What the Atlas Credit Card Is

The Atlas Credit Card is a secured credit card issued by Fortiva Bank. You put down a cash deposit, and that deposit becomes your credit limit — so if you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. The card reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means your payment history shows up on your credit report.

Unlike a prepaid card, where you're just spending your own money, a secured card lets you borrow against your deposit. You make monthly payments like any other credit card, and those payments get reported. The goal is to build or rebuild credit history so you can move to an unsecured card later.

Fortiva also issues the Milestone and Journey cards, which work differently — those don't require a deposit upfront. Atlas is the deposit-based option in their lineup.

Key Takeaways

  • You deposit cash ($300 to $2,500, depending on the version) and receive a credit limit equal to that amount.
  • The card charges an annual fee ($98 to $198 depending on the tier) and a monthly maintenance fee ($7 to $10), which are deducted from your available credit.
  • Interest rates run 18% to 24% APR, which is typical for secured cards but still expensive if you carry a balance.
  • Your payment history reports to all three bureaus, so on-time payments build credit, but late payments damage it.
  • After 7 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be able to move to an unsecured card or have your deposit returned.

How Much the Card Actually Costs

The fees add up quickly. Atlas charges an annual fee between $98 and $198 depending on which tier you choose. On top of that, there's a monthly maintenance fee of $7 to $10 that gets deducted directly from your available credit each month.

If you deposit $500 and choose the version with a $10 monthly fee, you lose $120 a year just to the maintenance charge. That leaves you with $380 of usable credit. The annual fee comes out of your pocket separately, not from the card balance.

The interest rate is 18% to 24% APR. If you carry a balance of $300 at 21% APR, you'll pay roughly $63 in interest over a year. The combination of fees and interest makes this card expensive to use, so the strategy is to charge small amounts and pay them off in full each month.

When the Deposit Gets Returned

Fortiva doesn't publish a fixed timeline for when your deposit converts to unsecured credit. The company says it reviews accounts after 7 months of on-time payments, but some cardholders report waiting 12 to 18 months before seeing movement.

When the conversion happens, you have two options: the deposit can be returned to you, or it can stay with the bank and your credit limit increases. Some people choose to keep the deposit on file to maintain a higher limit. There's no may provide of conversion — it depends on your payment history and how Fortiva's underwriting team views your account.

If you close the account before conversion, you'll get your deposit back, but closing an account can hurt your credit score in the short term because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age.

How This Card Compares to Other Secured Options

The Discover Secured Card has no annual fee and no monthly maintenance fee, which saves you $120 to $318 a year compared to Atlas. Discover's interest rate is similar (18% to 24% APR), and it also reports to all three bureaus. The main trade-off is that Discover's minimum deposit is $200, and the maximum is $2,500 — so you have less flexibility at the high end if you want to build a larger credit line.

The Capital One Secured Mastercard charges a $39 annual fee with no monthly maintenance fee. That's cheaper than Atlas but still more than Discover. Capital One also reports to all three bureaus and has a similar interest rate range.

The Chime Credit Builder Visa has no annual fee, no monthly fee, and no interest rate because it's not a traditional credit card — you load money onto it and spend what you've loaded. It reports to the bureaus, but it doesn't let you borrow, so it doesn't build credit the same way a secured card does.

If your only goal is to rebuild credit with the lowest fees, Discover is usually the better choice. If you want a card that's easier to get approved for despite very poor credit, Atlas may be an option, but the fees make it more expensive to use.

What Happens if You Miss a Payment

A late payment stays on your credit report for seven years and damages your score when ready. Even a payment that's 30 days late will show up. If you're 60 days late, the damage is worse. At 90 days or more, the account may be charged off, meaning Fortiva writes it off as a loss and may sell the debt to a collection agency.

Late fees vary but typically run $25 to $40 per occurrence. If you miss a payment, contact Fortiva right away — some issuers will work with you on a one-time courtesy, but there's no may provide.

The whole point of a secured card is to prove you can pay on time. One missed payment undermines that goal and can set back your credit-building timeline by months.

Whether Atlas Makes Sense for You

Atlas works best if you have very poor credit or no credit history and need a card that will report to the bureaus. The deposit requirement means you're not borrowing money you don't have, which reduces the risk of debt spiraling.

Atlas makes less sense if you have other options. If you've been turned down for Discover or Capital One, or if you need a card urgently and can't wait for approval, Atlas may be worth the extra fees. But if you can get approved for a card with no annual fee, that's the smarter choice.

Before you explore, ask yourself: Can I afford to pay off the full balance every month? If the answer is no, the interest rate and fees will make this card very expensive. If the answer is yes, and you have no other options, a secured card — whether Atlas or another issuer — is a legitimate way to build credit history from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Atlas if I've been denied for other credit cards?

Secured cards generally have lower approval rates than unsecured cards, but Fortiva still reviews your process. Having a deposit ready doesn't may provide approval — the bank will still check your credit report and may deny you if you have recent charge-offs or fraud. If you're denied, ask Fortiva why; sometimes a secured card from a different issuer will approve you.

What happens to my deposit if I close the card?

Your deposit is returned to you, usually within 7 to 10 business days. Closing the account will lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit and may shorten your average account age. If possible, keep the account open even after you stop using it.

Can I increase my credit limit without adding more money?

After several months of on-time payments, Fortiva may increase your limit without requiring an additional deposit. This varies by account. You can contact Fortiva to ask, but there's no set timeline or may provide.

Is the monthly maintenance fee worth it?

No, not if you have other options. The $7 to $10 monthly fee reduces your usable credit and adds up to $84 to $120 a year. Discover and Capital One don't charge monthly fees, so compare those first before choosing Atlas.

How long does it take to move from secured to unsecured?

Fortiva reviews accounts after 7 months of on-time payments, but conversion isn't automatic. Some cardholders wait 12 to 18 months. There's no published timeline, so contact Fortiva after 7 months to ask about your account status.