Boost Platinum Credit Card Review (2025)
A comprehensive guide for those with poor credit looking to rebuild their financial standing
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Finding yourself stuck with bad credit can feel like swimming against the tide. Every application ends in rejection, and the path forward seems impossibly steep. But here’s the truth: everyone deserves a chance to rebuild. That’s exactly why options like the Boost Platinum card exist, and why understanding what it really offers is so important for your financial journey.
In this detailed review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Boost Platinum credit card – from its unique approval process (hint: no credit check required!) to its limitations, and whether it might be the stepping stone you need toward better financial health.
What is the Boost Platinum Card?
The Boost Platinum Card is a merchandise credit card designed specifically for people with bad credit or no credit history. Unlike traditional credit cards from major networks (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), the Boost Platinum is what’s known as a “closed-loop” credit card, meaning it can only be used at a specific retailer – in this case, The Horizon Outlet online store.
Issued by Horizon Card Services, the Boost Platinum Card offers a $750 credit line with no credit check required for approval. While this might sound appealing if you’ve been rejected by traditional credit card issuers, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re getting – and what you’re not.
Important: The Boost Platinum Card is not a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card and cannot be used for purchases outside of The Horizon Outlet website.
Key Features & Benefits of the Boost Platinum Card
$750 Credit Line
The Boost Platinum offers a fixed $750 merchandise credit line that you can use to make purchases at The Horizon Outlet online store.
0% APR Financing
All purchases made with your Boost Platinum card are financed at 0% APR, meaning you won’t pay interest on your balance.
No Credit Check Required
Approval for the Boost Platinum card doesn’t require a credit check, making it accessible even to those with severely damaged credit or no credit history.
No Annual or Monthly Fee
As of 2025, the Boost Platinum card has eliminated all fees, including monthly membership fees that were previously charged.
Note: While the card itself comes with no fees, you must have a valid debit or credit card to pay for shipping costs when making purchases at The Horizon Outlet.
Boost Platinum Card Approval Requirements
One of the most attractive aspects of the Boost Platinum card for those with poor credit is its extremely lenient approval requirements:
- No credit check – Your credit history and score aren’t factors in the approval decision
- No employment verification – The card doesn’t require proof of employment
- Minimum age of 18 – You must be at least 18 years old to apply
- Minimum income – You need at least $150 per month in income after bills are paid
- Active debit/credit card – You must have a valid U.S. debit or credit card to pay for shipping costs
This extremely accessible approval process makes the Boost Platinum card one of the easiest credit products to obtain, especially for those with damaged credit histories or even past bankruptcies.
Ready to Apply for the Boost Platinum Card?
If you’ve been struggling to get approved for traditional credit cards, the Boost Platinum offers a guaranteed approval path with no credit check required.
Apply Now at BoostPlatinum.comBoost Platinum Card Fees & Interest Rates
Understanding the fee structure of any credit card is crucial, especially for those rebuilding credit. Here’s a breakdown of the Boost Platinum card’s current fee structure:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 |
| Account Activation Fee | $0 |
| APR (Interest Rate) | 0% |
| Minimum Monthly Payment | $25 or 15% of balance (whichever is greater) |
It’s worth noting that the Boost Platinum card’s fee structure has changed significantly over time. Previously, the card charged a substantial monthly fee:
- Original version (pre-2023): $24.95 monthly fee ($299.40 annually)
- Mid-2023 version: $14.77 monthly fee ($177.24 annually)
- Current version (2025): $0 monthly fee
This evolution in fee structure appears to be related to legal issues, which we’ll discuss in the CFPB lawsuit section below.
Important: While the card itself doesn’t charge interest or fees, you must pay shipping costs for any purchases made at The Horizon Outlet using a separate payment method (debit or credit card).
The Horizon Outlet Limitation
The most significant limitation of the Boost Platinum card is that it can only be used at The Horizon Outlet online store (thehorizonoutlet.com). This means you cannot use this card at other retailers, for online shopping elsewhere, or to withdraw cash.
The Horizon Outlet is Horizon Card Services’ proprietary online store that offers various consumer products across categories like electronics, home goods, fashion, and more. However, several important points to consider about The Horizon Outlet include:
- Limited selection compared to major retailers
- Products are often considered overpriced compared to other retailers
- Many items are non-branded or lesser-known brands
- No free shipping – you must pay shipping costs with a separate payment method
- Return policies require you to pay return shipping costs
According to data from the CFPB lawsuit, between 2017 and 2021, only about 6% of Horizon card customers ever made purchases from The Horizon Outlet, suggesting most cardholders didn’t find the store valuable for their needs.
