| Name | Score | Visit | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Intro Offer | Credit Needed | Disclaimer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 6.0 | Visitfirstdigitalcard.com | $48–$75 | 35.99% | N/A | Bad (300–629) |
For those with low credit scores, the First Digital credit card can feel a bit like an empty Christmas gift. You’re thrilled to get it, only to discover that you can’t really use it because of the high APR and steep fees.
It will let you build or re-establish your credit, but it might not be the best option if you want to carry a balance and pay off big amounts of debt (we recommend getting a transfer credit card for this).
Read our First Digital Mastercard® review and see if the card fits your needs.
What the First Digital NextGen Mastercard® is, and who it is for.
Pricing and fees.
What we like about the card.
What you need to keep in mind before applying.
Our top picks for alternatives.
New to building credit? Have a look at our guides:
How Long Does It Take to Build Credit? Establish Credit Fast!
How to Build Credit at 18: Best Ways to Start Building Credit Fast
The First Digital Credit Card at a Glance
Created for bad credit scores and limited credit history, the First Digital card is a full-featured Mastercard®, accepted nationwide. It has a relatively high APR and other fees, but it might be one of the easiest cards to qualify for.
What’s unusual about the card is that you need to pay 25% of any credit limit increase (if you decide to apply).
You must have an active checking account to be approved and to use the card.
First Digital Credit Card: Overall Card Rating
 | |
APR | 35.99% |
Annual fee | $75 for the first year; then $48. |
Intro offer | No monthly servicing fee, $99 starting year two. |
Rewards | 0.00% |
Overall credit card rating | 3/5 |
Who Can Apply for the First Digital Credit Card?
You don’t need a perfect credit score, long credit history, or a security deposit to get approved for the First Digital Mastercard®.
But there are a couple of boxes to check off if you want to consider applying for the card:
You must be a US resident over 18.
You must have an active checking account (or be willing to open one).
Not sure what your credit score is? Click here to check your score and credit report now.
How to Apply for the First Digital NextGen Mastercard®?
You can apply for the First Digital Mastercard® using the application form here.
The application process is simple—and Synovus Bank guarantees an answer in just 60 seconds (in rare cases, it can take longer).
How to Check First Digital Mastercard® Application Status?
After applying for the First Digital Mastercard®, you should get a response straight away. If you don’t, go to the “Find My Application” section and follow the instructions.
First Digital Mastercard® Fees
If you take away one thing from our First Digital credit card review, let it be this—
The card has a high APR of 35.99%, an annual fee of $75 (decreasing your credit limit to $225)and an upfront program fee of $95.
After the first twelve months, there’s a monthly service fee of $8.25.
Here’s a detailed breakdown:
FEES | DETAILS |
|---|---|
Annual fee | $75 for the first year; then $48 |
Program fee | Up to $95 (one-time fee) |
Monthly servicing fee | $0 for the first year; then $99 a year ($8.25 per month) |
APR | 35.99% |
APR for cash advances | 35.99% |
Credit limit increase fee | 25% of the credit limit increase |
Balance transfer fee | N/A |
Cash advance fee | Either $10 or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater |
Foreign transaction fee | N/A |
Late fee | Up to $41 |
Minimum interest charge fee | $0.50 |
Returned payment fee | Up to $41 |
Expedited telephone payment fee | $10 |
Additional card fee | $29 (annually, if applicable) |
Documentation fee | $3 |
First Digital Mastercard® Credit Limit
Credit limit on this card is $300—but bear in mind that after deducting the annual fee, it’s actually $225.
First Digital Credit Card Limit Increase—Is It Possible?
You can raise the credit limit by applying for it—but you’ll have to pay the issuer 25% of the total increase.
First Digital Credit Card Reviews
One thing we noticed when browsing hundreds of online user reviews is that only around 25% were five-star reviews. It’s not a lot, considering that around 20% were one-star reviews.
Most reviewers agree that the application process is fast and straightforward.
Some cardholders say the First Digital NextGen Mastercard® has helped them improve their credit scores, while others complain about low credit limit.
Many users claim that the high APR makes carrying a balance on the card expensive. Some are frustrated with the card being frequently declined.
Quite a few didn’t like the customer service—conflicting information, long waiting times, and issues with resolving the disputes (even those about unauthorized charges on their accounts, which you should sort out easily with the Mastercard® Zero Liability protection).
Our Honest First Digital Credit Card Review
Let’s look at the benefits and the downsides of getting the First Digital card—
Pros and Cons
- Low credit score requirement
- No security deposit
- Mastercard® zero liability and ID theft protection
- Reports to all credit bureaus
- 24/7 account access
- Autopay
- Mobile app
- High fees
- High interest rate
- Low credit limit
- No rewards or bonus programs
- Hard pull on your credit
Pros—Why we like it
Low credit score requirement
The First Digital card welcomes all applicants, no matter their current credit scores. That means you can still apply for the card even if you have a limited credit history or a poor credit score.
