What the Revvi Credit Card Is
Revvi is a credit card designed for people rebuilding credit or starting from scratch. It reports to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — which means your payment history can help improve your credit score over time. The card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, so a $500 deposit gives you a $500 limit.
Unlike a debit card, Revvi functions as a real credit card: you make purchases, receive a monthly bill, and build a credit history through on-time payments. This is different from prepaid cards, which straightforward spend down the money you loaded onto them and do not report to credit bureaus.
Key Takeaways
- Revvi requires a cash deposit equal to your credit limit, with deposits typically ranging from $200 to $2,500.
- The card reports payment activity to all three credit bureaus, so consistent on-time payments can raise your credit score.
- Annual fees and interest rates vary, so you should review the current terms before deciding whether the card fits your budget.
- Your deposit is held as collateral but remains your money — it is not a fee and can be returned when you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card.
How the Deposit and Credit Limit Work
When you open a Revvi account, you choose how much to deposit. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you can charge up to $500 on the card. The deposit sits in a separate account and earns a small amount of interest — currently around 5% annual percentage yield, though this rate can change.
Your deposit is not a fee. It is collateral. You own it the entire time. If you close the account or the card issuer converts you to an unsecured card (which some do after you demonstrate consistent on-time payments), your deposit gets returned to you. If you stop paying the card, the issuer may use your deposit to cover the debt, but the deposit itself is not lost to fees.
You can request a credit limit increase after you have made on-time payments for several months. Some increases come with a higher deposit requirement; others do not. Check with Revvi about their current policy on limit increases.
Fees and Interest You Should Know About
Revvi charges an annual fee, which is deducted from your deposit or billed to your account depending on the card version. The exact amount varies by product tier. You will also pay interest on any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate (APR) depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account and can range significantly.
Late payments trigger late fees, and if you miss a payment by 30 days or more, that missed payment gets reported to the credit bureaus — which will hurt your score rather than help it. Paying on time, even if you only pay the minimum, keeps the account in good standing and builds your credit history.
There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card abroad, which can be useful if you travel. Review your cardholder agreement for any other fees that may explore, such as fees for balance transfers or cash advances.
How Revvi Reports to Credit Bureaus
Revvi reports your account status, payment history, and credit utilization to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. This means every on-time payment you make gets recorded and can help raise your credit score. Credit bureaus use payment history as the largest factor in your score — typically 35% of the total — so a secured card like Revvi can be an effective tool for rebuilding.
Your credit utilization also matters. If your limit is $500 and you charge $450, your utilization is 90%, which can lower your score. Keeping your balance below 30% of your limit — so under $150 in this example — is better for your score. You do not have to carry a balance to build credit; you can charge small amounts and pay them off in full each month.
When Revvi Makes Sense for Your Situation
A secured card works best if you have limited credit history, a low credit score, or past credit problems you are working to repair. If you already have a credit score above 650 and access to unsecured cards, a secured card may not be necessary — unsecured cards do not require a deposit and often have lower fees.
Revvi also makes sense if you want to build credit while keeping your spending controlled. Because your limit equals your deposit, you cannot overspend. This can be helpful if you are working to rebuild discipline around credit after past problems.
If you have no credit history at all — you have never had a credit card, loan, or other account reported to bureaus — a secured card is often the fastest way to start building a score. Within 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may become may be able to access for an unsecured card with better terms.
Steps to Open a Revvi Account
To open an account, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Revvi will run a soft credit check, which does not lower your credit score. You will also need to choose your deposit amount and have a way to fund it — typically a bank account or debit card.
Once your account is open and funded, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can then set up it and start using it. Your first statement will arrive about a month after your first purchase. Make sure you understand your due date and set up a way to pay — either automatic payments from your bank account or manual payments through the Revvi website or app.
Alternatives to Consider
Other secured cards exist, including options from major banks and credit unions. Some have lower annual fees, higher deposit limits, or different interest rates. If you have a bank account with a credit union, ask whether they offer a secured card — credit unions sometimes have more flexible terms than card companies.
If your credit score is already in the fair range (around 580 to 669), you might also look at unsecured cards designed for people rebuilding credit. These do not require a deposit but typically have higher interest rates and lower limits. Compare the total cost — deposit plus annual fee plus interest — across a few options before deciding.
If you are not ready to use credit again, a credit-builder loan from a credit union or online lender is another path. You borrow a small amount, make payments into a savings account, and build credit without the risk of overspending. This works differently from a credit card but can achieve similar results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my deposit back before I close the account?
No. Your deposit must stay in the account as long as the card is open. It is the collateral that allows you to have a credit limit. You can withdraw it only when you close the account or when Revvi converts you to an unsecured card, if that happens.
What happens if I miss a payment?
A missed payment gets reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and will lower your score. You will also owe a late fee. If you miss a payment, contact Revvi as soon as possible to bring your account current. The sooner you pay, the less damage to your credit.
Does Revvi report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes. Revvi reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so your payment history builds credit across all three bureaus. This is important because most lenders check at least one of these bureaus when you explore for credit.
How long does it take to build credit with Revvi?
You will see the account appear on your credit report within 30 to 45 days of opening it. Meaningful score improvement usually takes 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, depending on your starting score and other factors in your credit history.
Can I use Revvi to pay bills or just make purchases?
Revvi is a credit card, so you can use it anywhere credit cards are accepted — online, in stores, and for bills. You cannot use it as a debit card at an ATM to withdraw cash, though you can request a cash advance (which typically comes with a fee and higher interest rate).