Imagine® Visa® Credit Card
Cash back rewards for those building or rebuilding credit
The Imagine® Visa® Credit Card is an unsecured credit card marketed to consumers with poor or fair credit history. It does not require a security deposit, which makes it appealing to borrowers who cannot tie up cash in a secured card. The card now offers cash back rewards* — 3% on eligible gas, groceries, and utilities, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Below, we break down exactly what you get, what you pay, and whether the Imagine® card is the right choice for your situation.
Quick Verdict
Who it's for: Applicants with FICO scores between 540 and 660 who cannot qualify for a secured card or prefer not to put down a deposit. Who should skip it: Anyone who can qualify for a secured card with a $200 deposit. The Discover it Secured, Capital One Platinum Secured, or even the Chime Secured Credit Builder card all offer better value with lower (or no) annual fees and actual rewards.
Key Features
The Imagine® Visa® Credit Card comes with a fixed APR of 36%, an annual fee as low as $99, and credit limits up to $1,000 subject to credit approval. The card earns cash back rewards* — 3% on eligible gas, groceries, and utilities, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee and no balance transfer option. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
About the Imagine® Visa® Credit Card
The Imagine® Visa® Credit Card is issued on the Visa network. The card has a 36% Fixed APR, annual fee as low as $99, and credit limits up to $1,000 subject to credit approval. The card now includes cash back rewards* — 3% on eligible gas, groceries, and utilities, and 1% on all other eligible purchases.
Fee Breakdown
The Imagine® card's fee structure is where most applicants should pay close attention. The annual fee is as low as $99 and is charged to your card upon opening. Additional fees include a late payment fee of up to $41, a returned payment fee of up to $41, and a potential monthly maintenance fee of up to $15 after the first year. There is no over-limit fee, and a 3% foreign transaction fee applies. The purchase APR is 36% Fixed.
Imagine Credit Card Fee Schedule
Who Qualifies
The Imagine® Visa® Credit Card is designed for applicants with FICO scores as low as 540 to 660, making it one of the more accessible unsecured cards available. There is no minimum income requirement published, and applicants with limited credit history, prior bankruptcies, or collections may still qualify. Imagine® offers a pre-qualification** check on their website that uses a soft credit pull, so you can see if you are likely to be approved without affecting your credit score. If you proceed to a full application, a hard inquiry will be placed on your credit report.
Is the Imagine Credit Card Legit?
Yes, the Imagine® Visa® Credit Card is a legitimate financial product. It is issued by WebBank and operated by Atlanticus Holdings, a publicly traded financial technology company (NASDAQ: ATLC) that has been in business since 1996. The card has a presence on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot, though customer reviews are mixed — common complaints include the annual fee and customer service responsiveness.
Login & Account Management
You can manage your Imagine Credit Card account online at imaginecredit.com or through the Imagine mobile app available on both iOS and Android. After receiving your card, register your account online to set up autopay, view statements, make payments, and track your credit utilization. If you forget your login credentials, use the password reset option on the login page or call customer service. Setting up autopay for at least the minimum payment is strongly recommended to avoid late fees and ensure your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus.
Alternatives for Bad Credit
Before committing to the Imagine® card, consider these alternatives. The Capital One Platinum Secured card requires a $49 to $200 refundable deposit and has no annual fee, making it significantly cheaper over the first year. The Milestone Mastercard is another unsecured option for bad credit. The Indigo Mastercard is also designed for bad credit applicants and offers pre-qualification** without a hard pull.
How to Apply
To apply for the Imagine® Visa® Credit Card, visit imaginecredit.com and start with the pre-qualification** check. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and annual income. The pre-qualification uses a soft pull and takes about two minutes. If you pre-qualify, you can proceed to the full application which will result in a hard credit inquiry. Approval decisions are typically instant, and approved cardholders receive their card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Pre-qualify online: Go to imaginecredit.com and enter your basic information for a soft pull pre-qualification check.
- Review your offer: If you pre-qualify, review the specific annual fee and credit limit offered to you.
- Submit full application: Accept the offer to trigger the full application and hard credit inquiry.
- Get your decision: Most applicants receive an instant approval or denial. Your card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
- Set up your account: Register at imaginecredit.com or download the app, then set up autopay immediately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pros
No security deposit required: Unlike secured cards, the Imagine card does not require an upfront cash deposit, making it accessible for applicants with limited savings.
Reports to all three credit bureaus: Imagine reports your payment activity to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, helping you build or rebuild your credit history with responsible use.
Pre-qualification** available: You can check if you pre-qualify with a soft credit pull that does not affect your credit score, reducing the risk of a hard inquiry denial.
Cons
Annual fee as low as $99: The annual fee is charged to your card upon opening, reducing your available credit from the start.
Credit limits up to $1,000: Credit limits are up to $1,000 subject to credit approval. The annual fee is deducted from your available credit, further reducing your spending power.