Fortiva is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank for people rebuilding credit
Fortiva is a secured credit card issued by Synchrony Bank, one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States. A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit — so if you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. Fortiva is designed for people with limited credit history, poor credit scores, or those working to repair past credit damage.
The card reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means your payment history builds your credit score over time. Unlike some secured cards that stay secured forever, Fortiva can graduate to an unsecured card after you demonstrate responsible use, though Synchrony does not publish a specific timeline for when that happens.
Fortiva charges an annual fee, a foreign transaction fee if you use it abroad, and interest on any balance you carry. There is no annual percentage rate (APR) cap, so the rate you receive depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. The card does not offer cash back, travel rewards, or other perks — it is a tool for credit building, not a rewards card.
Key Takeaways
- Fortiva requires a cash deposit equal to your credit limit, ranging from $200 to $2,500 depending on what Synchrony approves.
- The card reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments help rebuild your credit score if you have damaged credit or limited history.
- You pay an annual fee upfront, plus interest on any balance you carry, and there are no rewards or cash back benefits.
- After demonstrating responsible payment history, you may be able to graduate to an unsecured Fortiva card without the deposit requirement.
How the deposit and credit limit work
When you open a Fortiva account, you choose how much to deposit, and that amount becomes your credit limit. Synchrony approves deposits between $200 and $2,500. Your deposit sits in a savings account that earns a small amount of interest — currently around 0.01% annual percentage yield (APY), though this rate changes over time and may vary by account.
You do not lose access to your deposit. The money remains yours and earns interest, but Synchrony holds it as security in case you stop paying your bill. If you close the account in good standing or graduate to an unsecured card, you get your deposit back. If you default on the card, Synchrony may use the deposit to cover what you owe.
Your credit limit does not increase automatically. To raise your limit, you would need to request a credit limit increase from Synchrony, which may require an additional deposit. Some cardholders report that Synchrony has offered automatic limit increases after a year or more of on-time payments, but this is not may provide.
Fees, interest rates, and what the card costs
Fortiva charges an annual fee that is deducted from your account once per year. The exact amount varies — Synchrony does not publish a fixed fee on their public materials, and the fee you pay depends on your creditworthiness at approval. You should confirm the annual fee amount before you open the account by checking your cardmember agreement or calling Synchrony directly.
The APR (the interest rate you pay on balances) is not fixed and varies by applicant. Synchrony does not advertise a range, so you will not know your exact rate until you are approved. If you carry a balance month to month, you will pay interest on that balance at your assigned rate. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
The card also charges a foreign transaction fee if you use it outside the United States. There are no other advertised fees for late payments, over-limit transactions, or cash advances — though late payments will damage your credit score and may trigger penalty interest rates.
How Fortiva reports to credit bureaus and affects your score
Fortiva reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means every on-time payment you make is recorded and helps rebuild your credit history. If you miss a payment, that is also reported and will hurt your score. The longer your account stays open with on-time payments, the more positive history accumulates.
Your credit score is built from five main factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). A secured card like Fortiva helps most with payment history and length of history. Using a small portion of your limit and paying it off each month shows responsible credit use without running up balances.
Many people use a secured card by charging a small recurring expense — like a subscription or gas — and paying it off in full each month. This keeps the account active, demonstrates on-time payment, and costs you nothing in interest.
When Fortiva graduates to an unsecured card
Synchrony does not publish specific requirements for graduation, but cardholders generally report that it happens after 7 to 12 months of on-time payments, though some have waited longer. When you graduate, your deposit is returned to you and the card becomes unsecured — meaning you no longer need the deposit to maintain the account.
Graduation is not automatic. Synchrony reviews accounts periodically, and you may be able to request a review if you believe you meet their criteria. There is no way to know in advance whether you will graduate or how long it will take. Some cardholders never graduate and keep the card as a secured account indefinitely.
If you do graduate, the annual fee typically remains, and the APR may change. Graduating does not mean the card becomes a rewards card or that the terms improve dramatically — it straightforward means you get your deposit back and the account no longer requires collateral.
Alternatives to Fortiva for credit building
Other secured cards exist and may offer different terms. The Capital One Secured Mastercard, for example, has no annual fee and reports to all three bureaus. The Discover it Secured card offers 2% cash back on restaurants and gas and 1% on other purchases, plus it matches your cash back in the first year. The OpenSky Secured Visa has no credit check and accepts deposits from $200 to $3,000.
If you have a bank account, some banks offer secured cards to their customers with lower deposits or no annual fee. Credit unions sometimes offer secured cards with better terms than national issuers. Before opening any secured card, compare the annual fee, deposit range, APR, and whether the card reports to all three bureaus.
Unsecured cards for people with poor credit also exist, though they typically carry higher APRs and annual fees than secured cards. A secured card is usually the faster path to rebuilding credit because the deposit reduces risk to the issuer, allowing them to offer better terms.
How to use Fortiva responsibly
The goal of a secured card is to build credit, not to carry a balance. Carrying a balance costs you money in interest and does not help your score more than paying in full does. Instead, use the card for small, regular purchases you would make anyway — a tank of gas, a monthly subscription, groceries — and pay the full balance each month.
Keep your credit utilization low. Credit utilization is the percentage of your limit you are using at any given time. Using 10% to 30% of your limit is ideal for credit building. If you have a $500 limit, try to keep your balance under $150 when the statement closes. This shows you can manage credit without maxing out.
Make every payment on time. Payment history is the largest factor in your credit score. A single late payment can drop your score significantly and undo months of progress. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum due, or better yet, pay the full balance automatically each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Fortiva if I have no credit history?
Yes. Fortiva is designed for people with limited or no credit history. Synchrony does not require a minimum credit score to open an account. You will need to pass a background check and provide proof of identity and income, but the deposit is what secures the card, not your credit score.
What happens to my deposit if I close the account?
If you close the account in good standing, Synchrony returns your deposit to you. If you have an outstanding balance when you close, they may use the deposit to pay it. If you default on the card, they may keep the deposit to cover what you owe.
Does Fortiva have a grace period for purchases?
Yes. Like most credit cards, Fortiva offers a grace period — typically 21 to 25 days from the statement closing date — during which you can pay your balance in full without paying interest. If you carry a balance past that period, interest accrues daily at your APR.
Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?
Synchrony may offer automatic credit limit increases after you demonstrate responsible use, but this is not may provide and you cannot request it. To request a limit increase, you would typically need to add more money to your deposit. Check your account online or call Synchrony to ask about your options.
How long does it take to rebuild my credit with Fortiva?
Credit scores improve gradually. You may see movement within three to six months of on-time payments, but significant improvement usually takes 12 to 24 months. The longer your account stays open with a clean payment history, the more your score improves. Past damage takes time to fade from your report.