First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Low APR, high annual fee

Finder experts pick First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card as a 2021 best product for credit cards.

How to apply for the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card

1. Click Apply now.
2. Complete the application with your personal details.
3. Once you agree to the terms and conditions, you’ll set up your deposit.
4. Confirm that your information is correct and click Go to payment to complete your application. If you’re not approved for the card, First Progress will return your security deposit.

How long will it take to get my First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card?

First Progress Card needs three weeks to make a decision on your application. If you don’t hear any information by then, contact their support.

Card benefits

• Build your credit. First Progress Cards report to all three major credit agencies every month. With timely payments, you’ll build your credit score and can eventually apply for a better card.
• Control your credit limit. The size of your credit limit is determined by your deposit. You can start with as little as $200 and go up to $2,000. With approval, you can add additional funds to your deposit and raise your credit limit up to $5,000, which is the maximum for this card.
• No minimum credit score to apply. If you’ve just started your credit-building journey, or if you’ve had credit difficulties in the past and want to rebuild your credit, you can apply for the card without worrying about having a minimum score.
• Low APR. The annual percentage rate for purchases made with this card is 9.99% variable. This is low when compared to other cards, some of which can have APRs up to 26%.

What to watch out for

• Annual fee. This card has an annual fee of $49, which will be applied to your balance.
• Foreign transaction fee. If you use this card when traveling abroad, you’ll pay an additional 3% of the transaction for each purchase.
• Penalty fees. A late payment can cost you up to $40, and a returned payment up to $29.
• Limited customer service. At the moment, there’s no phone number for potential customers to call. Support is limited to online help for current customers or postal mail.
• Upfront security deposit. First Progress requires you to fund the security deposit of at least $200 before you know whether you’re approved.

Compare First Progress credit cards

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Name	Product	Filter values	Minimum deposit required	Purchase APR	Annual fee	Recommended minimum credit score
Citi® Secured Mastercard®			Starting at $200	22.49% variable	$0	New to credit	A no annual fee secured card for people who are new to credit or have limited credit history.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Self Visa® Credit Card			Starting at $100	21.74% variable	$25	300	Build your credit with a low minimum security deposit of $100 and no credit score required.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Surge Secured Mastercard®			Starting at $300	19.99% variable	$69	300	Earn 1% cash back rewards.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What should I know before I apply?

You can apply for the card if:

• You’re at least 18 years old, or 19 in Alabama and Nebraska
• You’re a US citizen or a permanent resident in the US — excluding Arkansas, Iowa, New York and Wisconsin

When you fill out your application, you’ll need to provide:

• Your name, residential status and residential address
• Your Social Security number and date of birth
• Your contact information and information about your income
• The amount you will pay for the initial security deposit

What credit score do I need?

You don’t need a credit history or a minimum credit score to apply. However, approval is not guaranteed upon application.

First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card reviews and complaints

Satisfied customers claim the card has managed to help them build their credit score considerably in a few months time. Those who aren’t satisfied complain about poor customer service and hidden fees. To avoid this, make sure you read your card’s agreement.

First Progress Card earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau where it’s been accredited since 2013. As of October 2020, First Progress Card has more than 260 complaints, more than half of which have been resolved.

I got the card. Now what?

• Avoid interest. Your grace period is 25 days after the end of each billing period. Despite having low APR, you’ll avoid accruing interest on your purchases if you pay your balance off during this time.
• Customer service. For any questions, log in to your account online or write First Progress Card at PO Box 9053, Johnson City, TN 37615-9053.

Bottom line

If you typically carry a balance, this card could be a strong choice, as it has the lowest APR on purchases compared to its First Progress siblings. But if you always pay your balance on time, The First Progress Platinum Elite MasterCard® Secured Credit Card and its lower annual fee could suit you best.

If you’re still not sure which credit card is best for you, check out other secured cards and compare your options.

Frequently asked questions

• Does the card have an annual fee?

  Yes, the card has a $49 annual fee.

• How can I get my card more quickly?

  You can choose expedited processing and get your card up to seven days faster for $19.95, but only if you pay your deposit with a prepaid card or a debit card.

• What happens to my security deposit when I close my account?

  Your security deposit will be sent to you when you close your account. To get a complete refund, you should have no outstanding balances on your credit card account. If you have outstanding balances, you’ll get a check for what’s left after First Progress has settled your account.