The Indigo Credit Card is issued by Celtic Bank, a privately owned industrial bank based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Designed for people who have a poor credit history — or have no credit history at all — the Indigo® Mastercard® does not require a security deposit. This is an intriguing characteristic for people just beginning their credit journey or with no extra cash to put toward opening an account.
However, because the Indigo Card carries a high APR and starts at a credit limit of only $300, it may not be a perfect fit for everyone.
Ready to learn more? Let’s take a look at the details.
Is the Indigo Card for me?
The Indigo Card is a good fit for a few different types of people.
Given that this card is designed to help you build or rebuild your credit, it works best for those with a poor credit score (typically between 300 and 579) or no credit.
This card does not require a security deposit, meaning it works great for people who are short on cash or unwilling to offer a deposit. Its low limit also makes it a good fit for people who want to reduce the temptation to overspend.
In short, this card might be a good option if you have poor or no credit and limited funds.
What makes this credit card different?
There isn’t much about the Indigo Card to differentiate it from the competition. There are many credit card companies that offer unsecured cards designed for people with poor or limited credit. Like the Indigo Card, these cards tend to have high-interest rates and fees to compensate for the fact that no security deposit is required.
However, one difference is how the Indigo Card handles interest rates and fees for people with different credit profiles.
Most cards have relatively set fees and may also have a small range of interest rates that they can charge based on each applicant’s credit history.
In contrast, the Indigo Card has 20 different card agreements listed on its website, each with different interest rates and fees. Some agreements include annual fees, while others use a monthly fee structure. Some have a waived or reduced fee in the first year, while others charge the full fee immediately.
This gives the card issuer flexibility, tailoring the card offered to the borrower’s credit history and approving more people.
What are my chances of getting approved?
Nothing is guaranteed, but the Indigo Card is explicitly designed for people with poor or no credit. So unless you’ve had major financial emergencies recently, like declaring bankruptcy, you have a good chance of qualifying.
You can even pre-qualify for the Indigo Card to see if you’re eligible. This does not impact your credit and can give you a good idea of whether you’ll get approved if you submit a complete application.
Keep in mind that you do have to meet some basic eligibility requirements. For example, you must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama) and haven’t previously had an Indigo Card that was cancelled due to delinquency.
All the details of the Indigo Card
To really understand whether the Indigo Card is a good fit, you need to know all of the card’s details, including its fees and perks.
Rates and fees
As we’ve mentioned, the Indigo Card has many different card agreements it can offer applicants, each with different fee structures and interest rates. Generally, you can expect to deal with high-interest rates and an annual fee.
The worse your credit history is, the higher those fees will tend to be.
These other fees are standard across the card agreements.
Perks and rewards
As a card designed to help build credit, the Indigo Card reports your account details to all three bureaus. That means you can improve your credit scores at each bureau with just one card.
Another valuable perk is the card’s foreign transaction fee. You can use the Indigo Card while traveling outside the U.S. and pay a foreign transaction fee of just 1%. This is lower than most cards.
Beyond those benefits, and like many Mastercards, you’ll get Mastercard ID Theft Protection™, which includes monitoring your Social Security number, online accounts, debit and credit cards, and other details to help you avoid identity theft.
The Indigo Card also has Zero Liability protection for fraudulent use and the option to get a replacement card free of charge.
How to apply
To apply for the Indigo Card, you must visit the Indigo Card website. There is no paper application or option to apply by phone.
To start the process, you’ll fill out the pre-qualification form. This form asks for basic details, like your contact information, debt, and income. Based on your credit profile and the information you provide, Indigo Card will let you know whether you qualify and your predicted credit limit and fees.
If the pre-qualification comes back with a tentative approval, you can continue to the full application. If approved, you’ll receive your card in the mail within two weeks.
Contact info
If you run into problems with your Indigo Card or have questions about the account, you can reach out to the Indigo Card’s customer service group using the following contact information:
- Customer Service: 1-800-353-5920.
- Lost/Stolen Department: 1-800-314-6340.
- Mailing address: Concora Credit Inc. (a Delaware corporation)
PO Box 4477 Beaverton, OR
97076-4477.
Other stuff you should know
Before you apply for the Indigo Card, there are some other things you should be aware of.
One of the most important things to note is that the card charges its annual fee immediately, which will reduce your available credit until you pay it. For example, if you get a card with a $75 annual fee and a $300 credit limit, your card will come with a $75 balance and $225 in available credit.
Once you pay the fee, you’ll be able to use the full $300 credit limit.
The Indigo Card also offers a cash advance function that you can use to withdraw money at ATMs and most financial institutions. However, cash advances involve a fee and start accruing interest immediately, so you should avoid using the service unless necessary.
Finally, the card does not offer rewards, cash back, or sign-up bonuses.
Alternative credit cards to the Indigo Card
The Indigo Card is just one of many cards targeted at people who want to build their credit. If you’re not certain that the Indigo Card is right for you, consider the following alternatives:
- Milestone® Mastercard®. Another unsecured card designed to help build credit. Start with a credit line as high as $700.
- Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card. No annual fee and 1%–1.5% cash back. Designed to help people build credit.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. No annual fee and a deposit as low as $49. Automatic credit limit increase reviews. See Rates & Fees.
- U.S. Bank Cash+ Secured. $300 deposit and no annual fee. Earn up to 5% cash back.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. $200 deposit and no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases. See Rates & Fees.
How do you determine which credit card is right for you?
When comparing credit cards and deciding on the right one for your needs, consider the following factors:
- Ability to qualify. Different cards are targeted at different credit profiles. There’s no point in applying for cards you cannot qualify for.
- Fees. Some cards, particularly cards for people with poor credit and premium travel cards, charge annual fees. Make sure the benefits are worth the cost. Many people can do well with cards that have no annual fee.
- Perks. Different cards come with different perks. Travel cards, for example, might get you premium airline status. Look for a card that offers perks that you’ll use regularly.
- Rewards. You can earn cash back, points, or miles with many credit cards. Look for a card that offers rewards you can use easily, and that has high earning potential based on its reward categories and your spending habits.
- Rates. While you should avoid carrying a balance whenever possible, sometimes you’ll need more time to pay your card off. Look for a card with a low-interest rate if you expect to carry a balance regularly.
Indigo Card FAQ
Does the Indigo Card require a security deposit?
No. The Indigo Card is an unsecured credit card, which means you don’t have to provide a security deposit.
Can I qualify with poor or no credit?
Yes. The Indigo Card is designed to help people build their credit scores. It has multiple card agreements tailored to different credit profiles and often approves people with poor or no credit history.
Does the Indigo Card have an annual fee?
Yes, the Indigo Card charges an annual fee.
What is the Indigo Card’s credit limit?
The Indigo Card’s typical credit limit is $300.
Does the Indigo Card offer rewards?
No, the Indigo Card does not offer rewards.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- You Don’t Need Perfect Credit — You can be approved with poor credit.
- Get Approved Quickly — Quick prequalification process.
Cons
- Costly Interest Charges — This card has a high standard interest rate.
- High Annual Fees — This card has an annual fee.
Why choose the Indigo Card?
The Indigo Card has a fairly specific niche — people with poor credit scores who don’t want or can’t afford a secured card.
The card carries an annual fee, and a relatively high APR, depending on your creditworthiness. However, unless you have a low credit score, you may get approved for an offer with slightly lower fees, making this card a more competitive option.
And with proper use — perhaps a year or two of making on-time payments — you may be able to build sufficient credit to move on to a fee-free card with a higher limit.
If this sounds like a good fit, you can apply now.