1. Credit Cards
2. Insights
3. BrightWay+ credit card review: A solid credit-builder card with no annual fee

Image: image_c067b4

66 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

3.1

Rating: 3.1 out of 5.

Great for unlocking better terms

Annual Fee: $0

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their BrightWay+ or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $3,530, with $2,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their BrightWay+ or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 611, with 587 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

Member stats

Updated daily

53.5%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

51 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$81,521

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

Image: yes

No annual fee

Image: yes

No security deposit

Image: yes

Ability to unlock better terms

Image: Con

Only available via invite

Image: Con

High APR

What you need to know about the BrightWay+ card

With no annual fee, the BrightWay+ could be a strong option for people who are building or rebuilding credit. And since it’s an unsecured credit card, you won’t have to put down a security deposit.

Only available by invite

But to get this credit card, you’ll have to be invited to apply — unless you already have the entry-level BrightWay card, in which case you might qualify for an upgrade to the BrightWay+ after six months of on-time payments.

Ability to unlock higher credit limit and lower APR

This card starts with high APR of 35.99% (you may see different rates on Credit Karma), which can add up to significant interest fees if you carry debt on the card. But you keep up with your payments, you may be able to get better terms.

To be eligible for credit limit increases and lower APRs, you’ll have to make qualifying payments over six consecutive months. Your credit limit won’t be super high, though — the max is $2,000.

Cash back rewards

While the main point of a card like this is to build credit, having a simple 1% cash back rate on all purchases is a nice perk. And these rewards dollars are applied directly to your account every month.

Just be careful not to overspend in order to rack up the rewards.

What else you need to know

Here’s a few other additional things to consider if you’re thinking about the BrightWay+ credit card.

• Quick application decision — OneMain promises a credit decision within seconds, so you’ll know right away if you qualify.
• Late payment fees — Any late payments will trigger a fine of up to $40. We recommend setting up autopay to ensure every bill is paid on time because late fees can really add up.
• Foreign transaction fees — A foreign transaction fee of 1% of transaction value will be applied to any transaction made outside of the United States. So keep this in mind if you’re planning to use the card in another country.

Who the BrightWay+ card is good for

If you’re looking to build your credit with a simple cash back card, the BrightWay+ card could be a good fit — but that’s only if you’re invited to apply or if you already have the entry-level BrightWay card. If not, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

Here are some other cards to think about if you don’t score an invite for the BrightWay+.

• Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card: This card could be right for those looking for a quality starter credit card with strong perks.
• Discover it® Secured Credit Card: People who want to earn cash back while building credit might find this card valuable.
• OpenSky® Secured Credit Visa® Card: If you have no credit history, this could be a good option to consider.