What Huntington Bank Credit Cards Offer
Huntington Bank offers several credit cards aimed at different spending patterns and credit histories. The main options are the Huntington Voice Credit Card (for people rebuilding credit), the Huntington Rewards Credit Card (for everyday spending), and the Huntington Business Credit Card (for small business owners). Each card has different rewards structures, annual fees, and credit requirements.
Huntington is a regional bank headquartered in Ohio with branches across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Their credit cards are issued by Huntington Bank itself, not by a third-party processor, which means customer service and account management happen directly through Huntington's systems. This matters because disputes, credit limit changes, and billing questions go through Huntington's own departments rather than a separate card company.
Before choosing a Huntington card, you should understand what each one costs, what rewards or benefits it provides, and whether your credit history makes you likely to be approved. The card that works best depends on your spending habits and whether you carry a balance month to month.
Key Takeaways
- Huntington offers cards for different credit profiles: the Voice card for rebuilding credit, the Rewards card for cashback on everyday purchases, and a Business card for small business owners.
- The Voice card typically has an annual fee and a lower credit limit, designed for people with limited or damaged credit history.
- The Rewards card earns cashback on purchases but requires better credit and has no annual fee on the standard version.
- All Huntington cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments help rebuild or maintain your credit score.
- You can explore online through Huntington's website, and approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few business days.
The Huntington Voice Credit Card for Rebuilding Credit
The Voice card is designed for people who have limited credit history, past late payments, or a lower credit score. It requires a security deposit, which becomes your credit limit. For example, if you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. You hold that deposit in a separate account at Huntington while you use the card.
The card charges an annual fee (the amount varies and you should confirm the current fee with Huntington before explore). There is no grace period on purchases, meaning interest starts accruing when ready on any balance you carry. The interest rate is higher than Huntington's other cards, reflecting the higher risk the bank takes on customers with weaker credit profiles.
The main benefit of the Voice card is that Huntington reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Making on-time payments every month builds your credit score over time. After you demonstrate responsible use (typically 12 to 18 months of on-time payments), you may be able to convert the card to an unsecured card, which means you get your deposit back and the card continues without the security requirement.
The Huntington Rewards Credit Card for Everyday Spending
The Rewards card earns cashback on purchases and is aimed at people with good to excellent credit. It typically has no annual fee on the standard version, though Huntington may offer a premium version with additional benefits and an annual fee. The cashback rate varies by category—for example, you might earn a higher percentage on groceries and gas, and a lower percentage on other purchases.
This card has a grace period, meaning you have time to pay your balance in full before interest charges begin. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
Cashback rewards are usually posted to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, deposited to a Huntington bank account, or sometimes transferred to other accounts. The exact redemption options depend on the current card terms, so check Huntington's website or your cardholder agreement for details.
The Huntington Business Credit Card
Huntington offers a business credit card for sole proprietors and small business owners. This card typically has higher credit limits than personal cards and may offer rewards on business-related spending categories like office supplies, travel, and fuel. The annual fee and rewards structure depend on the specific business card product Huntington is currently offering.
Business cards are reported to business credit bureaus as well as personal credit bureaus, so they affect both your personal credit score and your business credit profile. This can be helpful if you are building business credit separately from personal credit, but it also means late payments hurt both profiles.
If you are a sole proprietor, Huntington may require your personal credit information and Social Security number to approve the business card, since you are personally liable for the debt. If you operate as an LLC or corporation, requirements may differ.
how the process works and What Happens Next
You can explore for a Huntington credit card online through Huntington's website, by phone, or in person at a Huntington branch. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Huntington performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
Approval decisions usually come within minutes if you explore online. If your process needs manual review, Huntington may contact you within a few business days. Once approved, your card ships to your address and typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You set up it online or by phone before you use it.
If you are denied, Huntington will send you a notice explaining the reason. You have the right to request a copy of your credit report from the bureau Huntington used. If there are errors on your report, you can dispute them with the bureau directly.
Interest Rates, Fees, and Terms You Should Know
Every Huntington credit card has an APR—the annual percentage rate you pay on any balance you carry. The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and the current market rate. The Voice card has a higher APR than the Rewards card because it targets people with weaker credit. You can ask Huntington for your specific APR before you explore, though the exact rate depends on their final review of your process.
Annual fees vary by card. The Voice card charges an annual fee. The standard Rewards card typically has no annual fee, though premium versions may charge one. The Business card may have an annual fee depending on the product tier. Late payment fees, over-limit fees, and returned payment fees also explore, and the amounts are set by Huntington and disclosed in your cardholder agreement.
All Huntington cards have a minimum payment due each month, usually calculated as a percentage of your balance plus interest and fees. Paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest. Paying your full statement balance by the due date avoids interest entirely (except on the Voice card, which has no grace period).
How Huntington Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score
When you open a Huntington credit card, the hard inquiry lowers your score slightly. Once the account is open, your credit score is affected by two main factors: your payment history and your credit utilization ratio.
Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score. Making every payment on time, even if you only pay the minimum, helps your score. One late payment can lower your score significantly, and the damage lasts for years. Huntington reports to all three credit bureaus, so your payment history appears on your credit report at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Credit utilization is the second factor. If your credit limit is $1,000 and you carry a $500 balance, your utilization is 50 percent. Lower utilization is better for your score. Paying down your balance before your statement closes lowers your reported utilization, even if you carry a balance after the statement date.
Comparing Huntington Cards to Other Banks
Huntington cards compete with cards from national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Citi, as well as cards from online banks and credit unions. The main differences are rewards rates, annual fees, credit requirements, and the quality of customer service.
If you are rebuilding credit, the Voice card competes with cards like the Capital One Secured Mastercard and the Discover Secured Credit Card. All three require a security deposit and report to the credit bureaus. The main difference is the annual fee amount and the APR. Comparing the specific fees and rates across cards helps you choose the one that costs you least while you rebuild.
If you have good credit and want rewards, the Huntington Rewards card competes with cards from Chase (like the Freedom Unlimited), Citi, and American Express. These cards often have higher cashback rates or more generous bonus categories. Comparing the rewards structure and annual fee across cards tells you which one pays you most for your spending pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Huntington bank customer to get a Huntington credit card?
No. You can explore for a Huntington credit card without having a checking or savings account at Huntington. However, having an existing relationship with the bank may make approval easier. If you are approved, you can set up automatic payments from any bank account, not just a Huntington account.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Huntington does not publish a minimum credit score for each card. The Voice card is designed for people with limited or damaged credit, so it may approve people with scores below 600. The Rewards card typically requires good credit, usually a score of 670 or higher, though this varies. The best way to know your chances is to check your credit score before you explore and then explore—a denial does not hurt you beyond the hard inquiry.
Can I use my Huntington credit card at any merchant?
Yes. Huntington cards are Visa or Mastercard (depending on which card you get), so they work anywhere those networks are accepted. You can use them online, in stores, and for phone or mail orders. Some merchants may not accept credit cards, but that is rare in the United States.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment is reported to the credit bureaus and appears on your credit report for seven years. It lowers your credit score when ready. Huntington charges a late fee and may increase your APR. If you miss a payment, contact Huntington as soon as possible to make the payment and ask whether they will waive the late fee as a one-time courtesy.
Can I increase my credit limit?
Yes. After you have used your Huntington card responsibly for several months, you can request a credit limit increase. Huntington may grant it without a hard inquiry (a soft inquiry instead), or they may perform a hard inquiry. If you have a Voice card, you can also increase your credit limit by depositing more money into your security deposit account.