- Up to $1,000 credit limit doubles up to $2,000! (Simply make your first 6 monthly minimum payments on time)
- See if you’re Pre-Qualified with no impact to your credit score
- All credit types welcome to apply
- Free access to your Vantage 3.0 score from Experian* (When you sign up for e-statements)
- Initial Credit Limit of $300 – $1,000* (subject to available credit)
- Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
- Fast and easy application process; results in seconds
- Use your card at locations everywhere Mastercard® is accepted
- Checking Account Required
Reflex Mastercard Review Summary
The Reflex Mastercard is an unsecured credit card from Continental Finance and is issued by Celtic Bank. It is targeted at those of you with bad credit with a score ranging from 510 and above to 650 and card holders are given a starting credit limit of between $300 and $1,000. Reflex has just made some changes that has made this card even more attractive. Firstly, they will now double your credit line after timely payments for the first six bill payments. Secondly, rather than giving a fixed fee or rate to everyone who is accepted, Reflex now gives different card holders different fees, rates and starting limit. So someone who has a credit score and profile in the "upper end of the bad credit spectrum" can get a card with just a reasonable annual fee (with no monthly fee), no foreign transaction fee and a $1,000 starting credit limit. These changes have made us revisit our previous rating for this card. We now give it a four out of five star and based on our review, we think this is one of the best unsecured credit card for people with bad credit at this moment.
Card Details
Monthly Maintenance Fee - During the first year, Reflex will not charge any monthly fee. From the second year onwards, there will be a monthly fee that ranges between $0 to $10 a month. So you might not get charged a monthly fee at all. This is a change from their previous terms where they charge a fixed monthly fee of $10 a month. This is welcome news for applicants.
APR - Another thing that Reflex changes is that now they offer card holders a range of APR, from 24.99% to 29.99% (same as the regular purchase).
Starting Credit Limit - Reflex has a starting credit limit of between $300 to $1,000. You may be offered a starting credit limit of $300, 500, $750 or $1,000.
Double Your Credit Line After Six Months - Your credit limit will double after six months if you pay your first six bill payments on time. That means a starting limit of between $300 - $1,000 will double to between $600 and $2,000.
Cash Advance APR and Fees - The cash advance APR is 24.99% to 29.99%. The cash advance fee is the greater of 5% of the cash advance or $5. There are a couple of rules that you should be aware of. Firstly, NO cash advance is allowed within the first 95 days.
Foreign Transaction Fee - Interestingly, Reflex also gives you a range of foreign transaction fee. You will get one between 0% to 3%. So you might actually get a version with no foreign transaction fee.
Free Vantage 3.0 Score from TransUnion - Card members will get access to a free Vantage 3.0 score from TransUnion if they sign up for e-statements.
Implications of Range of Fees and Rates
If however, your credit score is in the "lower end of the bad credit spectrum" (say around 510 credit score), you are more likely to have to pay both an annual fee and monthly fee and your starting credit limit is likely to be only $300. And if your starting credit limit is $300, your account will only be reviewed for credit line increase after 12 months rather than 6 months.
If your credit is really poor, you might be asked to put up a security deposit and the Reflex will become a secured credit card.
So I view the fact that Reflex has a range of fees and rates means that those of you with slightly better credit (600 to mid 600) are likely to get better terms and a higher credit limit than someone who has scores in the 500s. I think that is a good thing for consumers because those who would have been rejected and denied in the past would have a chance of getting approved but having to pay slightly more fees and have a lower starting credit limit.
Comparisons
| Card | Annual Fee | Upfront Fee | Monthly Fee | APR | Starting Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex Mastercard | $75 to $99 1st Year Then $99 | N.A. | $0-$10/m | 24.99%-29.99% | $300 - $1,000 |
| Surge Mastercard | $75 to $99 1st Year Then $99 | N.A. | $0-$10/m | 24.99%-29.99% | $300 - $1,000 |
| Fit Mastercard | $99 | $89 | $0 1st Year $6.25/m | 29.99% | $400 |
| Merrick Bank Double Your Line | $0 - $72 | N.A. | N.A. | 19.45% - 28.45% | $550 - $1,350 |
| Mission Lane Visa | $59 | N.A. | N.A. | 29.99% | $300 - $1,000 |
| Merrick Bank Double Your Line | $0 - $72 | N.A. | N.A. | 19.45% - 28.45% | $550 - $1,350 |
| Mission Lane Visa | $59 | N.A. | N.A. | 29.99% | $300 - $1,000 |
There are two standout features for the Reflex Mastercard. The first is that you can get a starting credit limit of up to $1,000. Secondly, your credit limit will double after six months if you pay your first six billing statements on-time. Hence, we will be comparing it with other Continental Finance Credit Cards and also with other cards which increases your credit limit after a certain period of timely payments.
