- No Credit Checks/Employment Checks
- Starting credit limit = $750 - usable only at thehorizonoutlet.com
- $14.77 monthly fee
- Need debit card to get approved
- 0% APR
At a Glance
Ideal For
- Those with poor credit and have been denied other credit cards and cannot get a regular credit card (you only need a debit card to apply)
- Those of you who do not want to incur another hard inquiry on your credit report (no income or employment checks)
- Those of you who need to improve your credit utilization ratio (as this card starts with a $750 limit but has a track record of credit limit increases)
Card Can Be Used At Horizon Outlet
Buying and Paying with Freedom Gold Card
You do know however, have to pay a $3.50 charge for shipment verification. This has to be paid with a debit card before it will be shipped to you. The minimum payment is either 10% of the balance or $25. If you buy something that is $25 or less, you have to pay in full.
Card Details Summary
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Regular Membership Plan | $14.77/month |
| Starter Membership Plan | $6/month |
| Regular APR | 0% |
| Minimum Payment | $25 or 10% of Balance |
Membership Plan Benefits
- Free Roadside Assistance - Members are eligible to receive up to 1 service call or towing request every 30 days and no more than 3 within a twelve-month period.
- My Universal RX - My Universal RX is a plan that allows you to receive up to 50% discounts on prescription drugs.
- My Legal Assistance - This is a service where you will get a free 30 minute consultation with a legal attorney (does not include criminal defense).
- Credit Hawk Free Credit Report - This is a service whereby you get a free credit report which you can access anytime.
Similar Cards Like Freedom Gold
| Card | Monthyly Fees | Annual Fee Fee | Credit Reporting | Credit Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Gold Card | $14.77 | $0 | N.A. | $750*usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com |
| Merit Platinum | $14.77 | $0 | N.A. | $750*usable only at theHorizonOutlet.com |
| Buy On Trust | $0 | $0 | 3 Credit Bureaus | Up to $5,000 |
| Extra Prepaid Card | $7 | $0 | Equifax and Experian | N.A. |
| Pulse Platinum | $19.95 | $0 | TransUnion | $1,000 |
| Unique Platinum | $19.95 | $0 | TransUnion | $1,000 |
| Vast Platinum | $19.95 | N.A. | TransUnion | $1,000 |
| Opensky Secured | $0 | $35 | 3 Credit Bureaus | $$200 - $2,500 |
| First Progress Secured | $0 | $29 | 3 Credit Bureaus | $200 - $2,000 |
The Freedom Gold Card is an online store card allows you to only shop at their outlet. They also do not check your credit so approval is easy. Freedom Gold is one of many cards issued by Horizon Card Services and hence we will compare it with other Horizon cards. We will also compare it with their main rival Unique Card Services and a couple of other no credit check credit cards.
Compared to Other Horizon Card Services Cards
Horizon Card Services issues Freedom Gold Card and other cards like Merit Platinum. If you look at the table above, you will see that they have identical features and fees. They all come with a monthly fee of $14.77 and start you off with a $750 credit line. So for all intents and purposes, there is no difference between these cards from Horizon. However, from 25th January 2022, cards from Horizon Card Services including Freedom Gold no longer report to any credit bureaus.Compared to Cards from Unique Card Services
Horizon Card Service main competitor is Unique Card Services. The most issued card is the Unique Platinum. It is identical to those from Horizon Card Services except for two things. The first is that they have a higher monthly membership fee ($19.94 vs $14.77). Secondly, while cards from Horizon Card Services no longer report to any credit bureaus, cards from Unique Card Services report to TransUnion.No Credit Check Secured Credit Cards
Online store credit cards aren't the only type of credit card that do not perform hard inquires. Some secured credit cards also do not perform credit checks and will approve you as long as you fund your security deposit.The two examples I gave in the table above are cards from Opensky and First Progress Prestige. Secured credit cards are appropriate for you if you can afford the security deposit needed to secure your credit limit.
