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Destiny Mastercard® review: A simple credit-building card saddled with too many fees for comfort

The Destiny Mastercard Mastercard carries too many fees and too high an APR to recommend over the competition. 

 /  10 min
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Snapshot

2.1

Bankrate rating
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Rating: 2.1 stars out of 5

Bottom line

The Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit isn’t your best option if you are trying to build credit. Other credit-building cards have fewer fees and lower APRs.

Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

Recommended credit score:(300 - 670)

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards Rate

N/A

Annual fee

See terms*

Regular APR

See terms*

2.1
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Destiny Mastercard Overview

The Destiny Mastercard is an unsecured credit-building card that can help you rebuild your credit if you have no credit or a bad credit history. 

Unfortunately, this card carries high ongoing fees and an incredibly high ongoing APR counterproductive to your credit-building efforts. Though this credit-building card has the same issues as other fee-heavy cards that might help you build your credit, it comes at an even higher cost.

If you need to build credit and the Destiny Mastercard is the only option available, it works in a pinch. However, you should proceed cautiously and switch to a card with fewer fees as soon as your credit score allows.

  • Credit Card Cash Back Icon

    Rewards

    • This card does not offer rewards, which is typical of credit-building cards. 

    Expert Appraisal: Typical
    See our expert analysis

  • Credit Card Search Icon

    Rates and fees

    • 35.90 percent APR
    • $175 annual fee the first year, $49 annual fee thereafter
    • $0 monthly fee the first year, $12.50 monthly fee thereafter
    • Cash advance fee: $5 or 5 percent of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater (not to exceed $100)
    • Foreign transaction fee: 1 percent of each transaction in U.S. dollars
    • Late payment fee: up to $41
    • Returned payment fee: up to $41

    Expert Appraisal: Weak
    See our expert analysis

  • Credit Fair Icon

    Credit-building features

    • Reports to all three major credit bureaus 
    • All credit histories are considered

    Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
    See our expert analysis

  • Congrats Icon

    Other cardholder perks

    • 24/7 account access
    • Autopay
    • Fraud protection
    • Overlimit coverage
    • Credit protection

    Expert Appraisal: Unimpressive
    See our expert analysis

Destiny Mastercard pros and cons

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    Instant approval allows you to add the Destiny card to your digital wallet as soon as you’re approved.

  • Checkmark Icon

    This card reports to all three major credit bureaus, ensuring your credit-building efforts.

  • Checkmark Icon

    You don't need to put down a security deposit.

Cons

  • Numerous high card fees will cut into your starting credit limit and make it harder to build credit.

  • Very high APR means carrying a balance on this card can quickly rack up interest.

  • This card's relatively low credit limit can make maintaining a healthy credit utilization ratio difficult.

Why you might want the Destiny Mastercard

The Destiny Mastercard keeps things simple, which is great for focusing on building credit. Here are a few reasons you might turn to the Destiny Mastercard for your credit-building needs. 

Credit-building features: Reports to all three credit bureaus

The Destiny Mastercard reports your credit to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. By reporting to all three bureaus, the Destiny Mastercard helps keep your score accurate no matter which bureau an issuer uses to gauge your credit score. 

Card approval: You can use the card immediately 

Once you’re approved for the Destiny Mastercard, you can immediately add the card to your digital wallet. This means you can start using your card as soon as you get confirmation, with no need to wait for a physical card. 

While this may not prove exceedingly useful given the modest credit limit, it’s a nice feature if you’re eager to improve your credit as soon as possible. Remember, you’ll need a mobile device that supports mobile wallets to use this feature. 

Why you might want a different credit-building card

While the Destiny Mastercard is marketed as a card designed for building credit, the card’s fees and low initial credit limit can make that a hard goal to achieve.

Rates and fees: Numerous fees and a sky-high interest rate can strain your wallet

The Destiny Mastercard features extremely high fees for a credit-building card. You’ll need to pay a $175 annual fee for the first year and $49 for each year afterward. On top of the annual fee, you’ll also pay a monthly fee, which is an uncommon fee on most mainstream credit cards but found on cards for poor credit. This monthly fee is waived for the first year from account opening, but you’ll be charged $12.50 per month after that ($150 annually). 

These two charges combine to cost $199 annually to keep the account open. These fees cut directly into your already low initial credit limit and could make it difficult to focus on building your credit. 

