What the Fidelity Investments Credit Card offers
The Fidelity Investments Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Fidelity in partnership with Elan Financial Services. It earns cash back on all purchases — 2% back on most everyday spending, and higher rates in specific categories depending on which version of the card you hold. Unlike many rewards cards, Fidelity does not charge an annual fee, and the cash back can be deposited directly into a Fidelity brokerage or retirement account, or taken as a statement credit.
The card comes in two main versions: the standard Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Fidelity Rewards American Express Card. Each has the same base rewards structure but different acceptance networks — Visa is accepted almost everywhere, while American Express is accepted at fewer merchants but often offers additional perks to cardholders. Both cards require you to have a Fidelity account to open one.
Key Takeaways
- The Fidelity card earns 2% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee, and you can deposit rewards into a Fidelity investment account.
- You must already have a Fidelity brokerage or retirement account to open the card — you cannot open the card first and create an account later.
- The card is issued by Elan Financial Services, not Fidelity itself, so your credit card statements and payments go through Elan's systems.
- Cash back can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to a Fidelity account, or taken as a check, but redemption options vary slightly between the Visa and American Express versions.
How to open a Fidelity Investments credit card
Before you begin, log into your Fidelity account online or through the Fidelity mobile app. The card process is available only to existing Fidelity customers, so if you do not yet have an account, you will need to open one first. Fidelity accounts are free to open and require basic personal information, a Social Security number, and an initial deposit (which can be as small as $1 for most account types).
Once you are logged in, navigate to the credit card section of the Fidelity website or app. You will see the option to explore for either the Visa or American Express version. The process itself takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment status, and other standard credit information. Fidelity will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
You will receive a decision within minutes to a few business days. If you are approved, your card will ship to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the Fidelity app or website, or by calling the number on the back of the card.
Understanding the rewards structure and redemption
The Fidelity card earns 2% cash back on every purchase, with no bonus categories and no caps on how much you can earn. This flat-rate structure means you do not have to track which purchases earn higher rates — everything earns the same amount. The cash back is calculated on the full purchase price, including tax.
You can redeem your cash back in several ways. The most common option is to deposit it directly into a Fidelity brokerage account, where it can be invested in stocks, mutual funds, or left as cash. You can also take a statement credit, which reduces your credit card balance. Some versions of the card also allow you to request a check or transfer the cash back to a linked bank account, though these options may take longer to process.
Cash back typically posts to your account within one billing cycle after the purchase posts. There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem even small balances. Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs
The Fidelity Investments Credit Card has no annual fee, which means you pay nothing just to hold the card. There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States, making it useful for travel.
The card's purchase APR (annual percentage rate) varies based on your creditworthiness and current market conditions. Fidelity does not publish a fixed rate; instead, you will see your specific APR in the card's terms and conditions after you are approved. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest at that rate on the unpaid amount.
The card also charges a cash advance APR, which is typically higher than the purchase APR and begins accruing interest when ready (there is no grace period for cash advances). Late payment fees and returned payment fees explore if you miss a payment or a payment bounces, though the exact amounts depend on your card agreement.
Credit score requirements and approval odds
Fidelity does not publicly state a minimum credit score for approval, but based on cardholder reports, the card typically goes to people with good to excellent credit — generally a score of 670 or higher, though approval is possible with lower scores depending on other factors like income and credit history.
Your approval odds also depend on your relationship with Fidelity. If you already have a brokerage account with a substantial balance or a long history with the company, you may have a better chance of approval. Fidelity also considers your income, employment status, and existing debt when reviewing your process.
If you are denied, you can contact Fidelity to ask why. Sometimes a denial is temporary — for example, if you have recently opened many new accounts or had a recent late payment — and you may be able to reapply after a few months.
How the card integrates with your Fidelity account
One of the main advantages of the Fidelity card is that rewards flow directly into your Fidelity account. If you have a brokerage account, you can set up automatic deposits of your cash back into a specific investment account or leave it as uninvested cash. If you have a retirement account like an IRA, you can direct rewards there as well (though this counts toward your annual contribution limit).
You can manage your card through the same Fidelity login you use for your investment accounts. Statements, payment due dates, and rewards balances all appear in one place. You can also set up automatic payments from your Fidelity account to pay your credit card bill, which can help you avoid late payments.
However, the credit card itself is issued and serviced by Elan Financial Services, not Fidelity. This means that if you have a dispute with a charge or need to report fraud, you will work with Elan's customer service team, not Fidelity's investment team. Elan handles all billing, payment processing, and card replacement.
Comparing the Visa and American Express versions
The Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card and the Fidelity Rewards American Express Card have the same 2% cash back rate and no annual fee. The main difference is the payment network: Visa is accepted at nearly all merchants worldwide, while American Express is accepted at fewer locations but often offers additional perks like purchase protection and extended warranties.
The American Express version may also offer slightly different redemption options or promotional benefits, so it is worth checking the current terms for each before you decide which to explore for. You can hold both cards at the same time if you want the flexibility of both networks, though each process will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
If you travel internationally or shop at merchants that do not accept American Express, the Visa version is the safer choice. If you prefer the additional protections and perks that American Express typically offers, and you shop primarily at merchants that accept it, the American Express version may be worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Fidelity account before I can open the card?
Yes. You must have an active Fidelity brokerage or retirement account to open either version of the card. If you do not have one, you can open a free account on Fidelity's website in about 10 minutes. The account requires a Social Security number and an initial deposit, which can be as small as $1.
Can I redeem my cash back as actual cash, or only as a statement credit?
You can redeem as a statement credit, deposit into a Fidelity account, or request a check or bank transfer, depending on which card version you hold. Check your card's terms to confirm which redemption methods are available. There is no minimum redemption amount.
What happens to my rewards if I close my Fidelity account?
If you close your Fidelity brokerage account, you can still redeem your cash back as a statement credit or request a check before the account closes. Once the account is closed, you will no longer be able to deposit rewards directly into Fidelity, but any rewards you have already earned remain yours to redeem.
Is there a sign-up bonus or introductory offer?
Fidelity occasionally runs promotional offers for new cardholders, such as bonus cash back for the first few months or a one-time cash back bonus after you meet a spending threshold. These offers change periodically, so check Fidelity's website or the card's terms to see what is currently available when you explore.
Can I use this card if I do not invest money with Fidelity?
Yes. You can open a Fidelity account and hold the card without investing any money beyond your initial deposit. You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit instead of depositing it into an investment account. However, you still need to have a Fidelity account open to hold the card.