“I applied for the card because it said that I would get an unsecured credit line of $750 (which I did). But I did not realize that I can only use it at their online store and there was nothing in the store that I wanted to buy. I tried to cancel but it took several tries before I succeeded.”
— Former Boost Platinum Cardholder
Pros & Cons Analysis
Pros ✓
- Guaranteed approval for almost everyone 18+ with minimum income
- No credit check required during application
- $750 credit limit – relatively high for a starter card
- 0% APR on all purchases
- No fees – no annual fee, monthly fee, or activation fee
- Fast application process with instant decision
Cons ✗
- Limited usability – can only be used at The Horizon Outlet
- No credit bureau reporting – won’t help build credit score
- Must pay shipping fees with separate payment method
- Limited product selection at The Horizon Outlet
- Higher prices on merchandise compared to other retailers
- Customer service issues reported by many users
The biggest drawback for most potential users is that despite being marketed as a credit card for people with bad credit, the Boost Platinum card doesn’t actually report to any of the major credit bureaus. This means using the card responsibly won’t help improve your credit score – a critical consideration for anyone trying to rebuild their credit history.
Comparing Alternatives to the Boost Platinum Card
When considering the Boost Platinum card, it’s important to evaluate how it stacks up against other credit options for people with bad credit. Here’s a comparison table:
| Card/Product | Fees | APR | Credit Check | Credit Reporting | Credit Limits | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Platinum | $0 | 0% | No | None | $750 | Horizon Outlet only |
| Net First Platinum | $0 | 0% | No | None | $750 | Horizon Outlet only |
| Freedom Gold Card | $0 | 0% | No | None | $750 | Horizon Outlet only |
| Vast Platinum | $20 | 0% | No | None | $500-$1,000 | My Unique Outlet only |
| Sezzle | $0 | 0% | No | All 3 bureaus | $200-$2,500 | 45,000+ merchants |
| OpenSky Secured Visa | $35 annual | 21.64% Variable | No | All 3 bureaus | $200-$3,000* | Anywhere Visa accepted |
| Capital One Platinum Secured | $0 | 29.99% Variable | Yes (soft) | All 3 bureaus | $200-$1,000* | Anywhere Mastercard accepted |
*Requires security deposit
Better Alternatives Worth Considering
Secured Credit Cards
Cards like the OpenSky Secured Visa or Capital One Platinum Secured require a security deposit but report to all three credit bureaus, helping you build credit while offering wider usability.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Apps
Services like Sezzle offer 0% financing with no credit check, can be used at thousands of retailers, and now report to credit bureaus to help build credit history.
Credit Builder Loans
Products like Self offer a way to build credit through saving, with payments reported to all three credit bureaus.
For most consumers looking to rebuild credit, these alternatives offer significantly more value than the Boost Platinum card, primarily because they report to credit bureaus and can be used at a wider range of merchants.
User Experiences & Feedback
Consumer reviews of the Boost Platinum card provide valuable insights into the real-world experience of cardholders. Based on various sources including BBB complaints and online forums, here are some recurring themes:
“The monthly fee is $14.77 and you do get a $750 limit. But the products are overpriced and you have to the pay the shipping fee before you even check out. Having said that, they report to Equifax, so I just bear with it until my credit scores improve and I can get a better hat.”
— Former cardholder (note: card no longer reports to credit bureaus)
“They used to report to Equifax. Then I noticed that they stopped since mid 2022. It could have been earlier though.”
— Customer comment
“I bought some stuff from The Horizon Outlet and it did not deliver as promised. I had such a difficult time getting through and getting my refund. I finally had to write a complaint to BBB and then it was quickly resolved.”
— Customer complaint
A common theme in customer feedback is frustration with the limited usability of the card and difficulty canceling memberships (during the period when monthly fees were charged). Many customers also expressed disappointment upon discovering that the card doesn’t report to credit bureaus, as building credit was their primary reason for applying.
On the positive side, customers do appreciate the guaranteed approval and the absence of a credit check, especially those who have been rejected by other credit products.
The CFPB Lawsuit Against Horizon Card Services
In September 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against Horizon Card Services and its CEO Robert Kane. This legal action provides important context for understanding the Boost Platinum card’s evolution.
According to the CFPB complaint, Horizon Card Services allegedly:
- Misled consumers by marketing their product as a regular credit card when it could only be used at their online store
- Charged excessive fees that violated the Truth in Lending Act (fees amounted to 60% of the $500 credit limit, exceeding the 25% cap)
- Made it unreasonably difficult for consumers to cancel memberships
- Failed to provide full refunds unless customers threatened to contact the BBB or their bank
The lawsuit revealed that between 2017 and 2021, Horizon enrolled nearly 900,000 consumers who collectively paid more than $51 million in fees. Strikingly, 93% of those consumers never used any Horizon product yet paid over $45 million in fees.
