Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
First Digital Mastercard® Review: Is This Credit Card Worth the High Fees?
February 6, 2025
With sky-high fees and a tiny $300 limit, is the First Digital Mastercard® a lifeline for building credit – or a trap to avoid? We’ll break down the costs, pros and cons, and smarter alternatives. Let’s dive into what First Digital offers, who it’s for, and whether it’s worth it for consumers in the US and Canada looking to improve their credit.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7629", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "1% Cash Back Rewards"} ]]
What Is the First Digital Mastercard?
The First Digital Mastercard is an unsecured credit card for people with poor or limited credit. Unlike a secured card, it doesn’t require a cash deposit to open an account. It’s issued by Synovus Bank and marketed toward those who might not qualify for traditional cards. On the surface, that sounds helpful – an easy-approval card to rebuild credit – and it does report to all three major credit bureaus monthly, which can help your credit over time. However, there’s a catch: in exchange for no security deposit, First Digital hits you with a pile of fees and charges.
Key Facts: The card starts with a $300 credit limit, and you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted in the U.S.. It even offers a small reward: 1% cash back on payments you make. But as we’ll see, these features come at a steep cost.
All the Fees (Why This Card Can Cost You $170 in Year One)
Brace yourself for fees, fees, and… more fees. The First Digital Mastercard comes with nearly every fee in the book:
- One-time Program Fee: $95, charged upfront once you’re approved. Think of it as an “activation” fee – you’ll pay before you can even use the card.
- Annual Fee: $75 for the first year, then $48 each year after. This is billed to your card, typically immediately, eating into your $300 credit line.
- Monthly Servicing Fee: $0 for the first year, then $8.25 per month starting in year two. Yes, they start charging a monthly fee after 12 months, on top of the annual fee.
- Additional Card Fee: $29 per year if you want an extra card (authorized user).
- “Premium” Card Design Fee: $10 one-time if you choose a fancier card design (completely optional).
- Credit Limit Increase Fee: If you become eligible for a credit line increase, they will charge 25% of the increase as a fee This is pretty unheard-of – most cards don’t charge you for granting more credit.
- Foreign Transaction/Use Fees: Officially, the card’s terms forbid use outside the U.S. or in foreign currency. If you do manage to use it abroad, you’ll be subject to unspecified exchange fees that aren’t clearly disclosed. Essentially, plan on not using this card for travel at all.
- Other Service Fees: $35 express card delivery fee (if you request rush shipping) – it’s unclear if this is optional or automatic. A $3 fee for requesting copies of statements or documents. And a $10 fee if you pay your bill by phone with an expedited service.
Now you can see why this card has a reputation for “ludicrous fees”. If you avoid all the optional fees, you’ll still pay $170 in various fees in the first year and about $147 each year after. To put that in perspective: those fees in Year One almost equal the $200 minimum deposit many secured cards require.
If you’re working to build credit, consider a secured card instead of an expensive subprime card. Secured credit cards require a deposit but often have no annual fee – and you’ll get your deposit refunded when you graduate or close the account in good standing.
1% Cash Back on Payments – How the First Digital Rewards Work
Yes, the First Digital Mastercard actually has a rewards program – but it’s not like a normal cash-back card. You earn 1% cash back on payments you make to your account, rather than on your purchase transactions.
Here’s how it works:
- When you make a payment toward your balance, 1% of that payment amount is credited as cash back. For example, pay $100, get $1 in rewards.
- You do not earn rewards at the time of purchase, only when paying the bill. So effectively, it rewards you for reducing your debt (a nice idea in theory).
- You can’t redeem any rewards until your account has been active for at least 6 months. And it appears you redeem as statement credit once you hit a minimum threshold.
- The rewards are “unlimited” 1% on all payments, and they don’t expire. But realistically, with a $300 credit line and the need to carry a balance to utilize it, you won’t be racking up tons of cash back quickly.
The catch: Earning 1% for paying your bill is essentially the same net as 1% for spending – if you use the card regularly. But it’s a far cry from the 1.5%–2% back offered by many no-annual-fee cards, and First Digital’s 1% rewards don’t come close to offsetting its fees. Also, because you have to wait 6 months to redeem, it’s not instant gratification by any means. Think of the cash-back program as a token perk; nice to have, but not a reason to get this card.