Compared to other Continental Finance Credit Cards
There are two other cards from Continental Finance that I would like to compare the Reflex credit card with. The first is the Surge Mastercard. As you can see from the table above, the surge mastercard has exactly identical features, fees and rates as the Reflex Mastercard. Only the card design is different. There is no difference between these two cards other than the card design itself.The second Continental Finance card to compare to is the Fit Mastercard. The Fit Mastercard has slightly higher fees and a lower starting credit limit. The annual fee is $99. From the second year onwards, you will be charged a monthly fee of $6.25. In contrast, the monthly fee for Reflex credit card ranges from $0 to $10 so you might end up with no monthly fee at all with the Reflex or a slightly higher monthly fee. Another difference is that the Fit Mastercard charges a one-time application fee of $89. The starting credit limit is fixed at $400 versus $300 to $1,000 for the Reflex Mastercard. But like the Reflex credit card, Fit will double your credit limit to $800 after 6 months of paying on time. From the fee structure, one can deduce that the Fit is better suited for those in the lower end of the bad credit spectrum (around 510-575) whereas the Reflex accepts a wider range of credit scores (510 - 650) and you have the possibility of a lower fee and higher credit limit than Fit.
Compared to other credit cards that double your credit lines
The Reflex credit card also competes with two other cards like will increase your credit lines after a paying on time for a certain period. The first card to compare to is the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Visa. The card has an annual fee that ranges from $0 to $72 and also has no monthly fee. Hence, with Merrick Bank, you do have the chance of a no annual fee card and that is not possible with Reflex credit card. The starting limit for the Merrick Bank ranges from $550 to $1350. This range is higher than Reflex (which ranges from $300 to $1,000). Merrick Bank requires you to pay on time for the first seven billing statements to get your credit limit doubled whereas Reflex requires just six months. From a fee and credit limit perspective, Merrick Bank edges out the Reflex card. Having said that, Merrick Bank requires a credit score of at least 620 whereas Reflex is more accomodating to those with scores in the mid 500 range.Another card to compare to is the Mission Lane Visa Credit Card. The annual fee is $59 and they do not charge any monthly fee. So from a fee perspective, it is better than Reflex. The starting credit limit is identical to Reflex ($300 to $1,000). After 6 months of on-time payments, Mission Lane Visa will increase your credit limit. They are not explicit about how much the increase will be but many cardholders have reported credit limits being doubled. In this aspect, the Reflex card is better because your credit limit will definitely double if you pay the first six months on time. Though Mission Lane accepts those with scores of 550 and above, they are very strict with total debt. If you only have credit card debt on your credit report, it mush not exceed $20,000. If you have a mortgage, total debt must not exceed $80,000. If your debts are higher than these levels, then a card like Reflex might be a better choice.
Pros: What We Like
- Flexible Fees and Rates - Unlike most unsecured credit cards, Reflex offers a range of fees and rates to cardholders depending on their credit score and credit profile. This is actually a very good thing because those of you who are on the higher end of the "bad credit spectrum", you are likely to get a card with just an annual fee, a $1,000 starting credit line and be potentially be eligible for credit limit increase after 6 months, the lower end of their APR range and possibly no foreign transaction fee.
If you fall in the lower end of the "bad credit spectrum", then instead of being declined, you might just be offered a card with slightly higher fees simple because the issuer is taking a bigger risk on you. - Up to $1,000 in Starting Credit Limits - Most cards start you with a $300 credit limit regardless of your credit score or profile. Because Reflex is flexible, some of you might get a starting limit of up to $1,000. That is a very high limit for those of you with bad credit. Having a higher limit makes this card more worthwhile as an emergency card.
- Credit Line Doubles After 6 Months - If you pay your first 6 bills on time, Reflex will double your credit limit. That means that the initial limit of between $300 to $1,000 will double to between $600 to $2,000.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee Possible - The foreign transaction fee ranges from 0% to 3%. Therefore, you might be given a card with no foreign transaction fee.