The Destiny Mastercard also has a very high variable interest rate of 35.90 percent. Very few cards on the market feature an APR this high, and carrying a balance can present an enormous risk of quickly accumulating expensive interest charges and increasing credit card debt

Ideally, cardholders should always pay their statement balance in full at the end of each month to avoid accruing interest. Many other credit-building cards with a more favorable interest rate would be better if you need to carry a balance.  

Credit limit: Small credit line limits your spending options

Your credit utilization ratio — the percent of credit you’re borrowing from your total credit availability —  is an important factor in determining your credit score. Ideally, you want to keep your ratio at 30 percent or below. Going above this percentage over time can ultimately harm your credit score. 

With an initial credit limit of just $700, you won’t have much room to work with if you want to stay under that 30 percent target. Assuming the Destiny Mastercard is your only source of credit, carrying a balance above $210 will result in a credit utilization ratio greater than 30 percent. The card’s annual and monthly fees make this even more difficult. These fees are applied directly to your account and take up some of your limited available credit. 

Credit building: Minimal features

The Destiny Mastercard offers surprisingly few credit-building features. While it reports to all three major credit bureaus and considers applications from most credit histories, these are standard features on most credit-building cards. The Destiny Mastercard doesn’t offer to increase your credit limit after a certain period of on-time payments or provide free FICO credit score access. Both features are great to have if you’re serious about boosting your credit score

Rewards: No additional value

While this isn’t uncommon among credit-building cards, the lack of cash back or rewards on purchases especially stings considering the card’s annual and monthly fees. Also, with such a low credit line, there is no incentive to spend on this card.

Perks: Just more extra fees

The perks on this card are typical — fraud protection, autopay and 24/7 account access. However, overdraft coverage and credit protection add more excessive fees on top of what’s already being charged.

Overdraft coverage is an optional feature that allows you to make purchases when you exceed your credit limit for a fee of up to $41. You’ll only pay one fee per cycle, but you can be charged two additional fees if your new balance stays over your credit limit after a billing cycle.

Credit protection covers you in events like emergencies, injuries or unemployment. For a fee of $1.49 per $100 of your balance, your monthly payments can be canceled for up to six months if you have a qualifying event.

These fees can add up and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

How the Destiny Mastercard compares to other credit-building cards

The Destiny Mastercard should only be considered a last-resort option for building credit. While this is an unsecured card, other credit-building secured cards on the market offer superior features without overwhelming fees. 

Image of Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

Annual fee

See terms*

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

N/A

Recommended Credit Score

Bad to Fair (300 – 670)
Info Icon
Image of Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock Icon
on Discover's secure site

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

Cashback Match™
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Rewards rate

1% - 2%
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Recommended Credit Score

No Credit History
Info Icon
Image of Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Bankrate Score
See Rates & Fees , Terms Apply
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Annual fee

$0

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards rate

N/A

Recommended Credit Score

No Credit History
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Who is the Destiny Mastercard right for?

This card suits those who need to work on their credit and don't have many other options.

Bankrate’s Take — Is the Destiny Mastercard worth it?

The Destiny Mastercard is a last-resort pick for consumers with a history of poor credit and few other credit-building options. Unfortunately, the annual fee, monthly fee and high APR make this card a lackluster and risky choice given the other cheaper and more effective credit-building cards on the market. 

How we rated this card

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50+
cards rated
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500+
data points analyzed
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250+
fees tracked
Credit Card Reviews Icon
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best cards for building credit, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while minimizing costs.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for people with no credit history, bad credit or a fair credit score and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Frequently asked questions

The information about the Destiny Mastercard has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.  

What cardholders think

Image of Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit

4.3 Star Icon
48 ratings
Info Icon
Score breakdown
5 stars
58%
4 stars
17%
3 stars
23%
2 stars
0%
1 star
2%
Score by category
Overall 4.3 / 5
Extra perks 3.6 / 5
Privacy and security 3.9 / 5
Customer service 4.2 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3.8 / 5

In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with third-party SliceMR to survey 6160 cardholders nationwide. Bankrate and Slice MR collected, averaged and presented website analytics and cardholder responses to six questions on a 5-point scale. Responses are based on individual cardholder’s product details, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. User ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by credit card issuers, nor do these ratings reflect Bankrate’s own reviews of these cards.

