Fortiva Credit Card Offer:
This card is designed for individuals with subprime credit, and it comes with some unique features and drawbacks. Offering a pathway to rebuild credit without requiring a security deposit, in contrast, its high fees and rates are significant drawbacks that potential applicants should carefully consider. Here’s what you need to know:
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Purchase APR Rate: 29.99% or 36% Fixed – Annual Fee: See Terms – Credit Needed: Fair – Credit Line: Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval – Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of each transaction amount in U.S. dollars |
Annual Fees and APR:
- The Fortiva® Credit Card charges an annual fee ranging from $85 to $175 for the first year and $0 to $49 annually thereafter.
- The regular APR varies from 29.99% to 36.00% on purchases.
- Be cautious, as the high end of this APR range is significantly above average, even for high-risk credit cards.
Cash Back Rewards:
- The card offers 3% cash back rewards on eligible gas, grocery, and utility bill payments.
- For all other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash back.
Pre-Qualification and Transparency:
- You can pre-qualify for the Fortiva® Credit Card through a soft credit inquiry.
- However, the card lacks immediate transparency regarding its fees, which is a concern.
- Final approval involves a hard credit inquiry and proof of your ability to repay credit.
Additional Fees:
- There’s an account maintenance fee of $60 to $159 annually applied to all accounts after the first year.
- An additional card fee of $19 (one-time) applies if you have an authorized user on the account.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Unique utilities category rewards: Earn cash back on specific categories.
- No security deposit required: Unlike secured cards.
- Pre-qualifying option: Check if you’re approved without affecting your credit.
- High starting limit: Get up to $1,000 in unsecured credit. This is higher than many cards out there.
- Cons:
- Annual fees: High fees, especially in the first year.
- Above-average APR: Be cautious of the high interest rates.
Fees (as of 3/22/24)
Annual Fee | $49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually. |
Account Maintenance Fee | $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year. |
Additional Card Fee (Authorized User) | $19 (one time, if applicable, for authorized users) |
Transaction Fees | |
Balance Transfer Cash Advance Foreign Transaction | 3% of the amount of each transfer after the first year. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. 3% of each transaction amount in U.S. dollars. |
Critiques of the card emphasize its costliness due to the combined impact of annual fees, maintenance fees, and a high APR. These factors can make it an expensive option for credit building, especially when compared to other products in the market that might offer lower fees or better terms for individuals with similar credit profiles.
May we recommend?
Before applying for the Fortiva Card – Consider more affordable options like Capital One here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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