Compared to other no credit check credit cards
There are two other cards that I want to compare Freedom Gold to. The first is the Buy On Trust Lending, which is a buy now pay later online electronics store where you can pick up your purchases at Best Buy stores. This makes their selection superior to thehorizonoutlet.com. There are no credit checks and you can get up to $5,000 in credit lines. They also report to all three major credit bureaus unlike Freedom Gold, which no longer reports to any credit bureau. You do however, need a monthly income of $1,000 for the past 3 months.Another card worth comparing to is the Extra Prepaid Card, which is one of the rare debit cards that builds credit and reports to both Equifax and Experian. The monthly fee is only $7 and there is no risk of getting into debt because it is a debit card. For credit building purposes, the Extra Card is superior to the Freedom Gold.
Pros: What we Like About This Card
- 7 Day Free Trial - Freedom Gold Card gives you a 7 day free trial in which you can use their card but you will not be charged the monthly membership fee. You can cancel anytime within 7 days.
- No Annual Fee - This card has no annual fee though it does charge a monthly fee (in return for certain benefits).
- 0% APR - Since this is a buy-now-pay-later store, the interest rate is 0%. But as explained earlier, there is a minimum payment and you do have to pay in full if the purchase price is $25 or less.
- No Credit Checks - There are no credit checks when you apply for the Freedom Gold. So you will be approved as long as you have a debit card.
- Starting $750 Unsecured Credit Limit - You get a starting credit limit is $750. This is higher than most unsecured subprime credit cards.
Cons: What We Don't Like About This Card
- Can Only Be Used At thehorizonoutlet.com - This card is not a regular Visa or Mastercard and can only be used at their online store.
- Monthly Fee - Though there is no annual fee and the APR is 0%, you do have to pay a monthly fee.
- No Credit Reporting - As of 25th January 2022, the Freedom Gold Card (as with all Horizon Gold Card has stopped reporting to credit bureaus).
Our Take
Due to this changed, we have lowered our ratings from 3.5 stars to 2 stars out of 5. Though it is easy to get this card and the credit line is very generous, it does not report to any credit bureau and you are limited to shopping only at thehorizonoutlet.com.
Alternatives
Extra Debit Card - The Extra Debit Card is one of the rare debit card that actually reports to both Equifax and Experian and hence will help rebuilders with their credit building efforts. The monthly fee is only $7 and there is also no credit check so approval is really easy.
Additional Reading: Extra Debit Card Review
First Progress Secured Credit Card - First Progress is another secured credit card that does not perform any hard inquiries. You do need a checking account to apply for this card and the minimum deposit is only $200. This is another very popular and reputable rebuilder secured card.
Addiotional Reading: First Progress Secured Credit Card
Self - Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa - If you are strapped for cash and still need to rebuild your credit, you might want to consider opening a credit builder account. Once you have saved enough, you will be given a secured credit card with a limit based on your savings. Self is one such issuer that has both a credit builder account and a secured credit card. You will also definitely be approved when you apply.
Additional Reading: Self - Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa
Application Page
On the next page, you will have to fill in your name, address, phone number, monthly pay, how often you are paid, your next pay date, your credit score range and whether you receive direct deposit. Once you submit this information, you will get the offer and confirmation. You will be instantly approved (within 60 seconds) once you submit your online application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Freedom Gold Report to Major Credit Bureaus?
Does Freedom Gold Report to Major Credit Bureaus?
At this moment, Freedom Gold Card does not report to any credit bureau. They used to report to Equifax.
Which credit report does Freedom Gold pull when we apply?
Which credit report does Freedom Gold pull when we apply?
There is no hard inquiries. Every applicant is approved for an unsecured $500 credit line.
When can I get a credit line increase?
When can I get a credit line increase?
You can be eligible for a credit line increase after three months. You should be on time in your monthly membership fee payment.
When will I get my card after I get approved?
When will I get my card after I get approved?
Normally within 7 business days.
What is the minimum payment?
What is the minimum payment?
You either have to pay $25 a month or 10% of the balance.
Customer Service Information
P.O. Box 1275
Indiana, PA 15701
Customer Advocacy
1-800-837-49975 days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m
Cancel Membership
1-800-251-6144Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST (excluding holidays)
Or online at www.memberbenefitaccess.com.