Community Reviews

Explore Destiny Mastercard® - $700 Credit Limit reviews from certified cardholders.
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Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
If this card had an annual fee, do you feel it was worth it? What card features and benefits helped you offset the cost?
I don't use cards with annual fees.
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
I actually just started using it myself
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
If this card had an annual fee, do you feel it was worth it? What card features and benefits helped you offset the cost?
I would not think it was worth it. I have a very low credit limit and the annual fee would basically be lowering my credit limit even more. Another reason I would not be willing to pay an annual fee to keep the card is that my minimum monthly payments are a lot higher than my other cards.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
I would recommend Destiny card because they give more money on your card the very first time the card arrived. They had great customer service. They solved my problem on the first call I made to them..
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
If this card had an annual fee, do you feel it was worth it? What card features and benefits helped you offset the cost?
Actually it's too much
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
ITS VERY EASY TO USE
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
The high interest rate and annual fee would probably prevent me from recommending it unless like me, they need to rebuild their credit.
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
Good reviews and feedback online about its benefits. It has a high satisfaction rate among its customers.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
It has great rewards
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
I would totally recommend this card to a friend. I have it and I absolutely love it. It’s easy to make payments, it’s convenient, it’s just over all great quality
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
Yes, when I have cash available.
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
No
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
I did some reach on a good first time credit card and this one came highly recommended.
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
It has helped me build my credit up. I love the overdraft protection.
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
It’s a good credit card for people who wanted to build credit.
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
Great service
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
No because right now I am paying it off
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
I haven’t had experience with this card.
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
I use it for just about anything. At school and work.
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
I would say so . I use it for a lot of things . It’s easy to use . Great interest . Great mobile app where you can practically do anything on it
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
No, low limit
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
this master card is really good and work well. I am vey satisfied using this master card.
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
Yes, I use it for everyday purchases like gas and groceries
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
i only use it sometimes
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
My destiny card was one of the first ones I actually applied for , it was my dads choice on where to go first . But overall I believe I made the right decision
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
They give me good customer service
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
I got an offer sent to me from Destiny. I researched it and decided to give it a try and I was very pleased that I did.
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
Trying to build credit.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Wouldn’t recommend due to fees
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
No annual fee My sister recommended it being that we both work for the city of NY
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 5 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
I used it when I needed money but then I cancelled due to memberhsip fee and higher interest so I closed this account and in 2 months I'll pay it off
Score by category
Extra perks 2 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
They worked with me
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Called one time had a billing question the person I talked to was nice went out of there way to help me and suggestion something that has really helped in the future I would recommend this card to anyone
Score by category
Extra perks 5 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
This card was for rebuilding my credit
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
Have not earned many benefits
Score by category
Extra perks 1 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Same, it works with apps and is widely accepted,
Score by category
Extra perks 4 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 4 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
I was looking for a card to build my credit score
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
No, I don't have much money on it. Plus I'm behind on my payment.
Score by category
Privacy and security 2 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Tell us about an experience you had because of the benefits earned from the card
I have not yet used the card.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
It is not an everyday card because the cash back is not the best.
Score by category
Extra perks 1 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 5 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Interest rates
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Low intro linit
Score by category
Extra perks 2 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 2 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 1 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
Yes, it’s easy to apply and has been proven to have a great impact on your credit score to repair and maintain a positive score. It also lets you use the card in our mobile wallet until the physical card comes.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 4 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
What made you choose this card?
NA
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 4 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
It is only for emergencies to use
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 2 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Why would you or would you not recommend this card to a friend?
a good company
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Online portal or mobile app 3 / 5
Customer service 3 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
I don't use my credit cards currently. My financial situation is such that all accounts are at or over the limit.
Score by category
Extra perks 3 / 5
Customer service 5 / 5
Privacy and security 3 / 5
Anonymous Cardholder
May 31, 2024
Is this card a part of your everyday life, why or why not?
No, I don’t use it
Score by category
Written by
Steve Dashiell
Editor, Credit cards
Steven Dashiell is an editor for Bankrate and CreditCards.com with expertise in rewards credit cards, financial literacy, and helping consumers build and maintain their credit.
Edited by Senior Editor, Credit Cards

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.