Credit cards are supposed to offer flexibility—not financial punishment.
Most people sign up for a credit card expecting a little breathing room: buy now, pay later, earn a few points. But behind the glossy ads and “no annual fee” banners, many cards are quietly draining wallets with shocking APRs that keep people stuck in debt for years. It’s not just a few shady companies, either—some of the biggest, most trusted banks are charging interest rates that would make payday lenders blush.
The worst part? These sky-high APRs often hit people when they can least afford them—during emergencies, job losses, or inflation spikes. A $200 grocery run can turn into $300 just because you carried the balance a month too long. These 11 credit cards are some of the worst offenders, charging rates so outrageous it’s hard to believe it’s even legal. If you’ve got one of these in your wallet, you’re not spending money—you’re leaking it.
1. First Premier Bank charges APRs as high as 36%.
This card is infamous for a reason. First Premier Bank targets people with poor credit, promising easy approval—but once you’re in, the costs are brutal. With interest rates climbing to 36%, even small purchases turn into long-term burdens if you don’t pay them off immediately, according to Rebecca Stumpf of DebtHammer.
The card also piles on startup fees, monthly service charges, and annual fees that eat away at your available credit. It’s the financial equivalent of digging a hole with no ladder out. For people trying to rebuild credit, there are far better options that don’t punish you for using the card.
2. Credit One Bank makes you pay dearly for subpar rewards.
Credit One markets itself as a “second chance” lender, but its APRs often hit 28% or higher—even for cardholders with decent payment histories. Combine that with mediocre rewards and vague terms, and you’re looking at a card that takes more than it gives.
They’re known for charging annual fees and raising interest rates even if you never miss a payment. Their marketing suggests they’re helping consumers bounce back, but the high APRs make it nearly impossible to carry a balance without getting stuck in a cycle of interest, as stated by Lyle Daly at Nasdaq.
3. Milestone Gold Mastercard quietly bleeds your wallet dry.
This card is pitched as a solid option for people trying to build credit, but it often comes with APRs over 35% and a laundry list of fees that make progress feel impossible, as reported by Sammi Scharf at the Lending Tree. You’ll get hit with setup fees, annual fees, and a painfully small credit limit that quickly maxes out.
If you carry even a small balance, you’ll notice interest piling up almost immediately. It’s a trap masked as a tool for financial independence, but most users end up worse off than they started. It’s less a stepping stone, more a financial treadmill.
4. Reflex Mastercard charges big for very little.
Another card marketed to people with limited credit, Reflex offers little breathing room with APRs that can reach 29.99%. Add to that a high likelihood of getting a low starting limit—often around $300—and you’re basically borrowing your own money with interest.
They also charge monthly maintenance fees and annual fees, all for a card that doesn’t offer real perks or rewards. For someone trying to climb out of debt, this card feels like a step backward. It exists to profit off desperation, not to build long-term financial health.
5. Indigo Platinum Mastercard gives you almost nothing in return.
Like others in its category, the Indigo card pitches accessibility but penalizes you heavily for it. APRs run as high as 29.9%, and the benefits are minimal—no rewards, no perks, no real incentives to use it.
It’s a card that banks on people not having other options. While it can report to credit bureaus and help build history, the high interest rate means you need to pay off balances in full every month—or you’re basically donating money to the bank.
6. Aspire Credit Card turns rebuilding credit into a financial punishment.
With an APR that can exceed 36%, Aspire’s card often traps users in a loop of fees, interest, and frustration. They charge setup fees, annual fees, and offer no rewards to justify the cost. Even small purchases become burdens when compounded by monthly interest.
While they do provide credit reporting to all three bureaus, that’s about the only benefit. Many users don’t realize how quickly the balance balloons, and with minimal customer service, getting help when you’re in over your head can be another nightmare.
7. Fortiva Credit Card preys on people with no better options.
This card is designed for people with bad credit—but it behaves like it’s punishing them for trying. APRs hover around 34.99%, and Fortiva charges annual fees, monthly fees, and sometimes even account maintenance fees just to keep the card open.
It’s a financial death spiral for anyone who can’t pay their balance in full every month. The card doesn’t offer rewards or meaningful credit-building tools, making it a costly dead end instead of a step toward better financial health.
8. Total Visa Card offers tiny credit and massive interest.
Total Visa gives users credit limits as low as $300 but charges APRs above 34%—which means using even a small portion of that limit racks up serious debt fast. They also tack on a $75–$99 annual fee and processing fees just to open the account.
Carrying a balance for more than a few weeks means your purchases quickly double in cost. This card is designed to capitalize on desperation, offering the illusion of help while draining your bank account with every swipe.
9. First Access Visa quietly erodes your financial progress.
This card has a flashy approval process but hides a painful truth: APRs can reach 34.99%, and your initial credit limit might be eaten up by fees before you even use it. They charge program fees, annual fees, and monthly maintenance costs that add up fast.
It’s meant to be a tool for credit building, but the math often works against you. Even responsible users can find themselves trapped by compounding interest, making it nearly impossible to get ahead unless you pay off the full balance every month.
10. Destiny Mastercard makes optimism expensive.
Destiny offers easy approval but couples it with a punishing APR close to 30% and minimal perks. There’s no real rewards program, and annual fees can hit up to $125, depending on your credit profile. That’s a lot to pay for a card that doesn’t do much.
For many, the appeal is the simplicity—but simplicity isn’t worth it if every month you’re just handing over interest payments. It’s an expensive safety net that feels more like a trap after just a few billing cycles.
11. Merrick Bank’s double-your-limit gimmick masks a high-cost trap.
Merrick Bank markets itself as a credit-builder with the promise of doubling your credit line after a few on-time payments. But they bury that shiny offer in an APR that can creep toward 30%, along with annual fees and inconsistent terms.
Even if your limit doubles, you’re still stuck paying sky-high interest unless you’re able to clear your balance each month. What looks like a reward is really just a bigger shovel to dig yourself deeper into debt—while Merrick collects.