No security deposit
You don’t have to think about any collateral for the issuer, but you need to pay an upfront fee of $95 and an annual fee of $75 (which comes to $170 in the first year).
Mastercard® Zero Liability and ID Theft Protection
Where Mastercard® goes, the perks follow.
The First Digital card has Mastercard® Zero Liability and ID Theft Protection, both very important considering the sky-high credit card fraud rates.
They’ll save you the headache of worrying about paying someone else’s bills.
Reports to all credit bureaus
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—all of them need to get credit reports on you for you to build your credit. Synovus Bank does a good job of reporting to all three of them.
24/7 account access
You can access your account no matter the time to check your balance, make monthly payments, change the settings, and more.
AutoPay
Building your credit, you need to make your payments on time. AutoPay is a convenient way to make that happen.
Mobile app
There’s an official First Digital Card mobile app for iOS and Android.
Cons—Things to watch out for
Exorbitant fees
While it’s true that credit cards for bad credit come with relatively high fees, this one is certainly one of the most expensive—with all the usual fees like the upfront program fee, the annual fee, or the monthly maintenance fee.
On top of that, you pay an expedited telephone payment fee, express delivery fee, premium plastic card design fee, and more.
Very high interest rate
The card has an APR of 35.99%. It’s very high, even for a card for bad credit.
Very low credit limit
In theory, the First Digital Mastercard® has a credit limit of $300. But in reality—after you pay the annual fee—it’s $225.
To keep your credit utilization ratio under 30%, you could only use around $70 a month.
Lack of a reward or bonus program
There’s no reward, bonus, or cash back program on this one. But if you want to use it only for building credit, the lack of these perks won’t be one of your concerns.
A hard pull on your credit reports
It’s common to see a hard pull on your credit when applying for a credit card designed for those with a dubious credit past.
The good news is that it messes up your credit only temporarily. After some time of on-time payments and responsible card management, you (or rather, your credit) will be back in shape.
Some Alternatives to the First Digital Credit Card
Here’s a list of other unsecured credit cards worth considering if you have a low credit score and want to build or reestablish your credit—
Indigo Platinum Mastercard®
The Indigo Platinum Mastercard® is a good choice for those with a turbulent financial past (that includes even prior bankruptcy).
Apart from a relatively high APR, it has an annual fee of up to $99 (depending on your creditworthiness). But there are no maintenance fees, and the card is accepted worldwide.
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | INDIGO PLATINUM MASTERCARD® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $75–$99 |
APR | 35.99% | 29.99% |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $300 |
Maintenance fees | $8.25/month after the first year | No maintenance fees |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Global transactions, fraud protection |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | Yes (only if you pre-qualify) |
Milestone Gold Mastercard®
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you might consider Milestone Gold Mastercard®. The annual fee is variable (starting at $35), and the APR is visibly lower (24.99%).
What we like about the card is the 1.5% cash back on eligible purchases.
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | MILESTONE MASTERCARD® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $35–$99 |
APR | 35.99% | 24.99% (Variable) |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $300 |
Maintenance fees | $8.25/month after the first year | No maintenance fees |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Zero liability protection, emergency cash advance, 1.5% cash back |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | Yes |
First Digital vs. Indigo vs. Milestone Gold
First Digital Mastercard® 3 |  Indigo® Mastercard® 3 |  Milestone® Mastercard 3 |
Annual fee $48–$75 | Annual fee $75–$99 | Annual fee $35–$99 |
APR 35.99% | APR 29.99% | APR 24.99% (Variable) |
Starting credit limit $300 | Starting credit limit $300 | Starting credit limit $300 |
Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit welcomes applications with FICO scores as low as 500.
Low entry barrier and 1% cash back make it a good choice for those who want to use it for everyday purchases while rebuilding their credit.
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | CREDIT ONE BANK® PLATINUM VISA® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $75–$99 |
APR | 35.99% | 28.24% (Variable) |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $300 |
Maintenance fees | $8.25/month after the first year | No maintenance fees |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Zero liability protection, 1% cash back |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | Yes (only if you pre-qualify) |
Credit One Bank® offers regular account reviews which are a chance to boost your credit limit. They’re granted for responsible card usage—so be sure to make in-full, on-time payments.
The APR is quite high at 28.24%—but you don’t have to worry about it as long as you pay off your credit card on time and in full.
Surge Mastercard®
The Surge Mastercard® is another unsecured card that can help you build or improve your credit. It reports to all three credit bureaus and lets you check your score every month (if you sign up for e-statements).
