Although there is a set-up fee of $149.95, it is considered reasonable compared to similar cards, which sometimes charge anywhere between $200 and $400 for the first year of membership. The USA Optimum Gold Credit card has no annual fee or interest on purchases. Everyone who applies for this card will be accepted based on the issuer’s “No Credit Check or Credit Turn downs" policy, but certain restrictions apply. The applicant must be 18 years of age or older, live in the United States (excluding Wisconsin), have an active checking account, and have household income of at least $800 monthly.


Those who choose to become active members will discover that all transactions will be reported to a major credit card as an unsecured card. The drawback to the card is that it isn’t a MasterCard or Visa that you can use everywhere; it’s a merchandise card that is used to make retail purchases through the USA Credit website and catalogs. As such, the card can only be used for purchasing selected merchandise or services. Of course, this may not be a drawback for everyone, especially those who are looking for a low cost way to purchase some of the things that they would like to have or need.


For those trying to establish or re-establish credit, the fact that transactions are reported to major credit bureaus may be enough to interest them in the USA Optimum Gold Card along with the fact that there is no interest charged on purchases. If you don’t mind the fact that this card is really just a retail credit card much like getting a card from a department store such as Macy’s, J.C. Penney’s, or Sears, then you will find it quite useful.