Imagine getting approved for a credit card without a security deposit, even with a damaged credit score. That is the pitch behind the Fortiva Credit Card, an unsecured option marketed to people who keep getting denied elsewhere. The hook is real, but so are the fees.
Fortiva charges an annual fee, a monthly maintenance fee, and an APR that can climb past 35%. Before you accept that pre-approved mail offer, it helps to see the full cost on paper. This review walks through every fee, the credit limits you can expect, and whether a cheaper card would do the same job.
What Is the Fortiva Credit Card?
Fortiva is issued by The Bank of Missouri and serviced by Atlanticus. It is an unsecured Mastercard aimed at people with fair to bad credit, usually FICO scores in the 500s to low 600s. You do not put down a deposit, which is the main selling point. If you are sitting near the bottom of that range, our practical plan for getting your credit score up from 500 walks through the moves that put most people into a stronger approval bucket within a year, often unlocking cards that beat Fortiva on every fee line.
Approval is based on a soft pre-qualification check followed by a hard pull if you accept. Starting credit limits are usually low, often $300 to $1,000.
Fortiva Fees in 2026
Fortiva's pricing is the big story. As of May 2026, here is what cardholders typically pay:
- Annual fee: $49 to $175 the first year, then $0 to $49 ongoing
- Monthly maintenance fee: $0 the first year, then $8 per month (about $96 per year)
- Purchase APR: 29.99% to 36%
- Cash advance APR: up to 36%
- Late fee: up to $41
- Additional card fee: $19 per year
If you get the higher fee tier, year one can cost $175 in annual fees alone. Year two often adds the monthly maintenance fee on top of the renewal annual fee. A $500 credit limit with a $49 annual fee and $96 in monthly fees uses 29% of your line before you spend a dollar.
If you are stacking Fortiva against another popular subprime contender, our full review of the Total Visa unsecured credit card breaks down a near-identical fee structure so you can see how the two cards compare side by side before you commit to either one.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No security deposit required
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Pre-qualification with a soft pull
- Accepts thin or damaged credit files
Cons
- Stacked fees: annual, monthly, and high APR
- Low starting credit limits
- No rewards on the standard version
- Credit line increases are not automatic
A Lower Cost Alternative: OpenSky
If the only reason you are looking at Fortiva is to get approved with bad credit, a secured card is usually cheaper. OpenSky does not run a credit check at all. You fund a refundable security deposit starting at $200, and that deposit becomes your credit limit.
OpenSky charges a $35 annual fee with no monthly maintenance fee. Compare that to Fortiva's potential $175 plus $96 in monthly fees, and the math is hard to argue with. Your deposit comes back when you close the account in good standing or graduate. OpenSky also reports to all three bureaus, which is the part that actually grows your score.
Who Should Consider Fortiva?
Fortiva can make sense in a narrow set of cases. You might consider it if you cannot put down any security deposit, even $200, and you need to add a tradeline fast. It can also work if you have been pre-approved at the lower fee tier and you plan to close the card after year one to avoid the monthly maintenance fee.
For most people, the math does not work. Paying $145 or more per year for a $500 limit is a steep price for credit history that another card can build for under $40. Buyers already in the fair-credit band can usually do much better; our roundup of the best credit cards for people with fair credit lists no-fee unsecured options that beat Fortiva on every cost line.
How to Use Fortiva Without Wrecking Your Wallet
If you already have a Fortiva card or you decide to accept the offer, a few habits help limit the damage.
Keep utilization low. Try to use less than 10% of your limit each month. On a $500 line, that means under $50 in statement balances.
Pay in full every month. The 29.99% to 36% APR will erase any progress if you carry a balance.
Set a calendar reminder for the fee anniversary. Many people decide to close or downgrade the card before year two when the monthly fee kicks in.
Monitor your score. After six to twelve months of on time payments, you may qualify for a better card. Move on when you do.
Fortiva vs Secured Cards: The Real Cost
Here is a quick comparison for year one with a $500 limit.
- Fortiva: $49 to $175 annual fee, $0 monthly fee in year one, 29.99-36% APR
- OpenSky: $35 annual fee, no monthly fee, refundable $200+ deposit
- Year two Fortiva: annual fee plus about $96 in monthly fees
- Year two OpenSky: $35 annual fee, deposit still refundable
The secured route costs less and refunds your deposit. The unsecured route costs more and keeps every dollar in fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fortiva Credit Card a scam?
No, Fortiva is a legitimate Mastercard issued by The Bank of Missouri. It is not a scam, but the fees are high. Always read the Schumer box on your specific offer because Fortiva sends different fee tiers to different applicants.
What credit score do I need for Fortiva?
Fortiva approves applicants across a wide range, often FICO 500 to 650. Pre-qualification uses a soft pull, so checking will not hurt your score. Accepting the offer triggers a hard inquiry.
Does Fortiva increase your credit limit?
Credit line increases are possible but not automatic. Most cardholders see small bumps only after months of on time payments. You may need to request an increase by phone, and approval is not guaranteed.
What is a cheaper way to build credit than Fortiva?
Secured cards like OpenSky cost far less in fees and refund your deposit. Credit builder loans and becoming an authorized user are also low cost options. The bureau reporting is what builds your score, not the card brand, so the cheapest card that reports on time payments usually wins.