Comparing First Digital Mastercard® with Other Credit Cards
When considering the First Digital Mastercard®, it's helpful to compare it with other popular options in the credit builder card category:
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Credit Builder account
- Key features: No credit check to apply, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: No minimum security deposit required
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Minimum $200, which becomes your credit limit
- Key features: 1.5% cash back on most purchases, automatic credit line reviews
- Standout feature: Earn rewards while building credit
Current Build Visa® Credit Card:
- Annual fee: $0
- Security deposit: Flexible, based on the amount transferred to Build account
- Key features: No credit check required, reports to all three major credit bureaus
- Standout feature: Linked to Current banking app for easy fund transfers
Each card offers unique benefits tailored to different spending habits and preferences. Consider your personal financial goals when choosing the best card for you.
Key Takeaways:
- First Digital Mastercard® excels in helping customers build their credit
- Chime Credit Builder offers flexibility with no minimum deposit
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured provides cash back rewards
- Current Build integrates with banking app for convenient use
[[ CARD_LIST * {"ids": ["3069","3058", "5132"]} ]]
Can You Use the First Digital Card Outside the U.S.?
In short, no – don’t rely on this card for international use. This is an odd restriction: despite being a Mastercard, the First Digital card’s terms prohibit use in foreign countries or foreign currencies. If you attempt it, the transaction might not go through; and if it does, Mastercard may tack on an unspecified currency conversion fee. Most credit cards that allow international use either charge a clear ~3% foreign transaction fee or waive it entirely. By contrast, First Digital’s approach is “use domestically only.” This is another limitation if you ever travel or even shop on overseas websites.
Bottom line: keep this card at home. If you need to make purchases abroad, there are other cards (even for people with fair/bad credit) that won’t leave you guessing about fees or functionality overseas.
Other Quirks and Points to Consider
No Checking Account, No Card?
The application will ask if you have an active checking account. In fact, having a checking account is required to apply according to First Digital’s terms. This can be a barrier for the “unbanked” population. However, ironically, the card does allow you to pay via money order if you don’t want to use a bank account for bill paymentsSo while you technically could manage the card without a bank by paying with money orders, they still want you to have a checking account to even get approved.
High APR (Don’t Carry a Balance)
As of 2023, the First Digital Mastercard’s interest rate is 35.99% APR. That is extremely high – even among subprime credit cards. For context, many starter credit cards or secured cards have APRs in the mid-20% range. 35.99% means if you carried a $300 balance for a year, interest alone could be over $100. This card absolutely should be paid in full each month to avoid interest, given its punitive rate.
Slow Approval Process
Don’t expect instant gratification when you apply. First Digital doesn’t give immediate decisions online in many cases. It can take up to 3 weeks to find out if you’re approved, according to NerdWallet’s findings. Many modern credit cards will approve or deny within seconds or days, so the First Digital is a bit of a throwback to slower processes. If you need a card quickly, this isn’t ideal.
Credit Bureau Reporting
On the positive side, First Digital does report your payment history to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion every month. This is crucial for building credit – on-time payments should help boost your score over time, whereas missing payments will hurt. In this regard, it does what it promises: it can help you build credit if used responsibly. Just keep in mind the cost you’re paying for that opportunity.
Credit Limit Constraints
Your initial credit line will be $300. After you pay the $95 program fee and the $75 annual fee (first year), your available credit at the start might be only about $130. That can feel like you’re almost maxed out from the get-go. They mention you might get a credit line increase after 12 months, but any increase will incur that 25% fee. So if after a year you’re boosted to a $500 limit, you’d pay $50 for that privilege, and so on. Also, running a high balance on a $300 limit card can negatively impact your credit utilization ratio, so you have to be careful not to hurt your credit score while trying to build it.
Who Should (or Shouldn’t) Get the First Digital Mastercard?
Given everything above, the First Digital Mastercard is best suited for a very specific kind of customer: someone with severely damaged credit or no credit, who cannot come up with even a few hundred dollars for a deposit on a secured card, and who is fully aware of the costs and willing to pay them for the sake of building credit. In other words, it’s a last-resort credit builder card.