Backed by Continental Finance, the card has an initial credit limit ranging from $300 to $1,000 (which then gets doubled if you make first six payments on time).
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | SURGE MASTERCARD® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $75–$125 |
APR | 35.99% | 29.99% (Variable) |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $300-$1,000 |
Maintenance fees | $8.25/month after the first year | $10/month after the first year |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Fraud protection |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | Yes |
The fees are relatively high, but the APR is lower than the one for the First Digital Mastercard®.
Would you like to know more? Check out the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit.
First Digital vs. Credit One Bank® Platinum vs. Surge
First Digital Mastercard® 3 |  Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit 3 |  Surge® Mastercard 2.5 |
Annual fee $48–$75 | Annual fee $75–$99 | Annual fee $75–$125 |
APR 35.99% | APR 28.24% (Variable) | APR 29.99% (Variable) |
Starting credit limit $300 | Starting credit limit $300 | Starting credit limit $300–$1,000 |
Secured Alternatives to the First Digital Credit Card
Here are a couple of secured cards that you can consider as an alternative to the First Digital Credit Card—
Capital Bank OpenSky Visa®
The Capital Bank OpenSky Visa® is a secured credit card available to all credit scores, with an approval rate of 87%. The issuer doesn’t do a hard inquiry on your credit reports, so there’s no risk in applying for it.
It has a low annual fee of $35 and requires a security deposit of $200 (you can get it back when you choose to close the account).
With OpenSky Visa® you can increase your security deposit to $2,500. It immediately becomes your credit limit—which means you can freely adjust the amount depending on your current financial situation and manage your credit utilization ratio responsibly.
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | CAPITAL BANK OPENSKY VISA® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $35 |
APR | 35.99% | 21.89% |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $200–$2,500 |
Maintenance fees Security deposit | $8.25/month after the first year N/A | No maintenance fees $200–$2,500 |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Global transactions, fraud protection |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | No |
There are no additional fees, and the APR is significantly lower than the one for the First Digital card (21.89%).
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is another secured alternative to the First Digital card. Similarly to the Capital Bank OpenSky Visa®, you’ll need to make a deposit of $200.
Again, this will become your credit limit (which can range from $200 to $2,500).
The Citi® card has no annual or maintenance fees, and it’s accepted worldwide. The variable APR on this card is 26.99%.
THE FIRST DIGITAL NEXTGEN MASTERCARD® | CITI® SECURED MASTERCARD® | |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $48–$75 | $0 |
APR | 35.99% | 26.99%–29.99% |
Starting credit limit | $300 | $200–$2,500 |
Maintenance fees Security deposit | $8.25/month after the first year N/A | No maintenance fees $200–$2,500 |
Benefits | Fraud protection | Global transactions, fraud protection |
A hard pull on your credit | Yes | No |
If you have a bad credit score and cannot get a traditional unsecured credit card, the best solution is to apply for a secured one. This means you'll have to put some money down up front, but you can use the card to rebuild your credit by paying your bills regularly and on time. You will then have two sources of credit information to help increase your credit rating.Martin Mayer-Krebs, Founder and CEO of Quantitative Modelling and Research
First Digital vs. OpenSky Visa® vs. Citi Secured Mastercard®
First Digital Mastercard® 3 |  OpenSky® Secured Visa® Card 3.4 |  Citi® Secured Mastercard® 3 |
Annual fee $48–$75 | Annual fee $35 | Annual fee $0 |
APR 35.99% | APR 22.64% | Rewards N/A No rewards |
Starting credit limit $300 | Starting credit limit $200–$2,500 | Intro offer N/A No intro offer |
How Does the First Digital Credit Card Compare to Other Unsecured Cards for Those with Bad to Fair Credit?
CARD | ANNUAL FEE | UPFRONT FEE | MONTHLY FEE | APR | STARTING LIMIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$48–$75 | $95 | $0 the first year; then $8.25/month | 35.99% | $300 | |
$75 | $89 | $0 the first year; then $6.25/month | 29.99% | $400 | |
$75–$99 | N/A | $0–10/month | 24.99%–29.99% | $300–$1,000 | |
$75–$99 | N/A | $0–10/month | 24.99%–29.99% | $300–$1,000 | |
$59–$99 | N/A | $0–$12.50 | 24.9%–29.9% | $300 |
Is the First Digital Credit Card Good for You?
The First Digital credit card is good for those who have no other (cheaper) options to choose from and who need to build or reestablish their credit.
To make it work for you—
Make regular, timely payments (even one slip can stay on your records for years).
Pay your balance off in full to avoid paying interest charges.
Keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% (that means using less than one-third of your credit limit a month).
Don’t use the First Digital card to pay off big amounts of debt.
Don’t carry a balance on this card.
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