifying purchases. Nevertheless, that profit is simply obtainable to these qualifying for the higher-end model of the Indigo card. In the most effective case, you may earn 1% on purchases at eligible eating places, fuel stations, grocery shops, and cell phone providers. Rewards are robotically redeemed month-to-month as an announcement credit score, which lowers your bank card steadiness.

Sadly, the cardboard doesn’t supply the identical rewards program to all clients. Once more, you received’t know which phrases you may be supplied until you apply.

Extra hidden perks

The cardboard doesn’t include a strong set of buy protections or journey insurance coverage. The most important advantages are these obtainable to customers of all bank cards. They embrace the power to handle your money movement and delay paying for sure purchases interest-free in the event you pay your bank card invoice in full by the month-to-month due date.

Most bank cards, together with the Indigo Platinum Mastercard, additionally embrace a 0% fraud safety profit, so that you don’t need to pay for bank card costs that you simply or a certified person didn’t make. One other profit is that credit score reporting is distributed to all three credit score bureaus month-to-month, serving to you construct your credit score rating for future credit score functions, assuming you utilize the cardboard responsibly.

What may very well be improved?

The most important enchancment can be standardizing charges and rewards options so that each one clients get the identical. Not realizing in the event you’ll earn rewards or be charged an annual charge with out making use of is a significant disadvantage.

Additionally, as a card focused to customers with poor credit score histories, chances are you’ll encounter low credit score limits and be hit with a excessive rate of interest in the event you carry a steadiness from month to month.

Options to the Indigo Platinum Mastercard bank card

If you happen to’re not satisfied that the Indigo Platinum Mastercard is true in your wants, one of many following bank cards may very well be an important various.

Easy bank card with various annual charge.

No charges or curiosity costs, although it’s a secured card requiring a deposit and you have to have a Chime checking account.

No-annual-fee secured bank card with a chance to improve to an unsecured model.

$75 for the primary yr, then $48 after. There’s additionally an extra $8.25 month-to-month service charge, which is waived the primary yr, and a $95 program charge at signup.

Earn 1% money again, however charges are excessive.

$75 for the primary yr, then $48 after. There’s additionally an extra $8.25 month-to-month service charge, which is waived the primary yr, and a $95 program charge at signup.

Earn 1% money again, however charges are excessive.

$25 for the primary yr, then $35 after. There’s additionally a one-time $19.95 program charge.

Secured bank card with 1% money again however excessive recurring charges.

$75 for the primary yr, then $48 after. There’s additionally an extra $8.25 month-to-month service charge, which is waived the primary yr, and a $95 program charge at signup.

Earn 1% money again, however charges are excessive.

TIME Stamp: There could also be higher choices on the market

The Indigo Platinum Mastercard may very well be an inexpensive alternative for individuals with lower than stellar credit score histories who don’t wish to pay a secured-card deposit. The charges usually are not as excessive as some rivals and it’s attainable to find out in the event you’ll get permitted with out impacting your credit score rating. 

You received’t discover out what your annual charge, credit score restrict, or rewards might be till you apply. You possibly can find yourself getting a very good deal or a nasty one. There’s a probability you qualify for playing cards with higher charges or rewards, significantly in the event you’re keen to place down a safety deposit. If you happen to find the money for a secured bank card deposit, a no-annual-fee secured rewards bank card may very well be a greater choice.

Regularly Requested Questions (FAQs)

Does the Indigo Platinum Mastercard have an app?

There’s no cellular app for the Indigo Platinum Mastercard. Customers should pay their payments and handle their accounts utilizing the web site in the event that they wish to handle their accounts on-line.

What credit score rating do I want for the Indigo Mastercard?

The Indigo card is designed for individuals with poor credit score histories, however there’s no particular minimal rating to be permitted.

Does the Indigo Mastercard give credit score line will increase?

If you happen to qualify for the Indigo Platinum Mastercard Credit score Restrict Enhance Program, your credit score restrict will enhance in the event you make every of the primary six minimal month-to-month funds on time.

What’s the credit score restrict for the Indigo Mastercard?

Credit score limits vary from $300 to $2,000, relying in your credit score historical past and different components.

Chime is a monetary expertise firm, not a financial institution. Banking providers supplied by The Bancorp Financial institution, N.A. or Stride Financial institution, N.A., Members FDIC.

The secured Chime Credit score Builder Visa® Card is issued by Stride Financial institution, N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and could also be used in all places Visa bank cards are accepted.

The knowledge offered right here is created independently from the TIME editorial workers. To study extra, see our About web page.

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