According to experts, the card’s steep fees and APR are the trade-off for not requiring a deposit – essentially, “no deposit” equals “higher than average fees and rates.” It’s “best suited to individuals trying to improve their credit without the available funds for a secured card”. If that describes you, and you’ve been rejected by other options, First Digital could be a tool to rebuild credit if handled perfectly (on-time payments, low balance). But proceed with caution.
For most people, you’re better off choosing a different card to build your credit. The headaches and costs here are substantial. Even if you have bad credit, there are alternative credit cards and methods that can get you on the right track with far fewer fees (and less risk of digging yourself into a hole).
Let’s explore those alternatives next.
Alternatives to First Digital Mastercard for Building Credit
You should seriously consider other options before opting for First Digital. Here are a few to look at:
Secured Credit Cards
These cards require a refundable security deposit, but many have no annual fee and much lower ongoing costs.
“Alternative” Starter Cards (Unsecured, No Fees)
A few newer cards target people with limited credit but don’t charge fees. These cards typically require at least a fair credit score or some positive credit factors, so not everyone coming from bad credit will get approved. But if you can qualify, they’re far superior to a card like First Digital.
Credit-Building Loans or Accounts
If your goal is purely to build credit history and you’re concerned you won’t be approved for any decent card, look into credit builder loans or services like Self. These are small loans where the money you “borrow” is saved in an account for you, and you make monthly payments. In the end, you get the money and a positive trade line on your credit report. This isn’t a credit card, but it’s another way to establish credit without a high-cost card. Then, after a few months, you might have a better shot at a no-fee card.
Authorized User on Someone Else’s Card
As a last tip, if you have a trusted friend or family member, becoming an authorized user on their well-managed credit card can help build your credit too. You wouldn’t need to use their card; simply being on the account can transplant some of that positive history to your report. Of course, not everyone has this option, but it’s worth mentioning as a path to boost credit so you can qualify for better cards.
The Bottom Line: For U.S. and Canadian consumers working to improve their credit, paying exorbitant fees is not your only option. The First Digital Mastercard should be a fallback when all else fails – and even then, you should have a plan to graduate from it as soon as possible. Whenever possible, start with a lower-cost alternative. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.
FAQ: First Digital Mastercard
Is the First Digital Mastercard a secured card?
No. The First Digital Mastercard is unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put down a security deposit. This is its main selling point – it’s a credit card you can get without upfront collateral, even with bad credit. However, because it’s unsecured, the issuer compensates by charging very high fees. In contrast, a secured card requires a deposit but usually has lower fees.
What credit score is needed to get approved?
It’s designed for people with “poor” credit. In fact, First Digital will consider those with bad or limited credit history. There’s no exact cutoff disclosed, but many applicants are in sub-600 FICO scores. The trade-off for easy approval is the steep cost. Keep in mind, approval isn’t guaranteed – you still need to meet certain criteria. But if your credit is in the rebuilding stage (say FICO in the 500s), you have a decent chance.
Does First Digital offer pre-approval?
No, there is no pre-approval or pre-qualification process for the First Digital card. You must submit a full application which results in a hard credit inquiry on your report. Some other cards for bad credit do allow you to check pre-qualifications, but First Digital isn’t one of them. Be prepared for a potential ding to your credit score when you apply, and the possibility of waiting up to 3 weeks for a decision.
How do I pay the First Digital Mastercard bill?
Several ways: you can pay online via the First Digital card website or mobile app, you can mail a check or money order, or set up an automatic debit from your bank account. Be aware: if you pay by phone and want it expedited, they will charge a $10 fee for an “express” phone payment. Also, mailed payments can take time to process. The good news is they explicitly allow money orders, which is useful if you don’t have a traditional bank – just mail the money order well before your due date so it posts in time.
Can I use the First Digital Mastercard internationally?
It’s not recommended. The card’s terms actually state that it cannot be used outside the United States or in foreign currencies. If you travel abroad or make a purchase from a non-U.S. website, the transaction may be blocked or come with unpredictable fees. This is unusual, as most Mastercards are accepted worldwide. If you need a card for travel, even a trip to Canada or Mexico, you’ll want a different credit card that allows global use and has a clear foreign transaction fee policy.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.jpg)
