What the Indigo Card is and who it's for
The Indigo Card is a secured credit card issued by Indigo Credit, a division of Marlette Investments. You put down a cash deposit — typically between $250 and $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You use the card like any other credit card, paying a monthly bill. The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history.
The Indigo Card is designed for people rebuilding credit after missed payments, collections, or a bankruptcy. It's also used by people with no credit history at all. Because the deposit secures the card, approval doesn't depend on a credit score — only on your ability to fund the deposit and pass a background check.
The card charges an annual fee and a monthly maintenance fee, which is unusual among secured cards. Those fees reduce the value compared to other secured options, so it's worth comparing before you commit.
Key Takeaways
- The Indigo Card requires a cash deposit of $250 to $2,500, which becomes your credit limit and stays in a separate account.
- You pay both an annual fee (currently around $95) and a monthly maintenance fee (currently around $3), which is higher than most competing secured cards.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus monthly, so consistent on-time payments will build your credit score over time.
- You can request a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments, and the deposit may be returned once you've demonstrated responsible use.
How to open an Indigo Card account
You start on the Indigo Credit website. The process asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. Indigo runs a soft credit pull (which doesn't affect your score) and a background check through a third-party service.
If you're approved, you'll be asked to fund your deposit. You can do this by bank transfer or debit card. The deposit is held in a separate account and is not accessible while the card is open — it serves as collateral. Once your deposit clears, your card is activated and you can use it when ready.
The entire process typically takes a few business days from approval to set up. You'll receive your physical card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, though you can often use the card number online before the physical card arrives.
Fees and costs you'll pay
The Indigo Card charges an annual fee of approximately $95 and a monthly maintenance fee of approximately $3 per month. This means you'll pay roughly $131 in fees during your first year, even if you never use the card. These fees are deducted from your available credit or charged to your account.
You'll also pay interest on any balance you carry. The APR varies but typically ranges from 18% to 24%, depending on your creditworthiness at the time of approval. If you pay your full balance each month, you won't pay interest.
There are no foreign transaction fees, which is a small advantage if you travel internationally. There are also no late fees or over-limit fees, though a late payment will still damage your credit score and may result in a higher APR.
Building credit with the Indigo Card
The Indigo Card reports your payment history to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means each on-time payment adds to your credit history. After six to twelve months of consistent on-time payments, you should see your credit score begin to improve.
The amount of improvement depends on your starting point and your overall credit profile. If you have recent late payments or collections, the improvement will be slower. If you have no credit history at all, you may see faster gains because you're building a positive record from scratch.
To maximize the benefit, keep your balance low relative to your credit limit — ideally below 10% of your limit. A $250 limit with a $20 balance looks better to credit scoring models than a $250 limit with a $200 balance, even if both are paid on time.
When to graduate from a secured card
After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase. Indigo may approve this without requiring an additional deposit, which means your original deposit stays in place but your usable credit grows. This is a step toward an unsecured card.
Once your credit score reaches the mid-600s or higher, you become may be able to access for unsecured credit cards with lower fees and better terms. At that point, you can close the Indigo Card and move your credit-building activity to a card without monthly maintenance fees. Your deposit will be returned to you within 5 to 7 business days after you close the account.
Some people keep the Indigo Card open even after moving to unsecured cards, because closing it reduces your average account age and can temporarily lower your score. If you keep it, use it occasionally and pay it off monthly to avoid the interest charges.
Comparing the Indigo Card to other secured options
The main competitor to the Indigo Card is the Capital One Secured Mastercard. Capital One charges no annual fee and no monthly maintenance fee — only interest on balances you carry. For the same $250 deposit, you'd save $131 in the first year with Capital One. Capital One also reports to all three bureaus and allows credit limit increases after six months.
The Discover Secured Card is another option. It charges no annual fee and no monthly maintenance fee, and it offers 2% cash back on purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. Discover also reports to all three bureaus.
The Indigo Card's main advantage is that it may be easier to get approved if you have very recent negative marks on your credit or if you're explore from outside the United States. Its disadvantage is the fees. If you can get approved for Capital One or Discover, either of those will cost you less while building your credit just as effectively.
What happens if you miss a payment
A missed payment on the Indigo Card is reported to the credit bureaus and will damage your credit score. Unlike some cards, Indigo doesn't charge a late fee, but the late payment itself is the penalty — it stays on your credit report for seven years and significantly slows your credit recovery.
If you miss a payment, contact Indigo as soon as possible. Bringing the account current stops further damage, though the missed payment remains on your report. Some people in this situation close the card and move to a different secured card to start fresh, but that approach has its own cost in terms of account age and credit mix.
The best strategy is to set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due each month. This removes the risk of forgetting and protects the credit-building work you've already done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my deposit back while the card is still open?
No. Your deposit must remain in a separate account for as long as the card is active. You can only get it back after you close the card. Some issuers will convert a secured card to an unsecured card and return the deposit without requiring you to close the account, but Indigo does not offer this option.
What credit score do I need to get approved?
Indigo doesn't require a minimum credit score because the deposit secures the card. However, you do need to pass a background check and have a valid Social Security number and U.S. address. People with recent bankruptcies, collections, or no credit history are often approved.
How long does it take to build credit with this card?
Most people see measurable improvement in their credit score within 6 to 12 months of on-time payments. The exact timeline depends on your starting score and what negative marks are on your report. Recent late payments take longer to recover from than older ones.
Can I use the Indigo Card internationally?
Yes, the Indigo Card is a Mastercard and works at merchants worldwide. There are no foreign transaction fees. However, your bank or card issuer may charge a currency conversion fee depending on your deposit method, so check with them first.
What happens to my deposit if I close the card?
Your deposit is returned to the bank account or debit card you used to fund it. The return typically takes 5 to 7 business days after you close the account. Make sure the account you funded is still active, or contact Indigo to arrange an alternative return method.