What Fortiva Credit Cards Are
Fortiva is a financial services company that issues credit cards designed for people rebuilding credit or working with a limited credit history. Their cards do not require a perfect credit score to open, and they report your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — which means on-time payments can help raise your credit score over time.
Fortiva offers several card products under different brand names, including the Milestone Mastercard and the Surge Mastercard. The specific terms, fees, and credit limits vary by product. All of them work like standard credit cards: you charge purchases, receive a monthly statement, and pay what you owe. The difference from cards aimed at people with established credit is that Fortiva's cards come with higher annual fees and interest rates, and lower starting credit limits.
Key Takeaways
- Fortiva cards charge annual fees ranging from around $35 to $99 depending on the product, plus interest rates that typically fall between 18% and 24% APR.
- You will receive a credit limit when your account opens, usually between $300 and $2,500, and Fortiva may increase it after you make on-time payments for several months.
- Your payment history on a Fortiva card is reported to all three credit bureaus, so consistent on-time payments can improve your credit score if you use the card responsibly.
- Fortiva cards have no rewards program, no cash back, and no sign-up bonus — the value is in the opportunity to build credit history, not in earning benefits.
- Late payments, missed payments, or carrying a high balance relative to your credit limit can damage your credit score and may result in penalty interest rates.
Annual Fees and Interest Rates
Fortiva's cards charge an annual fee upfront, usually between $35 and $99 depending on which product you choose. This fee is charged to your account in the first month and may be charged again on your account anniversary each year. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not.
The interest rate, called the Annual Percentage Rate or APR, typically ranges from 18% to 24%. This is the rate Fortiva charges you on any balance you carry from month to month. If you charge $500 and pay the full statement balance by the due date, you pay no interest. If you pay only part of it, interest accrues on the remaining balance at the APR stated in your card agreement.
Fortiva may also charge late fees if your payment arrives after the due date, usually $25 to $35 per occurrence. Some cards charge a penalty APR — a higher interest rate — if you miss a payment by 60 days or more.
Credit Limits and How They Change
When you open a Fortiva card, you receive an initial credit limit, typically between $300 and $2,500. This is the maximum amount you can charge to the card at any one time. Your starting limit depends on factors Fortiva evaluates during the process process, such as your income and credit history.
After you have made on-time payments for several months — usually at least six months — Fortiva may review your account and increase your credit limit. You do not have to ask for this; Fortiva may do it automatically. A higher credit limit can help your credit score because it lowers your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit that you are using. For example, if your limit is $500 and you carry a $250 balance, your utilization is 50%. If your limit increases to $1,000 and you still carry $250, your utilization drops to 25%, which is better for your score.
How Fortiva Reports to Credit Bureaus
Fortiva reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. This means your payment history, credit limit, and current balance all become part of your credit file. Credit scoring models use this information to calculate your credit score.
On-time payments are the single largest factor in your credit score. If you make your Fortiva payment by the due date every month, that positive history accumulates and can raise your score over time. Conversely, late payments, missed payments, and high balances all get reported and can lower your score. A payment that is 30 days late stays on your credit report for seven years.
Because Fortiva reports to all three bureaus, using the card responsibly can help you build credit history that other lenders will see when you explore for a car loan, a mortgage, or another credit product in the future.
When a Fortiva Card Makes Sense
A Fortiva card can be useful if you have no credit history, a very low credit score, or a history of missed payments that you are now working to overcome. The card gives you a way to demonstrate that you can borrow money and pay it back on schedule. Over time, this track record can open doors to credit products with lower fees and interest rates.
The card works best if you treat it as a tool for building credit, not as a source of extra spending money. Charge small, regular purchases — a gas fill-up, a grocery trip, a utility bill if the merchant allows it — and pay the full balance by the due date each month. This keeps your utilization low, avoids interest charges, and creates a strong payment history.
If you cannot pay the full balance most months, the high interest rate means the card becomes expensive quickly. A $500 balance at 21% APR costs about $8.75 in interest per month if you make no additional payments. Over a year, that $500 purchase costs you more than $600 in interest alone.
Alternatives and When to Consider Them
If you have access to a secured credit card through your bank or credit union, that may be a better starting point than a Fortiva card. A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit — usually $300 to $2,500 — which becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, many issuers convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit. Secured cards often have lower annual fees than Fortiva cards and sometimes have no annual fee at all.
If you have a friend or family member with good credit, becoming an authorized user on their account can also help your credit score, because their positive payment history gets added to your credit file. This costs nothing and requires no deposit.
If your credit score is already in the 600 to 650 range, you may have access to cards with lower fees and interest rates than Fortiva offers. Check what you may have access to for before committing to a Fortiva card, because the fees add up quickly if you can get approved for something cheaper.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment
If your payment is late by 30 days or more, Fortiva reports it to the credit bureaus. A single 30-day late payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score and credit history. The damage is worst if you have a short credit history or few accounts.
Late payments also trigger late fees and may trigger a penalty APR, which is a higher interest rate applied to your balance. If you miss a payment, contact Fortiva as soon as possible. Some issuers will waive a late fee if you call and explain the situation, especially if it is your first late payment. The sooner you get current, the sooner you can start rebuilding the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a deposit to open a Fortiva card?
No. Fortiva cards are unsecured, meaning you do not put down a cash deposit. You receive a credit limit based on Fortiva's evaluation of your process. This is different from a secured credit card, which requires a deposit that becomes your credit limit.
Will a Fortiva card hurt my credit score when I open it?
Opening any new credit account triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. However, the new account also adds to your credit history, and over time, on-time payments will raise your score more than the inquiry lowered it. The net effect is positive if you use the card responsibly.
Can I use a Fortiva card to pay off other debts?
You can use the card to make purchases, but you cannot use it to pay down other credit cards or loans directly. Some people use a Fortiva card to pay for everyday expenses so they can put extra money toward paying down higher-interest debt, which is a valid strategy.
How long does it take to rebuild credit with a Fortiva card?
Credit scores change based on many factors, and timelines vary. Most people see modest improvement within three to six months of on-time payments. Significant improvement usually takes one to two years of consistent, responsible use. The longer your positive payment history, the more it outweighs past negative marks.
What if I cannot afford the annual fee?
If the annual fee is a hardship, a secured card through your bank or credit union may be a better option, as many have no annual fee. You could also ask your bank whether they offer a basic credit-building card for people with limited credit history, which sometimes costs less than Fortiva's products.