What the Fingerhut Credit Card Is
The Fingerhut credit card is a store card issued by WebBank that you can use to make purchases at Fingerhut.com and in Fingerhut retail locations. Unlike a general-purpose credit card, it works only at Fingerhut — you cannot use it at other retailers. The card is marketed toward people who are building credit or rebuilding it after past credit problems, and it reports your payment activity to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Fingerhut also offers a Fingerhut Mastercard, which is a separate product that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. This guide focuses on the store card, which is the more widely available option.
Key Takeaways
- The Fingerhut credit card is a store card that works only at Fingerhut, not at other retailers or online merchants.
- Your payment history reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments can help build your credit score over time.
- The card carries an annual fee and interest rates that are typically higher than cards for people with established credit.
- Your credit limit is usually tied to a cash deposit you make upfront, and you can request a higher limit after demonstrating responsible use.
- Late payments trigger fees and can damage your credit score, so understanding the payment due date and minimum payment is essential.
How to Get a Fingerhut Credit Card
You can request a Fingerhut credit card when you open a Fingerhut account online or by phone. Fingerhut will ask for basic information: your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and income. The company performs a credit check, though it may approve you even if your credit score is low or you have no credit history.
If approved, you will be asked to make a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. For example, a $300 deposit gives you a $300 credit limit. This deposit sits in a savings account and earns a small amount of interest — it is not a fee you lose. You keep the deposit even after you close the card.
The approval process typically takes a few business days. Once approved, you can use your card to shop at Fingerhut when ready, either online or in a store if one is near you.
Costs: Annual Fee, Interest Rate, and Other Charges
The Fingerhut credit card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year to keep the account open. This fee is deducted from your deposit or charged to your card balance, depending on how your account is set up. The exact amount varies and can change, so confirm the current fee before you open the account.
The card carries a variable interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) that applies to any balance you carry from month to month. This rate is higher than rates on cards for people with established credit — often in the range of 24% to 29.99%, though the exact rate depends on your creditworthiness and current market conditions. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest.
Late payments trigger a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date. Fingerhut also charges a fee if your payment is returned (for example, if a check bounces). These fees add to your balance and can push you toward your credit limit quickly.
How Your Credit Limit Works and When You Can Increase It
Your starting credit limit equals the cash deposit you made when you opened the account. You cannot spend more than that amount unless Fingerhut raises your limit. Unlike unsecured cards, where the issuer decides your limit based on your creditworthiness, the Fingerhut card ties your limit directly to your deposit.
After you have made on-time payments for several months (typically six to twelve), you can request a credit limit increase. Fingerhut may allow you to deposit additional money to raise your limit, or it may increase your limit without requiring more money. Some cardholders eventually graduate to the unsecured Fingerhut Mastercard, which does not require a deposit.
Your credit limit is separate from your deposit. If you close the account, you get your deposit back, but your credit limit disappears. This is why the card is called a "secured" card — the deposit secures the issuer's risk.
Reporting to Credit Bureaus and Building Your Credit Score
The Fingerhut credit card reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion every month. This means your payment history — whether you pay on time, how much of your limit you use, and whether you carry a balance — becomes part of your credit file.
On-time payments are the single largest factor in your credit score. If you pay the full balance or at least the minimum payment by the due date every month, your score should improve over time. Conversely, late payments, high balances relative to your limit, and missed payments will damage your score and stay on your credit report for years.
Because the card reports to all three bureaus, it can be an effective tool for building credit from scratch or recovering from past problems. However, the benefit only comes if you use the card responsibly — carrying a balance at a high interest rate or missing payments will hurt you more than help you.
Managing Your Account: Payments, Statements, and Customer Service
You can make payments online through your Fingerhut account, by phone, by mail, or in a Fingerhut store. Your statement shows your current balance, minimum payment due, and due date. The minimum payment is usually a small percentage of your balance — often around 2% to 3% — but paying only the minimum means you carry a balance and pay interest.
To avoid interest charges, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay as much as you can above the minimum to reduce the amount of interest you owe. Set a calendar reminder for your due date so you do not miss a payment by accident.
Fingerhut offers customer service by phone and online chat. You can check your balance, make payments, and view your statement through your online account at any time. If you have questions about your interest rate, fees, or credit limit, contact customer service directly — do not rely on estimates from other websites, as your specific terms may differ.
When the Fingerhut Card Makes Sense and When It Does Not
The Fingerhut card is most useful if you are building credit from scratch or recovering from credit damage and cannot get approved for a standard credit card. The card's reporting to all three bureaus means your positive payment history will show up on your credit report, which can help you move toward better cards and loan terms in the future.
The card is less useful if you already have access to a standard credit card with a lower interest rate and no annual fee. Carrying a balance on the Fingerhut card at 24% to 29% interest is expensive, and the annual fee adds to that cost. If you can pay your balance in full each month, the card works, but you would be better served by a no-annual-fee card if you can get one.
The card is also limited to Fingerhut purchases. If you shop primarily at other retailers, you cannot use it for everyday spending, which limits how much you can build credit with it. Pairing it with another card that works everywhere may be a better strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need good credit to get approved for the Fingerhut card?
No. Fingerhut approves people with low credit scores, no credit history, or past credit problems. The main requirement is that you have a valid Social Security number and can make a cash deposit. However, Fingerhut does perform a credit check, so a very recent bankruptcy or fraud may still result in a denial.
What happens to my deposit if I close the card?
You get your deposit back. Fingerhut will return it to you by check or refund it to your original payment method, usually within a few weeks of closing the account. The deposit is yours — it is not forfeited as a fee.
Can I use the Fingerhut card outside of Fingerhut?
Not with the store card. The store card works only at Fingerhut.com and Fingerhut retail locations. Fingerhut does offer a separate Mastercard that works anywhere, but that is a different product with different terms and approval requirements.
What is the difference between the Fingerhut store card and the Fingerhut Mastercard?
The store card works only at Fingerhut and requires a cash deposit. The Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted and is unsecured (no deposit required). The Mastercard typically has a higher interest rate and may be harder to get approved for if your credit is very poor.
How long does it take to build credit with this card?
You will see activity on your credit report within one to two months of opening the account. However, meaningful improvement in your credit score typically takes six months to a year of on-time payments. The longer your positive payment history, the more your score will improve.