
The Credit One Bank American Express Credit Card offers a fair-credit Amex card option for those who may not qualify for other Amex cards. This card is designed for individuals with average credit scores.
It has a variable APR that's higher than some other credit cards, ranging from 23.99% to 29.99%. This means you'll want to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
The card also comes with a $0 annual fee for the first year, after which it's $95. This can be a good option for those who want to try out an Amex card without committing to a long-term fee.
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Core Features
The Credit One Bank American Express Card can help people with fair credit improve or build a credit history.
One of the key benefits of this card is that you can earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
This card has a high APR and an annual fee, so it's essential to weigh the costs against the rewards.
You'll automatically get 1% cash back on all purchases as a statement credit during each statement cycle.
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Fees and Rates
The Credit One Bank American Express credit card has a variable purchase APR of 28.99%, which is relatively high compared to other cards.
This high APR can be punishing if you carry a balance. You'll also be charged a $39 annual fee, although using the card's unlimited 1% cash back feature might help break even on this fee if you charge $3,900 per year and pay your balance in full each month.
The card charges both cash advance and foreign transaction fees, which can add up quickly. You could be charged a fee of up to $39 if you're late with a payment or don't have enough cash in your account to cover it.
If you're a frequent traveler, you'll be happy to know that the Credit One Bank Wander American Express Card has no foreign transaction fees. However, it does have a $95 annual fee and a 29.24% variable APR on purchases.
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The Credit One Bank American Express card's $39 annual fee is a common price point among cards for average credit, but options with no annual fee are also available. To offset the annual fee with spending, you'd need to spend at least $325 monthly for a year, which might make maintaining a low credit utilization ratio difficult.
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Benefits and Perks
The Credit One Bank American Express Card offers a range of benefits and perks that can enhance your travel experience and protect your purchases.
You can enjoy return protection, which refunds you the full purchase price, up to $300 per item, up to $1,000 annually, if you try to return an eligible item within 90 days of the purchase date and are rejected by a merchant's return policy.
Extended warranty is also available, adding up to one additional year of coverage for eligible manufacturers' warranties of 12 months or less.
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Retail protection covers you for up to $1,000 per loss and a total of $50,000 per cardholder account per 12-month period, if an eligible item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase.
Travel accident insurance provides up to $150,000 in accidental death or dismemberment insurance while traveling when the entire fare was charged to your card.
Car rental loss and damage insurance offers up to $50,000 in secondary car rental coverage to protect against damage or theft.
Exclusive rental car perks include receiving up to 15% off rental car rates at SIXT, Hertz, and Avis.
Automatic credit line increases may be eligible for you based on your overall credit performance.
Free Experian IdentityWorks membership is included, which can help you monitor and protect your credit score, and alert you of suspicious activity.
The free Experian IdentityWorks membership is valued at $120 annually, which can go a long way in helping to offset the card's annual fee.
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Who It's For
The Credit One Bank American Express credit card is a great option for those who are new to credit and want to build a solid standing with the three credit bureaus. By making on-time payments, maintaining a good debt-to-credit ratio, and increasing your overall credit account age, you can establish a strong credit history.
If you have fair credit, this card offers perks like cash back, travel insurance, and retail protection, along with exclusive access to some lifestyle benefits from American Express. However, if you don't want to pay an annual fee, you might want to consider another card.
The card is also available to those with average credit and offers top-notch reward rates on travel, dining, and gas purchases. Its $95 annual fee is in line with many popular travel credit cards, but there are less rewarding no-fee alternatives if you prefer to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
You can use the following descriptions to determine if the Credit One American Express card is right for you:
- Are you new to credit? This card is a strong choice to build a solid standing with the three credit bureaus.
- Do you have a poor credit history? This card can help you maintain a positive monthly credit report and strengthen your credit standing.
Pros and Cons
The Credit One Bank American Express Card has its perks. This card earns unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, with rewards automatically credited to your account.
Cardmembers also get access to American Express benefits, including purchase protections and Amex Travel. These benefits can provide peace of mind when making purchases or planning trips.
Here are some key benefits of the Credit One Bank American Express Card:
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases
- Purchase protections
- Amex Travel benefits
- Amex offers
However, it's worth noting that several cards for fair credit and secured credit cards carry similar or better cash back and benefits.
Pros and Cons
The Credit One Bank American Express Card has some benefits to consider. This card earns unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases, with rewards automatically credit to your account.
One of the perks of this card is access to American Express benefits, including purchase protections and Amex Travel. This can be a great advantage for cardmembers who want extra peace of mind when making purchases or traveling.
On a similar theme: American Express Blue Cash Preferred Benefits

The card's annual fee is $95, which may be a drawback for some users. The 29.24% variable APR on purchases is also something to keep in mind, as it's higher than what you might find with other credit cards.
On the other hand, there are no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for traveling internationally. This can save you money on transactions made abroad.
Here are some key features to consider:
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- Access to American Express benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 29.24% variable APR on purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option for those looking for a no-annual-fee credit card. It doesn't charge an annual fee, which is a big plus.
One thing to note is that the Credit One Bank American Express Card charges a $39 annual fee. This is a significant difference from the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
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Alternatives to Wander
The Credit One Bank American Express credit card offers a great travel card option for those building their credit score. It has a strong rewards program and a modest annual fee, but no welcome bonus.
If you're looking for other options, consider the Discover it Miles card, which has a 0% foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
The Discover it Miles card also offers a 1.5% cashback bonus on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.
Another option is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card, which has a 0% foreign transaction fee and a $0 annual fee for the first year.
The Capital One VentureOne card also offers a 1.25% miles reward on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is another alternative to consider, with a $95 annual fee and a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card also offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, with a 25% points bonus when redeemed for travel.
For another approach, see: Chase Zero Interest Credit Cards
Summary
The Credit One Bank American Express Card offers a flat rate cash back credit card with 1% cashback on all purchases, with no limits on the rewards.
There's a $39 annual charge for this card, which may be a bit steep for some users.
The card has a variable APR of 23.99%, so be aware that your interest rate can fluctuate over time.
Cardholders enjoy several benefits, including free credit access, return protection, car rental damage and insurance, and travel insurance.
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What Else to Know
When considering the Credit One Bank American Express card, it's essential to know that it's an unsecured credit card, which means you won't need to put down a security deposit to open the account.
You might start with a relatively low credit limit, potentially just $300, but you may be able to qualify for an increase down the road.
One of the perks of this card is that you'll have free online access to your Experian credit information, including your credit score and a summary of your credit report each month.
If you enroll in the Credit Protection Program, you'll pay 96 cents per $100 of your balance each month, up to $10,000, and the program will cover your card's minimum payment for up to six payment periods if you lose your job or become disabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Credit One American Express do a hard pull?
Credit One American Express performs a hard pull for credit card applications, but you can check pre-qualification with a soft pull first. This allows you to gauge your chances without affecting your credit score.
Sources
- https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/insights/credit-one-bank-american-express-card
- https://www.brightmoney.co/card/credit-one-bank-american-express-card
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/credit-one-bank-american-express-card/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/credit-one-bank-wander-card-review/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/credit-one-bank-american-express/
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