- Soft Pull Pre-approval - Before you actually apply for this card, you have to get pre-approved. Pre-approval results in a soft pull and not a hard inquiry. You will know the terms of the card being offered to you (or you might be denied). If you are happy with the terms, you can then proceed to apply (which will result in a hard inquiry but getting pre-approved increases your chances of getting approved). If you are not happy with the terms offered, then simply do not proceed with the application.
- Modern Features Like Mobile App, Free Credit Scores Etc - The Reflex Mastercard comes with features found in prime credit cards. This is in contrast to many sub prime issuers who are behind on the technology side. Reflex has a mobile app on both Android and IOS and is eligible for use on your digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. They also offer a free Vantage 3.0 credit score from TransUnion if you choose to get e-statements. Some cards like Indigo and Milestone do not have mobile apps or free credit scores.
- Reports to Three Major Credit Bureaus - Reflex Mastercard reports your payments to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). This will help you build and rebuild your credit if you pay on time and if you keep your credit utilization low.
Cons: What we don't like
- Monthly Fee - Though most credit cards for bad credit have monthly fees on top of annual fees, the cards (mentioned above) that increase credit limits do not charge these fees.
Our Take: Double Your Credit Limit After 6 Months
If your credit score is at the lower end of the bad credit spectrum (say around 510), then you might get offered a card with both annual fee and monthly fee (from second year onwards) and a lower starting credit limit (may be one with a $300). That is the price you have to pay with a bad credit score if you want an unsecured credit card. But once you pay your first six bills on time, your credit limit will also double to $600.
This card also has modern features found in prime credit cards. They have a mobile app and offer a free Vantage credit score from Experian. If I were to nitpick, I wished they offer a cash back program.
To sum up, after reviewing the Reflex Mastercard, I would give it a 4 star rating. If you are looking for an unsecured credit card to rebuild your credit, then I would definitely consider the Reflex Mastercard because you might get a card with a very good starting credit limit that will double after six months and have modern features. If you are picky about fees, you might also want to consider the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Visa as it is another card that will double your credit limit after 7 on-time payments. Because both the Reflex and Merrick Bank make you go through a pre-approval process with no impact on your credit score, you might want to go through the pre-approval process for both and perhaps get the one which gives you the better terms.
How To Apply?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I apply with a co-applicant or as a joint account?
Can I apply with a co-applicant or as a joint account?
No, you cannot. You can however add an authorized user.
How long does it take Reflex Mastercard to approve my application?
How long does it take Reflex Mastercard to approve my application?
In most cases, the decision is instant. In cases where they need more information, it might take up to 30 days.
When will I receive my new Reflex credit card?
When will I receive my new Reflex credit card?
Your Reflex credit card will be mailed within 3 business days once you are approved.
How do I activate my Reflex credit card?
How do I activate my Reflex credit card?
You can activate it over the phone with the number provided on the sticker on your new card. At this moment, you cannot activate it online. You have 30 days to activate the card.
Can I manage my Reflex card account online?
Can I manage my Reflex card account online?
Yes you can. You simply have to enroll in Online Banking. You can pay your credit card bill, enroll to receive online statements, view recent transactions, view previous statements, view payment history and balances.
How do I check my Reflex Mastercard application status?
How do I check my Reflex Mastercard application status?
You cannot check your application status. You will either know instantly or have to wait up to 30 days for an answer. You may be called by the issuer for additional information.
Can I get a cash advance with a Reflex credit card?
Can I get a cash advance with a Reflex credit card?
Yes you can get a cash advance from an ATM. You can get your cash advance PIN by calling 866-449-4514.
What is the minimum payment each month for the Reflex card?
What is the minimum payment each month for the Reflex card?
The minimum payment is 2% of your outstanding balance, which includes accrued interest and any other fees charged.
Customer Service Information
Phone
Automated Account Information1-866-449-4514
(Available 24 hours a day/7 days a week)
Customer Service
1-866-449-4514
(Customer Care Specialists are available 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat/EASTERN TIMES)
Payments
1-800-518-6142
(7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat/EASTERN TIMES)
Lost/Stolen Card
1-800-556-5678
P.O. Box 3220
Buffalo, NY 14240-3220
Payments on Account
Reflex Card
P.O. Box 6812
Carol Stream, IL 60197-6812