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 WebBank. You put down a cash deposit—typically between $250 and $2,500—and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other credit card, making purchases and paying a monthly bill. The card reports to all three major 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 discharge. It's also used by people with no credit history who need to establish one. Unlike some secured cards, Indigo does not require a credit check to open an account, which makes it accessible even if your credit score is very low or nonexistent.

The tradeoff is cost. The card carries an annual fee and a higher interest rate than unsecured cards. If you carry a balance, interest charges will be substantial. The card works best if you use it for small, regular purchases and pay the full balance each month.

Key Takeaways

  • The Indigo Card requires a cash deposit of $250 to $2,500, which becomes your credit limit, and charges an annual fee of $95.
  • You can open an account without a credit check, making it available to people with very low credit scores or no credit history.
  • The card reports to all three credit bureaus each month, so consistent on-time payments will raise your credit score over time.
  • Interest rates are higher than standard credit cards—typically 18% to 24% APR—so carrying a balance costs significantly more than paying in full each month.
  • After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be able to move to an unsecured card and recover your deposit.

How to open an Indigo Card account

You can open an account online through Indigo Credit's website or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You'll provide your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and employment information. Indigo does not pull a hard credit inquiry, so this step does not affect your credit score.

Once your process is submitted, you'll receive a decision within one to two business days. If approved, you'll choose your deposit amount and arrange payment. Indigo accepts bank transfers, wire transfers, and debit card payments. Your deposit must clear before the account opens, which typically takes three to five business days.

After your deposit clears, your card will be mailed to you. Standard shipping takes seven to ten business days. You can request expedited shipping for an additional fee if you need the card sooner. Once you receive it, you set up it through the Indigo website or app and can begin using it when ready.

Fees and interest rates you'll pay

The Indigo Card charges a $95 annual fee, billed to your account each year. This fee is non-refundable even if you close the account. There is no monthly fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no fee for paying your bill online.

The purchase APR (annual percentage rate) ranges from 18.24% to 24.24%, depending on your creditworthiness at the time of process. This is significantly higher than the average credit card rate, which hovers around 20% to 21% for most borrowers. If you carry a balance of $1,000 at 21% APR, you'll pay roughly $210 in interest over a year if you make no payments. Even small balances grow quickly.

There is no grace period for cash advances, meaning interest accrues when ready. Cash advances also carry a higher APR than purchases and a 3% fee. Avoid cash advances unless absolutely necessary. Late payments trigger a late fee of up to $40, and a payment 60 days late will be reported to the credit bureaus and will significantly damage your credit score.

When you might graduate to an unsecured card

Indigo does not publish a fixed timeline for moving to an unsecured card. However, many cardholders report that after 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, Indigo will offer to convert the account to an unsecured card. When this happens, your deposit is returned to you, and your credit limit may increase.

The conversion is not automatic. You must wait for Indigo to make the offer, or you can contact customer service to ask whether you're may be able to access. may be able to access depends on your payment history with Indigo, your credit score improvement, and your overall credit behavior during the time you've held the card.

If Indigo does not offer a conversion, you have other options. After 12 months of on-time payments, you may be able to move to a different secured card with lower fees or better terms, or you may may have access to for an unsecured card from another issuer. Check your credit score and credit report before explore elsewhere, because multiple applications in a short time can lower your score.

How the Indigo Card affects your credit score

The Indigo Card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. This means your payment history, credit utilization, and account age all contribute to your credit score. On-time payments are the single largest factor in credit scoring, so consistent, punctual payments will raise your score over time.

Your credit utilization—the percentage of your credit limit that you're using—also matters. If your limit is $500 and you carry a $400 balance, your utilization is 80%, which is high and will lower your score. Keeping utilization below 30% helps your score. With a $500 limit, that means keeping your balance below $150.

Opening the account itself will cause a small, temporary dip in your score because a new account lowers your average account age. This dip usually recovers within a few months as the account ages and you build a positive payment history. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, most people see a meaningful improvement in their credit score.

Comparing Indigo to other secured cards

The Indigo Card is one of several secured cards on the market. The main competitors are the Capital One Secured Mastercard, the Discover it Secured Credit Card, and the OpenSky Secured Visa Card. Each has different fees, deposit requirements, and terms.

The Capital One Secured Mastercard charges a $39 annual fee and has a lower starting APR range (typically 18% to 24%). The Discover it Secured card charges no annual fee and offers 1% cash back on all purchases, plus 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants for the first year. However, Discover requires a higher deposit and a credit check. The OpenSky card charges a $35 annual fee and has no credit check requirement, similar to Indigo, but requires a higher minimum deposit of $500.

If your credit score is very low or you have no credit history, Indigo and OpenSky are your best options because neither requires a credit check. If your score is slightly higher, Capital One or Discover may offer better terms. Compare the annual fee, APR, deposit requirement, and any rewards or benefits before deciding.

What to do if your process is denied

Indigo does not publish specific denial reasons, but common reasons include providing false information on the process, being under 18 years old, or having a history of fraud or identity theft. If your process is denied, you can contact Indigo customer service to ask why.

If you're denied, you have several options. You can reapply after 30 days if you believe the denial was an error or if your circumstances have changed. You can also explore for a different secured card—OpenSky, Capital One, or Discover—which may have different approval criteria. Some people find it helpful to check their credit report first to see whether there are errors that might be affecting approval decisions.

You can obtain a free credit report from each of the three bureaus once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find errors—accounts you don't recognize, incorrect payment history, or wrong personal information—you can dispute them directly with the bureau. Correcting errors sometimes improves your score enough to may have access to for approval on a second process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Indigo Card internationally?

Yes, the Indigo Card is a Mastercard and works at merchants worldwide that accept Mastercard. However, there is no foreign transaction fee waiver, so you'll pay the standard Mastercard exchange rate plus any fees your bank charges. For frequent international travel, a card with no foreign transaction fee is a better choice.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A payment 30 days late will incur a late fee of up to $40 and will not be reported to the credit bureaus. A payment 60 days late will be reported as a delinquency, which significantly damages your credit score and stays on your report for seven years. If you can't pay by the due date, contact Indigo when ready to discuss options.

Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?

Indigo does not automatically increase your credit limit. You can request a limit increase by adding more money to your deposit, which increases your limit dollar-for-dollar. Some cardholders report that Indigo has offered unsolicited limit increases after demonstrating strong payment history, but this is not may provide.

How long does it take to build credit with the Indigo Card?

Most people see measurable credit score improvement within three to six months of on-time payments. Significant improvement—enough to may have access to for unsecured cards or better terms—typically takes 12 to 18 months. The speed depends on your starting score, how much you use the card, and whether you have other negative marks on your report.

Is there a way to get my deposit back before graduating to an unsecured card?

No. Your deposit is held as collateral for the duration of the secured account. You can only recover it by closing the account or by converting to an unsecured card. If you close the account, your deposit is returned, but you lose the account history and credit-building benefit.