This legal action appears to have prompted Horizon Card Services to eliminate all fees associated with the Boost Platinum card and its other card products, bringing them into compliance with regulations.
Legal Context: The removal of all fees from the Boost Platinum card appears to be a direct response to the CFPB lawsuit, rather than a purely consumer-friendly business decision.
Who Should Consider the Boost Platinum Card?
Given its unique characteristics, the Boost Platinum card may be suitable for specific situations, but it’s not right for everyone. Here’s a breakdown of who might benefit from this card and who should look elsewhere:
Might Be Right For You If:
- You’ve been rejected by every other credit option and need any available financing
- You specifically want to purchase items from The Horizon Outlet
- You want 0% financing with no fees whatsoever
- You need a credit line immediately with guaranteed approval
- You don’t have access to a security deposit for a secured card
Not Recommended For:
- Anyone whose primary goal is to build or improve their credit score
- Those who want a card for everyday purchases at various retailers
- People who have other credit options available to them
- Those who can set aside money for a security deposit on a secured card
- Anyone concerned about potential customer service issues
For most consumers with poor credit who are looking to rebuild, other options like secured credit cards or credit builder accounts will likely provide much better long-term value, particularly because they report to credit bureaus.
Final Verdict on the Boost Platinum Card
After thoroughly analyzing the Boost Platinum card’s features, benefits, limitations, and consumer experiences, here’s our final assessment at Credit Card Wisdom:
The Boost Platinum card offers an extremely accessible path to obtaining credit with its guaranteed approval, no credit check policy, and zero fees. The $750 credit limit and 0% APR are certainly attractive features on paper.
However, these benefits are significantly outweighed by critical limitations: the card can only be used at The Horizon Outlet (with its limited selection and reportedly higher prices), and most importantly, it doesn’t report to any credit bureaus, meaning it won’t help improve your credit score no matter how responsibly you use it.
The CFPB lawsuit against Horizon Card Services also raises concerns about the company’s past business practices, though the elimination of fees appears to address some of these issues.
For most consumers with poor credit, we recommend exploring alternatives that will actually help rebuild your credit profile, such as:
- Secured credit cards that report to all three credit bureaus
- Credit builder loans or accounts like Self
- Buy Now, Pay Later services like Sezzle that report to credit bureaus
- Becoming an authorized user on a trusted person’s credit card
The journey to better credit takes time, but using tools that actually report your responsible behavior to credit bureaus is essential. While the Boost Platinum card may serve as a last-resort financing option for specific situations, it falls short as a true credit-building tool.
Need to Rebuild Your Credit?
If rebuilding your credit score is your primary goal, we recommend exploring secured credit cards that report to all three credit bureaus as a more effective alternative.
Learn About OpenSky Secured VisaFrequently Asked Questions About Boost Platinum Card
No, the Boost Platinum card does not report to any of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This means that using the card will not help improve your credit score, regardless of how responsibly you manage the account.
No, the Boost Platinum card can only be used to make purchases at The Horizon Outlet online store (thehorizonoutlet.com). It cannot be used at other retailers, for online shopping elsewhere, or to withdraw cash.
No, Horizon Card Services does not perform a credit check when reviewing your application for the Boost Platinum card. This means applying won’t affect your credit score, and those with poor credit or no credit history can still be approved.
As of 2025, the Boost Platinum card has eliminated all fees. There is no annual fee, no monthly fee, and no activation fee. Previously, the card charged a monthly membership fee ranging from $14.77 to $24.95, but these have been discontinued.
The approval requirements are minimal: you must be at least 18 years old, have at least $150 per month in income after bills are paid, and have a valid U.S. debit or credit card to pay for shipping costs. No credit check or employment verification is performed.
When you make a purchase at The Horizon Outlet, you must pay shipping fees with a separate debit or credit card. For the purchase itself, you must make a minimum monthly payment of either $25 or 15% of your balance (whichever is greater). The card has a 0% APR, so you won’t pay interest on your balance.
If you’re looking to rebuild credit, better alternatives include secured credit cards like the OpenSky Secured Visa or Capital One Platinum Secured, Buy Now Pay Later services like Sezzle (which now reports to credit bureaus), or credit builder accounts like Self. All of these report to credit bureaus, unlike the Boost Platinum card.